You have to hold it in the pilot position (not off position) and button down for 20 seconds to get air out of the system, then it will light right away.

As an auto mechanic of 30 years and currently running my own shop of 5 years, i must say, this is the best hands down video I have ever seen with no nonsense and rapidly getting to the facts in clear fasion. Bravo.

Thank you for such a great teaching video. I purchased a Buddy heater for winter outages. I'm a 65 year old retiree and I've never connected a propane tank to anything. I'm sitting here, waiting on my power to go out because of the current ice storm. Two more days of icing. I connected my heater without any leaks. Thank you again from a granny.

When using the 20lb tank a great trick is to put a 2lb cylinder on the other side and then it will light off right away. Set to High heat for 10 minutes then turn off and remove 2lb cylinder. The heater will fire right back up on the 20lb tank.

As an instructor, you did a perfect job in explaining your task. My respect sir!

This is awesome.....thank you from an older lady who no longer has someone to do this for her....i have so much to.learn and you made things easy

I’ve cold started three Mr Heaters with a 20lb propane tank. I always thought pushing the control knob down in the pilot position and holding it would bleed the line. I thought the off position meant “off”. My experience is a push in the pilot position takes about 15 to 20 seconds with a new line, tank and heater. Just my experience.

Thanks man. I bought the "filter" for Mr. Heater. Thanks I appreciate you taking the Time to make the video. Now, I have backup heat for my family, in case the power goes out (Power Outage/Storms) Angel from The Bay

I have the Big Buddy hooked to a 20lb tank with a filter running right now. The same setup we have used tent camping numerous times. Love the Buddy heaters. We own more than one.

Thanks! Yep you're right. It took me at least 12 minutes of holding it down to get all the air out. I was going to give up and thought the heater was broken but after holding down 12 minutes it finally worked! Thanks.

I just purchased one of those and was very glad to see your video and I will rewatch it again because I saved it when I receive it.

My wife and i loved camping in the Smokies ,and there were times it was so cold we couldn't wait to get to Gatlinburg for some warm drinks and air just to traw out, then we found the little buddy it keep our tent nice and warm even when it was snowing outside. Love this little heater.

Nice video. I use a small spray bottle with the water/soap mixture. Keeps it handy for both the heater and my gas grill

I used a buddy heater, also keeping a Carbon Monoxide detector close by. To maintain the heat in my home during the deep freeze. Many neighbors had broken water lines, I had none. It never got below 65 degrees in my home. No Carbon monoxide detected. This is an Awesome Heater !

Thank you, your video is the only one online that explains the things that need to be explained. Much appreciated!

Helped me tremendously as the book, in small print, has many pages of cautions but few on instructions. Presentation style, voice, display worked exceptionally well. Thank you!! Subscribed as well

Oh for the love of God I was turning the male coupling to the 20 pound tank the wrong direction!!!! Thanks for the video Sir.

Kevin, thanks for the video very informative clear precise, and good solid verbal instructions. Probably order one for my new workshop. I have three Inch styrofoam insulation sheets in-ceiling and all walls. A friend told me I could probably heat it with a candle LOL. Thanks and we Naomi and I appreciate you and Julie.

Thanks for the 15 min heads up. I definitely would have decided I bought it broke. I was not happy about the box implying there was a hose for operating with 20 lb plus tanks. At least it stated no ac adapter for the fan. Thanks for the tips bud👍👍✌

Thanks 👍 I was having trouble with my flex heater I was not letting the air out of system.i did it your way... Working just fine ☺️. Thanks again.

Kevin - your videos have helped me many times. (Runaway battery bolt down, Runaway window sun shade install, and more.) I am planning my first winter camping trip in January and already have a Mr Buddy heater. Your video explains the easy way to use a 20# tank. Thank you for that! I have watched several videos that tried to show viewers the same thing, but they do not seem safe or offer the details that your video shows. Well done my friend! Keep the great videos coming. Dan in MD

When I worked for the gas company. When I made my connections I never used the bubbles themselves to check for leaks. I got a spray bottle, mixed the water and dish soap in the spray bottle and then sprayed the connections I made. Does a much better and thorough job finding leaks.

Thank you!!!I just purchased heater,hose and tank.couldnt figure out why heater wasn't working.watched 7 or 8 videos before I found this one that actually tells me I need filter!!!!wish I would have found this earlier.it was 6 below last night! Ty.ty.tu

Thank you for a very clear, very understandable video that gets right to the point! I bought my Big Buddy Heater and am now ready to start it up for the first time. These instructions will get me safely going. Thanks again!

Your video is super informative and easy to follow. Thank you for making it.

Thank you for this video. You did a great job explaining how to set the heater up.

