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Milwaukee is launching a new M18 cordless forced air propane heater, model 0801-20.
The new Milwaukee heater is advertised as delivering “best-in-class heat output” and is rated at 30,000 to 70,000 BTU.
It’s designed for heating “well-ventilated small to mid-sized spaces.”
The 0801-20 heater is compact, measuring 21″ long x 18.5″ tall x 10.5″ wide, and has a large carrying handle on top.
It can run for over 8 hours when powered with an M18 XC 5Ah battery.
Milwaukee’s fact sheet says that the heater is suited for providing heat to spaces up to 1,700 square feet.
The user interface is simple, with in-off, ignition, and variable temperature controls. There is also an auto shut-off gas valve to prevent leakage.
For users that prefer it, or are short on charged M18 batteries, the forced air heater can also be powered via AC extension cord.
It comes with a fuel regulator and 10-foot hose.
Price: $229
ETA: July 2023
This product is NOT for use inside confined spaces, vehicles, or recreational spaces. It MUST be used in a properly ventilated area. Keep the heater no less than 7 feet away from the propane tank and combustibles.
Discussion
Just in time for… summer? It makes sense for cool weather equipment to be announced in warm weather, and warm weather gear when we’re coming out of winter, but I find it amusing nonetheless.
I’m not very familiar with forced air propane heaters, but they’re fairly straightforward. The fuel – propane – provides the thermal energy, and the battery (or AC) power turns the fan to help heat up a room or open space.
Given the combustion-based heat, this, and other heaters like it, can only be used outdoors or in very well-ventilated spaces.
From what I have seen and experienced, heaters like this work well for targeted heating of work spaces. There is some area heating, but you generally aim the heat towards where you want it – generally where you’ll be working.
Milwaukee claims that theirs delivers “best-in-class” heat output, and the 70,000 max BTU specs do support this. Dewalt’s has a 68,000 BTU sticker, and Ridgid’s tops out at 60,000 BTU.
With the heater said to deliver over 8 hours of runtime with a 5Ah battery, the AC power option is a good-to-have feature, just in case.
But if you’re looking primarily for an AC/corded machine, Mr. Heater has a 125,000 BTU model for just under $200 at Amazon.
