Camping gas heaters

[Coldicote]

I'm aware that the question of emergency heating during a power failure has been raised before and apologise for returning to it, but this particular point was not mentioned. There are several small, light weight, camping gas heaters advertised, but none of the advertisements say whether they are suitable or safe to use in the home. Prices vary widely up to about £40. I'm speaking of the sort that take an ordinary standard butane cartridge that might only last 2 - 3 hours, but could be useful in a small room. Does anyone have experience of these please and know of any that are declared by suppliers to be safe to use in the home? Many thanks.

[buildersmate]

The byproduct of burning butane is carbon dioxide and water vapour. In extreme and faulty conditions carbon monoxide could be produced. Then there's the heat generated and the potential for knock-over.
That doesn't matter so much when out in the open.

It really isn't a good idea - and the manufacturers evidently appreciate that.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Buildersmate. I was half expecting something like that, but how come other larger Calor gas type heaters don't present the same risk - or do they?

[Buenchico]

Larger Calor gas heaters are equipped with an anti-tilt safety system, which is designed to cut the flow of gas if the heater is knocked over. (Additionally, of course, it's a great deal harder to accidentally knock over a large heater - containing a heavy gas bottle - than it is to dislodge a small camping appliance).

Carbon dioxide doesn't present any health risks. (It's produced in large quantities by every living animal in the world, including us). Carbon dioxide is the only gas produced by the efficient combustion of butane, so all 'bottled gas' heaters are theoretically safe. However faults with the burners can lead to inefficient combustion, resulting in the production of carbon monoxide. This adheres to red blood cells, preventing oxygen getting to vital organs. (i.e. it's deadly!).

A friend of mine invited me to spend the Christmas period with her family on a holiday camp. She knew, from previous experience, that the chalets could get really cold. She also knew that the coin meters, which provided the electric heating in the chalets, were really expensive. So she took along an old Calor gas heater which she'd bought in a car boot sale. Within a few hours of arriving we were all suffering from headaches, nausea and lethargy. I recognised the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and told her that she must stop using the heater. She initially refused to believe me and said that she'd carry on using the heater. I then told her that she'd better phone the police because I intended to leave and (for his own safety) take her 10 year old son with me, by force if necessary. Only then did she agree to stop using the heater, and to open all of the windows to allow the carbon monoxide to clear. Within a very short space of time we all felt much better, and we had a great Christmas (even though it cost us quite a lot to keep feeding the electricity meter).

Chris

[steveryan]

Here is the one more Gas heater: "Natural Gas Vent Free Heater Procom MN300HPA 30000 btu".

http://www.campingtou...r/10-camping-heaters/