Warming a tent?

[Gotte]

I've been reading recently about folks using candle lanterns to warm tents a little.

Any other ways of doing it? I know you're not supposed to cook in a tent, but has anyone used anything warmer than a candle lantern to warm up their sleeping quarters?

 

[Sniper]

You can get tent heaters which are reasonably safe with the correct precautions. I have a gas catalytic one which is pretty good and very safe as long as you remember to leave some flaps open for ventilation. It keeps the chill off very nicely.

 

[superc0ntra]

You can always count on the Finns.
http://www.polartherm.fi/en/en_products/military-equipment.html

 

[Sniper]

You can always count on the Finns.
http://www.polartherm.fi/en/en_products/military-equipment.html

How do you get it into your rucsack though

 

[JAG009]

Dont bother with tent heaters ,just get a good sleeping bag !

 

[Chopper]

You could eat plenty of beans.

 

[TeeDee]

Not used it but have been thinking about getting one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Blackcat-Propane-Catalytic-Heater/dp/B001P80GHI

 

[Shewie]

Take the wife and a double doss bag

 

[Sniper]

Not used it but have been thinking about getting one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Blackcat-Propane-Catalytic-Heater/dp/B001P80GHI

That's the one I have TeeDee they are surprisingly good

 

[Adze]

You could eat plenty of beans.

Do not mix with Biddenden Cider... you have been warned

 

[johnboy]

Hi,

If you're going to use any unflued heating / cooking appliance in a tent or confined shelter such as a snow cave. Then you need to have adequate ventilation. If you're looking for heaters then look to see if you can find one with an ODS ( Oxygen Depletion Sensor) this device shuts off the appliance if the oxygen level in the tent / shelter falls too low.

Classically a big day on the hill in cold weather followed by a feed and a nice warm tent means you can feel drowsey and nod off. If the thing is still running then you might have problems.

The catalytic heaters Coleman make are ok they need a lot of ventilation.

I use candles in snow shelters for ambience and a bit of warmth ( relative) same in tents a couple of tea lights well placed in a safe manner help no end.

HTH

John

 

[Gotte]

Thanks for that, guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Martyn]

Depends on what kit you use. I have a fairly large canvas bell tent with good ventilation and a propane fuelld double burner stove, which makes stove-top heating cheap and easy....

Propane and double burner stove...

Pair of stove mounted radiant heaters...

It's like having a gas fire in your tent. I absolutely do not leave em burning through the night, but they are a godsend for an hour last thing and first thing.

 

[roger-uk]

Hi
Were they hoem made or bought?

Either way any chance of details?

Thanks

 

[DavidJT]

Has anyone thought of using a small battery operated Carbon Monoxide detector / alarm? You can pick them up for about £20.
Of course once tucked up in your bag you should need any extra heat.

 

[Martyn]

Hi
Were they hoem made or bought?

Either way any chance of details?

Thanks

sorry, here....
http://www.outbackbarbecues.com/FreeRange/637/stove-top-heater-attachment.aspx

 

[Martyn]

Has anyone thought of using a small battery operated Carbon Monoxide detector / alarm? You can pick them up for about £20.
Of course once tucked up in your bag you should need any extra heat.

Exactly. A decent sleeping bag is all you need through the night. The heaters are nice for getting out of it in the morning though.

 

[superc0ntra]

Has anyone tried using those chemical warmer bags that you boil and then press a stud? They heat for about 30 minutes but could make it a bit nicer in the morning.

 

[rik_uk3]

Yes, I use different things to heat a tent apart from the obvious wood burner. As said by others, a good tent and sleeping bag means you don't need to heat a tent but people do, especially in colder climes and even a hardy mountaineer will welcome the warmth from a stove as he (or she) cooks their food.

However, those of us who indulge ourselves using bigger tents may often use heaters of some sort so we can enjoy the extra space offered without the confines of a sleeping bag. I (and other members here) have a range of options the popular ones with some of us are paraffin based dedicated heaters such as those made by Tilley or Bialaddin through to paraffin stoves of all makes and models. I also have a couple of alcohol heaters such as the Heat Pal which are popular on smaller boats. Also remember that the pressure lanterns such as the excellent Vapalux will give about 1Kw of heat as a byproduct of combustion and that candles produce far more toxic fumes than even a humble wick lantern (I've no idea of the science behind this, but I did read the results of tests somewhere).

One unwanted byproduct of this though is condensation which could be problematic in some tent designs although not as obvious in a cotton tent.

HEATING IN A TENT CAN BE DANGEROUS OR EVEN FATAL SO DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK AND USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AT ALL TIMES.​

 

[gregorach]

Nice setup Martyn, but I wouldn't fancy backpacking with it...

As a non-car-owner, I reckon any tent that you can't heat with a single tea light is too big anyway.