What is a diesel heater, and why do I need one?

A diesel heater is a piece of equipment that runs primarily on diesel fuel but can be run on other fuels such as kerosene. I need one for ice fishing, and there are several good reasons. Traditional propane heaters are great; they are small, generally light weight and produce massive amounts of heat. They are great options for small bursts of heat (i.e cooking) or heating a tent for a short period of time. The primary issue with propane heaters is their two byproducts; water vapor and carbon dioxide. This is not an issue in homes and commercial spaces, however, when the tent you are fishing in is approximately 100 square feet, this becomes an issue.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is by far the most dangerous byproduct. It is an orderless gas that can not be detected by humans. Essentially, if there is a large amount of carbon monoxide present, humans will suffocate due to the lack of oxygen in the space (the oxygen is consumed in the burning of propane). A carbon monoxide detector would solve this problem, however, opening the windows or doors to the tent to let in more oxygen and release the carbon monoxide would also release the heat produced by the propane heater, which is highly counter productive.

Water Vapor

The second and less dangerous byproduct is water vapor. This is not dangerous, however, it is highly irritating. Essentially, when propane is burned water molecules are released into the atmosphere (in this case the tent). The water sticks to the inside of the tent where it inevitably freezes for a short amount of time. As the tent slowly heats up, all of the ice that has formed on the inside of the tent starts to melt. This essentially creates a shower on the inside of the tent, soaking everyone and everything inside. Having wet gear while ice fishing is not only a quick way of ruining your day, but also opens you up to illness and hypothermia when traversing back to land after the outing.

So what is the solution?

A diesel heater! Unlike a propane heater a diesel heater heats up a cast aluminum core which air is drawn over, warming it. This warmed air is then forced inside the tent, warming it with dry, carbon dioxide free air. Since this heater is located outside the tent, the carbon dioxide from burning the diesel is then released into the atmosphere (not inside the tent). This creates a simple way to control the temperature, keep items and people dry, and most importantly keep everyone safe from the dangerous effects of carbon monoxide.