Not so much a bwca gear question as much as a ice fishing question..
I have a choice of a mr heater big buddy and buddy heater on clearance. The buddy is lighter at 9000 btu top capacity and the big buddy is double that (18,000 two bottles) and a few features at more cost & weight.

I would be using it to heat my fish trap fish house, but I have to haul this in a sled too so the lighter one makes sense.

Anyone have experience with either heater?

Ive used and owned both. I have an otter cottage (noninsulated) a large one person (small 2 person) flipover and haul it by hand so i downsized to the smaller version. The fan on the big buddy is a nice feature but the regular buddy does just fine heating my shelter. Jacket and gloves come off and my holes never skim over. Hth
Tg

I have the Big Buddy for use in a Eskimo Quickfish hub house. Might be a little overkill for heat out on the ice but I also use it in my unheated garage for doing quick projects.

I have the Buddy heater. It's a good heater and I like it.
When I was working at Gander Mountain I sold a lot of both of them. I was planning to buy the Big Buddy but the Buddy went on clearance and it was just too good a deal to pass up. Catching clearance sales was a great perk!

Anyway, I'd recommend the Big Buddy. Generally I prefer to go with a little more capacity than I need rather than a little less. You can always run the Big Buddy on just one side.

I never had any complaints on either heater that I sold.

I run my Buddy Heater from a 20 pound tank. I rarely use the 1 pound cylinders.

I was in the same boat earlier this winter. My main shack is an Otter cabin with a Canvas Craft insulated skin. I went with the Buddy, due to size constraints. While fishing all day in below zero temps on LOTW this winter, my smaller buddy was rarely on. I'd crank it up when I would hit a new spot, let it run for about 20 min and then shut her down for a half hour or so. This was while fishing in my Carharts and a wool sweater. Jackets are too bulky for me while fishing. Not sure how the little guy would be in an uninsulated skin though.

Have one of each, and have been very satisfied with the quality & utility of both.
It I had to pick one; I'd go with the Big Buddy.
It can be adjusted to lower it's output(to Little Buddy level)if necessary, and if necessary, you can "crank up" both burners on the Big Buddy.
I think the fan on the Big Buddy is a nice feature to help direct some of the heat.

Have had both for 2 years; no problems with either.
They both get quite a bit of use in Winter; especially when I'm in my "loafer's shed".


BOB

quote thebob.com: "Have one of each, and have been very satisfied with the quality & utility of both.
It I had to pick one; I'd go with the Big Buddy.
It can be adjusted to lower it's output(to Little Buddy level)if necessary, and if necessary, you can "crank up" both burners on the Big Buddy.
I think the fan on the Big Buddy is a nice feature to help direct some of the heat.


Have had both for 2 years; no problems with either.
They both get quite a bit of use in Winter; especially when I'm in my "loafer's shed".



BOB"

+1 I have the smaller unit but at times would like a bit more. Use it in 9x12 canvas tent in the AM when starting the woodstove is impractical as we get dressed for hunting.

i have the Buddy and regret that i never bought the Big Buddy.

I've been using a Big Buddy heater for 6 or so years on my non BW trips. They are excellent heaters. I use mine with a 20lb propane tank.

I'm a Mr. Heater Cooker guy, myself. Nice to flip it 90 degrees and cook some brats or something.

I have a Buddy I use while deer hunting. I wish I would have spent more and got the Big Buddy mainly for the fan, not so much the BTUs.

Bobs

tally so far...
2 for buddy
7 for big buddy
1 for mr cooker.

the fan on the big buddy seems like a desired feature and thats part of why I bought it too. I had a thought of keeping the small buddy in my car emergency kit because of the saftey features and smaller size. (am I a gear junky trying to justify keeping both???)

put me down for the big buddy.

same reasons as mentioned above.--fan, can run 1 tank if desired. faster heat which means the kids complain for less time. it also works pretty well in the garage for heat during a quick afternoon project.

d

Am a firm believer in going light while ice fishing. The big buddy would be great if your going to use it to heat other things like a garage.

Its way to big for my taste. If the weight I'm seeing on it is correct it weighs more than my ice house.

Yes you can cook on the little buddy.:)