STOP Doing This With Your Mr. Heater (Serious Safety Risk)

The Mistake I Keep Seeing Over and Over

I keep seeing people make the same dangerous mistake with their Mr. Heater propane heaters, and it needs to stop. In this article, I cover the serious safety risk I see over and over, why it is dangerous, and what you should do instead.

The Dangerous Mistake I Keep Seeing

People are bringing propane tanks inside the house or placing them directly behind or next to the heater. This is a recipe for disaster. A propane tank inside your living space is a pressurized gas cylinder. If it leaks, vents, or is exposed to heat, you have a dangerous situation that can escalate quickly.

Why This Is So Dangerous

• Propane is heavier than air. If a tank leaks indoors, propane pools at floor level and can reach an ignition source.
• Tanks vent under pressure. If a tank overheats or is overfilled, the pressure relief valve can open and release propane gas into your living space.
• Heat exposure is cumulative. A tank sitting near a heat source warms up over time, increasing internal pressure and the chance of a venting event.
• Indoor propane leaks are hard to detect early. By the time you smell it (propane is odorized with ethyl mercaptan), you may already have a dangerous concentration.

The Correct Way to Use a Mr. Heater Indoors

The Mr. Heater Big Buddy and Portable Buddy are indoor-safe when used correctly. Here is how to do it right:

1. Keep the propane tank outside. Only the heater goes inside. Use a hose to connect the heater to a 20 lb tank that stays outdoors.
2. Use the correct hose and filter. See my guide on whether a fuel filter is needed and how to connect a 20 lb tank properly.
3. Provide ventilation. The manual recommends at least 6 square inches of fresh air opening. Open a window slightly.
4. Install a carbon monoxide detector. Battery-powered CO detectors are cheap insurance. Put one in any room where you use a propane heater.
5. Never use while sleeping. The heater has an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS), but you should not rely on it while unconscious.

Using 1 lb Canisters Safely

If you use 1 lb propane canisters (the small disposable cylinders), they attach directly to the heater. This is the intended design and is safe for short-term use. However:

• Never store spare canisters indoors. Keep them outside.
• Do not place canisters near the exhaust or radiant tiles.
• Dispose of empty canisters properly. Do not throw them in regular trash.
• Consider refillable 1 lb cylinders to save money and reduce waste. See my article on running the Big Buddy on a 20 lb tank for more.

The Bottom Line on Propane Heater Safety

The Mr. Heater Buddy series is one of the safest indoor propane heaters on the market. It has built-in safety features including an oxygen depletion sensor and tip-over switch. But those features only protect you from the heater itself. They do not protect you from a propane tank that is in the wrong place.

If you take away one thing from this article: keep propane tanks outside. Only the heater goes inside.

Get the Mr. Heater Big Buddy: Buy on Amazon | Buy at Lowe’s

For more Mr. Heater content, see my guides on how long propane lasts in a Big Buddy, the Little Buddy review, and my Big Buddy setup guide.

For current links and discount codes on propane heaters and accessories, visit shopeth.link, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more safety tips and homesteading content.