What is a salamander heater? It is a portable convection or forced-air heater that increases and maintains the temperature of large spaces. They take their name from the mythical salamander, who lived in and could control fire.

Salamander heaters are also called “torpedo heaters” or simply “salamanders” (Source). These include construction sites, workshops, patios, barns, garages, football or soccer stadiums, etc.

A salamander heater delivers many benefits. Unlike most heaters, 100% of the energy consumed by salamander heaters is converted into heat, therefore saving energy and money. Plus, typically they are portable so you can take them with you to various construction sites, football games, etc.

Key features to consider include:

• Automatic overheat protection
• Fan-only operational mode (use it to cool and heat a space)
• Built-in thermostat
• Tough, rugged design to withstand impacts
• Turbo-flow that are quieter, project heat over broader areas, and increase airflow
• Three operating modes: “Continuous Flow,” “Thermostat-controlled Flow,” and “Off”

Below, we explain the ins and outs of salamander heaters and review our top five picks for the best heaters available.

Comparing Our Top Five Salamander Picks

Further below, we’ll provide full reviews of our top five salamander heater picks. But first, we’ll give you a glimpse of our top five and a side-by-side comparison of them.

Ranking Order

1. Portable Electric Salamander [By Global Industrial]
2. ProTemp Kerosene/Diesel Forced Air Heater [By ProTemp]
3. Infrared, DR-PS11524 Salamander [By Dr. Heater]
4. Fostoria FES-10241-CA FES [By Fostoria]
5. TPI YES-3048-3A Heat Wave [By TPI]

What Size of Salamander Heater Do I Need?

The size you need depends on how large your space is. Rather than measure physical size, it’s better to measure a heater’s British Thermal Units (BTUs)—an energy measurement unit.

For example, a heater with 200,000 BTUs can heat over 5,000 square feet. A heater with 30,000 BTUs can heat an area of around 1,500 square feet.

How Do Salamander Heaters Function?

Salamander heaters are transportable convection or forced-air heaters that blow cold air through an open flame or a high-wattage electric element to produce heat. Some salamanders use kerosene or diesel fuel to generate the heater’s flame.

Others use propane to stoke the flame because it burns clean and doesn’t emit toxic fumes. Electric heaters are also an option. Consumers are increasingly opting for an electric or propane salamander heater because they don’t produce a bothersome smell like diesel and kerosene salamander heaters do.

Our Comparison Chart

Our Top Five Picks Reviewed

Here are the five best salamander heaters, in our opinion. They are presented in the order we ranked them.

1. Global Industrial Salamander – Best Electric Salamander Heater

The Portable Electric Salamander, produced by Global Industries, is a convection heater that is designed to raise temperatures gradually rather than rapidly.

It is an electric heater that uses tubular heating elements that are positioned in front of a fan. This helps the heater distribute heat evenly over a large area.

Just like three out of the other four heaters on the list, it does not generate combustion emissions. So, it does not produce foul smells or toxic vapors, and is more environmentally friendly.

Because it only has 51,180 BTUs, it is best suited for smaller spaces like patios, workshops, garages, etc.

It features 10-inch wheels for easy transportation. Plus, it has an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to move or tilt the heater.

Additional Specifications and Features

• Requires 50 Amp circuit breaker
• Designed for direct wire installation
• 208 Volts
• 15 Kilowatts
• 7 Amps
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 27.5 x 28.2 inches
• Heater Weight: 84 pounds

2. ProTemp Kerosene/Diesel Forced Air Heater – Best Diesel Salamander Heater

ProTemp’s salamander is a forced-air heater that can run on either diesel or kerosene. It landed at number two on our list because it is a powerhouse heater able to heat over 5,300 square feet. It’s not a heater for small spaces; this one is meant for warehouses, construction sites, and other large spaces.

It includes a built-in thermostat that lets you maintain a comfortable temperature at all times. Users commonly state their satisfaction with its ease of use, value for the price, and comfort level.

