Well, the one good thing about having such a mild winter here in the Midwest is that I think it's tamped down on those ubiquitous ads for "Amish heaters." The past few winters the newspapers have been overrun with these expensive ads from the Canton, Ohio-based company. Newspapers, starved for ads in the recession, eagerly embraced the business. I've talked about these enough on the old site, but in a nutshell: the heaters are made in China, the "mantels" are made in Ohio supposedly by Amish employees. Until I see Amish workers for myself in a factory in Ohio manufacturing the mantels, I don't really believe it. I'm sure the heaters are very nice, but you could buy the same thing (without the Amish angle) at Lowe's or Home Depot for $40. These heaters have been the bane of my existence since the company - HeatSurge - began marketing them. People, for reasons unknown, think am somehow associated with them. I am NOT. I've had people send me letters complaining about them and demanding a refund. I've had people send checks to me for heaters (thanks, but I sent them back). But it's not just me that gets the glow from the heaters. I've been in the most remote, conservative Amish settlements and have had Amish men ask me: "What do you think about those heaters?" Most of the Amish I've talked to just roll their eyes or laugh them off. Do any of our readers own an "Amish heater?" If so, what do you think. Click here to watch a video I made about them.
Amish Heaters....
Heather
My x husband has one and he "swears" by the great heat it gives off. The last time I visited his house and that thing was on, the house was still cold. I did ask if it works so great why was he wrapped up in a blanket as well? *L* The only heat you get is if you're standing right next to it.
Dawn Kirk
I have never been tempted to buy one.
"Everyone in the cold zone #3,call ASAP for your heater!"
Too cheesy.It smacks of rip off-ness.
Dawn Kirk
Forgot to add,it's good to know the real scoop on these,Kevin.
I've often wondered about them when seeing the ads.(and the fact that they act like they're so rare & in demand made me suspicious as to why the ads appear so frequently.)
Lisa Combs
Everytime one of those commericals comes on, we all turn the channel. I just never believed they were Amish to begin with and that maybe judgemental. If they were truly Amish, then I apologize. We'll stick w/homemade quilts to keep us warm!!! Thanks for the info Kevin.
Kevin
Good to see you on the site, Lisa..always nice to have a fellow Middletonian here:) Yes, just skip the ads, i don't think they are authentic.
Lola LB
My husband and I just roll our eyes whenever we see these ads in the Parade Magazine. Once in a while we see commercials (although, we haven't seen any this year) on tv and we wonder just how genuine the "Amish" people appearing in the commercials are.
Kevin
I agree, Lola...very specious ads...
diane
i have to say ----- we have 2 and really love them . we have 1 in the living room and turn the heat down to 62 . we are nice and comfortable . but we turn it off when we go to bed . the other we use in the sun-room when we are out there . i do have to say it has cut our oil bill down alot . i really enjoy them .
Kevin
Diane, well that's good..thank you for sharing your perspective on the heaters...I'm not saying they don't work or are bad...I just think the Amish angle is a bit over-worked.....
Mona G.
I don't have this kind, but I did buya EDENPURE the one that BOB VILA advertises , I only use in when I take a shower, but it does warm the bathroom up....use it every day, but only for that....I did buy it to use in tv room and turn heat down, but that ended up being too expensive.....so I don't do that anymore., I feel like I spent way too much money for it.....seems like it was over $300.00.....I think I got taken ......does anyone else have one of these ? I think I'd much rather have one of these Amish built ones they advertise.....at least it looks like it's a beautiful piece of furniture.....
Martha
I thought the Amish didn't have there faces in pictures. On TV they show there faces. Just a thought.
Donna K Smith
It was good to see this information that you have posted about these heaters. I had thought about purchasing one. Now I am sure glad that I didn't. I think it is terrible that a business would stoop so low as to use such wonderful folks in an Amish community to gain monies. Terrible!!!v