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Greenhouse heating
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Message 1.Â
Posted by michael (U8304653) on Saturday, 22nd October 2011
I have an old but operational gas barbeque. I have modified one of the burners to burn very low into a series of tin baffles which gives off a fair bit of heat for minimal gas usage.
Can anyone forsee any disadvantages in using this in my greenhouse I lost so many plants last year due to frost, I must add the greenhouse will be fully lined with bubble wrap, I only intend to use it when frost is forcast.
Thanks -
Message 2
Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Saturday, 22nd October 2011
the main disadvantage is you may KILL YOURSELF
never use a gas or charcoal BBQ in an enclosed space
you will build up carbon monoxide it only takes a few seconds to fall unconcious in such an atmosphere
carbon monoxide will kill plants too -
Message 3
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Saturday, 22nd October 2011
And the moral of the story is, if you kill yourself it does not matter, but if you kill the plants there wil be trouble from 'er in the kitchen
I can see the point about bubble wrap though making it even more certain
the car exhaust might be ok!
It may be warm too. -
Message 4
Posted by michael (U8304653) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
HO HO HO you both are very funny I had merely wanted to ask if anyone had tried it. Of course common sense is required, I had thought most contributors on this board had a modicom of that but perhaps not, I copy below a description of a well known Gas heater and an inactive link to the site.
I will admit that I did not clearly define in my original question as to whether anyone had tried it.
Perhaps one should note a basic fact of photosynthesis is that plants breathe CO2 please note farmer steve, perhaps papa nopsis has perfected a way of bubble wrapping so that no gaps are present, I suggest that he patents it.
If you object to my reply you will confirm that your contributions to this board are suspect to say the least.
Now to repeat my question has anybody tried to use an old barbeque ( To comply with "modern" Health and Safety Issues please be aware that CO2 can kill, flames can burn you, incorrect use of this appliance could cause fires and frontal lobectomy dull the senses).
Regards to all.
Item Description
Hotbox Propane Gas Greenhouse Heater
1.5kW
Ideal for frost-protection in an 8x6 greenhouse
Quality, robust steel casing
One touch Piezo ignition
Thermostatic control - graduated dial
14" x 7" x 21" High
This heater is not supplied with a Regulator or Hose - you can use your existing Red Regulator or purchase one of these from us.
A good basic heater with thermostatic control. Your plants not only benefit from heat but also from growth enhancing CO2 which they generate at the same time. Propane Gas Heaters are easy to install running off bottled gas. N.B Theses heaters are not flued outside and should only be used in well ventilated greenhouses.
[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator] -
Message 5
Posted by Thesassenach (U14884672) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
From my experiences of using propane for cooking and heating in a caravan (I lived in it, not a holiday one!), you get a lot of condensation, although butane is worse, which could cause humidity problems, or even freeze on the glass. However, paraffin is commonly used as a heating fuel, so I don't see any problem, as long as you keep a very careful eye on it for a few weeks. If there are problems, you can fix them, or stop using it.
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Message 6
Posted by michael (U8304653) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
Fair point regarding humidity but I suppose with all things of this nature you have to keep an eye on them and ventilate accordingly.
Thanks for input -
Message 7
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
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Message 8
Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
I think Farmer Steve was worried about Carbon MONoxide not Carbon DIoxide.
Before you embark on this enterprise it may be a good idea to buy yourself a Carbon-monoxide indicator and put it in the greenhouse. They can be obtained very cheaply. -
Message 9
Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Sunday, 23rd October 2011
My experience with a makeshift gas heater and LPG
The flame somehow backfired ( possibly a draught from the ventilation system) got into the gas pipe, This understandably melted the pipe from the heater connection.
This caused the pressure from the cylinder to make the tube whip around a bit ( like a flailing bunsen burner)
End result .................my greenhouse burned down.
You have been warned again!
