Top 4 : Best Ice Fishing Heater? Buddy Series Dominates

Welcome, if you enjoy the sport of ice fishing you’ll need a way to stay warm in your fish house/tent. Which models are the best ice fishing heaters for the winter of 2019/20? Let’s start with two top rated heaters, designed for both ends of the spectrum — small or large fish shanty’s.

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Be Prepared for the Cold

If you spend a lot of time in an ice shanty then a natural question to ask yourself is: What’s the best ice fishing heater? Let’s be honest, it can get cold sitting on the ice for hours waiting for the fish to bite. If you ice fish in the open air, well, then you have no choice but to dress warm. On the other hand, if you do your ice fishing from an ice cabin or tent then an ice fishing heater will get you through the coldest winter.

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Best Ice Fishing Heater

How do you choose the right size propane heater for ice fishing? Well, it’s actually quite simple Figure out what size of a space you’ll be staying in and then select the appropriate model based on the square footage each heater is designed to keep warm.

Video | Mr. Heater Buddy F232000 

If you have a small ice shanty (under 100 sq.ft. then the Little Buddy heater is actually perfect for you. If you want something for a large ice shanty then the Big Buddy (MH18B ) is ideal, but it weighs more, takes up more space and is more expensive. My top recommendation is the Portable Buddy (MH9BX) as your ice fishing heater because it has a low (4,000 BTU) and a high (8,000 BTU) setting, giving you more control than the Little Buddy, but it’s also compact enough to take with you on your ice fishing excursions.

One of the best ice fishing heaters you can buy is the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy radiant heater. It reminds me of the the fairy tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears — The Portable Buddy is “just right.” But, everyone’s needs are different. All three models are excellent. The most important thing is for you to determine what space (or spaces) you want to heat. Ice fishermen genuinely rave about these Buddy Series radiant propane heaters, and for good reason. They are reliable and very well-made.

Which radiant buddy heater is best for you? We’ll look at 3 different models:

1. Little Buddy | F215120 — MH4B | up to 100 sq. ft.
2. Portable Buddy | F232000 — MH9BX | No longer available
3. Big Buddy | F274800 — MH18B | up to 400 sq. ft.

Enerco, which owns Mr. Heater, is based in Cleveland Ohio, and they’ve been manufacturing heaters since 1957. They’ve had a lot of years refining their radiant heating technology for consumers. Let’s look at 3 of the best ice fishing heaters on the market.

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What is Radiant Heat?

The sun is the best infrared heater around. It generates infrared heat as it burns gases. The infrared energy the sun creates moves through space and warms the surface of the earth. Even when it’s cold, objects on earth and people are warmed up by the heat radiated by the sun, even when the surrounding air is cold.

Heat is a product of light invisible to our eyes, but it still affects us. We warm up from an infrared heater because our skin and clothes absorb the light (which is energy/heat).  Well, these radiant ice fishing heaters work in a similar manner.

An infrared heater is like a mini-sun. It  burns propane to generate heat, which then radiates outward, warming objects such as the floor, furniture, tools and everything else in the vicinity — including you, and other people in your ice shanty.

Heated objects then release some of their heat into the air and/or releasing it to objects that come in contact with it. For example, the floor of your ice shanty will warm you as you walk on it. You may not notice it, but it does. It all adds up.

Learn more about radiant heating on Wikipedia.

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Mr. Heater Portable Buddy | F232000 / MH9BX

The Portable Buddy Heater is ideal for large ice tents or cabins. It has two settings which gives you more control over the heat it emits. This is an important feature because the last thing you want is a heater that makes your fishing quarters too hot. The low setting is 4,000 BTU’s and the high setting is 8,000 BTU’s.

For example, the Little Buddy Heater burns 3,800 BTU’s an hour, so the low setting on the Portable Buddy Heater is equivalent to the Little Buddy. But, if you need more heat, the option is available at the turn of a knob. If you know you don’t need the higher setting then save your money and get the smaller model. But, if you plan on using this heater in your home or garage then it might be a good idea to plan for future uses.

View or download the MANUAL for the Mr. Heater portable Buddy radiant heater.

Features (Buddy F232000 — MH9BX):

• 4,000 or 9,000 BTU per hour.
• For use with propane gas.
• Heats up to 200 sq. ft.
• Single control start knob.
• Hi-Low heat settings.
• Swivel regulator.
• Fold down handle.
• Accidental tip-over safety shut-off.
• Piezo igniter.
• Runs off a 1 lb. cylinder.
• Connects directly to a 20 lb. cylinder with optional hose and filter.

Warning: Never use unauthorized accessories or attachments with this heater. Not only is this dangerous but it can also lead to serious injury, and will void your warranty.

See this ice fishing heater in the wild:

Tech Specs (F232000 MH9BX):

• BTU per Hour : 4,000/9,000
• Heating Area (Sq Ft) : 200
• Tank Capacity (Min) : 1# Propane Cylinder
• Run Time (Hrs at Max BTU) : 6 Hours
• Run Time (Hrs at Min BTU) : 3 Hours
• Fuel Consumption/Burn Rate (Gal/Hr) : at 4,000 BTU = 0.044 Gal/Hr, at 9,000 BTU = 0.099 Gal/Hr
• Electricity Required : No
• Maximum Elevation (Ft) : 7000 Ft
• Dimension (In) : 13.4″ W x 15″ H x 7.7″ D
• Weight (Lbs) : 0.60
• Size: Length  14.25″ x Width 9″ x Height 15″
• Disclaimer : Not for sale in Massachusetts or Canada

Cleaning and Maintenance

Warning | Use this Propane Heater with Caution :

• If you use this Portable Buddy radiant heater for ice fishing, there are some basic common sense rules and warnings that YOU MUST FOLLOW. This propane heater comes is an asphyxiation hazard.
• Never use in unventilated or closed areas.
• Never block or obstruct the ventilation of this radiant heater.
• Make sure your room or ice shanty (or tent) is properly ventilated.
• Without proper ventilation will lead to improper combustion which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. This can lead to a serious life-threatening injury or eve death. Safety should always be your top priority.
• Symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness and difficulty breathing. Learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning in our in-depth article on CO.

