Dangerous propane heater

[Number21]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OR

I have a Coleman "SportCat" catalytic propane heater. This heater is unlike other propane heaters, because it doesn't burn with an actual open flame that can ignite things. It's pretty low output, and designed for safe indoor use.

This thing is starting to seem more like a death trap than a "safe" heater. I have MULTIPLE scars on my hands and legs due to what I think is a very poor design of the heater, which leaves hot parts exposed right next to the plastic handle you're supposed to grab onto. This was only the first part that made me mad.

Then, one night, I left it in my garage, turned OFF! The next morning the hole place stunk like propane, and the pilot lights in my appliances could have easily blown up the garage. Basically it was leaking out of the valve in the "off" position. So, I took it back to the store and got a different one....

Still, there's another issue. It's hard to ignite. It heats up very slowly, so sometimes you don't notice right away if it hasn't ignited. If it hasn't, and you try to ignite it again, (has a push button starter) there will be a big fireball in your face. Last night this happened in an exceptionally bad way, burning my hand rather severely, and most of the hair on my arms and face. Not bad enough to go to the hospital, but bad enough to PISS ME OFF!

What do you think I should do about this? I feel that this is a dangerous product no matter which one you have, they're all somewhat defective. The design itself is dangerous and lends itself to burns. Not only do I think it should be taken off the market, but I think at the very least Coleman owes me a new, SAFE heater. For that matter they should recall them all.

Should I call them and give them a chance to make amends? Or should I just let them know when they get their lawsuit papers served?

Of course everyone should know propane heaters CAN be dangerous and need to be handled with care, BUT, the whole point of this heater is it's supposed to be extra "safe". That's why I paid a lot more for it than a comparable model of a different style.

 

[Adalaide78]

Under the things to know section of the instruction manual it says "If not completely satisfied with performance of this product, please call one of the numbers listed below." I would suggest calling them to see what they can do to make things right for you. I would also suggest NEVER trying to light a propane heater with this design immediately if you notice it isn't on. If you do, you should at least have the sense to have your face away from the area that ignites.

Also, having been a phone rep who dealt with many situations with unhappy customers I have one piece of advice that will make the call go more smoothly. Decide what it is you would like the company to do to make things right. There isn't always a "one size fits all" solution and often a rep is empowered to help resolve your issue and can do so faster and better if you know what you want. Of course, be reasonable also and remember, the person on the phone didn't build the heater and has nothing to do with it other than answering calls, if you are angry with them they are less likely to have a desire to help you.

 

[Country Living]

As Adalaide said, you need to know what you want them to do before you call. Don't blame the person on the phone - they're just answering the phone and had nothing to do with designing it.

We've used a Coleman BlackCat for years in case you want to try another style.

 

[xylene]

Telephone rep:

"Of course sir, let me issue a mass recall right now. Thank you for calling."

 

[Country Living]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OR

I have a Coleman "SportCat" catalytic propane heater. This heater is unlike other propane heaters, because it doesn't burn with an actual open flame that can ignite things. It's pretty low output, and designed for safe indoor use.

This thing is starting to seem more like a death trap than a "safe" heater. I have MULTIPLE scars on my hands and legs due to what I think is a very poor design of the heater, which leaves hot parts exposed right next to the plastic handle you're supposed to grab onto. This was only the first part that made me mad.

Then, one night, I left it in my garage, turned OFF! The next morning the hole place stunk like propane, and the pilot lights in my appliances could have easily blown up the garage. Basically it was leaking out of the valve in the "off" position. So, I took it back to the store and got a different one....

Still, there's another issue. It's hard to ignite. It heats up very slowly, so sometimes you don't notice right away if it hasn't ignited. If it hasn't, and you try to ignite it again, (has a push button starter) there will be a big fireball in your face. Last night this happened in an exceptionally bad way, burning my hand rather severely, and most of the hair on my arms and face. Not bad enough to go to the hospital, but bad enough to PISS ME OFF!

What do you think I should do about this? I feel that this is a dangerous product no matter which one you have, they're all somewhat defective. The design itself is dangerous and lends itself to burns. Not only do I think it should be taken off the market, but I think at the very least Coleman owes me a new, SAFE heater. For that matter they should recall them all.

Should I call them and give them a chance to make amends? Or should I just let them know when they get their lawsuit papers served?

Of course everyone should know propane heaters CAN be dangerous and need to be handled with care, BUT, the whole point of this heater is it's supposed to be extra "safe". That's why I paid a lot more for it than a comparable model of a different style.

