First let me say I've had good experience with other Mr Heater products. I own the buddy and big buddy heaters, and I love them and have NEVER had a problem with them (with exception to the brittle plastics).With that said, I am torn on this product. I had high expectations based on reviews I've read, product literature, features, specs and prior Mr Heater experience.Why I bought it:Emergency preparedness. To heat our home in the event of a power failure during the snow storms that have been sweeping the country. I bought this because its efficient, affordable, portable, easy to use, clean heat. I bought this because our kerosene heater is WAY too expensive to operate, because Kerosene is harder to find, and because Kerosene is a dirty heat. Propane is cheap, available every where, stable, long lasting (shelf life), and very efficient. I bought it because it puts out an incredible amount of BTUs.What went wrong:I read the manual before using it. After reading the setup and operating instructions, it explains in detail conditions of unsafe operation. It states that the flame inside should be mostly blue with very little yellow. It states there should be NO FLAMES exiting the unit. It states that if any of these conditions are experienced, to shut off the gas supply and heater, and call a service center immediately.When I turned on the unit, I immediately got an intense jet-like after-burner of a flame that was about 1" of blue and 8" of yellow. The flame reached the top of the unit and began to bow and bubble the top metal piece. The flame was so intense and strong that it began to wick out of the unit and above it. Uh-oh. I was really freaked out. Like fearing for my life and home freaked out.So I did as the manual stated. And 3 days later I was able to speak with a 'human' (I use that term loosely).The first two days I called (during hours), I sat on hold for 45 minutes. Then I gave up. I mean really, 45 minutes?? Whats wrong with this place? Do they have THAT many support calls? Is there anyone home? Can they not afford to pay enough agents to take calls? What happened to this company?So on day 2 I chose the option to get a call back. It took 6 attempts before this option work, before the system assured me I would be called back when my turn came up. No call back.I called the 3rd day, went through the same experience. Hold for 45 minutes, multiple attempts at getting the call-back system to work. No call back after hours of waiting. So I called back and chose sales. Someone in sales answered fairly quickly (so they like to sell but can't support??), I explained the problem I was having with their phone system, and she said she would transfer me back into the queue at highest priority and I would be the next call answered. 45 minutes later I hung up.Fast forward - eventually someone called me. However, it was like talking to a wall. Or zombie. In fact, I'd rather talk to my dog. At least he smiles at me. This guy sounded like he was asleep. He did not laugh. I was overly cheery and happy to talk to him. I think he hated his job. Or was at a funeral. I'm sorry, he was just so lifeless. I felt like he HATED me for calling.Long story short, the agent told me he "didn't know why the manual says that, it sounds like its operating fine". I said what about the yellow flame, its suppose to be blue? I said what about the warping metal top? I said what about the flames coming out of it? His answer: "that sounds normal".So I called Amazon, explained the problem with the product, the company, and my fears; and Amazon happily sent me a second unit to try out within 2 days (my choice). The second unit had the same problem. I call it a problem because the manual does. In the end Amazons excellent Customer Service took care of me, and took both of the units back at their expense. I will be looking for a new propane heater.I hope you have better luck then me; but honestly I cannot recommend this unit to anyone because I would hate to see someone injured in the process; or loose their home and valuables. Its just not worth the risk, and the manufacturer just couldn't come trough. I personally value my home, my life, my family, and my children more than this - this unit just isn't worth the risk.Report card:Amazon - A++ (Amazon is truly amazing)Manufacturer - F (Fix your phones, your people, your products, your manuals)Product - F (This thing will hurt someone)Manufacturer Support Agent - F (Wake up, find a job you enjoy, and learn how to be a human being with a heart, a mind, and a smile)Yikes, I know. Trust me, I'm feeling the same way.[Please Vote!]I hope this review gives you some insight and help with your choice, and a little knowledge from an unbiased owner. If so, please click on "YES" below this review to vote it as helpful. Thanks!(Thanks for the questions, comments and votes fellow Amazon shoppers... keep them coming too!)Updated 1/22/14I still have this product (now about 2 years old) and it is working great since the original was replaced. It starts easily and kicks out a lot of heat.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Updated 3/19/11Received a brand new hearter today! No cost for shipping either to or from the company. Based on the excellent customer service I am increasing the rating up to 4 stars. As I originally reported, the heater works very well at heating my garage.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Updated 3/5/11Contacted Mr. Heater and they had me box up the heater and they had FedEx pick it up at their expense. They say they will send a replacement once they have looked at the returned item.Updated 2/26/11I had been very pleased with this heater UNTIL today. I have used the heater several times during the past 2 months. Today I warmed up the garage and worked during the morning then shut down the heater and ran some errands. I started the heater this afternoon and after about about 10 minutes I looked over at the heater and there were FLAMES coming out from all sides and the main burner valve knob was on fire. I ran to the propane tank and got everything shut down - Thank goodness I was watching, the rubber propane hose could have easily melted and I would have had a wreck. It appears there was a malfunction on the burner valve that allowed gas to escape and ignite. Now 1 month past Amazon Return time I have to deal with manufacturer warranty. So now I have to mail it in, at my expense, and wait to see if they will stand behind the product. In the mean time I have no heat in the garage.__________________________________________________________________________________________I have only had this heater two days. That said, I took it home yesterday attached the propane (that was essentially all there was to set-up) and fired it up on low and it put out a pleasant heat.This morning the temperature was about 6 below zero and I turned the heater on and set it on high. I let it run for about 15 minutes and the garage had warmed up significantly, it was at least 40-50 degrees and possibly warmer. I didn't check the thermometer (digital one in my car) until after I left the garage. But as I was driving my car away from the garage I noticed the temperature was rapidly counting down - at that point it was already down to 20 degrees - and continued down to the outside temperature of 6 below.My garage is detached 30' X 30' with 14' high ceiling, so it was heating over 12,000 cubic feet.This is a replacement space heater. The previous one was a Mr. Heater Portable Propane Forced Air Heater (jet heater). I was a bit worried with the fact that the new one was convection but that concern was unfounded. It actually heats the area much faster. The convection heater does not seem to put off nearly as much smell as the forced air heater, in fact it was essentially odorless. Although with this first test I did not use a fan to circulate the warm air, I am sure that will improve it's already impressive performance. Unlike the forced air heater, this one does not require an electrical connection to operate so all you have to do is supply the gas and turn it on. One possible drawback would be that I was able to use the forced air heater to thaw frozen pipes since you can direct the heat, and the convection heater won't work for that.It does make noise as it burns the propane. If you have a weed burner, or a branding stove, that is what it sounds like. The volume increases at higher settings. It was a little quieter than the forced air heater though.I bought this to heat up my garage as it was the same price as a 25K BTU heater was at Home Depot or Canadian Tire.. More value for the money, right? The heater was bigger than I expected, but after using it for a few days I really like it. It gives off a LOT of heat. I was concerned about heat on the sides but most of the heat is above the furnace, it pumps a lot of hot air straight up. I should really install a fan to make the most out of the heat. It will heat up my whole garage in about 5 to 10 minutes.This is way more than I need but I'm glad I got it.If you want to heat your space, this is the heater. On the lowest setting this can heat some pretty big spaces. It seems to burn pretty clean. If you look inside the heater when it is on, you'll see a yellow flame coming up; however, if you can look closer, you will see the flame coming out of the actual bottom piece is perfectly blue. As the pressure gets less at the top, it looks yellow. In my opinion, this heater burns extremely efficiently. I don't see any concern with carbon monoxide. That being said, never leave this heater unattended - while there is no concern about carbon monoxide, this is an extremely powerful flame.c`est parfait