Going ice fishing is a fun experience and also resourceful. However, it comes with a risk; you have to spend time out in the cold. While out there, if there is anything you want, warmth would be one of the vital ones. If you get too cold, it might affect your health, and you won’t enjoy the ice fishing you came for.
An ideal product to keep you warm when on such a fishing endeavor is a heater. These are products that are made to supply heat whenever they are set up. When it comes to purchasing any product, people always seek the best option. Therefore, if you are going to get an ice fishing heater, it is ideal to go for the best one.
To help in your quest to get the best ice fishing heater, below are the best products available for you to purchase.
– Best Heaters for Ice Fishing Reviewed –
1. Mr. Heater Corporation MH18B Portable Propane Heater Review
This is a very popular heater made by the Mr. Heater brand. It is not very big, it is portable and weighs about 16.5 pounds. The heater uses liquid propane and has a heat output between 4,000 – 18,000 BTU. Which such a high amount of BTU, it can heat up to 450 square feet.
Igniting the MH18B Portable Propane Heater is not difficult; it features a knob, and all that is required is to push and rotate this knob. It has an inbuilt Piezo sparking mechanism that enables it to light up quickly. The heater uses a 1 lb propane tank, and the heat setting can be adjusted to high, medium, or low.
Mr. Heater built this product to be used safely, even in emergency cases. It features an accidental tip-over safety shut-off; this feature automatically turns off the heater when it is accidentally knocked over. Also, the ODS (oxygen depletion sensor) detects when the oxygen level is low. If detected, the heater automatically shuts off. With a gas hose and filler, you can use this heater directly with a remote gas supply.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- High heat BTU
- Easy to ignite
- Piezo sparking mechanism
- Adjustable heat settings
- Safe to use
- Tip-over safety shut off.
- Oxygen depletion sensor
Cons
- Absence of blower
2. Mr. Heater F232017 MH9BXRV – Portable RV Radiant Heater Review
This is a much lighter radiant heater from Mr. Heater. As a portable heater, it is, it weighs just 9.25 pounds and won’t be trouble to carry around. It uses liquid propane and delivers heat between 4,000 – 9,000 BTU. It can heat to a maximum space of 200 sq. ft.
An ignition knob is featured to light up this heater; the heater lights up once this knob is rotated. Just like other Mr. Heater propane heaters, it features the Piezo sparking mechanism for easy ignition. It does not come with any tank, but a propane tank of a minimum of 1 lb is required for this heater to function.
For safety, this MH9BXRV portable radiant heater features an accidental tip-over shut-off and oxygen depletion sensor. The accidental tip-over shut turns off the heater when it is tipped over by mistake, while the oxygen depletion sensor turns off the heater when it detects that the oxygen level is low. The heater features a swivel regulator with a remote gas supply with a hose and filter.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- High heat BTU
- Easy to ignite
- Piezo sparking mechanism
- Adjustable heat settings
- Safe to use
- Tip-over safety shut off.
- Oxygen depletion sensor
Cons
- Poor plastic quality
3. Stansport Portable Outdoor Infrared Propane Heater Review
The Stansport Portable Outdoor Infrared Propane Heater is designed to keep you warm whilst being very easy to use. It is a portable heater and one of the best you can get if you intend to go ice fishing. With a weight of just 1.8 pounds, it is ultra-lightweight, and with a carry handle, it is convenient to carry around.
This heater can produce up to 3,100 BTUs of heat, and the heat can be adjusted to low, medium, or high. It features a metal dish plate, which helps in directing the heat exactly where you want it. The heater ignites with matchless electric ignition, and it uses a propane gas tank of 16.4 oz; there is a cylinder base where this is to be kept. With this cylinder, the heater produces heat for up to 6 hours. To attach to a higher-capacity tank, an adapter would be required.
In front of the heater is a safety cage that prevents one from accidentally coming in contact with the heat source. There is the auto shut-off feature, which turns the heater off once it is tilted.
