Is the Mr. Heater Buddy Safe for Winter Camping in a Tent? Carbon Monoxide/Oxygen Test

[@RhinoOffroad]

If you found this video helpful, consider subscribing to the channel 🤘 What has your experience been like with a heater in your tent?

[@patrickmontgomery8117]

I've used mine with a 20lb tank adapter and it kept my family at 75° all night for 4 days in sub 20° ambient Temps. My kids and I slept on top of our bags it was so toasty! Tent setup was a $200 8man coleman(nothing special)

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@patrickmontgomery8117 sounds like a great setup!

[@dinahpepin4774]

I love my Mr heater buddy originally bought it for power outages but I bought the smaller one to take camping, I do the same heat till I sleep then turn it back on in the morning. Thank you for the video ❤

[@KPHVAC]

I'm so glad to see someone using a real low level CO meter!! All the regular CO detectors will only read CO if it's at dangerously high levels to set off the alarm.

[@mikehenderson8578]

My first Mr Heater Buddy is decades old. I have always wondered about using it in my tents and always used mine with ventilation. Also started it and warmed the tent. Turned it off and went to bed. Started it if needed on the night and shut it off again. But that morning heat up is priceless! I also sometimes bring my Honda generator and a small ceramic heater and let it run all night. Right up until run out of gas before the morning warm up. 😂

[@RevereOverland]

I love videos like this, and I'm glad you took the time to really test it out. I think it would be interesting to see a comparison in a non-canvas tent - the iKamper canvas is super breathable, and I wonder if that would make any difference. The biggest risk seems to be with fire, so I'm glad you don't leave yours on overnight. I personally know two people who have burned their tents down with these heaters (thankfully both were ok). One was due to bedding touching it, and the other seemed to be from a leak that developed by the control knob. I did a video where I showed pictures, and still had the Mr. Heater fan boys tell me the Buddy Heater is perfect in every way.

[@RhinoOffroad]

Dude that's a great point! Even if this thing got tipped over and it shutoff the fuel, the heat alone would at the very least melt the fabric. When I'm sleeping with anyone else up in the tent, I also set it in an aluminum baking pan to give it a more solid base. Would love to do that comparison! I bet it would make a difference in the amount of ventilation required.

[@RevereOverland]

@@RhinoOffroad when I had one I used it with a cookie baking tray too!

[@j.w.7688]

Very well done vid man! Clarity and informative. Yes, i also understood your disclaimer. However, I'm quite convinced the science behind your experiment is solid! Thanks for the valuable info and insight..👍

[@RhinoOffroad]

I appreciate that, thanks!

[@dannybeezy]

Great vid! I appreciate your approach with the time lapse of the monitors throughout the test. Happy camping!

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@dannybeezy appreciate it, glad you found it helpful !

[@mr.dennisalvarez9523]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Happy travels

[@deborahvenetucci8278]

Thanks! I've literally wondered about the safety of these heaters inside. ❤

[@danimal9775]

Thanks for the experiment, answers my concerns. Ventilation is a must for me and definitely recommended.

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@danimal9775 hey I appreciate the support!

[@-DestinationNoWhere-]

After burning down my RTT with a buddy heater, I switched to a diesel heater. After constant trouble with a diesel heater I settle with a Propex heater. Flawless. Completely flawless. I highly suggest the Propex

[@louisperich6678]

May I ask how did your RTT burn down with a buddy heater? Cuz looking up Propex heaters, it seems like they go for about $1k +/-. Pretty pricey, so I would prefer to figure out how not to burn down my tent with a buddy heater, with your insight.

[@RhinoOffroad]

Did it get too close to the side of the tent or?

