Candle's in tent's
- Thread starter Mandos
- Start date
For years in tents like the Blacks Mountain and Force Tens candles were the light source I used and lived to tell the tale. Also used small gas lanterns...its all down to ventilation. In my bigger tents these days I use LED or in colder weather a Vapalux or Coleman lantern both of which provide good heat and light...its still down to ventilation and common sense.
Common sense tells us what things are good to avoid and what isn't.
If "avoidance" was "absurd and illogical" then our roads would be total chaos.
Common sense tells us we can't make a 90° corner at 100mph so we avoid doing it.
Common sense tells us we shouldn't drive at 100mph in heavy snow.
If everyone set out today to with idea of ditching common sense and NOT avoiding what they perceive as risks it would be like a war zone out there by lunch time.
Don't get me wrong, as a species we have evolved in a major part by those who push the boundaries of these risks.
We all take risks on a daily basis, be it driving that little bit faster because we're late, having yet another fry up this week, not wearing a helmet today on the way to work, etc etc
Most of us will be fine, but there will still be many people that will die today simply because they ignored common sense.
That might be as a result of a RTA, heart disease, obesity, smoking, drug overdose, working with heavy machinery etc etc etc
All those people weighed up the risk and made a decision that proved to be wrong much to their detriment.
You are using a fundamentally flawed argument again.
The chances of being struck by lightening is extremely low, but would you walk around on the top of a mountain in the middle of a thunder and lightening storm though?
My guess is no.
But using your initial hypothesis of "nothing happened to me" it should be fine to do as i've camped on the top of a mountain through a thunder storm and i didn't die.
Sorry for being pedantic here mate, but it was you that bought up the comparison to a gas lantern
You also bought up the scenario of being hit by lightening.
Hands up, i'm also guilty of using several different scenarios though
I do think it's a good comparison method to use an analogy as long as we stay within the realms of being sensible.
You are using extremes to the point of absurdity to forward your point again though mate.
No one is saying don't use a axe, knife etc.
If you need to cut something you need a sharp tool, the risks associated with cutting something with a blunt tool are oddly higher.
Likewise a tool like an axe is the most sensible and logical tool for cutting down some tress.
In these instances there is a goal that can't be served by using an alternative.
In this case though a modern torch is gives off an adjustable output of light, will be cheaper over time, be lighter on multi night trips AND safer.
So as a illumination source there are far far better alternatives to use inside a tent.
As a heat source, in a well ventilated tent to heat would not be perceivable, you might get your hands a bit warmer if you hold them over it, but as as heat source for your core it's a fundamentally flawed idea.
You'd either need a LOT smaller space, or a larger candle.
So as a source of heat a sleeping bag or warmer clothing is a better option.
Again you are going to the extreme mate.
Who is acting as a "self appointed arbiter"
No one is saying DO NOT DO IT or YOU WILL DIE if you do.
I can't see anyone blowing the risks out of proportion.
People are pointing out things to be cautious about like small tents etc, they are then giving their own personal opinion of what they would do.
Personally i'm just asking why would you use a candle in tent.
As a reminder the op asked
As i can only give my opinion, personally i wouldn't be without worry
Sundog please take my post in the context it was intended.
I've highlighted in bold the context it was meant to be taken with.
If you like it then as a grown adult that's entirely your choice.
Personally i find the heat output is negligible and the illumination output again is negligible.
2 opinions for the op to weigh up and see which he likes best.
My response to Red's post was more about his belittling and deriding other peoples posts on pointing out the risks and what to watch out for.
As i said in response to Red.
These tools all serve a purpose, there is a end result that means the risk is worth it.
In my opinion "i like it" is not a end result, so to me personally it does not give a benefit over the risks.
Because I want to - its as simple as that. Perhaps I like doing things "old school", perhaps I like the ambience, it really doesn't matter why.
Oh and as for
That tells me you really have no training in risk management at all. If people practised avoidance of the risks associated with driving, the roads would empty. Avoidance is one of the five structured risk counter measures - not a way of not bumping into oncoming traffic.
If the subjective "I like it" is not a benefit thats worth engendering risk for - why Bushcraft at all? There is no quantifiable benefit "beyond" I like it after all.
And finally, please dont accuse of me of belittling and deriding others - you are the master at that!
As in my reply to Sunndog, as an adult that's entirely your choice
Why belittle other posters for pointing out what they perceive as real risks though?
You're absolutely right mate i have zero training in risk management.
As i'm 46 years old and have lived a pretty varied and eventful life though i do believe i have the experience to decide for myself risk perception.
To my untrained eye risk perception is weighing up the risks against the benefits.