Pros
- Portable
- Ultra-lightweight
- Carry handle
- Adjustable heat settings
- Metal dish plate
- Matchless electric ignition
- Safety cage
- Auto shut-off
Cons
- Valve is not very sturdy
4. Texsport Sportsmate Portable Propane Heater Review
This is a 2-pound portable propane heater that is ideal for any outdoor activity, ice fishing included. It is a multi-part unit with a sturdy burner made of stainless steel. Being portable ensures that it can be carried around without difficulty.
The TexsportSportsmate Portable Propane Heater ignites easily via its on/off control valve. It as well features a pressure regulator making the burner adjustable. It delivers a total of 3,000 BTUs of heat on max with its butane gas cartridge.
The heater uses a propane fuel cylinder of about 16.4 oz in size. It features a wide plastic base for holding this gas tank though it does not come with one. The heater also comes with a molded plastic cup holder and a steel reflector so the heat can be properly directed.
Texsport manufacturers added some safety features to ensure that this heater is safe to use. The auto shut-off valve shuts off the tank when the fuel is out; that way, fuel is not wasted. Also, there is a safety grid covering the heating surface, so one does not accidentally contact it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Adjustable heat settings
- Steel reflector
- Safety grid
- Auto shut-off valve
Cons
- Cover gets hot
- A high setting eats fuel
5. Fahrenheat FUH54 Heater Review
Here we have a rugged heater, built to be industrial-grade. It comes in white – like the ice – and weighs about 24 pounds. It is a bit heavy but features a sturdy handle, making it not very difficult to transport. Also, there is a built-in mount bracket, so it can be easily mounted at an ideal spot.
This is a fan-forced heater. Using it is very easy, and no installation is required after purchase. The heating temperature can be adjusted to meet your preference as the heater has an inbuilt single-pole thermostat. The heat released can be directed to a particular area via the adjustable louvers.
It uses electricity, so if you are getting it for ice fishing, there should be an electric source. No on/off switch is featured. The heater is powered once connected to electricity; with a power outage, it goes off. You do need to buy a power cord for it separately.
The heater operates quietly, which is a major thing customers love; no need to worry about noise. Also, it is capable of heating up to 600 square feet.
Pros
- Durable
- Mount bracket
- Adjustable temperature
- Adjustable louvers
- Quiet
- Good heat output
Cons
- Heavy
- It does not come with a cord
6. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater
Another Texsport product appears on the list – the Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane. Being an Amazon choice product for ice fishing heaters is enough to convince anyone that this is one of the best ice fishing heaters. The design is not much different from the first product, and this heater is very light. It weighs just 1 pound.
The heater has a durable stainless steel burner and is made from Steel and Copper. Its total heat output is 2,850 BTU, and the heat can be adjusted using the individual regulator knob. If the flame goes out, the auto shut-off valve turns off the fuel for safety.
The heater has a spacious base for placing the gas cylinder. The base is foldable, which helps improve stability. A one-pound propane tank is enough to power this Texsport Propane Heater. An aluminum reflector can be used to direct the heat to any area of choice and a safety grid to prevent accidents. There is a steel handle so the heater can be easily carried around.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Durable burner
- High heat output
- Adjustable heat
- Auto shut-off valve
- Foldable bass
- Aluminum reflector
- Safety grid
- Steel handle
Cons
- Consumes much propane
7. Sengoku HeatMate 10,000-BTU Portable Indoor/Outdoor Omni-Radiant Kerosene Heater
The Sengoku brand has been producing heating products for over 60 years, so it is a renowned brand. This portable Omni-radiant kerosene heater is one of their best products and an ideal one for ice fishing. It is a heater made with quality materials, it weighs about 20 pounds and comes with a 2-year warranty.
This heater has a high heat output of 10,000 BTU and can heat up to 380 square feet of space. It features an EZ adjuster for adjusting the flames, and it ignites easily with just the push of a button. The burner is designed in a unique way such that it doesn’t get affected by the wind. With an easy-to-read fuel gauge, you will have no trouble keeping up with the fuel level.
The heater is safe to use as it has some reliable safety features. Safety grills cover the heating area to prevent accidental contact and an automatic shut-off that turns it off when there is a flame loss. It is a heater that can be used almost anywhere, indoors or outdoors.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- High heat output
- Adjustable heat settings
- Easy to ignite
- Fuel gauge
- Safety grills
- Auto shut off
Cons
- Produces a bit unpleasant smell
- Poor customer support
8. Mr. Heater MH15T Single Tank-Top Propane Heater
This is a relatively small-sized heater from the Mr. Heater manufacturer. It is a simple and convenient propane heater that anyone can easily use. With a weight of just 2.8 pounds, the MH15T is one of the lightest heaters on this list. Its height is about 16 inches.
As small as it looks, this single tank-top propane heater is a heat beast. It has a heat output of 8,000 – 14,000 BTUs, which is enough to heat vast spaces. It is to be used with a propane cylinder of 5 – 20 pounds; it does not come with any so the cylinder will be purchased separately. The heat can be adjusted to 3 different settings; high, medium, and low.
When the flames go down, the heater shuts off automatically to save fuel. It comes with a wire faceguard. This covers the heat source and prevents anyone from accidentally coming in contact with it. The Mr. Heater brand places a one-year limited warranty on this product.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- High heat output
- Adjustable heat settings
- Automatic shut off
- Wire faceguard
- One-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Noisy
- Couple wire not sturdy
9. Comfort Zone CZ707 1500 Watt Compact Utility Heater
Need comfort from the cold when on an ice fishing trip? This comfort zone heater is available for you. It is made using a stay-cool metal housing; this prevents the exterior from getting hot when the heater is on. The heater is easy to carry around with a carry handle, and it weighs just 3.17 pounds.
A major feature of this utility heater is that it is power efficient; it does not consume much energy. The heat delivered can be set at either low or high mode, and it features an adjustable thermostat for adjusting the temperature. There is also a fan-only option.
The Comfort Zone CZ707 1500 Watt Compact Utility heater is safe to use the product. It features a tip-over switch, which helps when the heater is accidentally tipped over, and an overheat protection sensor lets you know when the heat level is unsafe.
Pros
- Does not get hot
- Carry handle
- Lightweight
- Power-efficient
- Adjustable heat
- Tip-over switch
- Overheat protection
Cons
- Noisy
- Breaks
What to look for in an ice fishing heater
In other to get the best possible product that meets your requirements, you should look out for the following;
- Heater type: there are various ice fishing heaters; they are different in their power source and heat medium. Most heaters you would find are radiant heaters, convection heaters, radiators, and forced-air heaters. Also, most heaters get their power from propane gas, liquid gas, and electricity. It is important to decide on the type to go for based on your available resources.
- BTU: the British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit for measuring heating products’ heat capacity. This is a crucial feature, and you should check for it before purchasing any ice fishing heater. As they should, heaters with high BTUs deliver more heat than heaters with low BTUs.
- Safety: How safe is the heater? You do not want to purchase a product that will cause hazards when used one or two times. Your ideal ice fishing heater should be very safe to use. There are extra safety features heaters do come with, like auto shut off, overheat protection, and others; these should be looked out for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best position to place an ice fishing heater?
A: Where you should place your heater depends on where it was meant to be used; indoors or outdoors. In general, a heater should be placed in a position where there is good ventilation.
Q: How many BTUs do I need?
A: The amount of BTU you need depends on the space you intend to heat up with your heater. You can easily calculate the size of your tent to know. Large spaces would require high BTUs. Low BTUs can be used in smaller spaces.
Q: How do I maintain my ice fishing heater?
A: Maintaining your heater majorly involves storing it properly and follow the usage instructions as laid down by the manufacturers. You can carry out occasional cleaning using a damp cloth. To clean the insides, you can use a blower.
Q: What size of the propane tank is best for propane heaters?
A: the size of the propane tank you would get for your propane heater depends on your heater capacity. Usually, manufacturers would state the ideal tank size to get for the heaters, and some heaters come with tanks.
Conclusion
So many heaters being available will make it difficult for you to decide on the best ice fishing. With the help of this article, you can choose the best product with less difficulty.
Some of the best ice fishing heaters have been listed for you to make your buying choice. The heaters are of different types and capacities to find the ideal product that meets your needs.
