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Ice fishing is fun and exciting but it involves braving the extreme cold. In addition to layering and accessorizing for warmth, it is important to arm yourself with the best ice fishing heater. When it gets too cold and windy and your hands freeze and toes become numb and you can sense impending frostbite, your heater will be a lifesaver. If you’re wondering which heater to get, below we have reviewed 10 of the best portable heaters on the market and provided a buying guide that makes it easy to pick the best heater for your needs and one that is safe and reliable on the ice.
Ready to get started? Let’s go.
OUR TOP PICK
Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Propane
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Multiple BTU outputs
- Auto shut-off safety feature
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to install and use
- Portable and easy to store
- Well built and durable
EDITORS CHOICE
Mr. Heater Little Buddy Indoor Safe Propane
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Compact, lightweight and portable
- Warms up fast and efficiently heats small spaces
- Emits odor-free heat
- Auto shut-off safety feature
BEST VALUE
Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Quality and durable construction
- Shuts itself off if the flame goes out
- The wide base gives it stability
- Easy to set up and use
- Puts out a good amount of warmth
- Uses propane efficiently
Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable RV Propane
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Low, medium, and high heat settings
- Integrated fan efficiently spreads the heat out
- Indoor and outdoor appropriate
- Safety shut-off features
- Lightweight, compact, and portable
- High-quality and durable
Dura Heat Propane(LP) 360 Degree Tank Top
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- 360 degrees heating
- Compact and portable
- Emits a lot of warmth quietly and efficiently
- Versatile heater with multiple heat settings
- Tip-over shut off safety
- Tough and durable stainless steel and chrome build
Mr. Heater MH45T Triple Tank Top
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ability to emit a lot of heat
- Three burners and multiple settings
- Tip-over safety shut-off function
- Well made for long-lasting service
- Easy to hook up and use
Mr. Heater Double Tank Top Outdoor
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Multiple low to high heat settings
- Directional and adjustable heads
- Versatile outdoor heater
- Automatic shut-off safety features
- Easy to operate push button igniter
- Quality and durable build using chrome and stainless steel
Mr. Heater F242300 MH15C
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Multiple functionalities as a heater and cooker
- High, medium, and low settings
- Automatic safety shut-off
- Puts out a lot of heat
- Easy to light and use
- Uses disposable and refillable tanks
Camping Emergency Butane
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Small with excellent portability
- CE certified for outdoor use
- Emits a lot of heat and uses 100 grams of gas per hour
- Perfect heater for a small space
- Swivel design
- Easy to use and quick to set up
- Pressure sensing safety shut off
Dura Heat Propane(LP) Workspace Dual Tank Top
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Adjustable output and input
- Independent swivel heads
- Quiet infrared radiant heat
- Wind and rain protected
- Tough and durable construction
How To Choose The Best Ice Fishing Heater – Buying Guide
To help you choose the best ice fishing heater for your needs among the wide range of heaters you will come across, below are the functionality and safety considerations to make.
Insulation
First, consider how well your ice fishing shanty or tent is insulated to keep cold air out and keep warmth in. If your ice fishing shelter<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> is well insulated and ventless, ensure you get an indoor safe rated heater with safety features. If your ice shack lacks insulation but is very well vented, you will need a bigger heater or you can use an outdoor heater.
Time
You will also need to consider how long you will be out there on the ice needing warmth. Each cylinder of fuel for your heater will give you several hours of warmth depending on whether you’re running your heater on low, medium, or high settings. Ensure that the heater can go for as long as you will be fishing or have a backup tank of gas.
Size
A compact size is nice for ease of transport and storage. The BTU output capacity you need will depend on the size of the space you need it for. Most of the heaters have the space they are designed for indicated. We recommend choosing a unit with variable BTU units and high, medium, and low heat settings. It will serve you better as you will be able to adjust settings depending on how much heat you want.
Safety
When you’re using a heater inside your ice fishing shanty or tent, it utilizes oxygen and emits carbon monoxide. If your shelter isn’t well ventilated, carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels. For safety, ensure that you only use heaters rated for indoor use to warm up enclosed spaces. It is also important to ensure that there’s air circulation by opening the windows, door, and vents. Always place the heater on a solid surface away from walls and objects.
Power Source
Check what kind of fuel the heater uses and the kind of cylinders it is compatible with. Most portable heaters use 1-pound propane canisters. Some larger units mount on both disposable cylinders and refillable tanks. Some small heaters utilize butane. An electric ice fishing heater isn’t a very viable option. You would need a very powerful generator in your ice fish house to power it.
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Oxygen Depletion Sensors
When using an ice fishing heater in an ice fishing shack or tent, an oxygen depletion sensor is a safety essential. It will alert you when the oxygen level is low and carbon monoxide level high in the shack. Some ice shack heaters will have this feature built in but you can also acquire the sensor separately.
Auto Tip Over Shut Off
If the heater is tipped over accidentally, it could cause a fire and burn everything in your ice shelter down. A heater equipped with an auto tip-over shutoff function turns itself off if it is tipped over accidentally or otherwise.
FAQs
Q: What Is A Ice Shelter Heater?
An ice shelter heater is a heating appliance that provides radiant infrared heat for warming the air, people, and objects in the shelter even when the outside temperatures are sub-zero.
Q: Why Do I Need A Heater?
The ice fishing environment is extremely cold and it is always important to ascertain that the conditions are safe and layer up for warmth before heading out. You also need a heater because the conditions can worsen all of a sudden and spending prolonged periods on the ice waiting for bites can get you freezing cold. Having a heater will keep you comfortably warm and safe from frostbite and enable you to fish longer.
Q: Is It Safe To Have Gas Heater In Such A Small Place?
It is safe as long as you have an indoor use rated heater equipped with oxygen depletion sensors and tip over shutoff, place it on a stable surface away from objects and walls, ensure the small space is well ventilated, and observe the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
Q: Won’t The Heater Melt The Ice And Put Me In Danger Of Falling In The Water?
No it won’t. The heater is designed to warm up the air in a small space in a small amount of time. The amount of energy and time it would take to melt even one inch of ice is incredibly huge. The heat emitted by even the most powerful portable heater isn’t close.
Q: How Big Should My Heater Be?
Once you calculate the floor space of your ice fishing shelter, figuring what BTU output size to go for will be easy as most heaters indicate the maximum space they are designed to warm efficiently in square feet. A compact physical size is convenient to store and carry.
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When winter comes, you don’t have to give up fishing until the ice thaws. With the best ice fishing heater as your companion, you will be able to stay comfortably warm and safe and fish for as long as you want. We wish you fun and successful ice fishing expeditions. Remember to keep warm and stay safe on the ice!
More Ice Fishing Reviews:
- Ice Fishing Tip Ups
- Ice Fishing Bibs
- Ice Fishing Flashers
- Ice Augers For Fishing
- Ice Fishing Rods
- Ice Fishing Lures
- Ice Fishing Fish Finders
- Ice Fishing Shelters
- Ice Fishing Reels
- Ice Fishing Gloves
- Ice Fishing Boots
- Ice Fishing Suits
More Heater Reviews:
Which of the ice fishing heaters on our list is your top choice? We would love to read your thoughts or experience with the portable heaters we’ve reviewed! Let us know in the comments box below!