It comes in smaller sizes (45k BTUs, 140k BTUs, and 175k BTUs). We chose to review the father of them all, the 215,000-BTU version, because we wanted to include a super-powerful salamander heater on our list. Because it can be used as a kerosene or diesel salamander heater, it is cheaper than the other options. Plus, it’s also more powerful than the others.

Additional Specifications and Features

• Heating Area: 5375 square feet
• Operates for eight hours on a full 13-gallon tank
• Built-in thermostat
• Digital temperature readout
• Product Dimensions: 42 x 18 x 19 inches
• Heater Weight: 64 pounds
• Built-in calibrated air pressure gauge
• Automatic safety shut off system

3. Dr. Infrared, DR-PS11524 Salamander – Most Portable Heater

Dr. Heater’s Infrared Salamander is a fan-forced heater. This portable, heavy-duty electric salamander heater is perfect for warming up construction sites, factories, workshops, warehouses, garages, sheds, barns, and other spaces.

Dr. Infrared comes with 10-inch wheels for easy maneuverability, a thermal cutoff switch in case it overheats, and an automatic reset feature. Plus, the doctor includes a storage cart which makes it easy to transport it to various locations.

According to our research, this small salamander heater can be used to quickly warm a space with a temperature of negative 35 degrees Fahrenheit to a comfortable temperature.

Additional Specifications and Features

• Clean, instant, odor-free heat
• 240 Volts
• 15 Kilowatts
• Heavy-duty steel frame
• Safety guards on both intake and output ends
• Adjustable thermostat with a temperature range of 40 to 100 degrees (hardwiring is required)
• Product Dimensions: 28 x 39 x 22 inches
• Heater Weight: 70 pounds

4. Fostoria FES-10241-CA FES – Highly Powerful & Easy to Operate

Fostoria’s FES electric, fan-forced heater is a great choice for heating smaller spaces. It features a solid steel tubular frame and 10-inch wheels, making it easy to move it from one site to another.

Its electric heating elements eliminate the moisture that kerosene and diesel salamander heaters emit into the air. It also features a fully enclosed motor and no-slip rubber feet to prevent it from moving if something accidentally pulls or tries to move it.

It includes those three operating modes we mentioned above: “Continuous Flow,” “Thermostat-controlled Flow,” and “Off.” Plus, it comes with a fan-only mode for cooling the same places during hotter months.

Additional Specifications and Features

• Clean, instant, odor-free heat
• Best for heating smaller areas, up to 1,500 square feet
• Magnetic contactor
• Thermal cutoff switch
• Automatic reset feature that turns it back on once the cutoff switch is activated
• One-year limited warranty
• Heater Weight: 60 pounds
• 240 Volts
• 10 Kilowatts

5. TPI YES-3048-3A Heat Wave – For Large Spaces & Construction Sites

Rounding out our list is the YES-3048-3A electric salamander heater. It’s the only heater on our list that is mounted to a wall or ceiling. It is intended to be stationary, not transported to various locations. For that reason, it is a good choice for independent businesses like carpenter workshops, garages, etc.

This heater is meant for use in spaces with a ceiling that is less than 12 feet tall. Because it is a stationary salamander, it must be hardwired into your existing electrical network; it does not come with a power cord.

The wall or ceiling mounting brackets are included when you buy the heater, so you can have it up and running in no time.

Additional Specifications and Features

• Direct wiring
• Thermostat adjustment
• Odor-free heat output
• Heats up to 1,200 square feet
• Can raise temperatures by 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• 480 Volts
• 30 Kilowatts
• Product Dimensions: 23 x 38 x 23 inches
• Heater Weight: 76 pounds

Guide for Buying the Right Salamander Heater

When shopping for a salamander heater, the first thing to do is create a checklist of your needs and requirements. Note down the square footage of the area you want to heat. Determine whether you want to use it indoors or outside.

Also, consider how low temperatures drop in the location you plan to use the heater. And add any other needs or requirements you may have that are unique to your situation.

