This last week brought me to an overnight location that had no heat. We were having some very cold weather in the north east with wind chills below zero and strong winds. The space we were in got frigidly cold fast. We needed something to heat a large space quickly. Our choice was the Master brand 115,000BTU Forced air heater otherwise known as a "space heater" by this dude. This is NOT a home heater. It is for very large spaces with adequate ventilation.

I have used these many times before. That was years back when I was in the construction and demolition work. These heaters work well pushing an enormous amount of heat quickly but must be used correctly and in the proper spaces. Always get the correct size for the space you want to heat. Even with a thermostat, too much heat in too small an area may not be good. You also want enough heat for an area too. Check BTU charts for spaces used.

Never use a combustion machine that has no venting inside a completely enclosed area without some ventilation! It's downright dangerous. Fall asleep and you may never wake up.

Our Choice

This kind of heater warms a place faster than other types. It uses either deisel fuel of kerosene. We had deisel in 55 gallon drums and pumped the fuel into the rectangular 9 gallon tank that works as the bottom of the machine. That fuel keeps it going from 10-12 hours for us. Hot air is forced out via a fan over a heated element inside. Because our area was large without much in it we felt this the best way to go.

The unit has a bullet shape to it. A thermostat on the side regulates the temperature. It took two nights to get that just right at our location. A push button in the back fires the unit up when first starting it up or if it runs out of fuel and needs to be restarted. The heater has an automatic shut off when fuel runs out. There is no priming or any such thing to have to do when it does. Simply put in the fuel and push the button being sure the thermostat is set properly.

The heater is on two hard wheels that must be put on and locked in place with lock nuts. An easy thing to do. The handle in the front is pulled to move the heater around. The weight, even when filled, is hardly felt because of the overall balance of the machine on its large wheels. It moves very easily.

Even with the unbelievable amount of heat this pushed the unit, except for where the heat comes out in front, is cool to the touch. Not that any children should be in an area with a space heater but it is good to know.

We had to heat a space that was over 2,000 sq.' with a high ceiling of perhaps fifteen feet. It did the job well.

Some Negatives

This unit plugs into an outlet. An extension cord is needed because the unit just gives a small tail of a cord barely sticking out the back. I wish they gave at least a foot so I didn't have to bend over and find the plug. Nothing special in current is needed though too much power can, from what I understand, bring down the life of the electronic ignition.

When the heater starts and more-so when it is shutting down an odor of the fuel comes through. It can be nasty to those not accustomed to it. Another thing I would mention is to be sure to never move the machine to a new place with the extension plugged in. It could be on an off cycle due to the thermostat. If then unit is moved to a place without understanding the heater may automatically turn on, it could be in a bad place.

These heaters are very noisy and if there is dust on the floors or walls, it will be kicked up.

Last Thoughts

Though I may have been bringing up negatives about the Master forced air "space" heater, I rate it well. If used properly and in the correct environment it is safe and heats well. It kept this old bear warm on very cold nights.




A couple of home heaters. The one reviewed above is NOT for the average home use.

Ceramic Heater
Lakewood (5500) Oil Filled Radiator Heater




Recommended: Yes