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There have been some posts the past day or so about these "Amish heater" ads that have been running in newspapers. I know of something cool that Amish people use to heat their homes. It's called a: FIREPLACE. Or maybe a kerosene stove. And, hey, even a few still use coal. But, please, please, common sense folks. The "Amish heater" is about as much Amish as I am am Bulgarian (which is about none).
Large newspapers across the USA (shame on them) have been running full page ads touting the "Miracle Heaters" made by the Amish. Well, first of all, whoever is behind the ad campaign has some bucks because full-page ads are not cheap. The Post-Standard, the main daily in Syracuse, New York, is one of the papers that ran the full ad. The ad claims that you can save big on your heating bill if you buy one of these. Baloney! If you don't believe me, read a short "letter to the editor" of another paper that published the ad. The letter was written by Andy Foley a Phd in Connecticut who obtained is degree in turbomachinery. Still, you don't have to always have a Phd to know that an ad like that is bogus. Just use your gut and common sense. Are the Amish really into electric heaters?
The website "Fat Wallet" is a good one for examining money-saving prospects and promises. Here are what the posters at Fat Wallet have to say about the "Amish heater", and I generally agree with all that is said.
Some of the best posts about this product, though, are here on this Yahoo forum. This is yet another example of an entity capitalizing on the good name of the Amish to pitch a product. Don't buy it.
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Re: Amish Heater?
Any body seen this one??
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/02/amish_heaters.html
Re: Amish Heater?
SIGH, this whole topic has become a bit of a bore....BUT, that was a good link...worth checking out....
Re: Amish Heater?
But I think that link was refering about this link
at least that's how it seemed to me....
Re: Amish Heater?
Come on. This is a 1,500 watt heater. Before you purchase one, do yourself a favor and shop any store that sells portable heaters. Honeywell & Holmes produce many models that produce 1,500 watts of heat, most of which are under $40! (1,500 watts of heat = 1,500 watts of heat)
Re: Amish Heater?
Would like to hear from someone who bought one.
Re: Amish Heater?
I would like to buy a heater but I would like to know how mucg the elect bill went up? & How much heat do you get will it heat up a leaving room Thanks for your help Linda
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Most of me is soooo tired of this topic....it's old, it's a bore...My webmaster even thinks I should just pull the thread...But, sheesh, it creates a stampede of people to this site who I HOPE very quickly realize I am about as connected to these heaters as I am to British royalty (which is zilch)....so, should I pull the thread? Or should I keep it up?
Re: Amish Heater?
Every time I see another link under "recent comments" for this item I just smile and shake my head. It is definately a bad (counterfeit) penny turning up. Even though it is old info to alot of us, it can be useful to those who are newly considering/wondering about a made in China, electric, heater posing as an Amish business.
I say leave the thread because it does bring people to your site -- some of them might return (and buy cookbooks
), and because this can be a place to rationally discuss the dumb thing. I'd keep your original posting fresh (update/revise as needed) and have the best debunking info so that folks don't need to read the entire thread. Putting aside the whole issue of the value/cost of the heater, I am surprised how many folks don't understand that this is not an Amish business and that it is not at all like real Amish businesses of building furniture and buildings and making quilts and food items. --Kay
Re: Amish Heater?
I don't know about the whole topic, but it seems to me that maybe some of the posts - the more rude ones, could either be pulled or if there was a way to delay the posting of a comment to this subject until it could be reviewed so that the rude ones that are by unidentified people didn't get posted. I think if anyone wants to post here - especially making rude comments, then they should be willing to identify themselves at least somewhat.
Cindy/KS
Re: Amish Heater?
I say pull it.
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:5
Re: Amish Heater?
Having not read all the posts, let me please point out the ridiculously obvious (stupid) errors in their ads, as I live among & have had a lot of work done by the Amish:
1) They do not wear blue jeans 2) They do NOT wear black hats to work in, only straw.3)in no way did they discover the "miracle technology" necessary to constuct these heaters4)In one of the seemingly ceaseless comerrcials, they A) show an operating heater (no electricity allowed) & B) show Amish women working on them (never happen) 5) In one shot. they have them bagging up the heaters & putting them in a box, yet they show them later driving down the lane with two (unboxed) heaters strapped to the back of their wagon. 6) Finally, if they are so "willing" to give you the heater for "FREE"if you buy the mantle then why is the heater $249 by itself? This is very possibly (maybe probably) thebiggest TV/print scam ever unleashed upon the American public. DO NOT BUY THIS MADE IN CHINA /FAKE AMISH POS!
