Hi, I got a new Tentipi Kvarts 7 Light recently, and I'm looking to do some trips in it fairly soon, so I've been reviewing my options for heating it. Having read other threads here, it seems (as I suspected) that open fires create a major smoke problem. As an experiment I've made a simple fire box out of an old mini-keg, but I don't think this will be the answer long term.
HeatPal: I got one of these with the tipi. I tried it out in the tipi on a coolish (3-4C) night in the garden. Even after 20 minutes, it just didn't seem to make any difference, and didn't seem to be putting out any appreciable heat. I could feel some heat if I put my hand directly over it, but that just seemed to rise up and out the top vent. There didn't seem to be any "radiated" heat. Am I doing something wrong? It was on a full tank and the control thingy was open all the way.
Firebox: The accepted wisdom seems to be that smoke will be a problem. Anyone have any good experiences or tips to make this work? I like the simplicity. I was thinking of using charcoal to make a cleaner burn, but there seems to be some concern over carbon monoxide. Is there more risk with charcoal than with wood?
Stove: The stoves that Tentipi sells look great, but soooo expensive. I have friends in America who say they can get me a Kifaru stove, and it should work out cheaper. But the Kvarts doesn't have the heat resistant fabric the Kifaru tipis have - does anyone have suggestions for protecting the fabric against the heat of the chimney - I guess I'm looking for something like a heat resistant collar?
Thanks for any suggestions, I really want to get out in my tipi, I just don't want to freeze my butt off - I can do that in my tent any time I like!
Cheers,
Nohoval
HeatPal: I got one of these with the tipi. I tried it out in the tipi on a coolish (3-4C) night in the garden. Even after 20 minutes, it just didn't seem to make any difference, and didn't seem to be putting out any appreciable heat. I could feel some heat if I put my hand directly over it, but that just seemed to rise up and out the top vent. There didn't seem to be any "radiated" heat. Am I doing something wrong? It was on a full tank and the control thingy was open all the way.
Firebox: The accepted wisdom seems to be that smoke will be a problem. Anyone have any good experiences or tips to make this work? I like the simplicity. I was thinking of using charcoal to make a cleaner burn, but there seems to be some concern over carbon monoxide. Is there more risk with charcoal than with wood?
Stove: The stoves that Tentipi sells look great, but soooo expensive. I have friends in America who say they can get me a Kifaru stove, and it should work out cheaper. But the Kvarts doesn't have the heat resistant fabric the Kifaru tipis have - does anyone have suggestions for protecting the fabric against the heat of the chimney - I guess I'm looking for something like a heat resistant collar?
Thanks for any suggestions, I really want to get out in my tipi, I just don't want to freeze my butt off - I can do that in my tent any time I like!
Cheers,
Nohoval