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If you’re in the market for a new ice auger you might want to consider a propane one. They’re so much easier to use compared to the gas models and in this post, I’m going to be reviewing the Eskimo auger which happens to be my favorite.
Why is the Eskimo propane auger the best on the market? It’s so much easier to use because you don’t have to worry about filling it with gas. All you have to do is put in the oil, screw on your propane tank, flip the switch, and give it some throttle. It’s much quieter than a gas-powered auger which is a big plus as well and this model cuts through the ice better than anything I’ve tried or seen in the past.
I’ve used gas-powered and other propane models and even though this is pretty expensive I think it’s well worth it. I’ve since switched to a cordless drill auger because it’s way more convenient but I do think the Eskimo is the best propane option. Let’s jump into the full review.
Ice Fishing 101: The Essential Gear To Get Started
Quality
I’m sure if you’ve ever used one of these augers before you’ll know all about how difficult they can be. Something always seems to go wrong and you spend half the day trying to fix the damn thing. That’s part of the reason I went with the cordless drill model but having something reliable is one of the most important things for me.
This Eskimo is the closest thing to that that I’ve seen. A lot of people (myself included) think propane augers are much more reliable compared to gas but they do still have their issues.
If you leave it upside down or don’t stand it up the right way then it’ll probably leak some oil. I can’t really fault the auger itself for that because that’s what’ll happen with most things that have gas and oil.
The quality of the machine is great and I can always get it started within 4 or 5 pulls. The blade is awesome as well and there isn’t much wear and tear showing as a lot of others do. I’ve drilled probably between 400 and 500 holes and it’s still working fine (will need to be replaced soonish).
There is a decent amount of plastic on it that will most likely break if you’re rough on it. I’ve always been super careful with it so I haven’t had issues but I can see it happening.
Performance
I don’t think these propane augers have as much juice as the gas-powered but they can drill through pretty much anything. It takes a bit longer to drill compared to a gas model but it’s much quicker than my cordless drill. Not really a big deal.
I don’t know the exact amount of ice it’ll drill through but I’ve gotten it through about 20 inches no problem. The most I’ve read people were able to drill through is about 24 inches. I’m not saying it won’t drill deeper than that but the most I’ve read was 24.
The biggest thing I like about this is how easy it is to start. Most gas-powered machines need to be messed around with and starting one can feel like you’ve run a marathon. They also smell. If you’re sitting in a hut the last thing you’ll want to do is be surrounded by fumes but the good thing about the propane model is that you can’t smell anything.
That’s pretty much it. It performs just as you’d like it to and is pretty easy to deal with (not as easy as my cordless drill auger but still pretty good). Thumbs up for performance.
Pros
- It’s much quieter compared to a gas-powered auger.
- The blade is top-notch and has worked for a long time.
- The fuel will also last a long time.
- It always starts within the first few pulls.
Cons
- It’s a pretty expensive machine (some are more though).
- There’s quite a bit of plastic on it that can break.
- Oil will leak out if you don’t put it down or store it properly.
The Breakdown
- Performance Score: 9
- Quality Score: 8
- Value: 8
- Personal Score: 8.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does it come with a blade protector?
A. Yes, it does.
Q. How heavy is it?
A. The 10″ model is around 34 lbs.
Q. How many holes can you drill on a propane tank?
A. It’ll depend on how thick the ice is but generally 80+.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you’re in the market for a new gas or propane-powered auger then I’d highly recommend this one from Eskimo (check the price on Amazon). I’ve tried a number of them and this is by far the best when it comes to quality and performance. I do still prefer my cordless drill auger because of the convenience and reliability but both are great.
Ice Fishing 101: The Essential Gear To Get Started
It is fairly expensive and there are cheaper options out there but I think you’ll be happier with this. You’ll have a never-ending nightmare of things going wrong with the cheaper models (trust me, I know). Save yourself the headache and get something quality to start. You’ll spend less time working on the thing and more time fishing.