[@-DestinationNoWhere-]

@@SoloHiker1 correct, but it wouldn’t happen with a diesel heater or propane heater

[@colebz420]

It is a propane heater

[@curtisbell99]

Yea which model did u have​@@-DestinationNoWhere-

[@itskko]

dude thanks! this is exactly the video I needed for this weekends trip

[@billmcdowell4826]

Its better to be safe than sorry. I used my buddy heater on a hot tent deer hunt. At night, when going to bed, I turned it off. After the 2nb night, I kept it on with the vents open. I didn't see any condensation inside the tent. I also kept the heater close to the middle of the tent away from anything that might catch fire. I trust the heater, but I'm always on the safe side.

[@RhinoOffroad]

Totally agree!

[@KPHVAC]

I'd love to see one more test with the windows opened a little for ventilation. Just like you would use it while camping.

[@RhinoOffroad]

I'll try to do a follow up with that one of these days. Good idea 🤙

[@yazminolvera6097]

@@RhinoOffroaddid you ever do this???

[@mikemecklenborg5412]

I have a My Buddy that I have been using for years in my 8 x12 small wood shop to keep me warm in winter and it's worked great. It has vents at both ends. I also have a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in there and the alarms have never went off. I do change the batteries annually. I also keep two in my 10 x 20 small cabin I have in my back yard as an emergency shelter god forbid something happen to the house as we just had earthquakes the other day. Trying to be somewhat prepared.

[@lowriderbomb52]

Yes it's safe I just used one this weekend. With my wife and son, kept us warm.. just keep it away from Blankets and long as there's ventilation you'll sleep comfortably

[@lowriderbomb52]

I used it in a tent*

[@123spleege]

excellent video...well done, fast, to the point. I like how you included a humidity sensor. I considered a diesel heater but they are not as portable. One must consider as well that many homes are heated with propane via small units inside rooms. I have had a propane heater in my master bedroom for years.

[@RhinoOffroad]

Appreciate it!

[@bernardyancy8552]

I lived in the bed of my f-150 with a camper top at the Ohio Michigan State line for over a year and thru a very cold winter and I heated with the two burner heater buddy (20# tank) The way I got away from carbon monoxide and condisation was to crack a window at front and rear of the bed to have a cross breeze and ventilation

[@RaiderNationJr]

Used my Mr heater big buddy in my 10x18 core tent for the first time on medium setting, not gonna lie, i was a bit worried but took a carbon monoxide detector (just in case), we slept comfortable. But yes, always have ventilation!

[@chip6954]

Yes, its safe, this has been tested over and over and over again and used by real prople for decades. Only downsides are propane consumption and condensation.

[@JakePlisskin12]

Yes and all your clothes absolutely stink. Of Burnt propane.

[@RevereOverland]

And fire risk. I personally know two people who burned down their tents from these. One was his own fault, since his bedding touched it, but the other caught fire from a leak up by the control knob. Looking through the comments I already see two more people who had a fire.

[@RaiderNationJr]

😮

[@sandmantk4901]

@@RevereOverland If you burn your place down with any type of heater it's your own fault. There are a lot of Ventless propane heaters on the market. My Big Buddy heater says right across the front of the box for indoor use. I'm pretty sure if people were dying from these things it would be all over the news with lawsuits everywhere. As with any type of gas use your head and don't be reckless.An electric heater can be fatal.

[@oldfarmer9004]

As with most experiments, one should always leave oneself an out. These heaters do a nice job of warming it up. Best practice is to test, like you said, the setup you’re using. If you’re into camping in the conditions that require a heat source, then you should definitely test it out before you go using the heater.

[@thetrailoutthere]

Erreh! Great video and info, brother! See you on the trail one day!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Can't wait 🤙

[@flyfisher530]

Great video Kevin, very interesting to see the O2 and CO levels and how they vary over time. I agree, no surprise to me either but good to know what we "think" we know and what is published is still confirmed in a real test. These are great heaters, they heat up a small space so fast!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Thanks Mike!

[@lindaspitzler6403]

One other option when running off a 5# tank is that you can regulate the propane at the tank valve, and still run your heater set to low. It's much more comfortable that way!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Great tip!