Easy and simple instructions... on how to set it up to a 20 lb tank... to a Buddy Heater. very much appreciated thanks.

Watched this a year ago. Finally got around to setting it up. I like how you explain things. You take it step by step. You are appreciated.

Thank thank you this has been the most helpful video by far on how to attach the propane hose and tank,thanks for pointing out the instruction label and the heater on the vendor numbers for accessories👍👍👍👍

I'm 59 and never have worked with any gas appliance. I bought a Buddy heater as a wintertime insurance policy. This is the only video I've watched that makes me feel comfortable enough to try it out. THANK YOU!!! I may ty it out today!

Thanks. Works great. We didn't have to hold the button down too long but we only got the 5ft hose. Soap trick works well too.

I love how this video got up close to the connection so I could actually see. I couldn't find the link for the filter to buy, so I will have to get the number and find myself. Thank you for the good video, though

Interesting. I've a Mr Buddy myself. Mines the smaller one. I've had it 5 1/2 years with no problems. I'd recommend looking at and inspecting ALL gaskets and mounting surfaces before hooking up. Even new stuff can be defective. If and when you change propane tanks, check that the O ring gasket is good and properly seated on hose end, look too in propane tank mounting area for debris and that its gasket is proper. When I turn mine off, I turn off propane tank and let flame die out, then turn off Mr Buddy. This makes sure no gas is in the line. When starting, I turn on propane tank a 1/4 turn, put my Mr Buddy nob to pilot, press down and hold for 10 seconds, release, then hit again and it lights. I turn it to lowest setting first, this allows it to heat more slowly before going to the high setting. Mine only has low and high. It shouldn't take 15 minutes, especially when new, as it ages, periodically vacuum by the igniter, and also the front heat source while it's off AND cool. I use mine a lot. Very nice unit.

Thanks Kevin for this very helpful video...Just hooked up my new Portable Buddy to a 20# tank . What worked for me, was holding down the pilot light, then pointing a barbecue lighter at the pilot to heat up the thermocoupler, & the Pilot light came right on...It was sooo easy, & it took only a minute or so for the whole process. 😃

Thanks, I just purchased a heater, no idea I needed a filter. So helpful. Very apprecisted

I AGREE...!!! "...this is the best hands down video I have ever seen with no nonsense and rapidly getting to the facts in clear fasion. Bravo!" 45 Kevin Robinson Reply

THANKS MAN. my hose had to be turned LEFT direction. COUNTER CLOCKWISE. ..LEFTY LOOSY in order to go in. I was befulddled, hungry , under pressure to look cool in front of some females. ..KUDOS.

I watched a bunch of videos and this one is among the very best. Thank you! I particularly like the soap FOAM trick, makes so much sense. Sitting in Central Texas right now watching the local electric coop list the outages. I'm not happy but I at least feel competent to tackle adversity.

Thanks for the informative vid Kevin...just purchased the hose and filter so that I can do this conversion...

My husband had me watch this video and now I know how to set our Mr. Buddy up right! I smelled rotten eggs during the set-up as well. Turned out to be my husband only. (Chili for lunch) Thanks

Thanks! Thinking of buying one of these heaters - nice to see how to connect 20 lb tank!!

Lots of great and "simple to understand" tips there! One potential problem I will comment on (learned from operating my BBQ and installing a new propane tank in it) is the need to SLOWLY open the tank valve so that the regulator can allow full pressure to flow through it. Maybe the regulator on the Mr. Heater is not as sensitive, but maybe it is!

All I needed was that comment about a left handed thread lol. I had been turning right and was indeed turning forever. Thank you!

Thank you so much Kevin. I was turning to right for a long time to tight the hose connect with tank and not works, but when I watched your video it helps me to done

Thank you for the video and the link. I was having a hell of a time finding the right hose. God bless

I saw a suggestion that having the Mr. Buddy elevated above the 20 lb propane tank will make for a faster purging of the line on first startup. The theory is that propane is heavier than air so the air will stay on top of the propane as it is vented. If the heater and tank on the same level the propane and air kind of mix equally and it takes longer to get a pure propane stream to ignite the pilot.

The best video I have seen. Was very worried about how to do this properly.

Thank you, Kevin...excellent advice, in a short span of time, too! Much appreciated.

I’ve got the Big Buddy heater and have used it for years. I bought both the 12’ Mr Heater hose with the regulator and a filter. I’ve not found it necessary to install the filter and I just use the 12’ hose with the regulator. My hose has the quick connection. It is necessary to hold the pilot button down for at least 30 seconds before clicking to light the pilot in order to purge the hose. My heater works just fine even above 9,000 ft without adjustment. What a great heater!

