Portable Heaters (AGAIN!)

Mark Maulden · Nov 19, 2019

Would you leave a burner going without this heater? What in this heater alleviates CO accumulation? Notice the title says “outside”....

Will Gilmore · Nov 20, 2019

CleanCook Model A1 Stove with Alcohol Fuel
Rated by the EPATest Report - CleanCook Model A1 Stove with Alcohol Fuel - Air Pollutant Emissions and Fuel Efficiency | Science Inventory | US EPA
For indoor pollutants is a tier 4 (best).

I like the locks cut into the bottom edge. That should keep it in place on a boat and prevent the unwary from leaning on the lit burner accidentally.

-Will (Dragonfly)

sailme88 · Nov 20, 2019

Is there anyway to control the radiation ? Otherwise you may be too close on surfaces that could be problematic

Benny17441 · Nov 20, 2019

I would not use with a propane stove; its use would lead to leaving the stove unattended and should the flame go off the gas would spill into the cabin sole. There are stoves with thermocouple valves in the burners but I still like to keep watch on the burners whenever they are on. A Mr. Heater burns cleaner and has an oxygen depletion valve.

Project_Mayhem · Nov 20, 2019

sailme88 said:
Is there anyway to control the radiation ? Otherwise you may be too close on surfaces that could be problematic

A fan could help with this and distribute the heat throughout the cabin

Hunter216 · Nov 20, 2019

rgranger said:
Hey all:

I didn't want to hijack the "Mr Heater" thread.

I ran across one of these at Walmart

Outdoor Portable Gas Heater Warmer Stove Heating Cover - Walmart.com

Free 2-day shipping. Buy Outdoor Portable Gas Heater Warmer Stove Heating Cover at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

View attachment 172295

They advertise it as a heater that fits over your stove's burner. And they are only $16.95. And I already have a two burner alcohol stove. Sooooo...
What say you all (yes I will be installing a CO detector).

I've heard stories of people putting clay pots over their alcohol stoves to radiate heat. This seems like a better way to go.

I assume you are considering this as a way to heat your cabin and utilize an existing device to do that. The device I don’t believe would “increase” the btu output of the stove, it does however encourage a use of your stove outside it’s intended purpose, ie short term use while cooking when you are fully awake. NOT a heat source while you are trying to sleep.

I know you said you would install a carbon monoxide detector but burning anything that produces CO in an enclosed space is hazardous. Not telling you something you don’t know already. I lost a close friend from CO exposure, she went to bed and never woke up, so would appreciate it if you would carefully re-consider what you are thinking.

Dennis Kitchen · Nov 20, 2019

These things can't make heat, they only capture and re-direct so it doesn't go straight up to the ceiling above the burner. Does the flame actually move up into that contraption to create radiant heat or is it only a heat sink?
Try it ; outdoors, wearing a bomb squad suit.
Dennis

JRT · Nov 20, 2019

The Mr. Heater 9000 BTU is pretty amazing little heater and worked perfect for our cold sail the first time. Only $70 and a 4 pack of camping tanks was $10. It also seems it can be tied into the propane supply on the boat which would eliminate the extra tanks but add complexity and limit where it would be placed. We carried it from cockpit to cabin and repositioned in cockpit to help the person with the coldest needs.

Will Gilmore · Nov 20, 2019

So, what happens with an alcohol stove if you snuff the flame, but leave the burner on? Not the same as a propane stove.
Alcohol burns very clean too. The CO emissions is nearly non-existent, from what I understand.
A small fan to help distribute heat sounds like a good idea.

-Will (Dragonfly)

JamesG161 · Nov 20, 2019

rgranger said:
What say you all

Inside a closed cabin, I am not sure what i would do with it.

Radiated heat is adsorbed by surfaces in line of sight.

Conductive/Convective heat, heats the air.
Jim...

PS: A good hand warmer, perhaps

Will Gilmore · Nov 20, 2019

There is always friction heat taken mechanically from wind,
or

New term: "over unity"

The plus? No emissions. That's like getting Carbon Credits (modern day "Indulgences"), so we can enjoy a beer guilt-free. :beer:

-Will (Dragonfly)

sailme88 · Nov 20, 2019

We all struggle to find new and inventive ways of doing things in a frugal manner. This is fine and in some ways great. Not such a good idea when repurposing heat producing devices. Fan not withstanding, it is dangerous. The annals of fire investigations are rife with radiational fire causes. During the oil embargo or the 70's many people installed wood stoves in their homes. And many of those homes burned down. Radiational heating goes through brick and steel. Air spaces are key in prevention. But simply blowing air across or thru an area will not stop or end the process. Curtail yes, stop NO ! UL rated does not mean fool proof. UL rated means safe when installed and used when in direct compliance with the installation requiements.