Hose for Mr. Heater

[Field48]

Want to connect my buddy heater to 10 pound tank. Do I need a filter or regulator in line?  Also am I right that the quick connect hose at cabelas only works with the big buddy? TIA for any info.

[chucknduck]

You don't need a regulator. You do want to get the filter for the buddy heater.

[PyroZuki]

I bought a propane hose from Ace Hardware. I didn't get a filter (had no idea that was even an option) or regulator. I think my hose is 8' long and cost me about $20.
I went with a longer hose, that way the  tank can sit outside while the hose runs under my house.
Minus the length, looks like this one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H25P42/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0009PUQAK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0RQG6CW1JRE6EKK8CVKF


Pyro

[EngrErik]

Definitely going to want to get the filter. I bought the hose they advertise as not needing the filter so i didn't buy one.  Didn't take very long for my buddy heater to stop working.  Going to have to clean it out now.

[PyroZuki]

I am new to this whole talk of filters. How long did it take to plug your Buddy heater? I've been runnin numerous heaters and other propane devices without filters for as long as I can remember. Is it just because of the Buddy design, or is propane "dirtier" than before? If it is the Buddy design, I would hate for mine to stop while I'm on the ice!

Just curious.

I have been usin my Buddy without filter for the last 3 huntin/ fishin seasons. I'd hate to think I may be comin close to blockage.



Pyro

[allweather fisherman]

You will want to go to a hardwear store and have one made it is a lot cheaper than getting the pre made ones i was lookibg at the pre made 5' and it was 35 and i got an8' one made for 17 and the fillter is worth the money

[Field48]

Thanks for the info ,this site is very informative. Thanks again.

[chucknduck]

Hey pyro.
I think most of the time you get propane it is usually clean. I think the filter is for insurance. I know that you can get some dirty propane from bulk tanks. The disposable ones are usually cleaner.  You might get lucky and never have one plug up or you could be unlucky and have it plug up when it's -20

[ci2019]

We run a 20 pounder with a straight hose without a filter and haven't had any issues what so ever on our little buddy.

[HVFD14]

The propane isn't dirty.  The propane is high pressure through the hose and then regulated at the heater.  This high pressure in the hose causes some of the oil in the hose to leach into the line and into the heater.  If you use the new "green" hose (it's black in color) from Mr. Heater, you don't need the filter.  The original hoses will still work, but you should use the filter because over time the oil will build up. 

[mricefish]

Ok have a big buddy heater runs on low and med fine but will not run on high anymore.  I have not used a filter so am hoping I just have to clean mine out and then be good to go again.  So how do i go about cleaning the heater now?  Is there some places that you would suggest?  And what to clean it up with?

[Stephan_K]

Just went a couple rounds with the propane gas guy a couple weeks ago on this very topic.  The reason for the filter, as it was "simply" put to me by the propane guy, is to get the propane back to gas form from liquid.  Any hose over 5' will allow the high pressure gas coming from the tank to condense back to liquid in longer hoses.  And that liquid that collects in the hose is what will blow out your controls on a mr heaters if and when it gets to it.  Some gas appliances deal with bits of liquid propane fine but the mr heater...... not so well.

[HVFD14]

Ok have a big buddy heater runs on low and med fine but will not run on high anymore.  I have not used a filter so am hoping I just have to clean mine out and then be good to go again.  So how do i go about cleaning the heater now?  Is there some places that you would suggest?  And what to clean it up with?

There is a really good youtube video on cleaning the buddy heaters.  Check it out, it is informative.

[PyroZuki]

Thanks for the info, guys.

Pyro

[TooLucky406]

Here's the vid on the Big Buddy cleaning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Z9aB-yEaE