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Little Buddy Heater | F215120 — MH4B

View or download the MANUAL for the Little Buddy radiant ice fishing heater.

Features:

• 3,800 BTU per hour.
• Requires propane gas.
• Heats up to 100 sq. ft.
• Easy to start. One button ignition.
• 8″ (diameter) stand requires little space. Compact.
• Accidental tip-over safety shut-off.
• Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS).
• Connects directly to a 1 lb. disposable propane cylinder
• Quiet, clean, odor-free operation.

Video | Watch the Little Buddy

Tips from the MANUAL :

• When heater is placed on the ground, make sure the Ground is level and keep any objects at least 24 inches from the front of the heater. This heater is equipped with a tip over switch that will shut the heater off if the heater tips over however, do not leave the heater unattended. Keep away from where children are gathered or playing, or pets, which may cause the heater to tip over. Never operate The heater while sleeping!
• When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 feet above sea level, the unit won’t burn as bright as in lower altitudes. This is normal, don’t worry. When you’re at higher altitudes these heaters may turn-off. If this happens, make sure the heater is exposed to fresh air, wait 5 minutes and re-light. Depending on atmospheric conditions heater may not reignite.

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Mr. Heater Big Buddy | F274800 — MH18B

Requires four (4x) D-cell batteries is required for fan operation.

View or download the MANUAL for the Big Buddy propane radiant heater.

Features:

• 4,000, 9,000, or 18,000 BTU per hour.
• For use with propane gas.
• Heats up to 400 sq. ft.
• Single control start knob.
• Hi-Med-Low heat settings.
• Swivel regulators.
• Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS).
• Accidental tip-over safety shut-off.
• Connects to two 1 lb. cylinders.
• Connects to a 20 lb. cylinder with optional hose.
• Fan operates on 4 D batteries or AC adapter, both sold separately.

Big Buddy | Ice Fishing Heater

This patented radiant 4,000-18,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater connects directly to two 1 lb. cylinders and is the perfect solution for heating enclosed spaces like cabins up to 400 sq. ft. An integrated fan increases the heating capacity of this unit, blending radiant and convection style heat to give you the best of both worlds.

Two swivel regulators give you the ability to adapt usage from disposable cylinders to a remote gas supply with the purchase of a single hose and filter. To light the unit, simply push and rotate the knob. The built in Piezo sparking mechanism will take care of the rest. With the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shut-off, you can be sure that you will enjoy years of comfortable indoor safe heat.

Watch this video on the Big Buddy propane heater:

These heaters can be used for a wide range of applications, not just ice fishing:
Barns, Sheds, Cabins, Shelters, Workshops, Work sites, Porches, Patios, Decks, Garages, Storage Buildings, Picnics, Tailgate Parties, Sporting Events, Hunting Blinds, Ice Fishing Shanties, Truck & Horse Trailers, Emergency Heat.

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Hose Assemblies | Mr. Heater Buddy Heater

10 feet F273704

If you’re using a  refillable propane cylinder, keep it outdoors at all times, and use one of the Mr. Heater hoses, which include:

1. F273701 hose (5 feet) | 9,000 BTU | Buddy Heater
2. F273702 hose (12 feet) | 75,000 BTU | Buddy Heater

Also, it’s required that you use a Mr. Heater fuel filter (F273699) when using an external hose – replace it every year, without hesitation.

✓NOTE: Do not operate the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy without the fuel filter as fuel contamination may damage the heater.) Or, you can use the green F273704 Buddy series hose (Fuel filter not required).

Universal Fuel Filter | F273699

When using an external hose, ALWAYS use this fuel filter with your Portable Buddy or Big Buddy. DO NOT use other brands. Safety should always be your top priority.

You can also buy a 6 pack so you’ll always have them available. Remember, change them yearly.

Features:

• Keeps contaminants from damaging your heater
• Easy to attach. Attach directly to heater.
• Filters out unwanted particles efficiently and effectively.
• Used with Mr. Heater Big Buddy or Portable Buddy.
• Recommended when using F273701 or F273702 hoses.

5 Feet Hose | F273704 | Mr. Heater

5 feet hose and regulator assembly connects the buddy heater to a disposable cylinder.  Hand swivels on both ends for tightening.

Features:

• Swivel 1 – 20 in Male Throwaway Cylinder Thread x Excess Flow Soft Nose P.O.L with Hand wheel.
• Mr. Heater’s most popular hose connects appliances that are designed for disposable cylinders to a 5 to 20 lb. cylinder.
• Hand tighten swivel on both ends.
• Hose material stretch tested to 400 psi.
• Hose material pressure tested to 600 psi.
• Solid brass fittings.
• 1 year warranty.

Learn more about these products on the Mr. Heater site.

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Related Ice Fishing Gear

Eskimo FatFish 949 | Insulated Ice Fishing Tent

Eskimo IceTight fabric features a 59% higher thread count than comparable shelter skins. This higher thread count results in a tighter weave, and offers the wind and watertight performance that Eskimo is known for, at an average weight savings of up to 19% over most competitors. IQ  Insulated Quilted Fabric is made up of two sheets of IceTight that sandwich insulation material, making it 35% warmer than comparable non-insulated shelters. An extra-long skirt helps eliminate drafts and keeps the elements out.