Mr Heater MH9BX Buddy Full Review
When you want a compact, indoor-safe portable propane fuelled radiant heater that's easy to use, the Buddy MH9BX by Mr Heater is perfect.
My review takes this model and reveals a wealth of information about it as well as the best way to use it to get the maximum benefit.
This small but powerful model is the perfect additional heat source for those times when your home's main system is struggling to keep you warm on the coldest of days.
It can also be used as a backup for those times when the power goes out during winter blackouts or in emergency situations for example when a powerful hurricane strikes.
Indoor Safety First
There is little argument that all solid, liquid or gas fuelled heaters can produce plenty of much needed heat in situations where no other source exists. However, not all units are completely safe for indoor use, especially ones that have become old or deteriorated through excessive use or lack of proper maintenance.
The biggest threat to health from unvented gas, liquid or solid fuel fires in an enclosed space is a build-up of noxious gases. Specifically with propane heaters, the most notorious of these is carbon monoxide (CO).
What you want is an assurance from the manufacturer that their product is as safe as it can be under normal operating circumstances along with safety features built into the unit to protect against this and other dangers associated with heat sources. That includes a low oxygen shut off as well as an accidental tip-over shut off to prevent fires.
The Buddy under review has both of these features along with a very low emissions rating that makes it safe to use indoors, although it is recommended that some ventilation is provided in enclosed spaces such as leaving a door and window slightly open to allow for a cross draft.
Knowing the Amount of Heat You Need
No matter how powerful any heater is, it's not going to be a whole lot of use when deployed in a space that is much larger than it was designed to operate and deliver maximum warmth. It helps to know how many BTUs a certain space will require to raise the temperature a certain amount to make it comfortable for its occupants.
The portable Buddy produces 4,000 and 9,000 BTUs, the former on the low setting and the latter on the high setting. You can calculate whether this is sufficient for your target space by using the following method:
Discover the room's size in cubic feet by measuring the length, width and height (in feet) and multiplying the three figures (length x width x height) to arrive at the total in cubic feet.
Discover the outdoor temperature and subtract that figure from the desired inside temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Calculate the BTUs needed using this formula:
C x T x 0.133 = BTUs
(Where: C = cubic feet, T = temperature increase)
...and there you have your power needs calculated exactly!
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Why You Really Want the Mr Heater Portable Buddy
Note: the Mr Heater MH9BX Buddy model is now restricted and only available in California. A better alternative (Mr. Heater F232017 MH9BXRV Buddy Grey Indoor-Safe Portable RV Radiant Heater (4,000-9,000-BTU) ) available nationwide is featured below:
There are doubtless several good reasons why you want a top rated portable radiant heater, so take a look at the main features of this unit and see if they match up with your expectations or needs:
- Compact: measures 14.4in x 14.2in x 9in with fold-down handle
- Powerful: 2 heat settings of 4,000 BTU and 9,000 BTU)
- Economical: Up to 6 hours running on one 1lb gas cylinder
- Safe: Built-in low oxygen shut off and tip over shut off
- Easy Start: with piezoelectric ignition
- Low Price: can be purchased online with discount from Amazon
In addition to the above features, the unit has a cool to the touch casing for added safety, although obviously the ceramic heating surface and front safety grill will get very hot! It also has a swivel regulator that makes it easy to replace the gas cylinder and install the longer hose and filter kit if you want to use it with larger 20lb gas cylinders.
The great thing about having one or two of these small heaters around the place is they can act as top up warmth in a room when it gets too cold for the house system to adequately cope. Or they can be used as simple standalone heat sources for situations where maybe you just moved into a new place and the heating isn't installed or hasn't come on yet.
They are great for camping too, coming into their own in making a tent nice and cozy or warming up a trailer or RV. They're just the thing for providing instant warmth in remote cabins and off-grid places especially when you're having trouble getting the stove or fireplace fired up!
Another side is in those moments when your immediate world is under threat from the force of nature and you lose power to your home.
Disaster Preparedness
While it may not be something you want to dwell on too often, the stark reality is that certain geological locations in the country are prone to adverse weather and the possibility of natural disasters occurring in the form of hurricanes, floods or other incumbent weather situations that could (and often do) result in a long power outage.
Are you prepared?
If the power goes out and your home is suddenly left without the means to provide you with heat, hot water or the means to cook food you need a backup solution that is cheap enough to purchase and compact enough to store away in a garage or shed until it is needed. A standalone propane heater such as the Buddy is an excellent choice for providing at least one of those necessities which can potentially make the difference between your family surviving a prolonged outage during the coldest weather or not.
You can store a supply of gas cylinders to last you through several days without power should disaster strike, or keep one or more larger 20lb gas cylinders to provide for the worst case scenario. It means your family will be able to at least get together in one room of the house and keep warm, while the addition of a gas stove can provide the basic but necessary cooking and hot water needs.
Where to Buy the Mr Heater Buddy?
You can buy this model in larger hardware stores or get them online from places such as Amazon and take advantage of online discounts on cost, while delivery is generally free. You can visit the details page over there by clicking the handy link or image above.
If you have any concerns about your own preparedness for the coming winter and the slim, though real possibility of disaster striking in your neighborhood, you owe it to yourself and to your family to take a better look at this particular device and see if it is the right one for your needs.
You may want to watch the short video explaining how to use the device below before clicking through to Amazon via the link above: