In certain camping scenarios, there are times when a small propane heater is the perfect remedy to chilly weather. The Little Buddy propane heater is exactly the right size for a personal camping heater, but is it the best option available? How much heat will it throw? How large a space will it warm? Is heating a small enclosed space with liquid propane gas safe? Is there a better option for camping?
In this post, we take a closer look at the Little Buddy, a portable propane heater that runs on disposable one-pound propane cylinders. Let’s dig into the weeds and get the important details!
- 1) What Is a “Small Propane Heater”?
- 2) What Is a Little Buddy Propane Heater?
- 3) How Long Will a Little Buddy Propane Heater Run on a 1-Pound Tank?
- 4) How Does a Little Buddy Heater Work?
- 5) Is a Small Propane Heater Safe Indoors?
- 6) Is It Safe to Run A Little Buddy Propane Heater In a Tent?
- 7) Are There Other Small Propane Heaters Like the Little Buddy?
What Is a “Small Propane Heater”?
There are many different types of small propane heaters on the market. In fact, we owned one and used it to heat the living space of our former motorhome (for more on this, please see our post entitled, “Can You Use a Propane Heater Indoors to Heat Your RV?“). But that propane heater (a Kozy World model) is larger than the one we’re talking about in this post, and it’s not as portable. So, for the purpose of this post, we’re talking about a small portable heater that doesn’t require any electrical power to run, that weighs 5 pounds or less, and that’ll run on a little one-pound cylinder like these:
- Propane Fuel Cylinders, 4 pk./16 oz.
So, we’re looking specifically at a very small portable heater intended to warm a small space. Or, for use outdoors to keep you warm around the picnic table or campfire.
The beauty of using them in a small RV is that you can stay warm without running your furnace (which not only uses more propane but also requires 12V DC power to run the blower motor).
The most popular small propane heater out there appears to be the “Little Buddy” by Mr. Heater.
What Is a Little Buddy Propane Heater?
While Mr. Heater makes a number of different propane heaters of all sizes and BTU ratings, the “Little Buddy” is the smallest of the lot. It provides up to 3,800 BTU and will heat a space up to around 95 sq. ft. The unit is very portable, weighing only 5 pounds and measuring 11″D x 11″W x 11″H, and it runs on 1-pound LP cylinders that are available online and at local stores everywhere.
These small propane heaters are easy to start with the piezo igniter that requires only the push of a button. The Little Buddy is suggested for use in tents, garages, workshops, cabins, campers, and outdoor areas like patios, porches, and at fishing and hunting locations.
These units have a low-oxygen shut-off and an accidental tip-over shutoff, but you’d still want to be very cautious using them around young children or pets.
Use of the Little Buddy requires venting. You’ll need a vent area of a minimum of 4 square inches for adequate ventilation while the heater is in use (with ours, we leave our bathroom roof vent fan open and/or on… and prop a small window open enough to allow additional fresh air in).
Note that this product cannot be sold for use in Canada or Massachusetts (there’s a separate model with regionally-specific labeling to indicate no indoor use).
- 3,800 BTU per hour
- For use with propane gas
How Long Will a Little Buddy Propane Heater Run on a 1-Pound Tank?
According to Mr. Heater, the Little Buddy should run for up to 5.6 hours, but we suspect run time will differ depending on factors such as altitude and ambient temperature. That said, there’s only one heat setting on the Little Buddy, so the heat output is not adjustable.
We read user reviews from Little Buddy owners noting they could run their Little Buddy for 4 to 7 hours, so Mr. Heater’s estimate appears to be pretty accurate.
Note that for larger areas and longer run times, Mr. Heater sells the larger Portable Buddy propane and the Big Buddy propane heater. Both can run on 1-pound disposable propane cylinders or be connected to a larger LP cylinder.
The Portable Buddy is a 9,000 BTU propane heater that heats a space up to 225 sq. ft. This unit weighs 10.6 pounds and can run at 4,000 BTU for approximately 6 hours or 9,000 BTU for approximately 3 hours.
- Emits 4,000 or 9,000 BTU/hr radiant heat
- Designed and approved for indoor and outdoor use
The Mr. Heater Big Buddy has low, medium, and high settings (4,000 – 9,000 – 18,000 BTUs) and heats up to 450 sq. ft. This unit can use two 1-pound propane cylinders or be connected to a larger LP cylinder. It has a fan that operates on 4 D-cell batteries or an AC adapter.
