Best Hose for Big Buddy Mr. Heater, No Filters

[@HVACRSurvival]

Straight to the point and very informational, it took a while for me to decipher what all these different hoses were for. Then I find this video 🤣

[@Z23go]

Thanks HVACR Survival!

[@randy1407]

I was confused about which hose to get and this video was very helpful and answered all of my questions. I used your links to get the Big Buddy heater, tank and hose. I got the Mr. Heater non-oily version of the F273704 10ft high pressure hose because I didn't want to use the filter, and because the low pressure quick connect hose with the regulator won't work on the smaller heaters if I get one of those in the future. Thanks for clearing all of that up.

[@Z23go]

Oh you are very welcome @randy1407. Thank you so much for using the links, that helps me in making more videos for you guys.

[@GuamanianHarmonLoop]

I'm glad I watched your video because I had no idea that my two big buddy heaters had quick couplers. I almost wasted money on adapters and fuel filters. You are the Big Buddy whisperer. Thanks.

[@Z23go]

Haha, Thank you. You are very welcome!!

[@RideRedRacer]

Everyone else on the internet is saying to always use the filter. This is the only guy i have seen so far saying you don't need a filter

[@craighellberg4366]

This video not only cleared up the issue of a fuel filter, but also cleared up the confusion regarding overregulation by having two regulators. If I am understanding you correctly, all Mr. heaters have a regulator attached to the heater that cannot be removed. Only the larger heaters have the quick connect that bypasses the attached regulator so you can only use the hose that has the regulator on it on the larger heaters. The smaller heaters require a hose without the regulator. Thank you so much for clearing that up. It does frustrate me that Mr. heater would sell any hose that needs a filter. It seems like they’re double dipping. If someone purchases an aftermarket hose, then that’s on them and they would need to buy a filter.

[@ainttakenanyshit]

These Buddy heaters use a Mh18b propane gas regulator. Their specified input pressure range is: 5 to 200 PSI which outputs a regulated 11" water column pressure = .395 PSI.... So, I figured, I'll mount an ADJUSTABLE tank regulator, set that puppy to maybe 10-15 PSI, hook it up to the screw in where the one pound bottles go, (with a Portable 1lb Propane Tank Canister Regulator Adapter Connection to 3/8 Inch Male Flare (5/8"-18UNF) Thread, and I'm good to go. Setting the adjustable tank regulator to a much safer, LOW 10-15 PSI setting which the Mh18b regulator CAN use, I can then use most any hose at the LOW pressure and alleviate any hose leaching of oils, and be set. I use a filter anyway to filter any crud that may be in the larger 20# tank. So there....

[@barbaralee6534]

This was so helpful today when we hooked our Big Buddy to a bulk tank with a quick-connect hose for the first time today! Thank you so much!

[@Z23go]

So glad it helped!

[@Mohammed916_]

Good luck, some fools made u buy this…. Every year now u should change the wire it’s what recommended … it’s 100 cad now … filters where cheap

[@my-max-media7621]

I picked up the same one you're using when I bought the heater. I had wondered if I really needed the regulator when everyone is saying you don't. Found your video which explained it all. Thanks!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@scot60]

I have the hose you can’t use the filter with. It has a quick brass coupler. The problem is it’s supposed to click in place and it doesn’t click. I shove it up till it can’t go any further. I will have to do the soap test to see if it is properly connected.

[@michaelhrivnak1719]

I have an older Portable Buddy that was just given to me. Ignition button in the back, with a screw in cylinder connection that does not swivel. Can I use a hose to connect to a 20 lb tank with this heater? The heater works fine with a canister tank Thank you!

[@MR-gp9ys]

Finally, someone answering a question i had. I will be a sub...

[@Z23go]

Thank you so much.

[@supersoberano2095]

Great video, short and concise with part numbers.

[@Z23go]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@supersoberano2095]

@@Z23go keep them vids coming brother. Great job.

[@Z23go]

Thank you!!

[@mountainhobbit1]

I love the video again and subscribed this time, Thank, you for the help. I have a question about how long the F 273704 lasts and when you feel it should be changed out. Mine looks fine and shows no wear. Thanks in advance, Jesus Bless you and yours.

[@Z23go]

@mountainhobbit1 I would replace it once it starts showing wear like cracks in the rubber or it becomes very stiff. There is not a set time frame, where a hose used in the sun and elements will wear down faster then one that is stored inside. Thanks for the subscription!!

[@jkp2042]

Excellent explanation of which hose to use & how to hook up. I was looking for a video like this explaining it. Thank You.!

[@Z23go]

You're Welcome JK P! Thank you so much for the compliment and feedback. Glad it was what you were looking for!!

[@JamesJanuary-2001]

Mr.Heater for the protection and integrity of your product had installed fuel filter w/cleanable or replaceable filters. You could sell the replacements for rejuvenating income.

[@jeffmurnahan]

What about a steel hose? Do those have oil residue needing and need a filter?

