Heater needed for garage workshop

[Markymark]

Hello all

I have a Large double garage that is currently too cold to enjoy my hobby. I am looking to heat it cheaply and quickly. I was thinking of buying a Cast Iron stove to use to burn all my offcuts but I was concerned with any heating appliance with the risk of fire from airborne saw dust etc.. I was also originally looking at a propane space heater but decided that a unprotected flame and the moisture given out by propane was not matched to my hobby.

Can anyone advise on a quick acting heating source including cast iron stoves as a recommended way of producing heat with the wood off cuts.

 

[Ring]

http://www.thehotspot.co.uk/products.asp?cat=1
Try them i'm ordering mine at the end of the month.
Jim

 

[paulm]

They obviously don't burn wood offcuts, but an oil filled radiator on a low setting as background frost protection plus an electric fan heater or two for instant top up, is the best combination I've found for my needs in terms of safety and effectiveness.

Not necessarily cheapest though for running costs, but never got comfortable with the fire risks of a woodburner in a workshop although many seem to use them quite happily and with no problems.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[dickm]

I've found a storage heater pretty good, because it keeps the nightime temperature up and so stops condensation. So less horrible tool rust. We still have a day/night tariff, and the nighttime rate is not too horridly expensive. But you may want to up the insulation of the garage if possible.

 

[Markymark]

http://www.thehotspot.co.uk/products.asp?cat=1
Try them i'm ordering mine at the end of the month.
Jim

Excellent site.

thanks

mark

 

[DomValente]

These hotspots, just how much waste do you have ?
They also say"range should burn overnight without any attention, if hardwood off cuts are used."

Should, is a very loose term.
Safety is paramount as far as heating goes, and every precaution should be taken. We use radiators(,remote gas boiler) or oil filled radiators, which have already been mentioned, not the cheapest but good background heat.

 

[les chicken]

My garage :wink: :wink: is 32ft x 9ft and I have the hotspot 2. A hungry little blighter with small offcuts but heats it up in about 15 minutes. It will burn sawdust, shavings, offcuts and logs no worrys about nails etc, but it works better with a thick layer of ash in the bottom. I clean some of it out about once a month just to reduce the ash not remove it.

If you have a 2kw heater on a thermostat it gets warm then cold and is not comfortable all the time. Also the hotspot uses no electricity 2kw is quite a load if your garage :wink: :wink: does not have a good electricity supply to cope with machines as well.

Les

 

[johnnyb]

i use my hotspot if i will definitely spent the full day in the shop. it is very effective and controllable. if im only spending a few hours i use a cheap fan heater. effective quick but noisy.

 

[martlewis]

I use an oil filled radiator. My shop is only 8x16ft but just one rad keeps it toasty warm. I too have a very cheap night tariff so tend to keep the temp up over night to prevent rust. Best advice I agree is plenty of insulation. About £100 insulated my entire shop and makes a huge difference.

Martin.

 

[OllyK]

Have a 4.5 Kw Butane portable calor gas heater. B&Q are doing them for under £50 at the moment

 

[woodbloke]

I'm the same as Chisel here, a 1.5KW oil filled rad on a low setting with a timer and a convector heater for a quick top up. Helps also if the 'shop is reasonably well insulated. With this type of heat its also very easy to regulate the temp inside (just turn it off when too warm) which you may not be able to do with other sorts...don't know. I personaly find about 50 to 60 deg F is comfortable to do practical stuff - Rob

 

[Losos]

Hi Markymark,

My vote is for a woodburner. Mine is like the 'Hot spot' ones made in UK.

You don't need to worry about fire safety provided you sweep up around the stove last thing, and do not run it through the night if you're not in the shop. I always close the door & air inlet just prior to leaving for the night.

I like these because:-
It's a 'dry' heat (So helps prevent rust)
It's very cheap to run (Provided you have a supply of 'gash' timber)
It's safe (If you follow the above rule)

However, I would echo what others have said about insulation, before you think about heating you really need to make sure the place is well insulated. Also wood burners do have an enormous appetite, I'm lucky because I have a barn full of old wood which is only good for burning. I must admit that I'm not sure if I could generate enough 'offcuts' to feed one.