Butane Heaters

[whenfires]

I have been looking at the portable butane heaters that use the standard cartridges used with portable gas camping stoves:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272461774533? ... EBIDX%3AIT

I was thinking of getting a couple to use for emergency heating and wondered if any UKP'ers have any experience of using them. Can they be used indoors and if so how much ventilation is required?

[Deeps]

While I can't offer any advice or opinions, they're on my list as well. I nearly bought a couple for this winter so I'll be following the thread to see what feedback you get.

[jaffab]

Whilst not an expert, came across this which details what type of heaters *could* be used inside a tent, caravan, camper and house. In terms of the butane heaters, it says that ALL WINDOWS SHOULD BE OPENED FULLY - which I guess defeats the purpose?

http://www.campertrailers.org/heater_dangers.htm

and

http://www.campthewild.com/portable-gas ... t-camping/

[whenfires]

Whilst not an expert, came across this which details what type of heaters *could* be used inside a tent, caravan, camper and house. In terms of the butane heaters, it says that ALL WINDOWS SHOULD BE OPENED FULLY - which I guess defeats the purpose?

http://www.campertrailers.org/heater_dangers.htm

I came across that one as well but it seems a bit over-cautious, if you can be over-cautious about Carbon Monoxide poisoning Surely if you can use a butane stove to cook with with minimal ventilation you can use a butane heater, granted for a longer period, without resorting to opening so many windows you lose all of the heat you are generating?

I am also wondering about fixing one of these carbon monoxide detector patches to the heater casing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Artic-SleepSa ... SwnHZYhH5o

[Plymtom]

Whilst not an expert, came across this which details what type of heaters *could* be used inside a tent, caravan, camper and house. In terms of the butane heaters, it says that ALL WINDOWS SHOULD BE OPENED FULLY - which I guess defeats the purpose?

http://www.campertrailers.org/heater_dangers.htm

I came across that one as well but it seems a bit over-cautious, if you can be over-cautious about Carbon Monoxide poisoning Surely if you can use a butane stove to cook with with minimal ventilation you can use a butane heater, granted for a longer period, without resorting to opening so many windows you lose all of the heat you are generating?

I am also wondering about fixing one of these carbon monoxide detector patches to the heater casing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Artic-SleepSa ... SwnHZYhH5o

Mmmm yes well I use gas (mains) in a kitchen without opening the windows I have extractor fans and would probably never close the door whilst cooking, but that's only because It gets too hot, I open the window in summer for the same reason, perhaps in a caravan or very small house it is more crucial so they are covering their butts.

[Brambles]

Also remember that portable gas heaters of any sort generate quite a bit of vapour so dampness could also be a reason to have good ventilation.
Whenever I use my paraffin heaters, I have to vent the room to reduce damp buildup.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Be aware below about 5^c they don't work the butane freezes (I have one for camping) I also use a co detector

They do cause a lot of damp tho

[Jamesey1981]

I have a little heater like that and as long as you're careful you can use them indoors or in a tent, I use mine in my shed and in my big tent and I haven't died, they do kick out carbon monoxide if you don't have adequate ventilation but so will a standard kitchen gas cooker, just don't light it up then go to sleep.

They do require caution because of the fire risk but as long as you take care then no problem, but do have a look at catalytic ones, they're more expensive but there's also less of a fire risk so spending a little more can be safer, I decided it wasn't worth the extra money for the number of times I use it, just depends on your situation.

[jaffab]

Some other ideas (from around the web)...

The flower pot heater ....
http://macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com/how ... r-0159372/

The commercial version of the above
http://inhabitat.com/egloo-heats-your-r ... nts-a-day/

(of course, the law of thermal dynamics says that the above is no warmer than just burning some candles in a room - you cant make more heat (energy) by adding a non burning element - you are just changing the distribution (radiation) method)

Then we move on to building an indoor fireplace with venting (via tins)....
http://mysurvivalforum.com/threads/how- ... ndoors.91/

Onto a full Emergency setup of a full Wood Burning Stove....
http://preppingplans.com/temporarily-in ... gency-use/