My new Big Buddy! I swear he's Tough enough to take on the coldest bully!

Yep, it's winter time again and she's "Cold As Ice". Folks, I have that niggling complaint of the aged now. Arthritis took a hold on me several years back, and tries to shake the life out of my poor old bones at every opportunity. For a while, I amazed my doctors with how well I managed without medication due to the severity of that devil's hold on me. Well, I still dislike taking all their pills. Once I get chilled it is very hard to get warm again and the pain I suffer afterwards is no small cross to bear. So, this year, I got busy and found myself one of the nicer solutions for outside in the cold when I need or have to be there. This one also works well inside if needed, and is designed and approved for indoor use.

My local Lowe's carried the MH18B in stock under the name "Tough Buddy", elsewhere you will find it called as "Big Buddy" by Mr. Heater.

At 17 lbs. the MH18B heater is still a lightweight, but mine weighed in at about 21.5 lbs. with the two small propane canisters installed - I'll just trust my scales. Maybe the Lowe's model is called "Tough Buddy" for more than one reason. It can hold one or two 16.4 OZ. propane containers at a time, hidden in its two side compartments. With positions for heat levels of 4000, 9000, and 18,000 BTU, the MH18B heats very quickly from the initial start-up. You can believe me when I say the MH18B will keep you warm. I took it outside on my porch in 18 degree weather just to see how well.

The test results:

With only three sides blocking the wind on my large front porch with its long open front, the MH18B kept me warm enough to remain outside. Of course I was dressed warmly, but this would not have kept me warm long in 18 degree weather without the heater. I am also the fellow that always keeps that Jon-e Giant Size GI hand warmer hidden in his clothes. For my test, I left the Jon-e in the house.

When I picked up the MH18B at Lowe's I purchased a two pack of 16.4 OZ. propane cans ($4.97), and the Mr. Heater twelve foot hose ($27.93) for the larger 20 LB. tanks. Using the two small cans without the electric fan, I was able to remain reasonably warm at the high or 18,000 BTU. setting while standing about 2'-3' back from the front of the heater. I could have remained there reasonably comfortable until the fuel was exhausted (3 hours at this setting using the 2 small cans), but after 20 minutes I was well assured the MH18B was what I was looking for when I purchased it. Those two infra-red heating bricks, on this model, really do the trick by heating objects and not just the air.

Specifications courtesy Mr. Heater:

Model No. MH18B
Stock No. F274800
4,000/9,000/18,000 BTU/HR
Gas: Propane
Operating Position: Vertical
Valve Position: Pilot, Lo, Med. & Hi
Heating Time:
One 1lb. Cylinder: 1.5 to 6 hours
Two 1lb. Cylinders: 3 to 12 hours
Two 20lb. Cylinders: 50 to 220 hours
Fan Run Time: 30 hours using four fresh Alkaline D-cell batteries
Overall Dimensions: 17”L X 10”W X 17 1/2”H
Shipping Weight: 16 lbs.

Recommendations:

Provide 18 sq. in. for proper venting (4 1/2" x 4 1/2" opening)

Clearance to combustibles - Top > 30", Front > 24", Sides > 6", Rear > 0"

Don't use around open fuel containers or in flammable environments.

Accessories you may want or need:

*Note: Filters are recommended when using 20 lb. tanks to prevent oil residues from entering the heater. Filters used for these tanks are recommended to be changed yearly.

Mr. Heater propane tank filters F273699
Mr. Heater 5' tank hose F273701
Mr. Heater 12' tank hose F298802/F273702
Mr. Heater Propane Tank Refill Adapter F276172
Mr. Heater 12 volt wall plug fan adapter F276127 / Radio Shack 273-1761 and 273-1708E

Using the MH18B and customer service:

Out of the box, my heater would not keep the pilot lit or the burners on unless the electric fan was turned on. Turn the fan off and the gas would shut off within 2 seconds. This prompted a call to customer service, as I liked the unit well enough I didn't want to return it to the store.

The instructions had stated to clean the pilot orifice in the event of problems with lighting or the burners staying lit, but I didn't expect this to be needed on my brand new unit. Surprise! I was wrong.

It took about ten minutes to get through to the technical service although the Mr. Heater operator had answered quickly. They offered to call back using their automated system and apologized for the Holiday delays, but I stubbornly held on. When the technician answered, he quickly pinpointed the problem to the pilot flame not heating the thermocouple properly, the solution, and offered me a great deal of very helpful information about my purchase - such as the Radio Shack part numbers for the wall outlet fan power supply and other accessories and their use.

The problem was simply cured with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol. You just run it in and out of the orifice a few times while being sure to push it in the full 2" or so. This allowed the unit to be operated without the fan running. The manual recommends removing the grille and doing this when needed now and then, but the protective grille is strong and somewhat difficult to pry up and remove for access. Still, I was able to do it without help - others might not. In that case a long pipe cleaner, doubled on the end, might be of help to avoid removing the grille. (You want the pipe cleaner to fit snug to properly clean the orifice.)

After cleaning the orifice, use was as easy as could be. You just hold down on the spring loaded gas valve and turn to the Pilot position. This actives a spark to light the pilot. (You may have to do this a few times until the propane has filled the tube.) Continue holding the valve handle down for about 30-40 seconds and the pilot will stay lit. Then, you simply press down a little again and turn the switch to the setting you want. "Low" and "Medium" light only one brick in this model, with "High" lighting both bricks. The manual states you should not use the positions in between these settings and the switch will "click" into position requiring a downward press to move it again. You can run the unit with or without the convection fan on, and the fan up to 30 hours using the 4 D-cells - or indefinitely using a wall outlet power supply. The fan's small red on/off switch is under the convenient carry handle and easily seen. The fan circulates and blows heat out to the front of the heater and you can feel the air flow. For my use, it's a toss up whether or not to use the fan. I suppose it would be of benefit in an enclosed room, and the fan is fairly quiet.

The unit will immediately shut off if oxygen levels start getting too depleted or if the unit is bumped. The MH18B heater is a very sturdy unit that should last a lifetime if maintained and kept clean and dry.

Final thoughts:

Would you like one? Do you like to stay warm? The infrared heat given off from this one is very quick and the heater does an excellent job.

The Lowe's "Tough Buddy" comes in black and yellow. The "Big Buddy" comes in black and red. Does color make a difference? It didn't to me. Stay safe, stay warm on cold days! The MH18B or its little brother would be an excellent choice to carry in an "emergency kit" in your vehicle for cold weather traveling or just to use in and around your home as needed. If you can get it into the game or race on those cold days and nights, you may be warmly greeted by everyone seated around you, as you and they stay warm - if you don't have that seat in a heated box!