Mr. Heater

Mr. Heater makes portable propane heaters, forced air heaters, and radiant heaters — the heating equipment contractors reach for when they need reliable heat on a job site or emergency backup during Montana power outages. The company specializes in portable heating products and offers what they call the most complete product line in the industry.

The Buddy Series That Put Them on the Map

Mr. Heater’s Buddy series portable propane heaters have become the go-to portable heat source for contractors across Montana. Three models cover different needs:

The standard Portable Buddy runs at 4,000 or 9,000 BTU per hour, heating up to 225 sq. ft. You’ll get 3 to 6 hours on a 1 lb. cylinder, up to 5.4 hours typical runtime. Manual piezo ignition and no electricity required means it works anywhere. The safety features matter — oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) for safety in enclosed spaces and accidental tip-over safety shut-off.

Step up to the Big Buddy for serious heating power. Three heat settings deliver 4,000, 9,000, or 18,000 BTU/hr, covering up to 450 sq. ft. Runtime stretches to 11 hours on low setting with dual 1lb tanks. The maximum elevation rating of 7,000 feet covers most Montana job sites except the highest peaks. At 17.1 lbs, it’s still portable enough to move between work areas.

Buddy Model	BTU Output	Coverage	Runtime (1lb tank)	Max Elevation
Portable Buddy	4,000/9,000	225 sq. ft.	3-6 hours	Not specified
Big Buddy	4,000/9,000/18,000	450 sq. ft.	Up to 11 hours	7,000 feet

Both models include the same critical safety features — ODS sensor and tip-over shut-off. The indoor-safe certification means they work for emergency home heating during power outages, not just job sites.

Forced Air Heaters for Big Jobs

When you need to heat an entire job site trailer or keep a concrete pour from freezing, Mr. Heater’s forced air propane heaters deliver the BTUs. Three models scale from small shops to massive work areas.

The 38,000 BTU model heats 800-950 sq. ft. and runs up to 12 hours on a 20lb tank. Here’s what sets it apart: Quiet Burner Technology (QBT) runs 50% quieter than standard models. That matters when you’re working next to the heater all day. High-limit safety shut-off switch and thermo-electric safety valve provide double protection against overheating.

The 60,000 BTU unit covers up to 1,500 sq ft with 30,000-60,000 BTU/hr adjustable output. Runtime extends to 14 hours on low setting with a 20lb tank. All forced air models need 110V/120V AC power for the blower.

For the biggest spaces, the 125,000 BTU model heats 3,125 sq ft with 75,000-125,000 BTU variable control. Even at this size, you get decent runtime — approximately 11.5 hours on low with a 20lb tank, 11 hours on high with a 40lb tank.

Forced Air Model	BTU Range	Coverage	Runtime (20lb tank)	Special Features
38,000 BTU	38,000	800-950 sq ft	Up to 12 hours	50% quieter (QBT)
60,000 BTU	30,000-60,000	1,500 sq ft	Up to 14 hours	Adjustable output
125,000 BTU	75,000-125,000	3,125 sq ft	11.5 hours (low)	Variable control

Multi-Fuel Kerosene Heaters for Extreme Cold

Montana winters test equipment harder than most places. Mr. Heater’s kerosene forced air heaters solve the extreme cold problem with multi-fuel flexibility and serious heat output.

The 75,000 BTU model covers 1,875 sq ft while the 140,000 BTU unit heats 3,500 sq ft. Both run 9.5-11 hours per tank. Here’s the key advantage: they run on kerosene, diesel #1, diesel #2, fuel oil #1, fuel oil #2, or JP-8 jet fuel. When propane deliveries can’t make it to your remote job site, you can run these on diesel from any gas station.

The built-in thermostat maintains precise temperature control — critical for curing concrete or maintaining workspace temperatures overnight. Split upper shell design allows easy cleaning without complete disassembly. Both models include diagnostics LED for troubleshooting fuel system issues.

Cabinet Heaters for No-Power Situations

The 18,000 BTU cabinet heater fills a specific niche — radiant heat with no electricity required. It delivers heat in three settings: 6,000, 12,000, or 18,000 BTU, covering 450 sq ft.

Runtime beats everything else in the lineup: 72 hours on low, 24 hours on high with a 20lb tank. That’s three full days of heat without refueling. The lockable casters let you roll it exactly where needed, then lock it in place. Safety features include ODS sensor and tip-over switch.

At 19 lbs empty, it’s manageable for one person to move. The internal tank storage keeps everything contained in one unit. Perfect for shops without power, remote guard shacks, or emergency heating when the grid goes down.

FAQ

What’s the actual difference between the Portable Buddy and Big Buddy? The Big Buddy doubles the max heat output (18,000 vs 9,000 BTU) and coverage area (450 vs 225 sq ft). It runs dual 1lb cylinders or connects to a 20lb tank with an optional hose. The Portable Buddy maxes out with single 1lb cylinders. Both have the same safety features — ODS and tip-over protection.

Can these heaters really work at Montana elevations? The Big Buddy specifically lists a 7,000-foot maximum elevation. That covers most of Montana except the highest mountain job sites. The ODS (oxygen depletion sensor) automatically adjusts for altitude, but output drops as you climb. Figure about 4% less heat per 1,000 feet of elevation.

Why do the forced air heaters need electricity when the radiant ones don’t? Forced air models use an electric blower to push heated air across the work area. No blower means no forced air circulation. The radiant heaters (Buddy series and cabinet models) work like a campfire — they radiate heat directly to objects without moving air. Different physics, different power requirements.

Is the Quiet Burner Technology actually quieter? Mr. Heater claims 50% noise reduction with QBT. That’s the difference between normal conversation level and having to raise your voice. On a job site where you’re running a heater all day next to your work area, that noise reduction prevents fatigue and improves communication.

What’s the advantage of kerosene heaters over propane? Fuel flexibility. When it’s -30°F and the propane truck can’t make it up your mountain road, you can pour diesel from a jerry can. Kerosene heaters also maintain more consistent heat output in extreme cold — propane pressure drops as temperature falls, reducing BTU output when you need it most.