[@TrailNewbie]

Great vid, very informative. 💯

[@RhinoOffroad]

Thanks Greg!

[@rickfairall7882]

hey rhino I have researched this heater when it first came out in the later 90s and again about 5 years ago. Your experiment is well instrumented. What I found by emailing the folks at My Buddy was this: the oxygen senser does not and can not (not sophisticated enough) measure/monitor the space where it is being used. Nor does the CO monitor for the same reasons. What these two monitor is the heater itself, one "sniffs the ceramic panels for CO emissions verifying the combustion is complete (which is the inside safe claim) and what you saw a 1/2 of the EPA value of is the tolerances' of the monitor. The oxygen sensor monitors the fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber, if I does not "see" the correct O2 Value It cut off the unit, same with the CO2 monitor. It does not monitor the space your in, It can't. Now what the instructions tell you to do is put it next to a openish window, this allows the unit to get a good unobstructed source of fresh air. What I do is bring a 3 Inch Dia. PVC pipe about 8 inch long, set up the heater like you did, and zip the pipe into a window zipper, down low right next to the heater. This also reduces the cold air intrusion that a openish window would allow into the area. I also have a annex on my Tapui RTT which adds a 7X 7 enclosed Room around the ladder area, attaches to a overhang awning and when I use it I set the heater down there next to a zippered wall, rig the PVC pipe and leave the upper sleeping area exit door Flap open. the heat rises up into the upper sleeping quarters but does not get to the too hot mark, which gets the heater out of the sleeping area all together. Hope this Helps

[@RhinoOffroad]

This is great info! Appreciate you sharing it I'll have to check that out.

[@bearlycamping]

Trying that this weekend with my Thule Approach and annex. Going to also hang a rechargeable mini fan at the awning and angle it to blow the warm air into the RTT.

[@matthewberdyck1766]

Yes. Been doing it for years.

[@SavageVoyageur]

I have used the big buddy heater in my ice shelter many times. I use a carbon monoxide tester inside my tent. It also has a low oxygen sensor on it that will shutoff the unit. I open two windows and vents so I have plenty of cross flow. You need to open two vents and you should be fine.

[@glennevins5180]

Thank you very informative and answered all my questions

[@RhinoOffroad]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

I’ve been using them for several years In my tiny ice shanty there an awesome Heater no problems

[@420stb]

I run a 18000 btu master propane heater in my RV. I just ran it for 3 days straight in this Arctic blast, with No issues

[@Duckisa]

Does have a heat exchange and an exhaust it's very very different Everybody should avoid using any sort of heater we're the exhaust is inside of your living area

[@timjchick]

I have a Mr Buddy but the diesel heaters look like a great option, too.

[@jamesparas]

Thanks, this is informative.

[@DavidJIrizarry]

May I ask what carbon detector, temp/humidly detectors you were using, would love to get one for safety and just being aware? Thanks, great video!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Sure thing. Here is the orange CO/O2 detector: a.co/d/5D77lMC

[@Winniebago]

I use a MR Buddy religiously but I would NEVER use it overnight. I have a friend who's buddy unfortunately died in his camper from this and recently a homeless man living in a tent passed away for the same reason. They're GREAT to have and use but I always use them with an abundance of caution.

[@Roninforged]

Can you provide any factual proof of these deaths and cause? I am curious because the Buddy heaters are our preferred method in Alaska if not using a wood stove because of their portability and reliability. I have never heard of a death caused or contributed to a Co2 issue regarding them. Thanks👍

[@carmenmartinez2882]

@@RoninforgedI’ve started to use it during the day to heat up my living room during the day. I have a wood stove but wood is getting so expensive so is gas and electric that I prefer to use the Buddy daytime giving me more time to do other things instead of tending to the stove. Didn’t know is so widely used there, good to know.

