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"How long does it last" can mean two different things, and they have different answers. Asking about overall durability: with normal care, a Mr. Buddy heater typically holds up for many seasons, and owners commonly report a decade or more of use before any part needs replacing. Asking about fuel instead — how long one tank runs the heater — is a separate question our run time by tank size guide answers directly.
Two Different "How Long" Questions
It is worth being clear up front, since both questions use nearly identical wording. This page covers product lifespan — years of ownership. The tank-size guide linked above covers fuel duration — hours per tank. Both are common questions, and neither answer substitutes for the other.
What Owners Report About Long-Term Durability
Across long-term reviews, the Buddy line has a reputation for holding up well through repeated seasonal use, especially with the standard Buddy and Big Buddy models. Reports of a heater running reliably for eight, ten, or more years of regular camping, hunting, or garage use are common in owner forums and long-term review threads, not the exception.
What Wears Out First
The igniter and the fuel filter tend to be the first parts that show wear, especially on a unit used often across dusty or outdoor conditions. A clicking igniter that no longer sparks reliably, or a burner that runs weaker than it used to, are the most common early signs of age rather than a sudden full failure. Our replacement parts guide covers sourcing these specific components.
Extending Its Lifespan
Basic upkeep goes a long way with this heater. Store it somewhere dry between uses, keep the fuel filter clean, and avoid running it on a tank with visible rust or damage at the valve. None of this is complicated, but skipping it is the most common reason an otherwise solid heater starts acting up early.
Fuel Run Time, Briefly
If your real question was about how long a single 1 lb cylinder or 20 lb tank lasts while running, rather than how many years the heater itself lasts, our run time by tank size guide has the full breakdown by model and tank size.
The Bottom Line
With basic care, a Mr. Buddy heater commonly lasts a decade or more of regular seasonal use before parts need replacing. The igniter and fuel filter are the most likely first wear points, and both are easy to source and swap when the time comes.