Trying a Diesel Heater: My First Impressions

Trying a Diesel Heater for Winter Camping: My First Impressions

Why I Resisted Diesel Heaters for Years

For a long time, I swore I wouldn’t buy a diesel heater. Many people had recommended it over the years, but I had my reasons for resisting. Diesel heaters require assembly, can be prone to malfunctions, and add complexity to fuel management—especially if you're not already driving a diesel vehicle. Plus, they take up space and need careful installation.

Why I Finally Gave In

Despite my reservations, I stumbled across a compact, plug-and-play diesel heater that caught my attention. Unlike traditional bulky models, this one came pre-assembled and was incredibly easy to set up. When I found it on Amazon for just $150, I decided to give it a try. This isn’t a sponsored review—I bought it myself after watching a few videos about it.

Unboxing and Features

At first glance, the heater looks like a small toolbox, but inside, it's a fully integrated diesel heating system. The package includes:

• A built-in fuel tank
• A 3-inch heat outlet
• A remote control for adjusting temperature
• A flexible, compact duct for directing warm air
• An AC power adapter and 12V wiring option

Setup was straightforward: connect the duct, attach the exhaust pipe, and plug it in. Unlike other diesel heaters that require complex assembly, this one was ready to go almost immediately.

Field Testing: Does It Work?

I took the heater on a one-night camping trip in cold, wet conditions. Since I hadn’t figured out a permanent setup, I improvised a shelter using foam insulation. The heater performed well, providing steady, dry heat without adding moisture to the air—a key advantage over propane heaters like Mr. Heater Buddy.

Energy consumption was reasonable, drawing about 37–39 watts once running. The heater also lacked the annoying "tick tick tick" noise that some diesel heaters make due to fuel pump operation.

Final Thoughts: A Worthwhile Investment?

While I still don’t plan to run a heater overnight while sleeping, I see its value for warming up a campsite before bed or first thing in the morning. The remote control makes this especially convenient. It’s not a perfect solution yet—I still need to figure out a better way to keep it dry outdoors—but so far, it’s been a surprisingly positive experience.

Would I recommend it? If you’ve been hesitant about diesel heaters due to complexity, this model might be worth considering.