How to choose a gas infrared heater

We save wisely

When choosing a technique, you need to focus on the manufacturer. Cheap fake Chinese craftsmen will break after a couple of months of work. If you really want to save money, buy products from reputable, time-tested companies. One of the leaders of the Russian market is the Nikaten company. Customer reviews confirm: the company offers quality equipment at affordable prices.

Some buyers are wary of the low price. No, Nikaten does not save on spare parts and warranty service. The secret to low prices is simple.The company itself produces energy-saving equipment and sells it itself. This allows you to significantly reduce the cost of production.

"Nikaten" offers heaters of different power. They consume from 0.2 to 0.65 kW per hour. You can place an order right on the main page. Choose a model and color and click on the "Buy" button. If you don't have enough money, the company offers a loan. Ceramic heaters will be delivered to your home within a few days. Delivery time depends on the region where you live.

If you are in doubt whether to place an order, calculate the real savings from the purchase. You will find a calculator on the company's website. Enter there the area of ​​​​the heated room and the tariff at which you pay for electricity. You will find out how much you will pay per month when installing energy-saving heating.

Rating of the best infrared ceramic gas heaters

Rating	#1	#2	#3
Name	Kovea Fireball KH-0710	Hyundai H-Hg2-Ui686	Solarogaz GII 2.9

Pathfinder Hearth

Closed type infrared burner with ceramic surface. The power is small - 1500 W, capable of heating a room up to 15 square meters.

m. Weighs only 1800 gr.

This gas ceramic heater perfect for hiking and fishing.

pros

• compactness;
• small weight and size;
• mobility.

Minuses

Hyundai H-Hg2-Ui686

Hyundai H-Hg2-Ui686 is a gas heater for a garage or summer cottage, it can also be used in open spaces, terraces, and in non-residential premises. Works at the liquefied gas (propane).

It has two positions: horizontal and vertical. Thermal power - 2.9 kW.

pros

• two positions;
• compactness;
• mobility.

Minuses

BALLU BIGH-3

BALLU BIGH-3 is an infrared gas floor heater. The case is covered with enamel, which increases the service life of the device.

The efficiency is very high, close to 100%. A great option for summer residents or tourists.

The grate is made of durable stainless steel. If the flame goes out, the thermocouple blocks the gas supply.

If water gets on the device, the heating panel will not be deformed. Thanks to the convenient collapsible design, the device is easy to take on a trip or a hike.

Works from the main or bottled gas. The device is suitable for heating or cooking food.

pros

• light weight (2.7 kg);
• collapsible design;
• quality materials;
• high efficiency;
• low price;
• complete with hose (1.5 meters), jets, gas reducers.

Minuses

Kovea Fireball KH-0710

Portable gas heater for giving, equipped with a hose. Perfectly will be suitable also for tourism, winter fishing, is capable to warm up a tent.

Allows you to boil water, so you can not take a thermos with you. It is ignited with a piezo ignition.

The reflector can be brought to an inclined or horizontal position. In the first case, the device will serve as a heater, in the second - a place for heating or cooking.

In both positions, the reflector is secured with a bolt, so the unit will not tip over or tilt. If the temperature is low, the system preheats the gas.

The model works from a gas cylinder.

pros

• piezo ignition;
• compactness;
• universality;
• 2 positions.

Minuses

• price;
• low power.

Solarogaz GII 2.9

Solarogaz GII 2.9 is a gas infrared burner.

Designed for local space heating.Can be used as a stove for heating or cooking.

During painting work, the device can dry surfaces. Thanks to the German Raushert ceramic emitter, the burner will last a long time.

pros

• reliability and durability;
• uniform distribution of the flame;
• high efficiency;
• mobility;
• low gas consumption;
• uses propane - an inexpensive type of fuel;
• silent operation;
• no open flame;

Minuses

The best gas panels

Ballu BIGH-3

The compact heater of the Dutch design, made in China, is a metal disk with a heat-resistant ceramic coating fixed on two triangular legs, reinforced at the edges. Inside it is a class A heating panel that can withstand water splashes on it. Outside, it is protected by a stainless mesh.

Threaded side locks allow the panel to be rotated in any direction. In a horizontal position, it can be used for cooking. The product is sold complete with gas hose and reducer.

Main characteristics:

• thermal power 3 kW;
• nominal gas flow rate 0.2 kg/h;
• dimensions 115x225x210 mm;
• weight 1.6 kg.

Watch product video

+ Pros of Ballu BIGH-3

1. Quick warm up.
2. The collapsible design with the minimum dimensions of parts makes it easy to store and transport.
3. Silent operation.
4. Possibility of cooking.
5. Resistance to external influences.
6. Beautiful design.
7. Long service life.
8. Warranty 1 year.

