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

Is the Mr. Heater Buddy safe for me to use in my rooftop tent for winter snow camping? It's time to find out.

After spending over 100 nights in my iKamper Skycamp in the winter, I finally decided to test out the safety of the Mr. Heater Buddy that I've relied on for so many nights of snow camping.

In this video, I conduct a 12 hour "stress test" to see how high I can get Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels in my fully enclosed rooftop tent. Additionally relevant is the oxygen (O2) levels in the tent, since as you burn propane you also use up oxygen.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Is It Safe?
00:40 Test Setup
01:32 Disclaimer
01:50 12 Hour Timelapse
02:45 The Results
05:45

#snowcamping #winter #rooftoptents #mrheater

[RhinoOffroad]

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What has your experience been like with a heater in your tent?

[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.

[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.

[mikehenderson]

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. 😂

[billm]

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.

[mr.dennisalvarez]

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

[mikemecklenborg]

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.

[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!

[shelley]

I used a buddy heater in my class B rv with outside temperature of 19ºF. Had to use it on low. I did not crack a window and worked out just fine. The one pound canister lasted all night on low. Good video.

[j.w.]

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..👍

[deborahvenetucci]

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

[bernardyancy]

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

[williamray]

Well done on your experience. you're 💯% correct on the OSHA data. I'm curious about the cu.ft^3 of your area. Please remember CO is slightly lighter than air (0.96 < 1) so CO monitors should be placed mid-level or higher. As you know, CO is a deadly gas you can't see, taste, or smell. Again, this is a helpful video that reinforces the need to respect CO and to take precautions to be safe rather than sorry 😞

[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.

[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.

[brentfraunfelder]

I am one of these and haven't used it yet. Since I work at night and spend a lot of time in my car working, it's very cold. I want to leave the engine going.
However, having a heater is nice.It's better than being cold excellent test thank you kevin

[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!

[danimal]

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

[thetrailoutthere]

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

[spleege]

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.