Heating the garage

[f100ranger1969]

I was wondering what anyone thought about different methods to heat the garage. I had considered a reddy heater kerosene forced air unit but they have their drawbacks. I wanted a permanent setup without running a gas line or adding a propane tank by getting an electric unit. I found some nice units from Modine but they run about $1000. The garage is about 20x25 give or take with a peaked roof that has un-insulated rafters. The garage structure is cinderblock with insulated windows but older style wood overhead doors. I'm sure it would be better to insulate of course making it more effeciant. Just seeking some suggestions or opinions from experience.
Jeff

[fordman]

a wood stove or a oil burning furnace would be pretty good. you can burn used oil as a fuel for those furnaces and they hang from a rafter. i wouldn't use any thing like propane, natural gas or electric because of the cost of fuel. wood is a pain because you have to cut wood or buy wood but its not that expensive. used oil you can get almost anywhere for free.

[hardtailjohn]

I have a wood fired boiler and floor heat in my shop, and LOVE it! The radiant heat is really strange, in that the temp up in the rafters is cooler than the temp near the floor, and the air never seems to get hot and stuffy, yet the objects get heated... It's a bit of a pain to install when you build, but it's sure worth it!!
The other thing I'm doing is using a used oil burner... got the plans from www.heco.net and it's quite the heater!
I'm sure it will depend on your location as well, as being in town might have some restrictions as to what you can get away with as well. If I was to have a wood stove again, I'd bury it and leave it outside.. those seem to work pretty well and keep the mess and fire out of the shop.
John H.

[4x4_Welder]

You may want to check this site too: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_lib ... h/me4.html
Very low tech waste oil heater, but it works. I'm going to build one once I have a shop set up.

[72hiboy4x4]

I have a 100,000 BTU forced air heater that will heat a shop that size, but you can't hear yourself think while it is running, and the smell will drive you out in a few minutes. It will really heat the place, tho!