- Cons of Ballu BIGH-3

1. The length of the hose is only 1.5 m.
2. It is necessary to regulate the intensity of combustion with a valve on the cylinder, which is not always convenient.
3. When heated, there is an odor.

Conclusion.This panel is suitable for space heating up to 30 sq.m. It is often purchased for picnic or fishing trips. The ability to quickly assemble and disassemble is useful where there is no excess free space.

Hyundai H-HG2-23-UI685

This Korean brand heater is a square panel mounted on a stable support. The design has two working positions with different angles of inclination. The case is made of sheet steel covered with heat-resistant enamel. The emitter is made of ceramic and is protected from the outside by a stainless steel grille.

The panel can be used for cooking. The scope of delivery includes a flexible hose, a gas reducer and a set of clamps.

Main characteristics:

• thermal power 2.3 kW;
• nominal gas flow rate 0.2 kg/h;
• dimensions 145x214x225 mm;
• weight 2.0 kg.

+ Pros Hyundai H-HG2-23-UI685

1. Reliable construction.
2. Quality build.
3. Compact dimensions.
4. Profitability.
5. Ease of cooking.
6. Small cost.
7. Warranty 1 year.

— Cons Hyundai H-HG2-23-UI685

1. Suitable for heating small spaces.

Conclusion. This heater should be classified as a budget, but fairly high-quality equipment. It is useful for heating a small area around the workplace, heating a small room or cooking in field conditions. It is bought by fishermen, hunters, owners of unheated garages and workshops.

Solarogaz GII-3.65

Inexpensive domestic gas heater Solarogaz GII-3.65 floor installation has the shape of a rectangular panel mounted on a wide metal stand.The design can be fixed in several positions. All steel parts are painted with heat-resistant compounds. The ceramic emitter is protected from accidental contact by a galvanized steel grid. The product is capable of heating rooms up to 40 sq.m.

Main characteristics:

• thermal power 3.65 kW;
• nominal gas flow rate 0.5 kg/hour;
• dimensions 315x175x85 mm;
• weight 1.3 kg.

Watch product video

+ Pluses Solarogaz GII-3.65

1. Quite a lot of power.
2. Fast heating.
3. Compact dimensions.
4. Ease of storage and transportation.
5. Simple and reliable design.
6. Long service life.
7. Affordable price.

- Cons Solarogaz GII-3.65

1. The gas cylinder, reducer and propane hose must be purchased separately.
2. When heated, there is a smell of burning.
3. Not the most attractive look.

Conclusion. Such a panel is suitable for heating a garage, workshop or other outbuildings. With its help, you can quickly warm up a section of the wall in the process of construction or repair work. For temporary domestic needs, it is better to purchase less powerful and more aesthetically attractive models.

Tips for choosing a specific model

If you need to buy a gas model, then pay attention to the following points:

• Does the device have wheels? The heaters are quite heavy, and if you have to carry them far, it is easier to pull them on wheels than on your own hands.
• What is the level of security? Ask the seller if this model is equipped with an automatic gas cut-off system in case the flame is blown out by the wind. A good addition would be the function of shutting off the feed in case of accidental fall of the device or a strong inclination.
• How is a reflector set up? The reflector determines the area to which infrared rays are distributed. And the larger its diameter, the wider the radius of the zone that fell under the warm radiation. Look for those heaters in which there is not a solid reflector, but a sectional one. If suddenly this element deteriorates, then you will not have to buy it entirely, but only the broken section will need to be replaced.
• What is the power of the device? The wider the area you plan to heat, the more powerful the device should be. Practice has shown that summer residents choose heaters whose power is 12 kW. Their strength is enough for the normal warming up of a circle with a diameter of 6 meters. Less powerful systems for outdoor needs are unprofitable, and more powerful ones consume a lot of gas, although the efficiency and heating area are not too different from 12 kW.
• Ease of adjustment. In heaters, there are two types of adjustment: fixed (for strong and weak gas supply) and smooth (the summer resident can adjust the required level himself, taking into account the ambient temperature). The second option is, of course, more profitable.

With all the advantages, these devices are able to raise the temperature by about 10 degrees, and even then, if it is +10 and above outside. The lower the air temperature, the weaker the heat level will be. But if you use gas heaters for residential premises, then their efficiency is higher, but the air quality is worse (combustion products enter the room!). Such systems are not recommended for long-term use in small rooms.

