Initial Report: Coleman Exponent XtremeCat Catalytic Heater

Personal biographical information

David Posalski
31
Male
5’11", 180 cm
280 lb , 127 kg
dposalski at msn.com
Aloha, Oregon, USA
09/28/05

I started backpacking as a kid in the Boy Scouts doing overnighters. In the last few months, I have had a desire see things that relatively few people have seen. This has drawn me back to backpacking. I have found it to be the most enjoyable thing I know. I have gotten my wife involved and we get out and hike at least once a month. I have my pack weight down to about 20 lbs (9 kg) when it is loaded for a weekend.

Manufacturer’s data

Manufacturer- Coleman Exponent
Website- www.coleman.com
Model- XtremeCat Butane/Propane Mix Catalytic Heater
Weight- 27.25 oz (773 g)
Burn Time- 13 hours
MSRP- $26.99 US
Measurements: Included in report

Initial Impressions

I received the heater packaged in its retail box, just as I would expect to pick it up off the shelf at a store.  The only difference was the shipping labels and packing slip.  I carefully removed the packing slip and labels so that I could see the box.  It had nice full color pictures of the item.  I then opened the box and pulled out a black, padded cylinder with soft sides.  I unzipped it and pulled out the heater from the storage case.  It was hefty.  I weighed it and found that the heater element weighs 14.6 oz (414 g).  The valve assembly weighs 11.7 oz (332 g).  The weight for the base and case is another 4.7 oz (133 g).  The total weight as shipped is 31 oz (879 g).  This weight does not include the weight of fuel.  This is heavier than the manufacturer’s claim of weight.  It came out of the box as one piece with a valve and a burner area covered in a heavy stiff screen. It also had a flat plastic ring that is a base for stabilizing the heater.  I then looked back in the box and found the instruction manual.  I love to read instructions before using anything. It looks pretty easy to assemble and I am able to do it without the instructions.  It simply requires attaching the valve to the heater, which were already together when I received it, and then sliding the base ring over the top of the fuel and then attaching the fuel to the heater. 

The next parts of the instructions were surprising to me and would be negative features for me in my initial report.  The heater is not adjustable; it is either on or off.  Also, it requires a match to light.  There is not a self-lighter built in.  With a large valve handle that rotates, I had assumed when looking at the item that the heat output was adjustable.  I was wrong.  The instructions say to allow 10-15 minutes for cooling after shut off.  The heater comes with a five-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.

As this will be a burning appliance within an enclosed area, I paid close attention to the dangers and warnings.  I am worried about carbon monoxide poisoning and my guess is that you only make that mistake once.  The instructions state that you need at least a 3 sq in (19 sq cm) opening to ensure that air can enter an enclosed area.  This appliance consumes air.  It also says to never operate while sleeping.  This answered one of my questions about whether it was something I could leave on through the night.  The answer is no.  It also states to keep it 18 in (46 cm) from any flammable materials.  I think this will be difficult inside a two or three person tent with gear in it.  I will have to test it to see how important this warning is.  It is not clear if this means burnable materials or things like gasoline, etc.  Thus, I foresee using it to warm the tent before going in to remove clothing and getting in my sleeping bag.  I will also use it to warm the tent before leaving my sleeping bag.

Test Conditions

This heater will be used on these trips by me, my wife, and my 7 year old son.  We will be testing how long it takes to warm our tent before retiring for the night.  Also how long before we can comfortably get out of our sleeping bag in sub-freezing temperatures.  It will be used to warm hands after snow play and for whatever other uses we can find during the test period.  We will be using this appliance to help us get acquainted with winter hiking and camping.  The temperatures will be colder than freezing in the days and nights where we are testing this heater.  It will be tested at elevations of between 1500 ft (457 m) and 6000 ft (1829 m).  Hopefully the added comfort of having a heater will make the time more pleasant for our family.  We will be using a Coleman Exponent Krypton 2 tent during the test period.