Concerns about Mr Heater Buddy

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I have owned two Mr. Heater Buddy heaters and after first loving the product, now I have concerns about its safety.  My first heater I had for a couple of seasons and it began to have trouble staying lit.  I decided it may have a defective pilot system (that which shuts off the heater if CO builds up).  The shut off would occur both indoors and out and after having it shut off during the night, I simply decided to buy a new unit.  With our first cool weather this weekend, I tried to light it on a portable tank, and it would not stay lit.  I switched to a large propane tank and it would start, but like my first unit, it would shut down by itself.  Also, on one test run (all done outside), the "brick" where the gas burns seemed to be out and I could see the red glow inside the heater behind the brick.  The heater cover was very hot and I shut it off.  

I am going to email the Mr. Heater co. and see if they can help me.  If not, I am going to go to an electric ceramic heater and generator this winter.

I will keep everyone posted.

[tlhdoc]

I had the same problem with my Heater not staying lit.  Please let me know what they tell you.

[whitestar505]

I bought one about a year and a half ago and have not used it at all. I done my research backwards. I read about all the problems with the Buddy Heater and it was suggested not to use it in an enclosed area like a trailer for many reasons. It seems that in the report, that when the company was producing the product here in the US it was much safer. Now it is produced overseas and the safety and quality are not there any more. Therefore a price reduction due to the fact it is cheaper to make. I would insert the web page but can not seem to remember where it was. Will keep looking and if I find it will insert it here.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I recieved a call from the Mr. Heater customer service.  They recommend removing the front of the Buddy heater by removing a screw on the bottom of the heater.  The grill and ceramic plate should come off. Next, they recommend using a vaccume to clean the inner workings of the heater and use can air to blow out the tube for gas flow.

I have not done it yet, but it sounds alot like what I do at the first of the season to open up our gas logs.

I will let you all know if it works and if the directions follow what I see.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

Please see my post in the "Mr. Fix It" Forum.  It covers my experience trouble shooting my heater.