Favorable replacement for central heating

Heating gas devices can be a good alternative to traditional heating systems with a boiler. But do not forget that gas equipment can be dangerous, so follow these simple safety rules:

Ensure good ventilation for instruments with an open chamber. During operation, the device heats up to very high temperatures, do not touch it. Do not dry clothes on the gas heater grate. Do not move the device in working condition

Important! Do-it-yourself gas equipment repair is potentially dangerous! Do not use devices with an open flame near flammable objects (this is especially true for garages, utility rooms). If you feel a strong smell of gas, immediately turn off the gas supply, turn off electrical appliances, ventilate the room, and the heater itself should be handed over to the service department for diagnostics.

Pros and cons of tourist gas appliances

Advantages

• relatively small weight and compactness;
• ease of maintenance;
• convenience of design for use in nature;
• economy in terms of fuel consumption;
• a standard gas appliance with a power of 1 kW is able to heat an area of ​​​​5-6 m3, which is quite enough for a small tent;
• the heater can operate at full power for 10-12 hours, while consuming 65-75 g / h.

Flaws

• Possible malfunction in severe frost. In this case, heating of the cylinder or additional insulation will be required.
• tourist gas burners require replaceable cylinders, which, in turn, increases the weight of the hiking backpack and directly the cost of operation.

In addition, in small settlements, it may be difficult to purchase branded gas cylinders, since equipment from another manufacturer simply will not work.

And the main disadvantage of gas burners should be considered an increased fire hazard. Using the instrument for heating tents in winter time can lead to a fire, so the heater must never be left unattended, even for a short period of time.

When operating a tourist gas appliance, safety measures must be observed. It is strictly forbidden to use the device for drying clothes, as well as direct it towards flammable objects. In the event of problems with the fuel supply, do not try to disassemble the cylinder yourself and fill it with gas.

Before starting the operation of the purchased device, carefully study the instruction manual for the device and act according to the recommendations given in it.

Compliance with all the rules for the installation and use of gas equipment will help to avoid trouble and provide an opportunity to fully enjoy outdoor recreation.

The main types of gas heaters for tents

To find out which gas heater to choose for a tent, you need to consider each type. Subdivided gas tent heaters for these types:

• ceramic;
• metal;
• catalytic.

The heating principle for the first option is based on the use of a ceramic plate, which is saturated with energy from the heater. The gas burns in the burner, the infrared type emitter extracts the energy, and the ceramic plate generates heat for heating. The gas infrared heater is less popular, as it has a low efficiency of 50%. The advantage of gas ceramic tent heaters is the affordable cost, which makes such devices more in demand.

The second type of tent heaters is equipped with an emitter of a metal structure.The steel bars of the working device are in a protected position, so this type of device, like ceramic, is safe. The advantage of this device is the ability to adjust the direction of the heat flow. Metal-type appliances are used for large tents, as they can be used to heat a large area. Despite this, a metal gas heater in a tent has an even lower efficiency value of 30%.

The third type of heaters is called catalytic. Such devices are the safest and most effective. The advantage of such structures is a high efficiency rate of 99-100%. The design of such heaters uses fiberglass and a layer of platinum. Models of the catalytic type are fireproof, as they do not have an open flame, and are environmentally friendly.

Fast heating and quiet operation add additional advantages to catalytic heaters for tents. These heaters are popular, and their cost is based on the power of the device. Such a disadvantage as the impossibility of replacing the "native" cartridge on most models of catalytic heaters makes it less versatile than the previous two types.

Eliminate harm to health ↑

Combustion products harmful to health can accumulate in the limited space of the tent. It is recommended to leave the tent slightly ajar for airing and taking them outside. But today's infrared gas burners can be designed to allow combustion products to be thrown outside the tent.Of course, this advantage is worth using.

In general, do not neglect the elementary safety rules when using gas heaters in nature. For this, all you need is:

• leave the ventilation valve near your tent slightly ajar;
• to change cylinders outdoors;
• ventilate the tent to maintain oxygen balance.

5 Tourist Rio TH-505

The portable heater Tourist Rio TH-505 is an infrared burner located in a steel reflector and is switched on using a piezo ignition. The key feature of the device is its connection to the cylinder in two ways - through a threaded and collet connection, for which a special adapter is provided in the package. Besides, together with a heater the buyer receives a cover, convenient for transportation. The model is stable on 3 pillars. After turning it on and switching to the operating mode, heat is felt almost instantly due to the high power (1.4 kW) and the ability of surrounding objects to absorb infrared radiation. In general, the device is designed quite well, but for its safe use (however, like any other gas heater), constant ventilation is needed.

Advantages:

• universal connection to gas cylinders with 2 different connection types;
• economical consumption - 100 g / hour;
• heating only the space that is needed.