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Message 10
Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Monday, 24th October 2011
i WILL REPEAT MY MESSAGE
THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
CARBON MONOXIDE NOTE MONOXIDE
IS AN ODOURLESS COLOURLESS GAS
IT KILLS WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES
a GAS HEATER WILL CONTUE RUNNING IN CONDITIONS OF REDUCED OXYGEN UNTIL ALL THE OXYGEN IS CONVERTED TO THE MONOXIDE
A COUPLE IN A TENT IN NORFOLK WERE KILLED PRESCISELY IN THIS MANNER EARLIER THIS YEAR
CARBON MONOXIDE AS I SAID BEFORE IS POISONOUS TO PLANTS
i CAN SEE LITTLE POINT IN HAVING GAS HEATERS IN GREENHOUSES DUE TO THE NEED FOR PLENTY OF VENTILATION
DRAUGHTS ARE THE QUICKEST WAY OF FROSTING -
Message 11
Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Monday, 24th October 2011
There was also the guy who set up a barbie in his kitchen 'because he had seen it on a TV programme'.
Well, that's what was said at the inquest. -
Message 12
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Monday, 24th October 2011
Don't know much about gases but do have a modicum of common sense-the idea of adapting a gas appliance for use other than that is was designed for does not sound like the best idea anyone could have.
If a fire did break out could it spread to other buildings, other people's property -leaving aside the danger ,any insurance would be invalid.
For anybody to state on this forum that something could be used without knowing all the facts would be foolhardy and irresponsible -if you want to heat the greenhouse by a greenhouse heater. -
Message 13
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 24th October 2011
I say Farmer Steve do you need a loud hailer.?You've even reached the travellers' camp with that one!
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Message 14
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 24th October 2011
Amateurmick try following TG's excellent advice on sub soil heating.
I'm currently using his "hot bed coils" recommendation on my cider vintage, and it make s a lot of difference, all 40w of it/ 3.5m, and six 5 gallon bottles!
Whether I shall ever rig up the hotbeds is a different matter! these things take time and thought!
Isn't GH technology rather more about micro-technology than how to harness gas flares in the north sea.... for the back garden?
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Message 15
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 24th October 2011
This is rather like one of the trustee assistants of Watt (Stevenson&Watt) fame of Cornwall in the late 18thC, a Scotsman who used to collect natural methane from the bog, keep it in a bag pipe bag, and let it off with a flame to the amusement of the villagers.
It should be added that he is credited with the invention of the very first lighting and heating system, by means of the containment of the gas from the tin mines,
which had killed so many deep miners at the time of going deep!
A house in Truro was rigged up with metal alloy pipes to every room, and the lights were lit for the first time
Going from that experience to that of amateurmick above and TG in a different life entirely, perhaps instant free gas GH heating will soon be available to everybody, (but only in Azerbaijan where heating/car fuel is free). we will all be able to grow our own mushrooms in a humid environment at all times of year thanx to amateurmick's invention.
Are you sure you are amateur...... mick? -
Message 16
Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Monday, 24th October 2011
I dont normally shout but I think this is quite a serious situation
hate to think one of the forum members died because of poor information
he certainly seemed keen to try his suicide kit out
hope he takes the hint -
Message 17
Posted by Banjo Longbody (U13864842) on Monday, 24th October 2011
Be sure to let us know just how fantastic your chillies are next year!! and also to reassure us all that you,re still with us.
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Message 18
Posted by Jasmin (U14270220) on Tuesday, 25th October 2011
Last year, I had electricity wired to my shed - the wire was encased in an ordinary garden hose & tacked along the fence, with a plug in my living-room & a plug in the shed. An oil-filled radiator was put in, along with a strip light, & it works very well to heat the shed. I was worried about gas heaters, even proper shed ones, because I was keeping bunnies in the shed, too. It costs a lot to heat the area, though - about £1 per 12 hours!
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Message 19
Posted by SnakeGuy (U15021582) on Sunday, 8th January 2012
i am currently making my own soler powered heater for my greenhouse but at the moment after charging (in the sun) the battery does not last very long. so thurver development needed.
mean while i have wired it with power from my outhouse using energy efficient FlexWatt and the thermostat switch.
FlexWatt is very hard to come by in the uk but can be found at some reptile supplies.
with flexwatt you can make the heater as long as you want place it between cork tiles and cover the floor or your greenhouse in it. if anyone wants detail plans on how to do this safley just ask and i will post a link.
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