And a BIG PS- They under no circumstances allow pictures or filming!!!!!
Re: DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER EVER TEACH YOU- NOTHING IS FREE???!!!
"Free" Amish Space Heaters
An update now...On a full page newspaper ad for "free" space heaters!
The Cincinnati Enquirer is once again running an ad for "miracle space heaters" .... with a picture of a bunch of hard working Amish people
Further down: "how to get two free heaters" ...Next to a picture of an Amish carriage.
But read the >>fine print.<<< You get the heater free only if you purchase a mantle for $298.
Just the miracle heater, alone? $249.
Consumer Reports magazine says you can get a good space heater for less than $100.
As for these heaters that appear to be built by honest Amish Americans?
Nope…they are made in China.
http://www.wcpo.com/content/news/localshows/dontwasteyourmoney/story/Free-Amish-Space-Heaters/Ux6Jps5EwEi0w2cF8fMKPw.cspx
Re: Amish Heater?
Hmmmm..... Never heard of this till my January issue of National Geographic (2 full size page ad). I heat my home w/Propane and it's very costly these days. Decided to check out the "Amish Heater" online, I'm always looking for ways to save money. The ad in NG states FREE. All you have to do is call the toll free number beginning at a certain zime depending on the Frost Zone you live in....Heck! I figure free is free. Do I really care who made it? And if it costs me nothing and doesn't 'work' then I've still lost nothing.....
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I never knew that the little black,(not real wood) Wrought iron look ,heater I bought about 3 years ago from Lowe's was considered an "Amish Heater". I love my heater. It is not to be used as primary heat source,but it keeps a room nice and toasty and the flickering flame ,which,by the way is a light with a mirrored affect ,along with the fake logs and fake ash make it look like a real wood burning heater/ fireplace. If you want to heat a room,and look at the warm glow ,then it is the heater for you.Just don't buy it to heat your entire home. It's more of a conversation piece with nice extras. I really love mine. It is beautiful and great to sit by.All I had to do was plug it in. Oh,& it does keep my central heat unit from coming on as often. It was worth the 300.00 I paid for it and will buy another in the future.
Re: Amish Heater?
Dear Sir
Not only is what you are saying about the amist true , but it does just take simple common sence when it comes to energy cost and use ,, If the people would simply read the wattage use on this heater, they would find that a hair drier or a store bought electric space heater delievers the same amout of heat, and I'll tell you how much sense does it take to heat the house with a hair drier that delievers the 1500 watt's that are equal too this amazing amish heater? It just goes to show how stupid and gullable people are and how preditors depend on thier stupidity.
Re: Amish Heater?
Ah, the never-ending topic on this site. Lori, thanks for stopping by! Honestly, I don't think, though, that what you are referring to is THE "Amish" heater. Those are only available through this kooky company that keeps buying up all these ads (don't we all wish we had their deep pockets. Anyway, the heater you are describing sounds just like the one Rachel bought me for Christmas about three years ago from Home Depot. They are wonderful, decorative, and do keep a room nice and toasty......
Re: Amish Heater?
Came across this site because i heard the commercial from the other room and I got on line to search for info. The reason why was because the commercial ended with "uses as much electricity as a coffee maker". I could be wrong but I thought that part of their culture was being devoid of such things as electricity. Not trying to slam anyone or their business but this just struck me as kind of odd.
I do, however agree that we need to get back to basics as Americans and get ourselves a bit more educated so that we are not so susceptible to hucksters and their schemes and can readily identify these folks when they come out with the latest and greatest.
My 2 cents
Gordo
Brunswick Maine
Re: Amish Heater?
all i can say is i am sick of their commercials, they run on every channel here all night long, i thought the amish didn't like being filmed? they claim that is who they are showing making the cabinets, lol.........but, being a national grid customer i have to wonder how anyone could think that an electric device that heats up, such as that heater would save anyone on fuel, especially if you are planning on trying to heat your whole house with one or more, kero, oil, propane and natural gas are all way cheaper in this area than electric ever was...............what a joke..........i bet the mantle is the only part of the heater that is worth anything and then you have to wonder if it is amish made or just a marketing ploy..........
Re: Amish Heater?
Are people in America realllly so illiterate?? The cabinet/mantel is claimed to be made by Amish not the heater. The complainers mention how they can get a heater at local home improvement stores for under $200 . . those do not come with a decorative furniture accessory . . what all do they want for free? Furthermore .. what would the consumer complainers do? Someone is absorbing costs of craftsmanship/heater/labor/materials/costs.