[@Roninforged]

@@carmenmartinez2882 Yeah, they are awesome, and many Alaskan’s use them as emergency heat when power failures hit during the winters here. Last year we used two buddy heaters for two rooms in our home after a major wind storm knocked out power for days, we stayed warm and even did instant hot cocoa and coffee on a makeshift cooking grate that attaches over the heating element. We also use them for our hunting camps and a single cylinder little buddy in our winter vehicle kits in the event we end up stuck out on the roadways due to accidents, avalanches, or other freeway closures. Anyway, I can say they are worth every penny and have always worked when needed. On a side note, we do use Co2 meters whenever we use them in closed spaces as an additional safety precaution, but we have never had a dangerous level detected, which gives us more faith in them. I hope this helps you feel confident in your decision, be well and have a great 2024!

[@kylewood5233]

I just had one of these catch fire inside my small car during -15F. Melted all the safety features and thank goodness I noticed all the light. Opened the back and kicked it out with my foot and burned my leg and sleeping bag really bad.

[@opengate5849]

Show me the lawsuit. Did you post anything on your youtube page with photos or anywhere else?

[@anthonymalliris2089]

Good test but, a carbon monoxide detector is normally set 10 feet away or like my RV is 20 feet away and 18 inches off the floor. I have a wood/coal stove in my RV and never have had any issues with carbon monoxide. I also have a Diesel heater and never have had any problems with that either. And I stay in an area where the winter time temps get below -10 When I first got the RV trailer, it came with a propane fireplace. I never had any problems except for the tank freezing up in winter. Why I have a Diesel heater and wood/coal stove, but I also have a cold air vent under the stove.

[@NomadicNorthwoods]

Ice fisherman know that ventilation and a fan are the key. We lose a few anglers every year unfortunately.

[@jorgelopez9620]

thanks

[@maxrite8280]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Thank you!

[@JoachimWulfers-tl4vp]

I have winter camped numerous times in a tent on snowy grounds either with friends with up to three people in a tent, or with my German Shepherd. The lowest outdoors temperature I experienced was -32C. Forget about your propane heater and get good sleeping bags and pads for the expected temperatures. Body heat is enough to keep temperatures comfortable during the night

[@RhinoOffroad]

Sure, but why suffer if you don't have to?

[@bradmizzou]

I agree. Eat a high calorie meal before bed and you will generate enough heat to keep yourself warm in a decent sleeping bag or quilt. All these buddy heaters and diesel heaters are unnecessary complication.

[@bradmizzou]

@@carmenmartinez2882 not sure I follow but hope you stay warm.

[@outdoorjeepadventures1416]

Great educational content

[@michaelfreund]

Great video! Immediate thought is do they make one that’s less heat output. I’ve slept in 15F and less. At that point, I have to start engine several times a night. I presume sleeping at below freezing temps wouldn’t be that big of a problem with this heater.

[@edgarvalencia1879]

Great video. When you turn off the heater at night do you also close the propane valve on your tank?

[@RhinoOffroad]

Thanks! To be honest I just leave it on (usually out of desire to keep the heat in)

[@afumodz3232]

I lived in Arizona in a tent an used one of those.. I put it in middle of tent with a metal chair. I'm still alive.

[@SkyFree-uw6kf]

Be interesting to see if the presence of a person inside breathing the oxygen would decrease the oxygen level to an unsafe point with/without ventilation. As others have said, every setup is going to have some variance as well. Your findings were interesting none the less!

[@RhinoOffroad]

Yup that's a great point. Maybe I'll do another test this winter

[@tonytenaglia7397]

I wonder what the readings would show had you stayed in the tent as well. What would the impact of a person breathing being added to the variables

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@tonytenaglia7397 it's a good question, but honestly it would be too hot for anyone to stay in there without opening windows (which would defeat the purpose of the test)

[@jesseserna5111]

Good for knocking the chill out of the air co detector is a must crack window a bit i use one its been safe

[@user-tj3yi9zj4m]

thanks for the video. very interesting. also where did you get the carpet for the floor?