Flaws:

• lack of security controllers;
• small heating area (declared - up to 20 sq. m., real - max 10).

Portable ovens

An example of a portable stove for a tent

There are homemade and industrial stoves for heating tents. They work mainly on solid fuel.These are the familiar “potbelly stoves” that are suitable for a large tourist group. They are irreplaceable in extreme tourism. But they take up enough space and need chimneys and constant attention.

This pays off with high heat dissipation, but their size and weight are not for small tents.

How to heat a tent with improvised means?

To solve the problem, a coolant is needed.

It could be:

• an open source of fire, enclosed in a casing;
• heated warm material.

The second option is more accessible on a hike and safer. We are talking about stones that perfectly retain heat. However, if a hot stone is brought into the tent, then it will immediately heat up very strongly, but after an hour there will be no trace of the heat. Therefore, care must be taken to increase the thermal inertia of the stone: it must give off heat slowly.

To do this, you need a thermal insulator. The best option is foil. In the first hours, it will protect the tent from overheating, and its inhabitants from burns. A well-heated stone is wrapped in several layers of foil and placed in a pan of suitable size. The more layers of foil, the stronger the thermal insulation, and the longer the stone will heat the tent.

If in the morning it becomes cool in the tent, you can remove part of the foil and the tent will become warm again. This is a proven method of lawyer Yegorov, famous for his tourist life hacks. He suggests choosing a stone the size of a human head and picking up the pot in such a way that the stone does not touch the bottom. All this construction must be placed in a tent on a board or other insulating material.

Principle of operation

The exact scheme of the mechanism may differ slightly depending on which type of gas heater your model belongs to, but in general the principle of operation is approximately the same. Infrared structures are the most widely used in our time - using their example, we will consider how it works. First of all, there is a source of fuel - for stationary models it is a gas pipe, however, most of this equipment is portable and uses replaceable or rechargeable cylinders. The heater itself is a burner - about the same as in a conventional stove. In this case, the heating element is usually not the burner itself, but a special element, which in our time is most often made of ceramics. Having warmed up to a temperature of about 600–800 degrees, the ceramic part begins to intensely emit infrared radiation, which is better known to the common man simply as heat.

As you can see, the efficiency of the device largely depends on how quickly it manages to ignite the heating element to the desired temperature. A noticeable disadvantage of a gas heater is that it does not know how to increase the temperature quickly, and in severe colds it also starts to require much more fuel, so this technique is usually used for constant heating in rooms where there is always someone there. So, a small device with a power of 1 kW will warm up a fifteen-meter room for half an hour, even if the temperature is above zero outside the window, if the area of ​​​​the room is 20 square meters. m., and outside the window is a light frost, you will have to wait one and a half or even two hours for comfortable conditions.

It is not surprising that with such characteristics, it is necessary to constantly maintain a comfortable temperature, at the same time, in the modern world there are almost no people who would always be at home. A special electronic regulator, which is present in some models, helps to get out of the situation. An additional device allows you to set a certain temperature, and if the room gets colder than the specified value, the heating turns on automatically, and works until the "normal" value is reached.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas household heaters

The main advantage of gas heaters is their efficiency, since gas is the cheapest fuel for heating devices. Other pluses include:

• long service life;
• adjustable power level;
• most of the models can work with the electricity off;
• portable models do not use an open flame to work.

A significant drawback of a gas heater is a low degree of safety, even though the devices are equipped with protection. An appliance that runs on liquefied gas always has a high risk of fire. Also, for most devices, it is necessary to consider ventilation in the house or garage and a system for venting combustion products to the street.

The principle of operation of gas heaters

The devices are represented by a large selection of various models that differ in the principle of operation and power. All these devices have one thing in common - they work from liquefied or natural gas, converting it into thermal energy. Gas cylinders or a gas pipeline can act as a gas source.Heating devices themselves are divided into stationary and portable.

Heat guns heat the room by burning gas. They are quite economical, like all gas-powered appliances.

Stationary gas heaters are convectors or heat guns powered by mains or bottled gas. They are mounted permanently in the premises and are used as the main sources of heat. Such devices are large in size and high performance, and for their operation you need a chimney to remove combustion products.

Mobile (portable) models are designed for temporary or semi-permanent operation. They are small in size and less productive. Most often, such models are made in small-sized cases for outdoor installation. They are optimal for heating cottages, private houses and utility rooms in which there is no centralized gas supply.

According to the principle of operation, heaters are divided into several categories:

• infrared;
• catalytic;
• convection.

