I have used electric fan heaters for some time in my various tents in some pretty cold conditions. They are really light, easy to pack, fast starting, and extremely convenient. However the heat produced is not as 'nice' as other means, it just feels different. I have also yet to find a fan heater with good thermostatic control as mine all have a large temperature fluctuation from on to off.
In my tent the wood stove feels so much nicer but is a pain to set up, keep clean and maintain.
For the caravan I started by using fan heaters but was given a Delonghi Dragon oil filled heater and the transformation in comfort was astonishing. Although taking a little longer to get going the quiet 'feel' of the atmosphere is very different. Thermostatic control appears seamless and the current requirements in very cold weather are low.
I appreciate my comments are very subjective but apart from the weight I just can't fault the Dragon. Looking at the reviews it is clear that many others feel the same
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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
Okay Robbo; although we've got the Aldi one, I hope this is not a biased opinion. Comparing the two just from the information given on your links, the Aldi one comes out on top with 3 years warranty and a 24 hour timer too.
We have a small (ish!) oil filled Delonghi Bambino rad which is 1500W and has built in fan heater for instant boost. Use it at home in winter when not away in FC but works well in folding camper aswell,.
Not sure how effective a smaller 600W type one would be in a standard tent as pretty much zero insulation! Would probably spend £10 on a cheap fan heater and rest on upgrading sleeping bags!
Quote: Originally posted by Oldfolder on 04/2/2013
Victoria,
Wouldn't, 'Owner of two teens, and Mum to one springer spaniel' be a better sig? ;)
quite possibly, although I have a fifteen year old who knows everything and is owned by nobody! It's out of date, my sig...it's one springer spaniel and one long haired Jack Russell now!
Hi we have a 1500w oil filled radiator and use it in the caravan (what no heating i hear you say) well yes we have a continental van which does not have electrical heating, but gas heating in the shape of a Truma heater, but gas is more expensive to run and we have payed for electric on the pitch. The oil filled Rad is great for hanging wet towels on after showers etc and can be left on low. We have a fan heater in the awning under the step into the van. We camp/caravan all year and find that these keep us quite snug. Would always though go with the oil filled rad as its alot safer and less noisy.
Sorry Dave Beverley but these types of heater are a major cause of condensation. Below is an extract from Leicester City Council:
Paraffin and some types of gas heaters
Avoid using these sorts of heaters - they are one of the main causes of major condensation problems.
Paraffin heaters, portable bottled gas heaters and fixed flueless gas heaters all produce heat, but at the same time they also put a lot of water vapour into the air.
One gallon of water is produced by one gallon of gas or paraffin burning. Paraffin and portable bottled gas heaters can also be dangerous and very expensive to run. They can cost as much as, or even more than, heating using peak rate electricity.
We use a fan heater in the awning and when we are out it is off. However this year we are going to take a convector heater with us, it has a small fan in it just to boost things up a bit. Might leave it on when we are out just to see how it goes.
thanks bobmel, i can only go off my own experience of using one for the last 4 years, and stand by the fact that we get no condensation issues, i accept that when burning any product with a carbon and hydrogen composition thet h2o along with co will be produced as a natural consequence, perhaps it has something to do with the fan that any condensation effects are minimised or that the vans air vents allow for full cobustion. i wouldnt advocate any heater that produces combustion be used in an unvented area/room either!
perhaps leicester city council are commenting on the old type paraffin heaters, which i wouldnt recommend either - and i can defintiely say these specific type of paraffin heaters are not as expensive to run as my electric storage heaters or an electric fan heater at my home (because we're on storage heaters our day time rate is much higher than the standard normal daytime rate!!)
going back to the original thread, i stand by my recommendation that they are worth considering using on a camping holiday, even more so when you have no hook up as identified by another 'poster'
I really don't understand why some leave heaters on when they are out. There is a small additional fire risk that you won;t be there to deal with and basically you are wasting electricity which simply means electric charges go up for all when the site realises they are using more and more.