Hearth Record

CPSC, Mr. Heater, Inc. Announce Recall to Repair Mr. Heater “Big Buddy/Tough Buddy” Propane Heaters

Home product recall 05-145. Announced by CPSC on Mar 31, 2005.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Mar 31, 2005. Copied from CPSC on Oct 24, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The valve on the propane heaters can leak, posing a fire hazard, if an ignition source is present.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

Contact Mr. Heater for instructions on receiving a replacement heater.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Contact Mr. Heater Inc. at www.mrheater.com or call (800) 964-4328 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Which ones are recalled?

Only model number MH18B Mr. Heater “Big Buddy” and “Tough Buddy” propane heaters are included in the recall. The model number is located on the rear panel of the unit. The heaters are either black with yellow accents around the burner tiles or light gray with red accents around the burner tiles. “Mr. Heater” is printed in the lower right hand corner of the heaters.

About 55,000 units, as CPSC gives them.

Mr. Heater “Big Buddy” and “Tough Buddy” portable propane heaters.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 2 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Mr. Heater, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Home centers, sporting goods, and hardware stores nationwide, from September 2004 through December 2004, for between $120 and $149.
  • Made in China, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

Mr. Heater has received 26 reports of propane leaks. No injuries have been reported.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 24, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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