Kerosene heaters vary in prices according to output/size .. it's never mentioned the maintenance/hazzards/frequent wick change/kerosene container/pump, etc. required. Common sense tells this is not capable of heating an entire home, the coffee maker theory may be a poor example, might have used television that's on all day. People sit and watch tv non-stop without complaining, and that just takes off the edge for lack of finding something better to do with the time, just like the heater, takes off the edge of a chill in the air. Miracles .. e1 looking for a miracle .. cannot claim false advertisement on the word .. this nation made of subliminal words to activate the false "needs" of consumers, so who's the hipocrit? Bottom line, the heater has a pleasant appearance. that view alone carries some warmth, so sit next to it in that $600 lazy-boy, watch tv, warm your feet for couple hrs, take pix at Christmas and what else you want for $300? Or sit and file complaints that would be a lifetime job for the chronic malcontent.
Re: Amish Heater?
It's pretty easy to criticize when you don't reveal who you are by registering on the site.
Yes, it is true that if people read the fine print more & use common sense with more things, there probably wouldn't be as many people thinking they have been taken advantage of, but I think that is world wide - not just in the US!
Cindy/KS
Re: Amish Heater?
Cindy
Many Americans are functionally illiterate and that is inexcusable with the wealth and resources we have as a nation. We deserve to be made fun of at times because it's laziness not stupidity that creates this problem. On the other hand, the original poster who went off on "a rant" as Dennis Miller used to say can't spell hypocrite so they have a point. hahahaha
Re: Amish Heater?
This is true to a certain extent Moonstruck! My step-grandmother couldn't read or write at all. But she managed to lead a full life. My step-father didn't go past the 8th grade & could not spell worth a darn, but he was one of the hardest workers you could ever meet! But that still doesn't mean someone should come on here & not even give their name & be so rude to the people here.
Cindy/KS
Re: Amish Heater?
Cindy
You're right that person doesn't have a right to be rude. As far as your relatives though that isn't their fault about their literacy skills because they HAD to go to work to live and certain skills were not needed as much back then as it is today. I know some older people like them but they can do equations in their head at lightening speed, they also have other skills like sewing, knitting, agricultural, etc.
I"m irritated by the current "tude" in younger America today where most people are handed A LOT but they can't read, write, spell, do math, garden, sew, or anything else and have the nerve to be proud of doing nothing but sponging off of others.
Re: Amish Heater?
Part of me feels like just removing the whole “Amish Heater” thread because it really has nothing to do with the Amish Cook. I am as much associated with the Amish Heaters as the Cincinnati Bengals are with winning. On the other hand, the flood of traffic to this site exposes lots of newcomers to the Amish Cook….the numbers of people that come to this site because they have Googled “Amish heaters” is staggering…tens of thousands of people, literally. On the other hand, it gets frustrating sometimes because some of the site “newbies” just don’t read through the thread they seem to miss my earlier rants that “The Amish Cook” has NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING remotely to do with these heaters…..
Re: Amish Heater?
Love your comparision to the Cincinnati Bengals. Remindes me of a joke I heard: CPS is reviewing their tornado drill policy and have decided that all CPS schools have to go to Paul Brown Stadium during tornado warnings due to the fact that touch-downs never happen there
Re: Amish Heater?
LOL, that is a good one!!! Oh, how true, though...touchdowns just don't occur there...SIGH, our hapless Bengals....
Re: Amish Heater?
Cindy, I always felt these people are ones who have interest in this company. They 'goggle' looking for blogs about their product and then make it sound like we're the ones with problems not them
Re: Amish Heater?
You could be right BK, but I thought after 2 nasty posts on this, that I would at least say something about how cowardly they are!
Cindy/KS
Re: Amish Heater?
Totally agree!
Re: Amish Heater?
Wo up a little here folks. The Amish DO use electricity in a limited context. If memory serves me well they almost never use it in their homes, but may use it in barns, dairies, cheese factories etc.. They also have businesses that sell dented can goods, none Amish made. Sometimes the Mennonites help them with the outside world contact part. It is possible that the mantles are Amish made and the heaters are just cool space heaters.
The Amish are having to sell their PA farms to buy poorer land in places like Indiana and Ohio. Some are going oning carpentry shops. Some adaptation is required to survive. How doI know this? Some of my family names are Byler (chumped up Amish)and Korfmann (Mennonite).
Take it easy,
Vicki