So some of you may recall that I recently built a small 12x20 cabin and although I still have some furnishings and additions to make, I am having a tough time deciding how I want to heat the place in the winter. I want to keep it off grid for expense and simplicity reasons. At first I didn't consider anything else other than a wood burning stove but then realized how much space I would lose to putting it in and all the additional wood I would need to cut in addition to what we already cut for the fire pit. Then I went the battery/inverter route (until I realized that most battery inverter combos don't put out enough wattage to handle a 1500 watt heater fan). Then I recently stumbled across kerosene heaters and I think that's the route I am leaning towards. Does anyone have any other recommendations? Are kerosene heaters safe with just a cracked window (is that even necessary for the 99% efficient burning ones)? Does the kerosene get expensive. I plan on getting a battery powered CO2 monitor either way but I just want to see what everyone else does and/or recommends.
Direct vent wall furnace? I haven't used one but heard they work well with small cabins/hunting shacks.
A small wood burner doesn't take up really that much IMO and would be my choice. But I love wood heat and I love cutting up wood. Just me though.
They require a gas line though, I figured the cost of a direct vent furnace/fireplace and fuel would end up being more costly than a portable kerosene heater. Maybe I'm wrong, it's another good suggestion I guess I just don't know enough about them. I will have to read up. I love wood burning too, I think it's all the additional firewood I'd have to cut and keep replacing that turns me off. I burn a lot of wood in the firepit already so I am trying to maximize the laziness.
We have 3 options in our cabin. We have the wood burning stove, which we mostly use, we have a small wall furnace (propane) and also electric baseboards. So, we have all our basis covered for all scenarios. We have a large propane tank that we only have to fill every 5 years because we use very little propane. In the winter, we turn on everything to start out - within an hour the cabin is pretty warm and then we just mostly stick to the wood burning stove the rest of the time.
You can do a propane vent free heater. I run one in my garage with just a short line for the bottle. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I definitely like the idea of having multiple options. I think the wood burner will be in the mix of those options I just need to find one on the cheap because I know the chimney/piping can be expensive. Cost plays a big factor into what we can do because my brother in law and I are splitting the cost on everything that goes into the cabin so I have to consider what he's willing to pay too. I don't know why but propane scares me a bit because I've heard of people going to sleep and never waking up. All good ideas I just can't make up my mind. EDIT: I saw this after I posted. Interesting, I will check those out. Since propane is fairly odorless other than the additive how would you know/prevent leaks in the line? How long does a typical grill sized propane tank last you?
Yea - and you should see how they "fixed" it - we are thinking about switching companies. It was pathetic!
In my garage I don't use it often enough to give a fair assessment but a bottle last a whole winter. I would say you could get up to a week of use in a small cabin with a 20# bottle. I would get one of the 50#to 100# tanks and just mount it outside. Should last the winter with occasional use. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
I'd go Wood/Direct Vent LP. LP for ease of use, but fire for really heating it up. I'm a sucker for a wood stove though.
I would be leery of a ventless propane heater for any length of time especially in a small area. You will get moisture buildup especially if it's pretty air tight in there. A direct vent would be the way to go if going propane. 100# tank outside, simple line in (flex line from tank to exterior wall, black iron pipe through the wall, and then copper in from there). Granted, if it's just a cabin, and the size you mentioned, I would go woodstove all day long. How often will you be there? I can't imagine burning more than 2 cords a year, and I think that would be on the high side. I do understand the labor involved as well, but for pure off the grid, it doesn't get much more simple than wood radiant heat:D
Yeah i vote again for the wood stove. They are suprisingly effecient. I am just thinking if you went through the trouble of making a off the grid cabin, then to rely on someone to deliver propane to you. Might as well just keep it completely off the grid.
Yeah, the wood stove is probably the best bet long term then. I guess I wouldn't be using too much wood and I'm not afraid of the work at all, I just wanted to minimize the work and maximize the laziness. I would probably use it every other weekend or at least twice a month during the winter months so it wouldn't require much wood at all. And in regards to the propane, I would be refilling and bringing my own propane if I were to go that route. There's not a chance in hell that I would have a propane tank on site spoiling my view nor would I have someone delivering to me. It's an off the grid cabin for a reason. I just need to find a decent deal on a used pot belly stove or an affordable wood stove. Thanks for all the suggestions and input!
I agree with the wood stove but a propane heater for back up would be a good idea. A 100# tank could be carried and filled. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Well if you want truly off the grid then you will need to go with wood. I'd go with propane before I went with kerosene. Only advantage is that a lot of kerosene heaters can run white gas, kerosene and even diesel in and emergency situation. Have you looked at hay bail burners? My friend has one on their shop and the thing is awesome. A single bail will burn for over a day!
