So does the smaller Mr. Heater require a regulator, or is this the recommended tube?Must you also use the filter with this?

This hose is the only one to NOT need the filter for feeding high pressure gas to the heaters (which goes to the "disposable tank" ports). This hose is made of "oil-free" materials, but most others use rubbers that have oils and the oil gets "squeezed" out under high pressure. Those oils mess up the heaters, so use a filter with any other hose like this. The "Big Buddy" models rated 18,000 BTU have a QD port (quick disconnect) that can accept low pressure gas (regulated), but it's the only model with that (not the Buddy or little buddy). So it can use a hose assembly like the F271803, but not the Buddy. This hose will work on all of them, so it's more a "One size fits all" and eliminates the need for filter, so I suggest it over others. FYI many report things like "I get no gas thru this hose but small tanks work, so this hose is defective". There's some easy mistakes to make that can fool many. The biggest is OPD tanks have a hidden "safety valve" where it won't allow gas flow unless a fitting is forced into the connection (proving a kid isn't opening the tank valve with nothing connected). So once you screw this hose onto the tank and it feels "finger tight" you must not stop there, but force it in about 1 more full turn to force open that hidden valve. I can tighten it wrapping my hand around the black knob to twist it about 1/4 turn at a time, but you may need to use a wrench. So don't get fooled by that issue and it should work fine.

I'm having trouble getting this to connect to a Blue Rhino portable propane tank. The hose connection seems a bit too large. Any suggestions?

All OPD tanks (40 pound and smaller) have the large ACME threads on the outside as well as the older style POL threads on the inside. This is POL which tightens backwards compared to most fittings (which is intentional so most won't try to connect a garden hose to something like gas). More than making it connect, many say "I don't get gas thru the hose, but a heater works from small tanks, so hose is bad". When you go to connect it and get it "finger tight" with no slack in the fitting, you must then go about 1 more full turn tighter. That last turn opens a hidden "safety valve" on the tank added to "childproof" the tanks more (so a kid who turns the top knob won't let gas out without something connected). So don't get caught by that trap. FYI, I stay away from the "tank exchanges" for a few reasons. First, they will often fill old tanks that they shouldn't from damage or being "too old" needing retests and get away with it (where you get stuck with it). Secondly, they only put 15 pounds in the tank made for 20 (it's on the fine print at the displays). At the $20-25 charge for that 15 pounds of gas, you're paying $5-7 a gallon, yet places that refill tanks often charge $3 a gallon (giving you 20 pounds for ~$15). So if you like those high prices feel free, but I don't. I'd much rather keep what I know is good (especially if I have a built-in gauge or such on the tank).

There are two hoses sold that allow you to connect a 20lb tank which is the best buy? The with the Regulator or the one without.

There's a few hoses you can get to connect heaters to refillable tanks. One is this F273704 hose that goes to the "disposable tank" ports. This hose doesn't require the "filter" F273699 while others like it will need the filter (other hoses like the F273702). The reason for the filter is most hoses have rubber with oils and the oils get "squeezed" out under high pressure entering the heater and mess it up (but this one hose is made "oil-free"). Note, on hoses with POL connections many reviews say "I don't get gas thru the hose, but small tanks work" hinting the hose is bad, but it works for me. I think many may be not tightening the tank connection enough. Once the tank fitting feels "finger tight" you need to go about 1 more full turn to open a hidden "safety valve" in OPD tanks, otherwise it assumes a kid is playing with the tank with nothing connected blocking gas flow. So beware that issue. Another option is the regulator/hose F271803 which costs another $10 above the others. That connects to a "Quick Disconnect" on "Big Buddy" units and with low pressure in it's hose, no oils are "squeezed" out (not needing a filter). Note, ONLY the "Big Buddy" models have the QD port, the "Buddy" ones rated 9000 BTU don't have that connection and won't work. The QD is easier for frequent connecting, but that or one of the above hoses work. Some have comments like "It takes a long time to light the heater the first time from the low pressure gas feed", yet also others noted that "When you turn off the tank the low pressure goes out quick, the high pressure feeds keep going for 30+ seconds" showing how much gas is in the lines. I've only used this F273704 and it works, so can't say a lot about the other.

Even though no plastizer leeching filter is required, what about contaminants from the propane tank itself?

Most rust or other things in the tank will stay in the tank, they don't flow up to the top where the gas (not liquid) propane comes out. The filter only deals with the oils that get "squeezed" out of hoses. Actually, the "filter" is just a can to give the oils some surface to cling to and settle out of the gas stream, there is no "filter" inside (look at the pictures from someone cutting it open in it's reviews).

Manufacturer	Enerco Group Inc
Part number	F273704
Item Weight	680 g
Product Dimensions	31.45 x 8.26 x 24.43 cm; 680.39 g
Item model number	F273704
Size	One Size
Color	Multicolor
Style	1 Pack
Material	Plastic Rubber Brass
Power source type	gas_powered
Item Package Quantity	1
Specific uses	Outdoor activities, camping, tailgating
Included components	MR HEATER - F273704 - 10FT
Batteries Included?	No
Batteries Required?	No

Mr. Heater Buddy Series Hose Assembly - 10-ft., Model# F273704

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