DeWalt 65,000 BTU Forced Air Propane Heater

Why I reached for this heater

On cold mornings, I want heat fast without wrestling with extension cords or smelling like a diesel station all day. The 65k DeWalt propane heater has been my go‑to this season for getting a garage or jobsite comfortable quickly, and it’s been refreshingly straightforward to live with.

Design and build

This is a compact forced‑air “torpedo” style heater with an adjustable output from 35,000 to 65,000 BTU/hr. At 12 lb and roughly 13 × 9 × 18 inches, it’s easy to carry one‑handed by the top handle. The steel shell feels robust, and the recessed controls are a smart touch—they don’t snag on straps or get banged around in the truck.

One standout detail is the split‑barrel design. The shell separates into two pieces, which makes periodic cleaning painless. Torpedo heaters inhale a lot of dusty jobsite air; being able to open the barrel to blow out the fan and check the burner head without disassembling the world is a real time saver.

The heater ships with a 20‑ft hose and regulator. That length matters: it lets me leave the propane cylinder outside a garage door or around the corner of a shed while keeping the heater where I’m working. The unit is CSA certified and carries a one‑year limited warranty.

Setup and ignition

Setup is plug‑and‑play: thread the hose to the regulator and cylinder, check for leaks with soapy water, and connect power. The electronic ignition is continuous, so there’s no fiddling with a standing pilot or manual lighting. In my use, ignition has been quick and repeatable; you hear the faint tick of the igniter and then the burner comes to life.

I ran it both on a standard 120V outlet and with a DeWalt 20V battery for the fan/ignition. Having a cordless option is handy in unfinished spaces where outlets are scarce. Either way, the heater ramps up immediately and starts pushing warm air within seconds.

Heat output and real‑world performance

The output range is the sweet spot for a single‑bay or two‑bay garage, a jobsite room, or the area around a patio build. On a 24×24 insulated garage (roughly 576 sq ft), starting in the high 20s °F, I can get to 55–60°F in about 20 minutes on high. In a larger three‑bay space, I typically run high for the first 15–25 minutes and then throttle back near mid‑range to maintain. The control isn’t a clicky multi‑setting thermostat; it’s a stepless valve that lets you dial from roughly 35k up to the full 65k BTU.

Like any ventless propane heater, it also produces moisture. In a tight shop you’ll notice humidity rise as the temperature comes up. That can be good for comfort, but if you’re finishing wood or storing metal tools, I prefer a bit of ventilation and a small circulation fan to even out temperatures and keep condensation off cold surfaces.

The airflow is focused and linear. For bigger rooms, plan to add a box fan to move heat into corners and around obstacles. Good air mixing makes this heater feel significantly more effective.

Noise

For a torpedo, it’s genuinely quiet. On low to mid settings, I can have a normal conversation a few feet away. On high, you’ll raise your voice a bit, but it’s less shrill than older kerosene/diesel “torpedoes” and the pitch is easier on the ears. The fan tone is consistent, with no rattles once you snug the barrel screws after cleaning.

Fuel consumption and runtime

Propane efficiency tracks the physics: roughly 91,500 BTU per gallon. At 65,000 BTU/hr, I see around 0.7 gallons per hour, which lines up with about 6–7 hours on a typical 20‑lb (4.7‑gal) cylinder. Dialing down to the bottom of the range stretches a tank to around 11–12 hours. Some literature lists a “3.011 gallons/hour” figure—based on my usage and the heater’s rating, that reads like a misprint. Real‑world consumption has been in the ballpark you’d expect for 65k BTU.

If you’re running all day in sub‑freezing conditions, a 100‑lb cylinder or two cylinders with a changeover regulator helps avoid frost‑up and pressure drop. The included 20‑ft hose makes that practical even when you need the heater deeper in the workspace.

Safety and ventilation

This is a ventless unit designed strictly for outdoor or well‑ventilated spaces. I crack the garage door and back door to create a gentle cross‑breeze and keep a CO alarm in the room. Common‑sense rules apply:

• Keep clearances around the nozzle and barrel.
• Set the heater on a stable, level surface away from combustibles.
• Check fittings for leaks with soapy water before each new cylinder.
• Don’t sleep in a space warmed by any ventless heater, and don’t use it in a sealed room.

Combustion is clean—no kerosene odor, far less soot compared to diesel torpedoes—but you still need fresh air.

Maintenance and durability

The split barrel makes upkeep easy. Every few tanks I pop the top shell, blow out dust, and wipe the burner head. The fan blades collect fine debris if you’re cutting or sanding nearby; a five‑minute cleaning prevents imbalance and bearing wear. I’ve transported the heater in the back of a pickup and in a van rack; the recessed controls and steel shell have held up without dents or broken knobs.

The hose and regulator are standard fare. If you use it daily, consider keeping a spare hose/regulator assembly in the trailer—winter is when small failures sting the most.

Power options and convenience

Being able to run the fan/ignition from a 20V battery or a wall outlet is a big convenience on jobsites where temporary power isn’t live yet. The current draw is modest; I’ve had no trouble getting through a work session on a single battery. For shop use, I usually plug it in and save batteries for tools. Either way, the ignition stays consistent in the cold, and the heater relights cleanly after brief shutoffs.

What I’d change

• No thermostat: There’s no built‑in thermostat for set‑and‑forget operation. You’ll manually adjust the valve or turn the unit on/off to maintain a target temperature. Some competing heaters offer thermostatic control; I’d like to see it as an option here.
• Wind sensitivity: Like all open‑flame torpedoes, strong cross‑winds at the nozzle can disturb the flame. Shield it from direct wind if you’re working outdoors.
• Moisture byproduct: The water vapor from propane combustion can condense on cold tools and windows. Plan airflow or crack a door—an unavoidable tradeoff with ventless heat.
• Glove usability: The recessed controls are durable, but the small knob can be fiddly with thick gloves. A larger, knurled dial would be easier to grab.

Who it’s for

• Trades working in framed shells, garages, and outdoor spaces that need quick, temporary heat.
• DIYers who want a fast warm‑up before wrenching or woodworking.
• Anyone who prefers propane’s cleaner exhaust over kerosene/diesel and appreciates a quieter burner.

If you need 24/7 heat in a sealed shop, a vented unit heater with a thermostat is better. If you need portability and fast rise time with minimal smell, this hits the mark.

The bottom line

The 65k DeWalt propane heater brings spaces up to temperature quickly, runs quieter than most torpedoes, and is thoughtfully built for jobsite life. The split‑barrel maintenance access and long hose are genuinely useful, and ignition has been reliable in the cold. You’ll trade off a built‑in thermostat and must respect the ventilation requirements, but that’s par for this category.

Recommendation: I recommend it. It’s a capable, compact heater that does what it promises—deliver 35k–65k BTU on demand with cleaner combustion and less noise than the old standbys. For garages and well‑ventilated jobsites where you need heat now, it’s a dependable choice with sensible design touches that make daily use easier.