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Small electric heater recommendation?

My little 120VAC Pelonis ceramic space heater died; seeking recommendations for a replacement. I've looked at several options, including this one:

Amazon.com: HOMEBASIX PTC-700 Ceramic Heater, 750/1500-watt: Home & Kitchen

Must-haves are:

Compact size.
Adjustable wattage up to 1500.
Variable heat levels, fan forced heat.
Easily accessible switches.
Metal housing preferred. (But, since most now seem to be plastic, at least "heavy duty" plastic.)
Automatic shut-off if tipped over.
Reasonably quiet.
Does not outgas and stink when operating! (This seems to be a pretty common complaint for the several currently-available heaters.)

All suggestions and use reviews appreciatively received; thank you.

Joan

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #1 –
Joan,

I have an 85# Four legged Child (dog)  I always try for a Heat strip. if the AC thermostat will control it.

Rodney.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #2 –

I've been using the cheapest Pelonis electric heaters for years (in fact, I have one running under my dinette table right now). Although Amazon sells them for twenty-five bucks, they're typically available at Walmart for $15-$17.

Advantages, aside from the low price: unlike ceramic heaters, their open-coil elements are less prone to clogging with dust, lint and pet hair, and are easier to blow clean. And unlike most electric heaters, they have three settings: 600 W, 900 W, and 1,500 W. This is a key feature, because you can run two of them on the 600 W setting on one circuit with tripping any breakers... and two low-powered heaters, strategically placed, do a better job of warming a rig than one high-powered heater.

They're compact and reasonably quiet, at least to my ears. They don't stink, other than the normal slight scorched smell of dust and lint the first time you turn one on at the beginning of the heating season... but that goes away in a minute or so. Some versions of this heater have tip-over switches, but some do not, relying on less effective thermostatic cutouts to prevent overheating when tipped. That could be a deal-killer if your pet is prone to accidentally knocking over the heater.

I've had a lot of heaters over the years, including fancy ceramic models, swiveling towers with electronic remote controls, and so on... but these cheap little $16 guys have turned out to work the best for me.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #3 –
Just a tip: if you haven't cleaned your heater's elements lately, especially if it's a ceramic type with small, closely-packed air passages, it's a good idea to do so. You'll probably have to disassemble the heater to get access to the back.

The photo here shows what I found when I opened up a Lasko oscillating tower heater. (To do so required special Torx Security drivers, something that isn't in most people's everyday toolkits.)

This is about two months' worth of buildup--not visible from the front!--and as you can see, it has blocked a third of the heating element. Not wanting to repeat the cleaning chore every month, I ditched the heater.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #4 –
Joan found the Pelonis heater I use and like on Walmart's website for ten bucks (use in-store pickup to avoid shipping fees), making it an even better deal. :-)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #5 –
Andy's heater cleaning suggestion is likely even more important to those of us who travel with furry, four footed family members.  We don't own anything that isn't sprinkled with German Shepherd and cat hair.
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
Just a tip: if you haven't cleaned your heater's elements lately, especially if it's a ceramic type with small, closely-packed air passages, it's a good idea to do so. You'll probably have to disassemble the heater to get access to the back.

The photo here shows what I found when I opened up a Lasko oscillating tower heater. (To do so required special Torx Security drivers, something that isn't in most people's everyday toolkits.)

This is about two months' worth of buildup--not visible from the front!--and as you can see, it has blocked a third of the heating element. Not wanting to repeat the cleaning chore every month, I ditched the heater.
I recall Andy posting about this heater a year or so back and I heeded his warning by using a compressor to blow the crud build up out of my Lasko heater once a year, and I don't have to take it apart. I didn't want to give this heater up because it is the best heater I have used in many years, and I am still using it in my cold office at home and in the LD. I suspect that Andy's cat contributed to the excessive blockage in the Lasko. 

I use the heater with a Lux programmable thermostat. Lux WIN100 Heating & Cooling Programmable Outlet Thermostat - Programmable... . "The thermocouple and electronic thermostat in the WIN100 is much more accurate than the built in bi-metalic mechanical thermostats in most portable electric heaters. The bi-metalic thermostats found in most space heaters have a temperature swing scale of 1-6, making it difficult to get the right room temperature. The Lux has a +- variable of about 1 degree." For a heater to work with the Lux, it has to have a grounded plug.

Chris
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #7 –
Joan,

When our old Pelonis cube heater quit last year we ended up with the current knock off, the "brown box disc heater," here at Walmart:

Brown Ceramic Disc Furnace - Walmart.com

My research showed a lot of mixed reviews but I bought one anyway and so far so good. I like it mainly for its compact size and the way it cycles. We've only used it a few times so far, so longevity is unknown. We'll be at Live Oak if you want to see it.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
My little 120VAC Pelonis ceramic space heater died; seeking recommendations for a replacement. I've looked at several options, including this one:
Joan

