We are having a neighborhood Christmas party and I expect to have 40 people at my house. A neighbor gave me some roles of thick plastic he used several years ago to enclose his deck for the party. I would like to do the same thing.

My issue is the temperature is expected to be in the low 30's. I would like this area heated to make it more comfortable. The deck is 26x15 with a 10-12 ft sloped ceiling. From my research and budget, I can rent a 40k btu propane torpedo heater from Home Depot for $25. My only concern is possible fumes and if this is enough heat to bring the temps up into the 60's. I will also supplement the heat with some space heaters (plugged into different circuits). The deck is going be drafty so there will be some air flow.

Is this heater a good idea or do I have any other options? I would really like to be at $100 or less in costs.

I used to do projects in the Arctic Circle (aka North Slope in Alaska). In the middle of winter, we used to have crews set-up scaffolding, put visqueen over the scaffolding, and use a torpedo heater to heat it up. Crews were able to work in there (i.e. thin enough clothes you had dexterity) and we could even do things like paint which required a minimum metal temp and air temp. One difference is oil & gas work crews all have 4-gas meters on them and use them to test for oxygen level and carbon monoxide level.

I've also painted in an unheated garage during the winter in the Upper Midwest. Use the torpedo heater to get achieve air temp and surface temp of item being painted, turn off heater while painting, and once the fumes have dissipated resume using the torpedo heater in spurts to allow paint to dry.

For the OP, you could blend to two above concepts by getting the area preheated, and don't run continuously (i.e. just run in spurts) while people are in it. Preheating will make it attractive to people to use, people add body heat to the area, just keeping the wind off makes a huge difference in comfort, and run a few times as needed to keep it comfortable for the supermajority of people (i.e. please the people you can please as it won't be comfortable to somebody on blood thinners dressed like summer).

Todd pretty much nailed all my points.

Its not a bad idea, just make sure you’re careful about carbon monoxide poisoning, and the risk of asphyxiation. You don’t want to burn up all the oxygen.

It will warm the space up, but the noise may make it difficult for people to carry on conversations. I know of no such heater that is also quiet.

Is an electric heater feasible? You could pre-warm the space shortly before the guests arrive.

Too noisy

When I need to work in my unheated - and un-insulated - garage, I fire up the propane torpedo to get it up to temperature.

Once it's up to a comfortable temperature, I turn off the torpedo (noise and moisture) and light my Mr. Heater tank-top infrared. Whisper quiet and keeps the temp pretty steady unless it's real windy. Much less moisture introduced as well.

Putting 40 people in a 26' x 15' "room," you may not need any supplemental heat at all.

To follow up on a few posts.

The noise is a consideration. I would hope I could fire it up to temps and then kick it on and off as needed. However I don't want to have to babysit the room in case I get side tracked with the Old Fashion bar.

40 people would not all be on the deck. It would just be supplemental congregating area.

I thought of electric however there are no suitable electric rental units, as most are too big and require 240V+. I do have a 6500w generator with a 240 plug but there are not many units out there that are 220 and under my wattage.

Unless it's really windy, I'd consider renting a patio heater. No noise, uses a propane tank for a bbq grill, and can be rented for a day for about half of your budget, or you can buy an inexpensive version for a hair over $100.

No fire hazard, no air quality issues.

The space directly in front of a torpedo will melt the skin off your bones. As others have said, noise and fumes will be your biggest concerns.

I don't have any qualms with that idea. What I'd do is set up the heater under the deck and leave a vent on the far side, basically setup like an offset smoker.

No way I would use a torpedo heater for a party.

a1abdj nailed it, use a patio heater.

For an area going to be used to sit and talk they are just too noisy. I had one for my screened in patio and returned it for that reason.

A torpedo heater will absolutely melt shit in front of it. You want a heater that sits on top of a BBQ propane bottle-I have one that just radiates heat and doesn’t force it anywhere.

Like this or similar
https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Rit...2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

what about using a Big Buddy LP Heater. They can run off of a 1 pound camping LP tank or even a 20 gallon LP tank. You can even get an electric cord that will plug in and so you can operate the blower fan

My wife has asthma and ANY of the heaters mentioned would cause her problems.
The only thing that work for her would be an electric heater

quote:

Mr. Heater tank-top infrared

Use one in my garage Puts out an amazing amount of heat

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Unless it's really windy, I'd consider renting a patio heater. No noise, uses a propane tank for a bbq grill, and can be rented for a day for about half of your budget, or you can buy an inexpensive version for a hair over $100.

No fire hazard, no air quality issues.

This ^^^

Torpedo heaters are good for something like a garage.
Real hot by the business end, Co2 emissions, kinda smells, and LOUD.
One or two of the propane heaters and you’ll be fine.

Costco and Sams usually have those patio heaters in stock, growing up we had an enclosed but not heated patio, glass windows, and we'd go out there and use a kerosene heater to warm the place up.

Did a great job...

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quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Unless it's really windy, I'd consider renting a patio heater. No noise, uses a propane tank for a bbq grill, and can be rented for a day for about half of your budget, or you can buy an inexpensive version for a hair over $100.

No fire hazard, no air quality issues.

Agree as well. We used a torpedo heater on our jobs when the temps got to 35 or so. It worked well but it definitely needs good ventilation. As mentioned the noise prohibits anyone from having a conversation within 10-15 feet of it.

We have a patio n heater like above but smaller and works well.