[@RhinoOffroad]

Lowes sells them in 12" squares

[@user-tj3yi9zj4m]

@@RhinoOffroad To Lowes it is! thanks!

[@ExploreWithIsaac]

My question if you would have started it outside then brought it in after it warmed up would that had mad so those initial numbers didn't move much? Also if in elevation where there is ower concentration of oxygen would it be more concerning? 8,000 feet the oxygen level is about 2/3s of sea level.

[@DonLeasure-b2r]

Definitely interested in a heater. What type of deals you have on them???

[@RhinoOffroad]

I don't unfortunately! I bought mine from Amazon

[@gabrielmilanez9246]

Have you tested it on high altitude? We live in Colorado and it's quite easy to be above the 7500ft maximum altitude for the O2 sensor. Thoughts?

[@paulmarriott3580]

I hovered next to one in Jackson Wyoming at 20 below zero when my water pump went out and I had to wait a week for the part after a week my lungs hurt so bad and I only hovered around it for like 2 or 3 hours at the end of the day everyday. There is not a low oxygen sensor on that heater Buddy the low oxygen sensor is a little teeny flame that stays lit in front of the burning pad and it keeps that little teeny piece of metal hot and if that piece of metal gets cold it it shuts off the gas valve. Eventually my heater buddy quit working because of that stupid little thing and I had to take it apart and take all the valve bodies apart and take all the safety s*** out of it to get the sucker to light again. And I guarantee you there is no carbon monoxide sensor and no oxygen sensor in there. There is only two valves in there that shut off the gas one shuts it off if it tips over the other one shuts it off if that little teeny flame goes out.

[@michaelptm2269]

Is there a video on you carpeting your tent?

[@jerryg957]

What do you set the heater on in your tent, ie piece of plywood ? Just bought one, thanks for posting.

[@RhinoOffroad]

I usually set it in a baking sheet or tin

[@DoritosResidue]

So many people are using propane stoves in thier tents. Buddy heater are the same concept without being able to cook on it. Just vent like you would cooking. Just like at home have a carbon minoxide detctor.

[@edwardsmcintyre9014]

Interesting venting would be safer and if we took a lesson from our first American people . We should vent our sleeping area. Awesome rig and heater.

[@SolidBold00]

How did it run the whole time with everything closed up? I know for a fact they wont run that long without a lot of fresh air if youre in the tent with it cause it will run out of oxygen and turn off. Im looking for ways to keep it running better but without having to let in too much cold air

[@RhinoOffroad]

All the windows were closed. I'm sure the fabric breathes a bit, but nothing at all was cracked open.

[@noapology88]

If you add 2 oxygen-sucking, co2 emitting people to the tent?

[@TJ_Blazkowicz]

Where did you get the carpet for the tent?

[@RhinoOffroad]

Lowes! 12" carpet squares peel-n-stick

[@mxe1823]

How long does it keep the tent warm after you turn the heater off?

[@leighleigh3624]

Not long!

[@4314832]

I would like to know where you got those meters

[@RhinoOffroad]

Amazon

[@Icutmetal]

Is your Google broken?

[@4314832]

@@Icutmetal you need to have over 100k followers to be a youtube smartass.

[@feleciaburrous6821]

No matter what kind of heater you use, turning it off while you sleep is the only sure way.

[@opengate5849]

Sadly, even lesser amounts of Carbon Monoxide “builds up in the human body. So even low exposure adds up in the body. Very important and thank you

[@denverjones986]

What elevation did you perform this test?

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@denverjones986 about 1000ft

[@denverjones986]

​@RhinoOffroad Thanks I'd love to see this done at 10,000'

[@temperedstate8963]

Did you know that they are not recommended above 7000 feet above sea level?

[@RhinoOffroad]

@@temperedstate8963 yes, it's definitely harder to light due to the lack of density, but I've used it up at 10,000 ft

[@theresamjordan9307]

Were you in the tent sleeping?