[@CaboWabotv]

yes always use a filter. Those braided hoses have a rubber hose inside. The only hose you don't need a filter with is the 10ft F273704

[@SolarPunk80]

I’m trying to find a fuel filter that would work as an alternative however this not only seems essential but proprietary and I live in Italy so they would cost me 60€ shipped, on Amazon Italy there are hoses with various adapters as well. Mr Heater’s own hose, but not the fuel filer self, which is annoying because I did actually purchase the heater itself from here, the little buddy, and of course it was more expensive as well, but I have to figure out what to do as an alternative.

[@ChristopherBond-s5q]

Then I'll have those in stock either.You have to order those filters online.I've been at every storm New Jersey.Looking 41 of those things can't find it

[@MacBailey]

If you have the big buddy with the quick connect hose with the tank mounted regulator is probably the best. Everything away from the tank is low pressure so should be safer from breaks or leaks, and it greatly reduces the oil sweating problem. Another YTber show fixing a Big buddy with the oil problem and there was a loop of the metal gas supply tubing and he cleaned out half a teaspoon of oil in the internal lines that had collected there. If you have one of the other models, the choice get harder. Another topic, we recently had a power outage and I was helping elderly neighbors. There big buddy was older and had dust on it and the clean out the orifice of the pilot flame with a qtip and alcohol worked to get it lit. They were running it on high from two small bottle initially, and it would shut itself down. The little bottles got cold enough that there was frost on the outside of the bottles where the liquid propane was. The internal evaporation of the propane had made the bottles so cold the propane did not come out properly. Wait a few minutes they would warm up and the heater could be restarted. Just another fyi.

[@Z23go]

Good information. Thanks for sharing mdbailey57!

[@toms4020]

On the big buddy with 2 fuel tanks. Which side do you attach the hose to when connecting the 20ld tank. Without the “quick coupler”

[@buckrockerm]

I bought the hose from Mr. Heater that did not require the filter and it still filled my brand new heater with oil.

[@sassylady2001]

You can only use Mr. Heater propane hose F273704 without a filter to connect to your Little Buddy Heater. Any other hose without a filter will cause your heater to clog.

[@zillamill]

Source? Did you watch the video and what he said?

[@Mohammed916_]

@@zillamillhe is correct, call the customer care and understand

[@jerrywhitener1708]

I use there hose and filter after one season it stop working

[@albertoriviera8616]

Thanks for the info. Going with the regulator.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome.

[@jideel]

With one hose to a 20lbs tanks, can you heat a the highest level? Or we need a split for two hose ?

[@Z23go]

Yes, one hose on a 20lb tank will heat on high. It's just the little 1lb bottles that requires two of them for high.

[@dougdrummond9341]

Yeah straight to the point. Help me when I bought my products

[@Z23go]

Thank you! So glad it helped.

[@dave9351]

The part numbers are written on the inside door of the heater

[@kenmid8168]

It says on internet that the big buddy has a built in regulator and to not use a hose with a regulator on it, it recommends using f273704 without a filter. That hose is out of stock at walmart, what is a compatible substitute , for no filter at least 12 ft long without a regulator

[@CaboWabotv]

F273704 but its 10ft

[@HebrewNomadOverlander]

Hi Z23, So I have the big buddy heater and have not purchased the filter for this very reason in 4 years. I waited and glad I did. Thanks for the hose information. I'm on the mr heater site, so I'm asking what is the model number for the hose with the quick coupler? Thank you

[@Z23go]

Hi @HebrewNomadOverlander. The number is F271803. Search for it on the Mr. Heater website and it should bring it up. You can find a quick coupler hose on Amazon for a cheaper price but it is an off brand. Here is the affiliate link if you want to check it out. amzn.to/3u2dHGu Thanks!

[@HebrewNomadOverlander]

Awesome, Thanks@@Z23go

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@lebouthillierpaul]

Can the tiles be cleaned if they got dirty because of leaching oil? If so how?

[@ReefMimic]

Ty! Just the information I was looking for

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@judjohnson4640]

Hi, I live in Texas where we had a freeze last February that shut down our entire electric grid for days, in which it was 40° inside my house and we are struggling to survive. Handfuls of people died that week all across Texas from the event due to lack of heat. My thought is to buy one of these Mr. heater units and have it as a back up to place inside my living room so everyone could huddle around it in close proximity. My question is, is it possible to run a 25 to 35 foot low pressure hose from the unit to outside the house where the 20# propane tank would be placed? And if so what would I need to do that properly? Much appreciated!

[@Z23go]

I remember that storm. That was a scary time for sure. This would be a great emergency backup heater for that very occurrence because it is rated as indoor safe. I would definitely keep a couple 20lb bottles on hand so you would have several days of heat. I think it would be possible to attach a couple hoses together to make a longer one, you would just need a brass nipple or adapter to connect the two. An easier option may be to contact your local propane provider and they could possible make or sell you the length of hose you need where you don't have to connect two together. Before spending money on extra hoses though you might contact Mr. Heater and see if that is possible to run a long hose with the Buddy Heater. Their number is 800-251-0001. Hope that helps!

[@LisaMiller]

I was here, too. 5 days without power and 7 without water. People died and they didn't fix the grid.

