Portable Propane Heater
A portable propane heater is such a great thing to have for the outdoorsman, campers, garage, shed, construction site, animal pens, and so much more. There are a lot of different models and designs to choose from that are perfect for different situations. There's the models that attach directly to the tops of propane tanks, some that have hoses that attach to the tanks, some blow forced air, and many models in between.
The Portable Propane Heater and The Size of the Tank: Keep in mind that propane tanks come in all sorts of sizes, and the overall portability will depend on the size of tank you decide to use. When using a smaller tank such as a 1 pound tank, portability is maximized. However the heating time is cut down significantly compared to a larger tank. A small 1 lb. tank will normally give you around 1-2 hours of heating time depending on the model of heater you decide to get. Get a larger tank and the time increases much more.
Top of Tank Attached Portable Propane Heater: These are pretty self explanatory as they attach directly to the top of the propane tank. These obviously can tip over easily if the tank is too small, so keep that in mind. Portablilty is to a different degree for these heaters. If you are simply camping next to your car, truck, or RV, then there is no reason to worry as you won't be carrying the tank too far. However you may want to buy a different model if you are planning on packing the tank into the wilderness camping.
Hose Attached Portable Propane Heater: Portability can really be maximized with these models as the heater is attached to a hose. This means you can use a smaller tank and the heater won't tip over because it's not attached to the top of the tank. There are a ton of different models out there. Mr. Heater is a brand that has a lot of portable options, so you may want to check them out, not to mention they are fairly cheap comparitively. Coleman and other brands have a lot of options as well.
Forced Air Portable Propane Heater: These portable propane heaters are normally cylindar shaped and shoot heated air out of one end. Some models require electricity to power the motor, and some will allow you to install batteries to create total portability. These forced air heaters can be in the shape of a box with a handle as well. Either way, some models will still work as a great portable propane heater even without the fan working. Make sure the model you choose will still give off heat if your batteries run out. You don't want to be stuck out in the cold with plenty of propane and no electricity.
So in picking the correct portable propane heater, obviously just keep in mind what you will be using the heater for. Will you need to pack the heater into the wilderness in the future? Then you'll need to get one with a hose attachment. If this isn't a real priority for you then don't worry about getting a top of tank attached portable propane heater.