Portable Buddy Vs Buddy Flex: Which Heater Is Best for Emergency Heating? 

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Got one with 20 lb propane bottles!😊😊😊

Live in a van by choice . Used mr buddy for years . They rock !

They used to sell miniature portable gas heaters in the 1970's and 1980's through to about 1997 then they stopped selling them here in the UK, we cant buy the heaters or the gas to fit them anymore... I remember seeing old ones from the 1980's they got thrown out as there wasnt gas for sale anymore to fit them... There used to be household gas heaters that took 30lb to 40lb gas bottles which were aimed primarily at old folks staying in older houses without up to date heating systems ,they had a ceramic plate on the front and a dial with a piezo ignitor on the top and were about the 2/3 the size of a front loading washing machine ,if that description of size makes any sense to the reader, just trying to give an idea of sizing for those in the USA ....these heaters were often referred to as "Calor gas heaters" and were sold quite cheaply at around $150-$200 as the money was made in the sales of gas bottles/canisters.. Indont think they make those cabinet style gas heaters any more as they fell out of favour and also there were concerns with fire risk, carbon monoxide risks put a lot of people off of gas heaters quickly and also years later in 2023 (its late November 2023) the environmental green agenda would probably have them banned anyway...

I’m using my Buddy heater in my hunting blind right now. The 1 pound propane just ran out, 4 hours on low. 🧡 Lorie 😊 P. S. Had to put my phone down to get a buck 🦌 I’m so excited!!!

Great job explaining these alternative heat methods.

I had one that year here in S.E. Louisiana. We lost power a couple of days .Best investment I made. Since then I got a PTO Generator.

I wish we could get these at a reasonable price here in the UK 😢

Thanks again Jr for explaining the way you do thanks

I hadn't seen this one before. Thanks!! (Our local news channels are already telling us to expect power outages this winter, and we're in Tennessee - not Texas. So being prepared is key wherever you are!)

I have the Buddy flex with the cooker attachment. If youre cooking with it, its putting off the same amount of heat as the heater. Its a lot of heat on either burner. I use it on cold nights in my small greenhouse house. Keeps it 40-50 degrees.

Hmmm, we just had seven inches of snow we did not expect. Didn't lose power, but still.....

I love these I have 4 of them.

I HAVE A BIG BUDDY IN MY SHOP . 200 SQ FEET IT KEEPS IT WARM NOT MATTER HOW COLD IT IS . I KEEP A SMALL BUDDY FOR EMERGENCY ISSUES IN THE HOUSE . I USE 20LB TANKS THEY WORK GREAT . HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE .

This is an excellent review of these heaters. I'm hoping Santa will bring me the Buddy heater! Thanks JR!

I wish! I would love to have one!

I have 2 of these with a grill propane tank. Just found the filter that is recommended for larger tanks. Also have a refill device for the 1lb canisters.

Hey J.R...My Wife just bought me a Buddy heater for Christmas 🎁👍🏻💪...I'll let her know before it Arrives 😅

Great video JR. Up here, an alternative heat source is paramount. I use wood mostly but also have a large dynaglow kerosene heater. It's awesome, and I can use it in a sealed environment without dying...lol. Flexibility is key for sure in the winter, so stay warm and stay prepared. Cheers from Alberta!

“Once things thawed out” haha that was funny

I cook w my buddy w a diffuser . Great for eggs or heating up chili 🌶️

I noticed the big one sparks

Not got one, but may get one in the future, thank you JR

Great play-by-play instructions!! Thanks, JR!

Got 2 of these . Big Buddy and Little Buddy. Great Heaters .

Thanks I needed to see this! I have one but haven’t used it. 😊

I also have a Coleman jobsite heater as a backup. Used inside for years working construction inside homes, up to 80k btu.

Propane just creates so much condensation. I took the time to get a wood stove going. And I made a portable set up from a diesel heater. I like the little buddy when you're outside. But going inside, tio much condensation.

I have both of these plus the small one that screws directly onto the bottle along with a hose for a 20 lb propane tank. So far I haven't had to use them. The flex is a real game changer.

Wow I need to start saving for the buddy flex with the cooking attachment. Never even seen it before. Yes I know. Lol

Buddy Heaters are fantastic. Buti I think it's a good idea to shore up your backup plan. Yes on the Buddy, you can't go wrong. But also get a diesel heater...Equally priced or maybe even cheaper, a diesel heater will throw just as much (or more) heat and run for a long long time on a gallon of diesel fuel. During down times, one fuel or the other might be hard to come by...leave yourself options...IMO.

Great review cant wait to get me a flex

In our experience, the big buddy heater lasted 2.5 - 3 hours on the 1lb green cylanders purchased from Walmart. Low or high didn't seem to make much difference. The 1lb cylinders from REI (cost double) lasted 4-5 hours. Again low or high made no difference. We were far from home on a deep woods camping trip in 40 degree Temps. I had just picked up extra 1lb propane tanks on our way that I was NOT planning on using. But we went thru ALL of them. Ever since that trip several years ago, I've been very skeptical of the Buddy heaters!! I wonder if the new version would be better. The smell in the very large tent had our dog freaking out trying to get us out of the tent urgently while the buddy heater was used. The Walmart tanks smelled the worst, but even with a lil ventilation and a carbon monoxide monitor (that never alerted to any danger), we did not have a great experience with that heater. But, we were able to stay warm while the heater was on!! I'm curious about the Buddy Flex. Hmmm

JR, pick up a big buddy heater a year before the ice storm. For my camper. Since then I picked up a five gallon bottle, twelve foot hose, propane filter and a couple extra accessories, it sure is nice when the electricity went out, kept it warm in the living room. Nothing but peace and quit. Thank you for your informational series.

