Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $172.15
Sale Price: $109.09
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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.
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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.
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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.
Honest reviews on Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #MH80CV
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.
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I don't work for Mr. Heater, but I do work at a propane company. I've read some reviews of some issues with the flame in the heater. These issues may be caused by propane liquid getting into the hose instead of vapor. This is a problem because propane devices are designed to burn propane gas, not liquid, when you get liquid going through, it burns like a fast burning napalm. Napalm is bad. It also burns much hotter (thus the warping lid). This can be caused by a few things. Most commonly would be extreme cold temperatures. Pure Propane does well at cold temperatures but turns to liquid around -45 degrees, however, because what is in your tank is not pure propane (other things get in there too, no way to avoid that) the other gases cause it to liquefy at warmer temps. Most domestic sale propane liquefies between -20 and -27 degrees Fahrenheit. Another cause could be an over-pressurized tank. Too much pressure could cause the tank to contain more liquid than it's supposed to. A third cause would be the simplest fix: the tank is upside-down or on it's side, this could cause whatever liquid IS in the tank to come out first.
I hope this helps someone!