Unless a lot of smoke came out of it, bring it along to Live Oak, this week, and we will see if it is repairable.
Once a wire has had its smoke escape, it's very difficult to get it back into the wire.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #9 –
Bought the same Pelonis heater last month that Andy mentioned in reply # 4 from Wally World for under 10 bucks.  Used it last week with hookups at Laguna Seca where overnight temps were in the low 40's.  Worked great, is very compact and kept our 23.5 ft RB nice and toasty!
Roger
2004 FL
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #10 –
Thanks to everyone for the responses; I'm going with the Pelonis "Walmart Special". Can't lose much for that price!  ;)

Joan

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #11 –

Late to the party, but i wish I could give you my Pelonis. But I wouldn't because it is not a good heater. Bought on Amazon. A few minths ago. I will try returning it. Anemic output is the issue.  It has never worked. But what has worked is this:
Crane EE-6490 Space Heater 600/1200 Watt Amazon.com: Crane EE-6490 Space Heater 600/1200 Watt: Health & Personal Care

Pricey but very nicely built. Can't tell if the heating element is any different from the Walmart ceramic heater we used for years till the smoke escaped the wires. It works real good.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #12 –
We use the "Broan-NuTone 6201 Big Heat Heater."

Mark H
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #13 –
I use the same Pelonis electric heater recommended by Andy. I find the three levels, plus thermostat settings very useful. It does a great job keeping my 23.5ft Twin-King comfortable during cold spells. I only plug in to a power post when temps remain low for extended periods. Otherwise, I rely on the propane furnace to take the chill off in the mornings.
Pleinguy : Full-Timer
2004 Twin-King "Tardis"
PleinAirJourney.com
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #14 –
I picked the Pelonis fan heater up at Walmart (an experience in itself) yesterday afternoon; the heater seems to work OK, but the heat is uneven, i.e., two "cool spots". Can't figure that one out! But, for $10.86 out the door, I don't expect perfection!  ;)

Thanks again to all who offered recommendations!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #15 –
I "experience" Walmart as seldom as possible, but when it is the only choice, I have found that using their "order online /pick it up at the store" system works well, and there is no postage charge.  At our local store, there is a designated desk, very near the front of the store, far away from the cashier lines.  I have a sample of two occasions, but each time, there was no waiting in line. 

The last time, the clerk timed himself with a clicker stopwatch, and proclaimed that I had been served in 54 seconds.  That was fairly accurate, and he was right proud of himself.  It was actually quite pleasant to see someone enjoy what he was doing; he obviously had a thing going with himself on cutting down the time elapsed.

This method definitely saves the time it takes to wander about the store searching for the item, only to find that they are out of stock, or not in the exact color/size you want.  Instead, the correct item is waiting at the desk.  If you take a look and decide against the purchase, you simply refuse it and they will issue a credit on the spot.

They hold the item for about a week, so if you decide in the meantime it is not something that would sufficiently enrich your life, you can just ignore it, and they will issue you a credit and put it back into stock without your ever having had to set foot in the store or even make a phone call.

Many other stores do this, too.  I have had complete success with Target in getting specific sizes of men's clothing that always seem to be out of stock, or some other relatively obscure item.  This works especially well with items that don't need to be browsed for - like Melitta brown unbleached coffee filters and a box of all three quarter-inch Band Aids, instead of a box of assorted sizes that never get used.

Sometimes . . . a good wander is therapeutic, but usually "in and out quickly" is the desired action.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie  <-- Sierra Vista, Arizona
   Adventures of Dorrie Anne | Photographing the West

   Today:    Emmentaler Cheese
   ******************************
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #16 –
"I have found that using their "order online /pick it up at the store" system works well, and there is no postage charge.  At our local store, there is a designated desk, very near the front of the store, far away from the cashier lines."
---
That's what I did because I thought it would be a simple procedure, but as it's herd-milling, mega-shopping frenzy time, it took almost a half hour with two clerks rooting through piles and piles and carts and carts of "stuff", and that was after I had sat through three traffic light rotations just to get into the parking lot (shared with a Best Buy and Pacific Sales, so it was the same getting out), find a place to park in the hinterlands, then navigate guerrilla parking lot drivers, emergency services vehicles, and "cardboard sign" folks and beater rigs and vans that call WM home for much of the day. Later, I had to stop and go to HD to get a new hose for my air compressor; two shopping "adventures" in the traffic and masses in one day are about two above my tolerance level!  ;) 
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Small electric heater recommendation?
Reply #17 –
Gah!  Now I remember the joy of no longer abiding in The Bay Area of California and very grateful to live in Tiny Town, AZ, pop. <50k.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•


"That's what I did because I thought it would be a simple procedure, but as it's herd-milling, mega-shopping frenzy time, it took almost a half hour with two clerks rooting through piles and piles and carts and carts of "stuff", and that was after I had sat through three traffic light rotations just to get into the parking lot (shared with a Best Buy and Pacific Sales, so it was the same getting out), find a place to park in the hinterlands, then navigate guerrilla parking lot drivers, emergency services vehicles, and "cardboard sign" folks and beater rigs and vans that call WM home for much of the day. Later, I had to stop and go to HD to get a new hose for my air compressor; two shopping "adventures" in the traffic and masses in one day are about two above my tolerance level! "