Hi, JR, thanks - very timely. We just lost our furnace for a day on Sat. - was down to -10C, our coldest day so far. Got the pilot light re-lit, had power, but since our furnace electronic controls went caput, no furnace. (Apparently, others in our area, too - possibly/ likely due to a solar CME/ coronal mass ejection, and its extra energy, which apparently reached Earth in the early morning hours on Sat. and the extra energy stream lasted much of the day. Something to keep in mind...) Since we had electricity, used 2 heating pads and 3 space heaters (including one of those tiny "miracle" heaters advertised - ONLY for the smallest rooms!), but still didn't make a dent in the cold in our basically big open-space home (had the mini-heater in the smallest bedroom, along with a heating pad under the fuzzy blanket, but our 17-yr. old cat wouldn't ruddy STAY in there - wanted to be where "the action" was. Sheesh!). Since we are renters and have no ability to put in a wood-stove, have been looking at options. Have now got 2 100 W solar panels, but not yet been able to afford any sort of inverter/ storage batteries, or a generator. We also have to worry about the basement and the pipes freezing - not a factor this time, as there is an electric heater on a temp/ timer & we had power. Concerned about NEXT time, as we often get down to -20C, and with high humidity from a big lake nearby, it gets bone-chillingly COLD. Saw a vid on old-fashioned kerosene heaters from the late 1800s/ early 1900s - beautiful, and meant to be used indoors, but sadly they are very hard to find. Safe to use indoors. Not sure whether to save for a Big Buddy heater next, or what, due to the TWO separate spaces we need to heat. Since haven't worked since early 2010 due to injuries, the lack of moolah is a real issue. Am sure there are others in a similar pickle. Cheers!

Good video thanks

We love our Lil’ Buddy and have had it for years. We just added the Big Buddy to our supplies. These are great heaters with terrific safety features. They get the job done and are easy to use. Highly recommended.

I have the Buddy Heater but have never used it. I have been a little scared of it and was unsure how to light it. Thank you for a great explanation. If needed I will use it this winter for sure. May get it out and turn it on just to be sure I have it right. Thanks again.

I really love how you explain stuff, I thank you so much for your valuable info.

You might want to check out the new Vevor diesel heaters, they blow the buddies out of the water. I have been using buddies for years in the ice hut and they always put condensation into the room.

Just got a Eco fan sat it on my diffuser to get rid of the inversion layer . Spendy for my budget , but works great 😊

Have you tried a diesel heater yet . I like your videos thanks

JR the information you share is very much appreciated! I always learn something new. Thank you.

Been collecting 20's for a cpl yrs now. Hi JR!

Thank you for this video

Great video 😊👍 do you notice any acid oder from your heaters. One of Mine has a smell that iritates the eyes and the throat a little. But only when attached to a 20 pounder with filter. Haven't tried it without the filter. Works good with 1 pounders. I have read on line where others have had this problem and think it might be the paint on the grill. Just curious if you have seen this. I love my buddy's I have a few and think this company makes great products. This was a great review thank you. 😊👍

Can you use it inside or basement and is there any fumes???

im hinting to my daughter the 9000BTU buddy heater would make a nice Christmas Gift

Can you add a link to the filter?

Hey JR, good timing on this video. I just bought a Big Buddy and a quick connect hose. I haven't even had them delivered yet. It has a regulator on the hose that sits close to the 20 pound propane tank. I think they said that with this kind of hose with a regulator you don't need a filter on the hose. They say the thing that pushes debris from the hose into the Buddy heater is high pressure in the hose. But with the regulator on the hose the propane will move through the hose with little pressure. So, it shouldn't cause any debris to get into the heater. Just wondering if I understood this correctly and do you agree that a regulator in the hose (close to the big propane tank) will keep the pressure in the hose minimal so no debris should get pushed through it into the heater?

Hi, can you use them with butane? I've got a portable Buddy, but I'm not sure what's better to use inside: propane or butane?

✝️🇺🇸👍🏻

Your better off having 2 . Running on 4000 btu over running one on 10 or more trying to heat more space both tanks wii run 4.3 days on tanks that are refilled at station exchanged tanks in my area cot 21 dollars for 15 pounds of propane or 18 dollars for 20 pounds recharge at a station. Note exchanged tanks loose 1 day of heat per tank. Not good in power down. I run 5 tanks 2 heaters need more tanks for long power down

This is a great video. Buddy Heaters are awesome. I have two, and multiple propane tanks. Also make sure to get the adapter hose for the 5 gallon tanks. These are one of my number one preps. When you are without heat, it is a mind blowing, and scary experience.

I also have a Coleman jobsite heater as a backup. Used inside for years working construction inside homes, up to 80k btu.