[@RhinoOffroad]

Nah not for the test. Wouldn't sleep in the tent with all the vents closed

[@amishmafia3339]

Yes if you like living in a rain forest….Done it for decades but im magic…..Webasto is the way to go…. Stop video after couple of minutes to post and scroll on….

[@bradmizzou]

You don't need these heaters. They are unnecessary complication. Invest in a layering system that consists of a base layer, a mid-layer, and an outer layer. Merino wool and down will keep you very warm both inside and out of your tent. For sleeping, you can wear this gear to bed with a decent sleeping bag, or invest in a down bag or quilt and a sleeping pad with R value for added comfort. Eat a high calorie meal before bed and your body will produce more than enough heat to keep you warm throughout the night with this setup. This solution is 100% safe and you can wear it both in and out of your tent. No need to purchase fuel, CO2 detectors, etc. Thanks for doing this research to show the potential dangers associated with these heaters in confined spaces.

[@michaelfreund]

True but when it’s 5F out the space I’m sleeping in eventually becomes freezing which results in my nose dripping which keeps waking me up so while my body may be nice and cozy, breathing in below freezing air results in discomfort which prevents a good night sleep so in these conditions I’d love a little heater.

[@Stoopheadfred]

​@@michaelfreundI do a lot of snow camping, but not at temps as low as you're talking about. I recently started using a lightweight fleece beck gaiter pulled over my face when sleeping. Works well to prevent the sniffles, and since it's lightweight the fleece doesn't have a lot of water holding capacity so doesn't get too icy.

[@opengate5849]

How about “you do you” and let everyone else decide for themselves.

[@bradmizzou]

@@michaelfreund totally understand! The point of my comment was to make the point that these heaters are not absolutely necessary for camping. The overlanding movement has added complexity to camping so much so that it can endanger your life. Carbon monoxide exposure while sleeping can and will kill you, so if you can go without these heaters, all the better. If you need one, make darn sure you have safety precautions in place. Happy camping.

[@RhinoOffroad]

I don't think you watched the video all the through my man. Plus no amount of layering truly keeps you comfortable all night at 0F. Why not take added comfort if it's easily accessible?

[@steveliptak7135]

Buddy heater

[@Mapleaple]

Dude im too stupid to know wtf you are saying and what that means. So does that mean it's safe or not safe?

[@thereselindqvist8249]

...and if we add a human (or two) who sleeps in the tent, the oxygen level must be dropping because of our usage of it...

[@salrivera7578]

😅😅😅😅😅😊 I live in a motor home all year around sometimes like today 20 below with the windshield and mr buddy heater kp my place nice on low and I kp most everything open for the air come in the mr.buddy heater is the best never have problem like my 96 Geo tracker jjjjj and my RV camper is a mini 1981 F-150 custom RV camper straight 6 300 engine and granny transmission 4 sp and is carb plus I build her 4x4 from junkyards parts CCR born in the byouooooo and believe me up hill down hills and the mr.buddy is my buddy I even used it like stove some times jjjj 😁 scramble eggs and fresh toast and bacon jjjj up the hill we call it lock 🔐 the Manuel hub and kp rolling up America pride the straight 6 300 and the 4 sp granny transmission and Manuel hub tuning is call past me the screwdriver 🪛 jjjj ccr born in the byouooooo amigo gd video

[@HappyBloke81]

Imo this test is innacurate because there isnt a human breathing out CO2. That will effect the CO2 reading.

[@RhinoOffroad]

That's true, but I didn't want to use myself as a human testbed.

[@HappyBloke81]

@@RhinoOffroad you could probably add it in by calculating it anyway

[@steveliptak7135]

Not heater buddy

[@Icutmetal]

Huh?

[@asiangoddesscottagelifegar7137]

Using a SUB portable mini fan will also help circulate the hot air so to use your heater less

[@RhinoOffroad]

Great tip!