Customer Reviews

Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #MH80CV

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I use the Mr. Heater 30-80K convection heater in my garage, which is roughly 625 SF with high 14 ft. ceilings, CMU block wall, un-insulated ceiling. During winter months of the teens outside, I can bring the inside temp of my garage up to 70 degrees within a short time. However, you may need to hang a box fan up near the ceiling or install a ceiling fan to circulate the heat back down, it puts out a strong trickle of heat in a 360 degree radius that is easy to regulate to keep from alternating between freezing and roasting.

The biggest plus for me with this unit it the lack of objectionable fumes as are produced by forced air kerosene heaters, the propane burns clean and is easy to purchase at my local filling station, no spills or lugging around 5 gallon containers of kerosene.

If massive amounts of heat are what you want, you should consider the forced air propane heater made by Mr. Heater. They put out massive quantities of heat in short order.

I get about 15 hours of use per 25 pound propane tank, the same type my BBQ runs on, by turning this unit on high and then shutting it down to low, alternating this cycle. You can use upwards of a 100 pound propane tank.

The unit is much smaller then I expected which is a plus, it is light and very well made and simple to use.

First let me say I've had good experience with other Mr Heater products. I own the buddy and big buddy heaters, and I love them and have NEVER had a problem with them (with exception to the brittle plastics).

With that said, I am torn on this product. I had high expectations based on reviews I've read, product literature, features, specs and prior Mr Heater experience.

Why I bought it:
Emergency preparedness. To heat our home in the event of a power failure during the snow storms that have been sweeping the country. I bought this because its efficient, affordable, portable, easy to use, clean heat. I bought this because our kerosene heater is WAY too expensive to operate, because Kerosene is harder to find, and because Kerosene is a dirty heat. Propane is cheap, available every where, stable, long lasting (shelf life), and very efficient. I bought it because it puts out an incredible amount of BTUs.

What went wrong:
I read the manual before using it. After reading the setup and operating instructions, it explains in detail conditions of unsafe operation. It states that the flame inside should be mostly blue with very little yellow. It states there should be NO FLAMES exiting the unit. It states that if any of these conditions are experienced, to shut off the gas supply and heater, and call a service center immediately.

When I turned on the unit, I immediately got an intense jet-like after-burner of a flame that was about 1" of blue and 8" of yellow. The flame reached the top of the unit and began to bow and bubble the top metal piece. The flame was so intense and strong that it began to wick out of the unit and above it. Uh-oh. I was really freaked out. Like fearing for my life and home freaked out.

So I did as the manual stated. And 3 days later I was able to speak with a 'human' (I use that term loosely).

The first two days I called (during hours), I sat on hold for 45 minutes. Then I gave up. I mean really, 45 minutes?? Whats wrong with this place? Do they have THAT many support calls? Is there anyone home? Can they not afford to pay enough agents to take calls? What happened to this company?

So on day 2 I chose the option to get a call back. It took 6 attempts before this option work, before the system assured me I would be called back when my turn came up. No call back.

I called the 3rd day, went through the same experience. Hold for 45 minutes, multiple attempts at getting the call-back system to work. No call back after hours of waiting. So I called back and chose sales. Someone in sales answered fairly quickly (so they like to sell but can't support??), I explained the problem I was having with their phone system, and she said she would transfer me back into the queue at highest priority and I would be the next call answered. 45 minutes later I hung up.

Fast forward - eventually someone called me. However, it was like talking to a wall. Or zombie. In fact, I'd rather talk to my dog. At least he smiles at me. This guy sounded like he was asleep. He did not laugh. I was overly cheery and happy to talk to him. I think he hated his job. Or was at a funeral. I'm sorry, he was just so lifeless. I felt like he HATED me for calling.

Long story short, the agent told me he "didn't know why the manual says that, it sounds like its operating fine". I said what about the yellow flame, its suppose to be blue? I said what about the warping metal top? I said what about the flames coming out of it? His answer: "that sounds normal".

So I called Amazon, explained the problem with the product, the company, and my fears; and Amazon happily sent me a second unit to try out within 2 days (my choice). The second unit had the same problem. I call it a problem because the manual does. In the end Amazons excellent Customer Service took care of me, and took both of the units back at their expense. I will be looking for a new propane heater.

I hope you have better luck then me; but honestly I cannot recommend this unit to anyone because I would hate to see someone injured in the process; or loose their home and valuables. Its just not worth the risk, and the manufacturer just couldn't come trough. I personally value my home, my life, my family, and my children more than this - this unit just isn't worth the risk.

