I been searching the net for ideas on heating my detached garage/shop that i work out of. I been using 3 electric heaters, that i only turned on when i was working out there over the years. However its not that cost effect and takes them a bit to warm the place up (like 2 hours).

I had thought about a wood stove in there, but really don't want anything clogging up space on the floor area and have to deal with fire wood. That and i don't really want to build a place to store the firewood to keep it dry etc.

I been leaning to propane heaters, but haven't really found much info on good set ups for this use. If i go propane, i would want something that runs off small propane bottles opposed to having a large tank installed here. However i don't know how long propane would last etc, since i never used propane heaters.

Anyhow guys, let me know what you use or ideas you have. I don't want electric heaters out there as this garage does not have concrete flooring (its gravel), so it would be a wast to run electric heaters 24/7, and takes them to long to to warm the building up. Its an older block style metal roof garage, and never had a concrete slab(oddly enough they ran black top up to the garage door on it though lol...).

P.S: some suggested Kerosene heater to me, but all the local fuel stations here do not carry kerosene. I also don't like the fumes they let off when burning, maybe that's just me?

Hi Wayne, what about this idea using ordinary gas ? http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/outdoor-gas-heater

Yeah, those are propane heaters. You cant find them around where i live are i at least have never seen any.

Wayne, I don't know how well insulated your garage is (or the ventilation for fumes), but a torpedo heater may be the way to go. I "think" a kerosene torpedo heater can also run on diesel fuel. My garage is about 800 square feet, lightly insulated, and I have a kerosene torpedo heater. It will warm it up quickly (from below freezing to 70° or so) in about 30 minutes.

Have you considered solar heating as well? There are a couple plans around the internet that involve empty aluminum cans, black spray paint, 12v fans, etc.

How big is the area and how cold does it get in dead of winter? I use two of these Vornado heaters in my 2 car, uninsulated cave. the can knock the chill off in about a 30min. If you point it at the area you are working on they keep you from freezing. They don't get hot at all but they'll circulate the air. One will heat my 12x30 basement man cave in minutes.

Or you can try this to warm it up.

I vote for wood stove. Insulated stove pipe and you are rocking. You wont find better heat.

I have the single burner and I it is what I use in my garage that it about 14x20

http://www.harborfreight.com/15000-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67857-4913.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/30000-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67856-4912.html

Hahahaha that's another gas heater no gas up there maybe we could start shipping it. 

Gas doesn't need to be piped in there.  Those screw into and mount on Propane cylinders like you use to grill with. They sell them at Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, gas stations, Ect. When the gets empty, take it back and get it refilled or exchange it for one that's full. I go through and a bottle and a half each winter.

That was my idea too weed but Wayne was saying he has no gas up there 

Insulate?  Heater?  What is this 'cold' you speak of ?

Quote from: Gs500fmrex on September 04, 2013, 02:15:16 AM
That was my idea too weed but Wayne was saying he has no gas up there 

You dont need gas piped there, you just need a bottle. GO buy one for 35-40 bucks

I have used the torpedo heater for my unfinished basement. Mine was running on a thermostat. It also ran on diesel, but it smelled more than kerosine. Now kerosine is rather expensice here. I went on to insulate really well and finish the basement. It's tolerable at the garage end with some nice overalls. If I would to heat it again I would go for the propane version as the above post. They just take BBQ bottles and those I can exchange at lowes or HPD, even walmart. There are some propane haters that hang from the ceiling too.

Quote from: cbrfxr67 on September 04, 2013, 07:14:18 AM
Insulate?  Heater?  What is this 'cold' you speak of ?

Haha...... jerk. 

But seriously, given the opportunity I would run one of those propane heaters as well. It all depends on the size of the space and how well insulated that space is.

Quote from: weedahoe on September 04, 2013, 11:07:26 AM
You dont need gas piped there, you just need a bottle. GO buy one for 35-40 bucks

Weedahoe has it - these things are great for small areas - just try to eliminate as many drafts as you can.  I have one of these little puppies I take camping and it works great.

Like I said, my garage is about 14x20 and I can take that same setup and turn the heater on high, let it run for 20 and then turn it down to low. They work really well and last a good while. I use mine every winter

Quote from: weedahoe on September 05, 2013, 08:48:18 PM
Like I said, my garage is about 14x20 and I can take that same setup and turn the heater on high, let it run for 20 and then turn it down to low. They work really well and last a good while. I use mine every winter

have a 20'24' carport. ( part of house ) these work great in winter as well. as long as it isnt windy, im fine with a single burner.  windy days would need a 2 burner. 

 : the jet burner could even heat the neighbours yard lmao !!  

Yeah I like that one from the Man point of view 

The second one is interesting though .... Waste oil.... Old engine oil etc .... Always some of that around a decent shed!