DeWalt Forced Air Propane Heater (150,000 BTU/HR)

Cold mornings on a slab are a lot more tolerable when you can flip a switch and get a clean blast of heat. That’s exactly how the DeWalt propane heater behaved for me on a few recent outdoor and jobsite projects: predictable, quick to light, and strong enough to make a big, drafty space workable.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the heater feels like a jobsite tool. The steel housing, recessed controls, and a big grab handle make it easy to move and hard to knock out of tune. At about 20 pounds, it’s light enough to carry with one hand while you wrangle the 20-foot hose with the other. The included regulator is set up for 20 PSI, and the whole hookup process is straightforward: attach the hose to your propane tank, plug the unit into 110V power, open the tank valve, and switch the heater on. That continuous electronic ignition does the rest; I didn’t need to fuss with manual lighting, and it fired reliably in the cold.

One important note: this is an outdoor/jobsite heater. I used it in wide-open framed spaces and under roof with ample cross-ventilation. It is not for enclosed indoor use.

Heat output and airflow

On high, the heater is rated at 150,000 BTU/hr, and you can drop it to a reduced setting around 100,000 BTU/hr. Practically, that two-step control keeps things simple. On a windy morning, I ran it on high to chase off the chill quickly, then bumped it down once the space was comfortable. It’s a classic torpedo-style forced-air unit, so you get a focused stream of hot air that travels well across open areas. It won’t gently warm every corner like a radiant heater; instead, it throws heat forward with intent. If you’re standing in its path, you feel it immediately.

With the manufacturer’s estimate pegging coverage at about 3,750 square feet when fed by a 100 lb tank, it’s built for large, leaky spaces—think framed structures, pole barns, and open garages with the doors up. That tracked with my use: set at a reasonable angle, I could warm a work zone quickly and then redirect the heater as the crew moved.

Noise and user comfort

DeWalt claims a quieter burner design, and to my ear, it does sound less shrill than older torpedo heaters I’ve used. It’s still a forced-air burner, so expect a steady rush of air and flame noise, but it’s toned down enough that we could talk within earshot without shouting. The continuous spark ignition makes a soft ticking when running; it faded into the background on the jobsite.

One usability perk is the 20-foot hose. Being able to park the propane tank well away from the work area—out of foot traffic and radiant heat—makes the setup feel safer and less cluttered. The recessed control panel helps too; switches and knobs won’t get snagged or smashed when someone bumps the heater or drags materials by.

Fuel use, runtime, and power

DeWalt recommends a 100 lb propane tank, and I agree. The heater can draw roughly 4.8–6.8 pounds of propane per hour depending on the setting, which lines up with the manufacturer’s estimated runtime of around 14 hours on high and 22 on low with a 100 lb tank. While you can physically connect smaller cylinders, they aren’t a great match for this draw rate and may freeze up. Plan your fuel accordingly if you’re running full days.

Because ignition is electronic, you’ll need 110V power. I ran it off a standard extension cord without issue. That’s a trade-off compared to heaters with piezo igniters, but the upside is consistent lighting and no manual fiddling in the cold.

Maintenance and durability

The split‑barrel design is more than a bullet point—it actually makes service easier. Removing the front half gives you quick access to the internals for cleaning dust, inspecting the burner, or clearing debris that inevitably accumulates on real jobsites. After a few days cutting and sanding nearby, I blew the unit out with compressed air and was back in business in minutes.

Fit and finish are solid. The steel shell takes dings in stride, and the base keeps the heater planted. The handle is comfortable with gloves, and the hose fittings are standard and robust. It’s CSA certified and comes with a one‑year limited warranty, which is fairly typical for a tool in this class.

Limitations and trade‑offs

A few things to keep in mind:

• It’s outdoor/jobsite only. You must have good ventilation. Use a CO alarm nearby, keep clearances from combustibles, and don’t run it in enclosed spaces.
• There’s no thermostat or fine-grain control. You get two heat settings. If you want to maintain a very specific temperature automatically, you’ll be cycling it manually or repositioning often.
• Forced air moves dust. If you’re finishing, painting, or working with loose materials, you may need to stage the heater away from delicate work or switch to radiant heat during critical steps.
• It needs power for ignition. If you’re truly off-grid with no generator, that’s a limitation.
• It prefers a large tank. Proper fuel supply is key to performance and to avoiding tank freeze-up in cold weather.

None of these are surprises for a high‑output torpedo heater, but they’re worth acknowledging.

Real-world use cases

Where this DeWalt shines is exactly where you’d expect: open structures in shoulder seasons and winter, outdoor work bays, barns with airflow, and jobsite warm‑up in the morning. I used it to take a raw, 2,000+ square‑foot framed space from “breath fogging” to “gloves optional” in short order, then throttled back to maintain. It also worked well outside to keep a crew warm during breaks—park it upwind, aim it across seating, and it creates a comfortable bubble even when the air is biting.

For homeowners, it’s a good fit for heating an open garage while wrenching with the door up, or for patio use when you need directional heat. Just remember: ventilation isn’t optional.

Safety and best practices

A few habits made the experience better and safer for me:

• Stage the tank away from the heater using the full length of the hose.
• Open the propane valve slowly, then power the heater.
• Maintain clearances in front of the barrel—this outlet gets extremely hot.
• Use on a stable, level surface, with the outlet aimed safely.
• Vent generously and use a CO detector in the work area, even outdoors or semi‑enclosed.
• Let the unit cool before moving and coil the hose loosely to prevent kinks.

These aren’t unique to this heater, but the design details—recessed controls, split barrel, long hose—make it easier to follow them.

The bottom line

The DeWalt propane heater does what a jobsite torpedo should: it lights reliably, moves a lot of heat fast, and stands up to rough handling. The quieter burner design makes it easier to live with, the 20-foot hose and ergonomic handle improve usability, and the split‑barrel build simplifies maintenance. You give up a thermostat and fine control, and you need both power and a properly sized tank, but those are reasonable asks for the output you get.

Recommendation: I recommend this heater for pros and serious DIYers who need high-output, directional heat in outdoor or well‑ventilated jobsite conditions. It’s a dependable, work‑ready tool with thoughtful design touches that matter day to day. If you need indoor-safe heating, precise temperature control, or you don’t have access to power, look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is a strong, straightforward solution for keeping big, cold spaces productive.