Propane Or Electric Auger

[mrpike1973]

The Jiffy kinda looks cheap to me? I do like they come in 6 inch wish others would do that.

[Jmnhunter]

notice they dont advertise the weight or total ice inches on a charge

[mrpike1973]

Exactly.

[Hawg]

JMHO but you would have to be brain dead not to go electric these days, check the the Eskimo drill too.

[Seaena]

Gas auger 

Pros: Cuts many holes fast, lots of torque. Operable in all temperature ranges. 6" to 10" hole size. 

Cons: Gasoline contamination of fishing gear, hot exhaust can burn gear/fingers, large and heavy to transport, smelly exhaust fills tents/shacks, can be difficult to start in cold weather. Need to carry extra fuel jerry can, increasing gasoline contamination risk. 


Propane auger

Pros: Very easy starting, clean burning, fast and powerful hole cutter, no gasoline contamination risk. 6" to 10" hole size. 

Cons: Prone to freeze up in extreme cold, large and heavy to transport.


Battery operated auger

Pros: No pull starting necessary, excellent torque, zero emissions or gasoline contamination risk, reverse option on auger flushes holes of all slush. 6" to 10" hole size. 

Cons: Batteries are expensive and can suffer limited operation due to extreme cold. 


Hand auger

Pros: Always starts, no gasoline contamination risk, light and easy to transport, no exhaust, provides operator with warmth and a workout. 4" to 8" hole size.

Cons: Slow

 

I switched over to a Eskimo Propane https://under-the-open-sky.com/best-ice-augers/ last year. I had the gas before that and got sick of the spilled gas, the smell, the temperamental nature of the auger in cold weather and the weight of it.

I don't think going to a propane or electric due to cold weather is a real big issue. It's pretty easy to put a battery or a couple propane bottles in the cab of your vehicle to keep them warm (or in the heated fishing tent for that matter).

Having said that - I've had my propane out in minus 25 or 30 and out in the wind for hours and it started with zero issues. I don't think cold weather effects it as much as people think it does.

 

Just some suggestions and one good video from Youtube, that I hope will help.