Battery Powered Heater

A battery powered heater is perfect for those situations when a conventional heater just isn’t practical or safe to use. For example, many battery powered heaters are great for when you go camping and need that little bit of extra warmth overnight when the temperature starts to get really cold.

Most conventional heaters are not to be used in enclosed camping spaces because they create a fire hazard and are unsafe to use for long periods of time. In terms of the type of heater you should be looking for it would be best to strongly consider heaters that are powered by propane and electricity, although you should know that there are only a few good quality heaters out there on the marketplace among a vast amount of low quality and downright dangerous heaters.

Battery powered heater – propane or electric?

Propane may offer more heat but this is because the flame can sometimes be naked and pose a real risk of setting something on fire. Always leave clearance of at least a few feet in each direction to ensure that you don’t wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself surrounded by flames.

You also need to make sure that you have some sort of adequate venting system in place to prevent the build up of harmful compounds in the air and ensure that oxygen is still present. Furthermore, don’t use your heater for anything else apart from providing heat. Don’t try and somehow cook with it or dry wet clothes, you are asking for trouble!

Certain propane heaters from manufacturers like Coleman have battery operated fans that distribute the heat around the room. This provides you with a much quicker way of heating the space as opposed to a radiant heater, and is one of the reasons why a battery powered heater is a sound investment, especially if you enjoy camping often.

Electric or dedicated battery powered heater

If you are uneasy about using flammable propane indoors then you might want to consider the alternative, especially if you have a power source available. If you are roughing it in the outdoors then you should look at a heater that is powered by batteries and nothing else. They certainly aren’t designed for hardcore hiking though, because they are usually quite heavy and thus not very portable.

On the other hand, a battery powered heater is probably the best thing you can use inside a tent because there is no open flame and most heaters come with an automatic switch off if the unit happens to tip over. This eliminates the risk of a fire breaking out and protects your investment from over-heating and burning out.

They are also great for emergencies or blackouts at home when power isn’t available and you really need to stay warm. Depending on the model you choose you could expect that the batteries would last from 16-24 hours.

The best battery powered heater you can own

This Coleman propane heater is just about the best you can own. While it is directly powered by burning propane of course, it is a battery powered heater also because it has a fan which helps you distribute the heat more efficiently. Click on the picture to get more information and the best price.

The fan itself runs on 2 D-cell batteries which should, in most cases, last around 18 hours. On the other hand, the 16.4 ounce propane canister will last around 8 hours. You also get a flameless heater so there is no need to worry about fires while you are trying to get to sleep.

A word about using heaters in enclosed spaces

Many people are concerned about using a battery powered heater or indeed any other type of heater in something like a tent where airflow is restricted. It should be noted that with a bit of common sense, a heater can be used sensibly and safely in this situation.

To limit the CO (carbon monoxide) output you should ensure that you have at least some degree of ventilation.  The heater is always going to consume oxygen from the air, the same oxygen you need to breathe, so in order to keep a fresh supply coming in make sure the tent has some mesh ventilation near the top of the roof. Most tents do, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

Check to see if the battery powered heater you want to buy has an automatic shut off feature. If not, the heater will obviously run all night and consume as much oxygen as it needs to. If the oxygen supply runs low, it is then that unburnt hydrocarbons and more CO will be released into the air.

If you are uncomfortable with the prospect of a heater running all night, pre-heat the room prior to sleeping and then fire it up again first thing in the morning.