- Emits 4,000, 9,000 or 18,000 BTU/hr radiant heat
- Designed and approved for indoor and outdoor use
How Does a Little Buddy Heater Work?
Using a Little Buddy heater isn’t difficult. After screwing the portable propane cylinder to the bottom of the unit, you’ll simply use the piezo ignitor to start the heater with the push of a button. To see the process of starting the Little Buddy in action and to get a sense of its size, we suggest having a look at this YouTube video from Mr. Heater:
Is a Small Propane Heater Safe Indoors?
Using a small propane heater indoors can be safe IF you practice proper safety habits. Let’s run through some of the hazards of running a portable LP heater in an enclosed space and the precautions that can be taken to remain safe while doing so.
Carbon Monoxide Buildup
To avoid carbon monoxide buildup when using a portable propane heater in an enclosed area, be sure to open a window or vent. In addition, be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors in your camper or other enclosed areas where you’ll use a small propane heater to alert you to a dangerous situation.
- Electrochemical sensor technology detects CO gas
- Easy installation, no wiring needed, detects during a power failure by operating on 2-AA batteries (included)
Oxygen Depletion
The Little Buddy has an oxygen-depletion sensor that shuts the heater off if oxygen levels get too low.
Moisture Buildup
Because exposed-flame propane heaters tend to create moisture in the environment, you can use a small dehumidifier to prevent the space from accumulating moisture that can eventually cause mildew and/or mold.
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Tip-Over Fire Hazard
Although the Little Buddy has a tip-over sensor (which reviewers note is quite sensitive), you really don’t want to use a small propane heater in an area where small children or pets could tip the unit over. Though the heater should shut off if it’s tipped over, the best safety practice is not to use it around little ones and four-legged family members.
Using Near Flammable Items
Never use a portable propane heater near flammable items such as curtains or even too close to furniture. Giving a portable heater plenty of space away from any other objects is best.
Combustible Sprays
When a small portable propane heater is in use, never use any sort of aerosol spray in the vicinity of the heater. These products are highly flammable and put everyone in the immediate area in danger when used near an LP source.
Two final points regarding the use of a small portable propane heater of any type or size that warrant reiterating:
- When used indoors, always ensure you have proper ventilation (crack a window and open a roof vent) and protection (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors).
- Never leave it unattended and beware of children and pets that may knock it over or get too close.
Is It Safe to Run A Little Buddy Propane Heater In a Tent?
The Little Buddy is noted by Mr. Heater (the manufacturer) as being the perfect portable heater for a tent. In fact, the extra ventilation in a tent helps to maintain safety while using this type of heater. However, just as you would in any enclosed space, you’ll want to be sure to keep the heater away from flammable items (including tent walls), never use aerosol sprays in the tent when the heater is in use, and be mindful of children and pets.
Are There Other Small Propane Heaters Like the Little Buddy?
As we noted at the top of the post, there are lots of small portable heaters on the market, many of which operate on liquid propane. In our research, we really found nothing quite like the Little Buddy, though there are a number of stove/heater combinations that are designed for outdoor use and are not recommended for indoor use.
So, rather than link to other products that should not be used in a camper or other enclosed space, we’ll leave you with our impression that, yes, the Little Buddy is likely the best small propane heater option out there.
Should you find that the Little Buddy or any other type of gas-fueled heater is a reasonable choice for your purposes, be absolutely sure to implement all safety precautions whenever you use the heater.
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Bruce Brummitt
Friday 17th of April 2026
Caution if you are using a 20# tank. It must be filtered and if the hose touches the body of the heater it can cause a leak.
John S.
Monday 17th of April 2023
"Note that this product cannot be sold for use in Canada or Massachusetts."
That's a red flag.
What is the safety concern that prompted these restrictions?
Jesse A.
Thursday 23rd of January 2025
@John S., We use these in Alaska during any power outages, camping, and especially in hunting camps (we even carry one as emergency heat should one of our UTV’s breakdown and we get stuck overnight). They are awesome to heat a small space, and are completely safe. We run two carbon monoxide detectors, never once in many years have we had an alarm. They are built well and easy to maintain. I hope this helps.
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 18th of April 2023
Hey John... there are regionally-specific versions of the heater that have labeling indicating they're not for use in indoor spaces (assuming this is a California/Canada regulatory issue). If you go to Amazon Canada and search for the Little Buddy heater, you'll see it's available for sale/shipping with the correct labeling.