People accept the risk associated with driving (and the expense for that matter) because in their case the benefits outweigh the risks.
For you "i like it" outweighs your perception of the risk associated with having a naked flame in your tent.
For me it doesn't.
We are 2 grown adults who have differing perceptions of the risks and benefits, why does your opinion override mine or the others in this thread that have pointed out the possible risks and things to be careful about?
To my eye the op has received a varied amount of responses, opinions and experiences, if he is anything like me he can go away and chew over the posts to help form his own opinion.
That's pretty much a perfect scenario as far as i'm concerned, isn't that exactly what a forum is best at, especially one with such a diverse membership as this.
My problem is not what the choices you make, that's your life, your tent, your call.
My problem is that you belittled other peoples opinions and any cautions they've put forward.
Granted labelling folks as "Safety Sallies" is not exactly going to mentally scar anyone for life, still it's belittling other peoples opinion when all they are trying to do is offer cautions and things to watch out for IF the op decides to try it.
Mate, 3 years a member here and i still don't think anyone has come to a conclusion of what "Bushcrafting" is
For me i enjoy the outdoors, it increases my fitness, it clears my mind and in some cases it allows me proper one on one time with loved ones.
All those are quantifiable benefits to me.
Plus I lost 3kg and was noticeably fitter to the point that i broke my mountain bike hill climb personal best after the last trip
Hand on heart, i am truly sorry you feel that way.
I respect your opinions, i enjoy your posts and i am still extremely grateful for the parsnip seeds you sent me, i'd happily share a pint with you.
Dave I think this is the most useful post in the hole thread... people calm down its a simple question of weather its safe or not. not looking for full blown definitions of life lessons act
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
cbr6fs, i read your post the way it came accross mate, wether my comment was in context or not is debatable
perhaps if you threw a few more of these in your posts they wouldn't sound quite as dictatorial
the chap was asking if CAN do it, not why should he
ATB.....adam
perhaps if you threw a few more of these in your posts they wouldn't sound quite as dictatorial
the chap was asking if CAN do it, not why should he
ATB.....adam
Regarding heat . . . .
I used to live on a narrowboat - the shower/toiletroom was about 2'6"x4'x6'. No heating.
If I left a candle lantern burning in there in winter, it was cold but not icy. Without the candle lantern, the showroom had ice on the inside of the porthole. There was a mushroom vent in the roof.
So, in my experience, a candle lantern can produce useful amounts of heat in a small space.
I used to live on a narrowboat - the shower/toiletroom was about 2'6"x4'x6'. No heating.
If I left a candle lantern burning in there in winter, it was cold but not icy. Without the candle lantern, the showroom had ice on the inside of the porthole. There was a mushroom vent in the roof.
So, in my experience, a candle lantern can produce useful amounts of heat in a small space.
I use a candle heater to heat my room sometimes during winter to top up the storage heaters, and in spring/autumn when the storage heaters aren't on. It's an array of upturned terracotta pots, with 3 tea lights underneath. Gives off a lovely dry warmth that takes the chill off the air nicely.
Julia
Julia
I've used a candle in a tent loads of times, it's fine for me! I use them because I want to, I've also used wood burners in tents so a tea light will be plenty safe! If the tent your using has a reasonably breathable fabric, or even if you just leave the door an inch open at the bottom when you've got 4 or 5+ going you'd be good. My Tentipi has a very good ventilation system because it's designed for use with stoves, but even if it wasn't I'd still use candles. As for fire risk it's virtually non existent in my opinion. Ever candle I've ever knocked over (hundreds as I'm a clumsy git) have all gone out either because of wax drowning the flame out with a tea light or the way it falls with a normal candle- just use common sense and it'll be fine .
.
Though some LED's and cyalume style lightsticks don't actively attract insects due to the wavelength of their light so they can be a good alternative. (But I do like a good candle and or lantern.
Back in my snow-holing days that magical glow from a candle was just enough to take the chill off the air without causing drips and the diffused light had a magical quality after a day of knocking your pan in climbing some frozen rock. (The nip from the hipflask was a great accompaniment to it too!
)
Well, sort of. But only IF!
-If you have a reliable way to light it
-If you are inside (or at least out of the rain, wind, or anything that could extinguish a candle)
No it's not. Define reliable?
It still uses fuel (wax V battery).
A candle can be put out with a small breeze, can be extinguished by a drop of water, can set things on fire. How is it more reliable?
I have to agree with mountainm here.
I have torches that are reliable in a hurricane, snow, pouring rain, even under 3m of water.
I have torches that are reliable in a hurricane, snow, pouring rain, even under 3m of water.