Sir you have helped me. I have My Buddy heater and wanted to know equipment and process for attaching to 20 lb tank. Thank you very much. My husband is sick and can’t do this and I am not knowledgeable on subject. Bless you!

Thank you for taking the time to explain everything in details and how to use the buddy heater safely appreciate

I'm a pretty handy guy. I've had a lot of life experiences. But I learned a lot from this video. Thank you so much.

Kevin you are awesome that was the best gas leak detector I have ever seen. This technique could let you use a 20LB tank indoors with peace of mind. Thank You

I use a spray bottle with water and soap (No Foam). Spray the joints and even very tiny leaks will be detected. The foam will mask any small leaks.

Just bought the exact same heater for $20 at a garage sale will be getting the line setup for sure . Thanks .

And right to the point. I was also thinking about the pilot position. Good video.

The fact that it took 15 minutes for you to be able to turn it on... did NOT exactly help the positive advertisement for Mr. Heater Buddy. I would have put it back in the box and taken it back to the store. I'm just glad you SHOWED us that we maybe have to do that... Thank you!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Sir you saved me SO much aggravation and anxiety. I’ve never used a 20lb propane tank in my life but our furnace is dying and it’s freezing in the house, the 1lb propane cylinders keep selling out and are so expensive, the fireplace doesn’t do diddlysquat to warm up the house. I was nervous about a gas leaks but I followed your video step by step so I’m confident I’ve done the safety checks, and I’m finally able to warm up the house when it drops below 30degrees outside. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Huge help, seems simple but without knowing the basics it could be dangerous. thanks

Thanks for this video! I have been debating on whether to get the 20 lb propane tank and after seeing this video, it is a big yes!

My brother had a Mr. Buddy heater. With his, you moved the indicator to pilot and depressed the pilot button for one minute (that expelled the air in the line) then you lit the pilot light with a long nose lighter and held the button for 30 seconds, while the thermocouple heated up. After that, you turned the button to on and a flame came up. You pointed out the clear plastic nipples covering the propane tubes, some folks forget about those and have to call the manufacturer before they can get their heater running. Very good video, as always. Thank you.

Just the information I was looking for thank you so much!

I use to hold down the pilot, then i will move to the left (off) but all the time holding it, until you will hear the "click" then you move it to the right (pilot) again to do the sparks jump over the gas , the fire will start quickly and easier. thanks for the video Kevin, it help me a lot

I like your foam trick. I been doing it wrong all these years adding too much water lol

Thank you for the step by step instructions. You make this simple and easy to do. Can't wait to hook up the big tank and get rid of the small bottles. Thanks again.

Thank you for the demonstration. Very helpful! I’m a girl and needed this 🙄

You rock dude. Thank you so much for this video, it's very helpful! The comments from other folks are equally helpful to :)

Thanks for demonstrating why I use Camco!

I would also like to add a tip for lighting. If you are hooking up a new tank and it takes a long time to ignite the pilot light is to use a grill lighter on the thermocoupler while holding the knob down. It will light in a few seconds vs lots of sparking with the igniter.

i can't thank you enough! just moved to tx and getting ready for winter early! There was one aspect of your explanation that many don't have... I was wondering do I or don't I need a regulator - you answered that by showing us that area where the 1lb cannister goes in .. is, the regulator - thanks for that.

I have the """smallest""" Mr. Buddy Heater and the "OFF" button does not push down "but a smidgen of a fraction". Once I turn it to "pilot", it pushes down further. I did everything else as per your video and it worked. Held down the pilot button about 20-30 seconds and then set to low, it worked right away. Thank's for this video as I have had my propane 20lb tank since last year and could not get it to work. Ended up using those small 16 oz Coleman tanks......that was costly. Stocked up this year on those 20lb tanks and got them filled before the prices went insane.

We use this in our kitchen cabin on cold mornings. It would be useful to tell people how long a tank lasts!

A better way to leak check the gas fitting, is to simply use a small bowl partially filled with about 1/4 cup of water then put several drops of Dawn liquid soap into the water and gently stir the mixture with a small spoon until it's mixed without creating any bubbles then spread the mixture over the fitting with a small 1 inch brush... If there are any leaks, bubbles will appear from the smooth mixture so you can see exactly where it's leaking.

Thank you!!! You saved my life!! I have watched many videos and yours is the only one that helped me. I am deathly afraid of gas in any form so you really helped! I'm a vanlifer and came down w that damn covid in my van alone in negative weather on Christmas Eve so nothing was open and since I was in the hospital I missed getting fuel smh it was a nightmare but it's all better now!!! Thank you and thank Jesus!! God bless you!! ✌🏼💙

Thank you about the left hand threads. I had totally forget from 2 yrs ago

Ty for the refresher course!! Very good!

