The mother of all portable heaters

So you're tired of those wimpy space heaters from chain retaliers and want something that will really keep you warm this winter. We have just the thing: Behold, the BT400-47 Vulcan 47 Super Arctic Master from Aerotech Herman Nelson.

This puppy, which runs on 18 gallons of kerosene, is nearly 7 feet long and weighs 526 pounds without fuel. It also gives off 300,000 BTU, about 20 or 30 times more powerful than electric space heaters.

And lest you question the expertise of the Vulcan's manufacturer, consider the background of Aerotech's CEO: According to its Web site, his family is descended from "tough Icelandic immigrants who moved into the Interlake district in Manitoba, Canada." If that's not somebody who knows cold, we don't what what is.

(Photo: Aerotech Herman Nelson)