Report card:
Amazon - A++ (Amazon is truly amazing)
Manufacturer - F (Fix your phones, your people, your products, your manuals)
Product - F (This thing will hurt someone)
Manufacturer Support Agent - F (Wake up, find a job you enjoy, and learn how to be a human being with a heart, a mind, and a smile)

Yikes, I know. Trust me, I'm feeling the same way.

PS - I hope this review gives you some insight and help with your choice, and a little knowledge from an unbiased owner. If so, please click on "YES" below this review to vote it as helpful.

This is a great heat generator, and sounds like a jet when running full blast. I love it, but when I use it on the covered patio of a party people think it is too loud. For working around it is good, but for a party situtation I wish I had found one of the short unbrella style heaters instead, the radiat the heat down better and are not loud.

I bought this as a supplement to a kerosene jet heater that I also use in my garage. I use the jet for quick heat up in the winter, but the down side is the fumes and lack of thermostat. This (Mr. Heater) heater is great if you are going to be working around it because it's cleaner burning and collapses for storage. It puts off a little bit of black ash if you burn it too low, but turn it up and it goes away.

It was cold outside. While I was working in my garage, 22x40, when my kerosene "salamander" decided to die on me.So, I ordered the Mr Heater 80k propane convection heater and WOW! Not only did it get delivered fast this thing really heats my shop up well. I keep 2 20lb tanks on hand plus the tanks for my grill, just in case, wish i had this a long time ago. Saves me going to the only staion for miles that sells kero and spillage and storing Kerosene and smelling that all winter long

Bought this heater for my 30'x45' pole barn. I used it to heat it for a Halloween party and it worked very well. It was in the low 30's outside but kept well into the upper 60's inside. My barn is not insulated and is drafty. I placed it inside a playpen fence arranged in a large square to keep kids out and put it off to the side in the back of the barn. I hung a box fan in the rafters pointed down to circulate the warm air. I used one 20lb. propane cylinders in 5 hours mostly on medium. I had it on high for the first couple hours to get things warmed up.
For the price of the heater and convenience of propane I think this is a definite bargain way to heat a barn. I used a kerosene salamander before but the fumes were awful. This heater burns clean without the smell. The noise is not bad at all. If you are having a party, you won't even notice it over the people talking. When I'm by myself in the wood shop I can hear the stereo just fine.
Just a word of caution. Even though this burns without noticeable fumes (you will smell fumes during the initial use as the new paint or coatings get burned off) remember that this does use up oxygen. If your area is well sealed you could reduce the amount of oxygen in the room.

I'm using this for short periods of 1/2 to 1 hour a few times per day in a house that's being remodeled and is hard to keep warm in the winter. Since it's unvented, I don't run it for very long at a time and I never leave it alone while its heating. In the small house, it's amazing how fast it can heat up the house. My only reservation is, it really uses up the propane, but I guess that's to be expected. I open a couple of windows once a day and turn on an exhaust fan to be sure the air stays fresh.

I purchased this heater two weeks ago for my garage from Amazon for $99 delivered. It is a 2 car with 11ft ceilings. My wife smokes cigarets and I smoke cigars and we only smoke in the garage. I can run a full size 24in fan blowing out my window with this heater on about 1/2 power in 20 deg temp's and could be wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the garage. The heat is almost instant. It was super easy to set up and I love it. Had it running is less than 10 minutes and I actually read and folowed the directions. I have tried all trypes of electric heaters at they work well at 40 or 45 deg but below that no chance. For my purpose or anyone wanting to heat a garage type area I highly reccomend. Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #F270480

This was a gift for my husband and he's used it at home and at our cabin to allow him to work on hobbies no matter what the weather. At home and at the cabin he's cracked the back/side door and garage doors and inch or two and worked on things from refurbishing a car, playing ping pong, throwing pottery and letting it dry, and just cleaning up the garage.

GREAT heater for the price and BTUs.

We live in North Dakota and the winters can and do get cold. I was looking for something to take the chill out of my garage, and after reading the previous reviews, this heater sounded good. I tried it and would recommened it to anyone who was looking for a reasonable priced heater. I started the heater when the garage temperature was 31 degrees (F) and within a half hour the temperature was pushing 70 degrees. My garage is about 24' by 30'. Works great and after years of searching I have found a heater that does the job.