The principle of operation of infrared heaters is very simple - burners with metal and ceramic emitters are located inside them. When heated, they begin to emit infrared waves (thermal radiation). At the same time, the air near the heaters remains practically cold - only surrounding objects are heated. Depending on the power, they can warm quite large rooms and open areas.

In the combustion chamber of the catalytic device, combustion as such does not take place, a chemical reaction takes place there.

Catalytic gas heaters are built on the principle of natural or liquefied gas oxidation.There is no flame here, and heat generation is provided by a chemical reaction. The gas enters a special catalytic panel, where it begins to oxidize, contributing to the generation of heat. Heating is carried out according to the convection, infrared or mixed principle of operation.

Convection gas heaters have an extremely simple device - they are based on conventional burners in which fuel is burned. Air heating is carried out with the help of special ribbed radiators. Due to convection, heated air rises, after which colder air masses enter its place. Two to three hours after the launch of such devices in heated rooms, it becomes noticeably warmer.

Infrared gas heaters can create heat not only by burning gas, but also by catalytic oxidation. Some models of such devices create flows of thermal radiation and provide convection - thereby achieving quick and efficient heating of the premises.

Prices for a gas heater for a summer residence with a cylinder

The price of heaters depends on the technical characteristics of a particular model, its design and type of apparatus, as well as the brand of the manufacturer and the place of purchase.

The cost of the models discussed above, when acquiring them in specialized organizations and on Internet sites, is as follows:

Model	Heater type	Rating according to Tehno.guru editors	Cost, thousand rubles
Bartolini Pullover K	mobile / catalytic	10/10	9,5 – 15
Timberk TGN 4200 SM1	mobile / ceramic	9,7/10	4,5 – 6
Alpine Air NGS-20F	Wall mounted / convector	9,8/10	15 – 21
Ballu BOGH-14E	outdoor / infrared	9,8/10	30 – 40
Kovea Fire Ball	Portable / infrared	9,7/10	6 – 7

Gas infrared heaters from a cylinder: the principle of operation

The use of infrared heaters has some features. For example, in order for the device to cover a large area, it must be placed as high as possible above the floor surface. In this case, the range of its impact will be as wide as possible, and the room will be warm enough.

The gas infrared heater consists of the following elements:

• body made of metal;
• heat exchanger;
• divider;
• automatic control unit;
• reducer.

As for the sizes of heaters, they can be very different: from small compact models to overall devices designed for large rooms, warehouses, garages, etc.

Design features of the outdoor heater Ballu

If we talk about the principle of operation of the device, then we can distinguish the following processes:

• gas flow from the cylinder to the reducer, where the gas pressure is reduced, after which it enters the heater nozzle;
• mixing gas with air and their joint entry into the ceramic panel;
• uniform combustion of gas and, as a result, the complete absence of combustion by-products;
• heating the ceramic component of the heater and further transfer of heat through infrared radiation.

As a result of the fact that the device heats the objects around it, the general air temperature also rises. Therefore, infrared gas heaters are perfect for summer cottages, garages or greenhouses.

The principle of operation of a gas infrared heater

How to choose the best?

Having wondered which model will suit you best, you should first clearly understand for what purpose you are purchasing the device.So, in a room where someone constantly lives, an inverter model that constantly maintains the temperature is more appropriate, but for periodic visits to the country house, an infrared ceramic heater will be more appropriate. In all other respects, start from logically determined criteria.

Choose enough power for heating, but do not rush to overpay for its “reserve”, because in most cases it is simply not needed. Increased power usually has a very strong effect on the price, and for seasonal trips to the same dacha, it is not necessary - you still won’t arrive in the midst of bitter frosts.
Safety above all! You must be sure that the device will not turn over from any impact, and even if this happens, the built-in mechanisms will immediately extinguish the flame and cut off the fuel supply

Feel free to ask the seller how a particular model will behave in a difficult situation.
If you're purchasing a small, potentially portable unit, consider how easy it is to move. Estimate the weight and dimensions, answer the question whether it will be convenient for you to carry it with you

Many manufacturers equip "tourist" models with handles, wheels, or even a special trolley - all this is really useful if you are going to use the unit not only in the country, but also on the nearby river.
It is necessary to purchase a gas heater only in a specialized store, where the buyer, along with the equipment, will also be given documents for it. The documentation gives the right to free warranty repair or replacement of the unit, because the operation of a damaged device is unacceptable, if only because of the increased danger.
Cost is the last criterion that you should pay attention to. Your task is not to save money at any cost, but to purchase a device that can meet your requirements. The cheapest models can cost literally a couple of thousand rubles, but you should understand that in this case you should not expect any special agility from the unit.