I seldom do this for posters; but, you piqued my interest. I read the instruction manual. I especially liked the section on page five where it specifically tells the user to disconnect the propane from the unit and put the cap back on the propane cylinder for storage. And there were all those instructions on how to light it, to make sure it cooled completely before you touched it / moved it, etc. - all on page five.

Surely you read the instruction and surely you followed them. I must have missed something. How did you get burned? How did the propane almost cause an explosion?

 

[ecmst12]

If you don't like the heater, return it. Propane heaters are by nature dangerous. Electric space heaters are safer, but there is still an element of danger in ANY appliance that gets hot.

 

[Number21]

Surely you read the instruction and surely you followed them. I must have missed something. How did you get burned? How did the propane almost cause an explosion?

Nothing the manual says can excuse a dangerous and poorly designed product. Yes I've read it, and I've still got plenty of burns. Like I said in the first post, the plastic "cool" handle you're supposed to grab it with is about an inch from a ring of 800 degree metal. If you're using this heater in the dark, you know, when it gets cold, it's extremely easy to grab the wrong part or simply brush up against it by accidnet. Point being, you're SUPPOSED to be sticking your hands there.

I'm not an idiot, I've built my own propane heaters and wood stoves before, I've installed several larger units, used many other portable units, never been this pissed off with a product before. I've even built my own custom propane TANKS for christ sake, tested to DOT specs.

 

[ecmst12]

So return it and get your money back. That is the most you can hope for.

 

[Adalaide78]

If you've done all that then you would KNOW how idiotic it is to try to relight a heater after noticing that it didn't light the first time.

 

[Country Living]

Nothing the manual says can excuse a dangerous and poorly designed product. Yes I've read it, and I've still got plenty of burns. Like I said in the first post, the plastic "cool" handle you're supposed to grab it with is about an inch from a ring of 800 degree metal. If you're using this heater in the dark, you know, when it gets cold, it's extremely easy to grab the wrong part or simply brush up against it by accidnet. Point being, you're SUPPOSED to be sticking your hands there.

I'm not an idiot, I've built my own propane heaters and wood stoves before, I've installed several larger units, used many other portable units, never been this pissed off with a product before. I've even built my own custom propane TANKS for christ sake, tested to DOT specs.

After the unit cooled.

 

[Number21]

So return it and get your money back. That is the most you can hope for.

How many stores do you know of that will take a used product back after about 8 months?

After the unit cooled.

No. The handle is designed to carry the unit WHILE IT IS BURNING.

 

[Adalaide78]

If it has taken you 8 months to decide you don't like it, then the store certainly won't take it back but you can still call Coleman, which is what I said you should do in the first place. Call, tell them that you can't safely operate their device and that you'd like it exchanged for a model of comparable value. That honestly is about the best it is going to get for you. It is your responsibility as a consumer to make sure what you buy works to your satisfaction within the return period which is clearly posted at retail stores. I bought some Christmas stuff last year in January but was too lazy to make sure the electronic stuff works. If I take it out in a few weeks and it turns out not to work guess who's to blame? Me, for being too retarded to check it 10 months ago. I'm sure you had occasion in March to be lighting the heater to be sure it worked. After returning one for not working properly (although a propane heater should NEVER be stored, even overnight, unlit with the propane attatched) you needed to make sure the replacement worked properly.

 

[ecmst12]

I highly doubt that the instructions say it's ok to move the unit at ALL while it's on, let alone carry it around by the handle.

 

[Country Living]

A conversation with 5 year old grandson.

Country Living: Grandson, look at the picture of this heater. It's a bit like the heater we use when we go camping. Do you see the handle?
Grandson: Yes.
Country Living: If this little heater was on and I wanted to move it, what would you say?
Grandson: Don't touch it - it's HOT!

 

[Number21]

A conversation with 5 year old grandson.

Country Living: Grandson, look at the picture of this heater. It's a bit like the heater we use when we go camping. Do you see the handle?
Grandson: Yes.
Country Living: If this little heater was on and I wanted to move it, what would you say?
Grandson: Don't touch it - it's HOT!

Sounds like you were either tricking your grandson by pointing to the wrong part, or your your grandson is simply an idiot. (your inheritance, maybe?) Either way that conversation is not relevant to this thread. Like I said, the heater is designed to be moved around with you, while you use it, the heat output is VERY small, it's designed to be used up close and personal, for example, at a sporting event, near exposed skin....where you would be cold. You are TOTALLY missing the point that this heater is different than others, and not like ANYTHING you might be comparing it to.

I don't know why everyone on this forum is so negative and unhelpful. Doesn't matter who you are or what you ask, the reply is always negative and unhelpful. Like I said above, nothing the manual says makes a dangerous/defective product ok. NOTHING!