Buddy or Big Buddy?

last updated October 16, 2006

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This topic has 19 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 6 months ago by woodyjdh.

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October 16, 2006 at 10:24 pm #22539
woodyjdh
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Location: Mn
Member Since: May 2004
Posts: 61
With Mills Fleet Farm having a sale on the Buddy & Big Buddy heaters, I have a decision to make. At the present time I have an Eskimo QFII Flipover portable (2 person). I like the size of the Buddy heater, but also like the convienence of the Big Buddy-being able to have 1 or both burners going depending on how cold it is. So you can see why I am a bit confuzzled ” title=”” class=”bbcode_smiley” /> . I’d appreciate any first hand experiences or advice anyone can give me. Thanks in advance~Woody

Nothing lasts as long as an EverWOODY! " title="" class="bbcode_smiley" />
October 16, 2006 at 10:43 pm #149392
thunder
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Location: Wright County
Member Since: Oct 2005
Posts: 6958
Spend the extra and get the Big buddy.
October 16, 2006 at 11:15 pm #149393
Mike
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Location: Crosby, MN
Member Since: Mar 2004
Posts: 5512
Get the Big Buddy or you will be freezing.
October 16, 2006 at 11:42 pm #149394
Castaway
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Member Since: Nov 2005
Posts: 919
Definitly the Big Buddy.Unless you find a deal on the buddys like I did this spring then you have to run 2 of them on the cold days.
October 17, 2006 at 2:50 pm #149395
Sally
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Location: Center City, MN
Member Since: Nov 2005
Posts: 904
I have a Buddy and when its cold, I need to run my buddy and also the sunflower to keet the Fish Trap Guide warm (proabably the same size as yours). The big buddy is great because it has a fan built in. And it is also like 2 buddys in 1…. but better!
October 17, 2006 at 3:16 pm #149396
TimBaker
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Member Since: Jun 2004
Posts: 1264
Mr. Cooker all the way! Heats the house up real well, can cook lunch and coffee on it. Plus no mess of 1 lb tanks.
October 17, 2006 at 3:39 pm #149397
highsparks
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Member Since: Jan 2006
Posts: 1434
I agree with tim on the cooker, but I do like my big buddy for the extra heat in my clam sleeper and the fan helps prevent condensation. I still go to my heater cooker in the portable as its lighter , smaller and more portable. Besides a good steaming pot of soup really hits the spot when your on the ice……..
October 17, 2006 at 6:18 pm #149398
rugs
Participant
Location: Hastings, MN
Member Since: Dec 2004
Posts: 436
Big buddy for sure. You will be able to be comfortable in your portable on the cold days.

As for the 1lb. tanks, you can get a hose and hook it to the larger tanks. My buddy has the lager tank with a pole for the coleman lantern, so we can run the big buddy and coleman off the 10lb. tank in his clam 6800. works great.

Wishin I was Fishin!!
<*)))><
October 17, 2006 at 7:26 pm #149399
wallyhunter
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Location: Crystal / Isle, MN
Member Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 1127
I’m with Tim and Highsparks the Mr heater cooker is what I have….A friend of mine quite using the buddy heater and switched because he was sick of buying the one pound tanks. Plus fresh eyes on the ice is were it’s at!!!!!!

[email protected]
keep the rods bent and the lines tight
October 17, 2006 at 7:34 pm #149400
Mike
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Location: Crosby, MN
Member Since: Mar 2004
Posts: 5512
I agree that the sunflower Mr. Heater is the way to go if you dont want to bother with the 1lb tanks. I have the original sunflower type mounted on a 11lb tank. I have also owned a couple of the cooker models and was always satisfied. I have considered buying the Big Buddy because of its portabilty and multifunction use.
October 17, 2006 at 7:54 pm #149401
rugs
Participant
Location: Hastings, MN
Member Since: Dec 2004
Posts: 436
sunflower if you want the noxious fumes, burn holes in your shack and lots of noise.

i reiterate you can hook the buddy up to the larger tanks if so desired.

i do like the sunflower for fishing outside as the wind will knock the flame out of a buddy.

Wishin I was Fishin!!
<*)))><
October 17, 2006 at 8:02 pm #149402
rugs
Participant
Location: Hastings, MN
Member Since: Dec 2004
Posts: 436
fyi-the big buddy had a recall on the original models. if you bought one of the first ones go to the website http://www.mrheater.com/index.asp
and find out if yours is in the recall.

they sent me a paid ups packing slip, i sent my original back in after 2 seasons of use and they sent me a brand new one in about a week. ” title=”” class=”bbcode_smiley” />

Wishin I was Fishin!!
<*)))><
October 17, 2006 at 8:37 pm #149403
highsparks
Participant
Member Since: Jan 2006
Posts: 1434
One thing I noticed last year was the MR heater/cooker when in the heat position will melt the floor of a plastic bottomed shack , such as the clam sleeper , if you dont set somethimg underneath it to shield the plastic floor…….
October 17, 2006 at 8:47 pm #149404
rugs
Participant
Location: Hastings, MN
Member Since: Dec 2004
Posts: 436
the buddy is a much safer heater (imo). buddy is much less likely to burn anything and has oxygen sensor/auto shut off

Wishin I was Fishin!!
<*)))><
October 17, 2006 at 10:11 pm #149405
woodyjdh
Participant
Location: Mn
Member Since: May 2004
Posts: 61
I kinda figured the Big Buddy would be the way to go. I also like the fact that I can hook it up to my bigger tanks if I want to. I’ve been looking at both for some time, and seen the accessories they have for both. Another thing I like about them is the safetly features they have-if you knock it over…ect. If I were to be out in the open I’d get a Mr. Heater cooker/sunflower, but I’ll be in my QFII-and I rather like the fact there isn’t any extra holes in it-and plan to keep it that way. Thanks for all the replies!

Nothing lasts as long as an EverWOODY! " title="" class="bbcode_smiley" />
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