Use a long nose lighter (Bic/Scripto/etc) to assist with lighting it, while in the pilot mode hold it there till there is a flame, then and only then turn it to low..if you don't see the burner light up turn it off and start over. Mine has been used so much that it is impossible to light it any other way. Never allow it to flow gas when it is not lit, there is a sensor that will not allow gas to flow if the pilot is not burning. Expect to do maintenance on it about every 100 hours of use, propane will build up an oily substance in the aluminum fuel tubes inside of it, you'll need to remove them and blow them out and flush with naphtha or Coleman camp fuel to get it out. It isn't easy to do, and if you do this you'll realize the manufacture designed it that way so you'll just throw it away and buy a new one. You have to take everything apart in order to access the aluminum tubes..I'd buy another brand if there were any. I have found the filters to be ineffective at preventing oily build up, so I quit using them.

Very thorough and well explained, appreciate your time in making this video!

Nicely done, plain language to the point, great info.

Thank you! Great video, to the point. It's been over a year since I had to fire this heater up and I forgot how to do it lol. Thanks again.

Great information Kevin. On high, you would eat through a one pound tank in a couple hours. Be well my friend.

you can get a hose that does not require a filter by using part # F271803, it's a 12' hose, or F273704 for a 10' hose. F273702 & F272699 for a 12' and filter; or F273701 and F273699 for a 5' hose and filter

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST video yet that I've seen on this heater! Thank you! (The only question I had...was how to tell that the pilot was (finally) working, as I did not see any visual when you'd shown us?) THANK YOU AGAIN! This answered many questions for me. :)

this is an amazing video i really want to say it was very simple to get my buddy heater working to 20 gallon propane tank i really appreciate you for the video

Yes, indeed this does help me. I am a lady trying to navigate through this process and all this certainly does give me more knowledge and definitely more peace of mind. I am currently using the small bottles with my Mr. Heater. Have a carbon monoxide/gas detector. I got another 2 tank Mr. Buddy and it was a failure. It leaked so it had to be returned got another single bottle just like the one I had and it's good.

A very good & clear demonstration & explanation, Many Thanks.

Thank you so much. Such a clear video. I was terrifed to start mine. Very helpful

I have 2 of the little buddy heaters and one I have done this and I just ordered the filter and hose for the other one ...the 1lb bottle have gone insane in cost ...but i do keep a few 1 lb around for portability but for most uses in shop and stuff I use the 20lb tanks now ....also some may realize you can run with out the filter but never recommend this as propane is acutely a very dirty fuel when consumed in the larger tanks because of them getting refiled all the time and why they have this problem when the one time use cans do not .and there is a tar subsistence that will build up in your heater over time causing problems and it is very difficult to repair if at all if you do not use the filter it will shorten the life of the heater . :-) great video covered all the bases with out any bull crap .

Kevin. There's a problem with what you're recommending. The hose that your showing in your video will cause a problem after sometime even though it is a Mr. Heater hose. The filter will later clog and pass into the heater. Instead it's recommended by Mr. Heater to use the new style 10foot hose that doesn't require a filter.

After opening up the valve on the tank to the heater you need to wait a bit for the hose to fill up. After done, just turn off the valve on tank and let the heater go out on it's own. Takes about two minutes or sonto burn off gas in the hose.

Very informative and to the point.note : I own one, but 15 min. Is maddening!

I watched this video this morning, went on Marketplace immediately after, and scored this exact model for $50!!! I'm over the moon happy. Bring it on Mother Nature. 😆

If you get the Mister Heater 10' hose you don't need a filter. All other of their hoses you will need a filter. It states on the back of the packaging on the 10' that no filter is needed.

I generally attach the HOSE to my TANK 1st ... then ... crack the VALVE momentarily ... then attach to my HEATER ... almost ZERO "purging"

Ty ur explanation and description details were exactly on spot IL use this video to install my tank to my new buddy 👍

Kevin thanks for the video. I start my buddy by moving the knob to the pilot setting. push down not all the way. Hold for I would guess a minute on the Big Buddy. Starts quickly when you do it right. Then push the pilot down all the way you don't need to turn it to click.

Was hesitant on buying one, thought it might be too complicated. After watching your vid I'm confidant I can hook it up properly. ty

Good video. I've used my Big Buddy heater without a filter to supplement heat my mud room for the past five years and never had issues. It works great. Honestly don't think the filter is necessary. Never used one on my grill either. Big Blue leak check works pretty good for leak checking too. Good video though.

I would crack the connection under pressure at the heater and be done with it. Like when your furnace is primed after running out of gas. Good video by the way sir. You help a lot of folks.

Great video thank you so much! Prepping for this coming winter 🥶 God Bless !