[@CaboWabotv]

it would work, but keep in mind it would take longer to prime and purge the line of air to initially start it up

[@jasonfleming2086]

I run my little buddy heater in my garage with my 20 pounder right beside it never had a problem. You could probably do the same in your house

[@busyflyin]

I was there in Fredericksburg and my Big Buddy saved a friend whose Rv furnace went out. What a cold spell!

[@lcra9254]

I have just read where a bunch of people are getting clogged filters with the hose that connects to the heater. They take the filter off and it works fine. Why are people having so much trouble with the filter?

[@Z23go]

The filter is supposed to be changed every year. I'm wondering if they are leaving them on for longer, causing them to clog up.

[@lcra9254]

@@Z23go what I understand these were brand new units as well as filters!

[@Z23go]

I'm not sure then. I recommend the high pressure hose or hose with built in regulator where you don't have to use a filter with them.

[@lcra9254]

@@Z23go well, I just had to take my unit back as it was leaking anyway

[@mattwaters6987]

Those filters are now $17.00 - $25.00 CAN now. Glad I bought a few some years ago.

[@Z23go]

Woo, that starts to hurt at those prices.

[@pabloesc5595]

F273702 need filter?

[@g50iceman]

Do you know anything about the Flame King ? I need to buy a quick connect hose for my Flame King but do not no if it is 1/4 or 3/8 Hose that I need or even if I need to purchase a flare quick connect because a regular will not work... I'm not sure which hose to purchase??? I have the 20,000 BTU Flame King model Any help would be MUCH Appreciated

[@Z23go]

Hi G50-IcEMaN, I don't have any experience with the Flame King model. You might try contacting them directly to see if they know. flameking.com/contact-us/

[@ejames6431]

Good information on this product. Thank you.

[@Z23go]

Thank you so much E James! Glad it was helpful.

[@janpoole910]

I need a 20 ft. Hose to go with Mr Big Buddy heater because I'm using it inside and need the hose to go out into my garage I don't have any Windows to open!! Any suggestions out there anybody??

[@tellfile]

I must have an unheard of problem with the Mr Heater hose. The one that don't need a filter. The hose stinks all up and down it like the smell of propane. It actually stinks the room up. If that was happening to everybody else, they'd have to take them off the market. There is no leakage anywhere. I've sprayed everything with soapy water and ran a gas leakage meter all over the hose and everywhere else with no reaction. My other type hose that has to have a filter didn't smell like that.

[@johnjones7035]

thank you

[@Z23go]

You're Welcome! Thanks for the Comment!

[@deathwheel27]

Thanks

[@Z23go]

You're welcome

[@TRu44-560]

The filters are over $30 on Amazon 😂 Thanks for sharing

[@Z23go]

Ooh! Makes me like these hoses that don't need filters even more!

[@CaboWabotv]

down to $12 now

[@psyk6579]

they do not sell the 704 anymore, I spent hours trying to find the one with the part number and they still sent me the one that needs the filter. Please change your video to reflect reality

[@Z23go]

Hi @psyk6579. Amazon has the F273704 hose in stock. There is a link in the description that will take you directly to the page. Hope this helps and sorry for your trouble.

[@HH-zg8zm]

Ok I use home Depot heater hoses no regulator no filter connect to screw in connector no filter when I listened to everything on using a filter and used one it destroyed my buddy heater. 6 yrs later my buddy heaters no issues no filters I have 3 use them every day in winter for hrs on end. The filters are garbage. You don't need them. They gave me issues with lighting creating condensation in internal lines making my blow out all lines till my first one could not be fixed .same hose same gas company 6 yrs later new same heater no filter used no issues. on 3 buddy heaters 2 little one big short and long hose used all from DEPO. Not buddy hoses. My friends all had same issues with filter use.stoped using them. Funny they were sold at DEPO 5 yrs ago but not no more no one wants them dispite the fact they sell thousands of buddy heaters you can't buy the filters in store the did stock them . Big hint on garbage.😱🤣

[@Z23go]

I've tried to avoid filters because of the extra cost every year of replacing them. But sounds like you have another good reason to find a hose that doesn't need them where can avoid those issues.

[@RobertLinthicum]

Any of the chinese-made stainless hoses sold on Amazon (for less) require no filter, and are more durable than the Mr. Heater hoses.

[@nathansimpson7493]

Wait why is that?

[@Z23go]

Hi Nathan, I don't have any experience with the Chinese-made ones, but since they are stainless I'm guessing they have a flexible metal covering on them that would make them more resistant to getting cut. The only downside is Mr. Heater says any third party accessories voids the warranty. If your heater is no longer under warranty this may be a cheaper option. I went with the Mr. Heater brand hoses just cause I know they are reliable.

[@CaboWabotv]

I wouldn't trust it. The 10ft F273704 is the only hose I wouldn't use a filter with

[@steveb7932]

if you dont use a filter you void warranty

[@jamesfarmer2748]

Why does everything have to be a freaking act of congress and endless confusion.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Dont waste money on a filter u dont need one they only cause problems

[@Z23go]

That's my main reasons for avoiding them, save money and less things to go wrongs if you don't change them out often. Best to get a hose that doesn't need one. Thanks for the comment!