Then, evaluate options and do some research. Read salamander heater reviews, note down the specs and features of each model you evaluate, etc.

There are many things to consider when shopping for a salamander heater. Below, we cover important variables you should consider during your decision-making process.

Types of Salamander Heaters

At this point, we’ve covered different types, but we’ll provide a recap to ensure you understand the differences between them.

Propane Heaters: A propane salamander heater burns clean fuel, so it won’t emit noxious fumes or smells. Yet, they are powerful and can still heat large areas as effectively as the other types listed below. Propane salamander heaters are growing in popularity because of this.

Electric Heaters: Using an electric salamander heater has many advantages. They are safer because they don’t use an open flame to produce heat. Rather, they use electric coils. Plus, they don’t produce toxic fumes or smells, just like propane heaters. Most salamander heaters today use electric coils; four of the five heaters reviewed above are electric.

Diesel and Kerosene Heaters: These salamanders do use an open flame to produce heat and therefore they also produce toxic vapors and must be used in well-ventilated areas. But they have the capacity to generate more heat and accommodate larger spaces. Plus, they tend to be cheaper than their electric counterparts.

Heat Output (BTUs)

We touched on this above but it’s an important variable in purchasing a salamander, so we want to touch on it again. A BTU—as mentioned above—is an energy measurement unit. The power and heating capacity of any salamander is directly tied to the number of BTUs a heater has.

If you need to heat a small workshop, you likely need a heater with no more than 30,000 BTUs. On the other hand, if you need to heat an area of 5,000+ square feet, you will need 2,000 or more BTUs.

Heater Portability

Some salamander heaters—like the TPI YES-3048-3A Heat Wave, mentioned above—are stationary and mounted to walls or ceilings. These must be hardwired and do not include a power cable.

Other models are mobile, have wheels to roll them around, and can be transported from one site to another. They include power cords so you can plug them in wherever you want. Mobile salamander heaters are more common than their stationary cousins.

Maintenance

Salamander heaters come with user guides/manuals that can help solve many problems that pop up. Some issues you may face can be easily resolved by checking the heater’s manual and troubleshooting on your own.

Other, more complex problems require users to enlist the service of a repair shop. If you’re using a salamander heater and run into any issues, first check the user guide.

If you can’t easily fix the problem yourself, it’s best to take it to a service center to avoid damaging the heater trying to fix a problem you don’t entirely understand.

A Few Questions You May Be Asking Yourself

You’re probably asking yourself various questions at this point. Here are two of the most common questions potential buyers have:

How Do You Start a Salamander Heater?

If you use a propane, diesel or kerosene heater, you must first fill the fuel tank.

Then, set the thermostat to your desired temperature and turn the On/Off switch to “On” and the heater should start right up.

The same process applies to electric heaters. The only difference is that there is no fuel tank to fill.

How Much Heat Can Salamander Heaters Produce?

This depends on a number of variables, such as wattage, voltage, BTUs, etc. Heat output can also vary depending on the type of heater you use.

On average, salamander heater thermostats have a heat range between 40 and 100+ degrees Fahrenheit. Some can produce even more heat, but most buyers won’t need to heat a space to more than 100 degrees.

Buy the Right Salamander Heater For Your Project

By now, you have hopefully learned many new things about salamander heaters, what they are, how they work, different types, what they are used for, and much more.

We also helped kickstart your evaluation process by reviewing our five favorite salamander heaters and their features and specs.

Diesel and propane open-flame heaters should be used in a well-ventilated area. This is because they emit toxic fumes and foul smells that could have detrimental impacts on the health of those breathing them

Electric heaters use tubular heating coils instead of a flame and therefore do not emit the same fumes, making them safer to use. Propane salamander heaters burn clean fuel and similarly do not produce toxic emissions.

Salamander heaters are a great investment for those that need to heat a very large space. If you do your research, make that checklist of needs we mentioned above, and evaluate your options, you’re sure to find the heater that works best for you.