OT/Space Heaters

[Cigwillie]

With the impending mini-Ice Age (Chicago), I'm wondering if you guys/gals can recommend a good space heater for my garage. It's about 300sf - standard 2-car unfinished garage with a roof vent. I have a heavy bag - so I'll be huffing & puffing. I say this because I don't want to be breathing toxins (I did enough of that when I was younger).
I tried a 1500 watt ceramic heater in 40 degree weather and there was no noticable change after 3 hours.
Is Kerosene ther way to go? Does it stink? Is it messy?
How about propane?
Oh, cost is an issue also.
Any help would be appreciated!

Happy New Year!

Cigwillie

[SS930]

I'm sure this thread will get "moved", but I'd recommend trying a 'salamander' or 'torpedo' style kerosene heater. They do smell a little, but not bad... as long as you introduce a small quantity of fresh air. I'd go with a minimum of 55,000 BTU. Ready Heater is a common brand and they work well.

I installed a forced hot air system in my uninsulated 3 1/2 car garage. It works great. If I want it warm very quickly, I use it along with my 55,000 BTU Ready Heater... instant sauna!

[Cigwillie]

Thanks guys.

Cash,
I was looking at the oil radiators at HD. I'll give them a try.

CW

[RLW]

Modine Hot Dawg.
Runs on propane or natural gas. For low profile ceilings. Hangs from the ceiling. Has a Powerventer that dumps into "B" vent exhaust duct.
http://www.djsonline.com/modine.htm

[Reed Jensen]

Go with the propane heater. If you get one with the ceramic matrix they radiate well and don't smell. But be aware that propane does burn oxygen and one of the byproducts is water vapor. So don't leave anything that can be damaged by moisture.There are the small ones where the heating element mounts on the bottle and can be easily moved around. I had a kerosene fueled salamander. It worked great.... but you ended up smelling like a truck stop and choking on the fumes.

[Cigwillie]

Thanks again.

CW

[hp500efi]

Whatever you get, get one that is a VENTED heater...one with a flue (chimney) that vents the products of combustion to the outside.

Modine Hot Dawg is a nice heater so is the Reznor low profile units. Contractor cost on one of those heaters is about 450-500....plus cost to install.