Tent heating....

Matt Chaz

Trail Blazer
So, been thinking of ways to be more comfortable late season/ winter camping. Not been brave enough to do much yet, but working on my gear, thinking of ways to stay warm without having to retreat to my sleeping bag, at least for a while. Do most of my camping solo, hard enough getting my friends to come out in summer, let alone Autumn/Winter. Also very conscious of the fact that winter nights are long and dark, so got to thinking about gas lanterns. Have a trailstar copy, already got some great micro fairy lights that add nice distributed lights, but wondered if a small gas lantern would be worth it for adding both light and warmth to the tent. Have a small 1 person ali express inner, wouldn't use in there or leave it on whilst going to sleep, but would be nice to sit round for a few hours before in the massive porch surely. Safety is my concern/ question i guess. Trailstar is well ventilated/ open. In terms of fumes/ carbon monoxide, id expect it to be safe as long as there was at least a bit of breeze, might be nervous using on a dead still night. Any thoughts/ experiences please folks? Would something like 3/4 tea lights be worth using? UCO do a 'candelier' with 4(?) candles that's meant to put out a fair bit if heat? Already using hot water in bottle, foot warmer satchet things btw. Maybe i just need to toughen up a bit.. or worry less?
 
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Mole

Thru Hiker
Wear more clothes!

Use a proper tent with a door and a solid inner? Lot warmer than a Trailstar

I sometimes use a candle on my pot lid. Not sure if it helps as it's in the porch and to see it I need to have the inner tent door open...
 

Matt Chaz

Trail Blazer
Yeah, a more enclosed tent is on the list, but can't justify yet. Love the space in the trailstar to sit outside the inner, but still fully under cover and with a view outside.
Hadn't considered condensation.. been surprised how much i get in the trailstar, (without a lantern!) for such an open tent
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
I've seen it written many times that using a candle lantern in a tent will help reduce condensation.
Usually it's suggested to hang it higher in the tent and the warmth produced will improve airflow out through the vents, so reducing condensation.

Whatever, I'd suggest that the quantity of water vapour from a burning candle is a factor far far lower than that from breath (1/4 litre per night per person?) , wet clothes and cooking in a tent. Whenever I've burnt a candle I've never noticed significantly more (or less) condensation than expected for the conditions.
 

SteG

Thru Hiker
I've used candles for a little ambience but not warmth. I find personally that I'm a little more clumsy in the winter, everything is that little more bulkier and more room taken, so I stopped using a candle in a tent. Just an accident waiting to happen, and with little use, for me at least. I just get tucked up,get warm and chill out in winter and don't get back up once I'm there.
 

Heltrekker

Section Hiker
If you really need it, some of those gloves with built in handwarmer, or fill a drink bottle with hot water, close the cap and leave it in the middle of the tent (or in the bottom of your bag to warm it). Otherwise, upgrade the baselayer, 4 season socks, wear more layers, tent slippers, solid inner, yaddada yaddada. I have a holy terror of setting my tent on fire so personally I never put a flame inside, just in the vestibule with the door open if it's really siling it down.
 

dovidola

Thru Hiker
There are two ways to get/keep warm - by trapping the heat your body produces, or from an external source. In today's terms, either put on a jumper or turn up the central heating. The former lends itself to lightweight UK hill country backpacking, the latter doesn't - at least not yet.
 

gixer

Thru Hiker
Maybe get one of these :D


What a nightmare video :D

He parked right next to the tent, but didn't bring any wood
He was trying to use propane in winter
His pots and pans couldn't be used on the fire as they had plastic handles
He pitched right next to the river
Didn't seem to use any tieouts even though he said it was really windy in the night

That is first time camping :D:D:D:D:D
 

Matt Chaz

Trail Blazer
Any thoughts on safety folks? Most worried about fumes. Thinking of doing some trial runs in the garden with a carbon monoxide alarm on hand...
Aware of obvious concerns about in a tent, but figure the Trailstar is safer than most, with its huge porch. Wouldn't hang a lantern, placed on ground only.
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
Any thoughts on safety folks? Most worried about fumes. Thinking of doing some trial runs in the garden with a carbon monoxide alarm on hand...
Aware of obvious concerns about in a tent, but figure the Trailstar is safer than most, with its huge porch. Wouldn't hang a lantern, placed on ground only.

No experience but I think a carbon monoxide alarm is a good precaution. Not heavy.
 

OwenM

Thru Hiker
I've used a gas lantern in larger car camping type tents before. Didn't have the doors zipped up so there was an air flow. It tended to be very warm next to the lamp but the heat dropped off very quickly once you moved away from it. They're not really an efficient way of heating up a space, especially when the walls are made of thin nylon.
 

el manana

Thru Hiker
In an SL3 with the inner one t-door closed Ive let a Starlyte burn out after cooking, surprising how the cold air starts to bite when the flame dies.

I take a tea light which sits in my inverted cone in winter i like the ambient light of a flame but i think it does keep cold air at bay.

As said previously nothing beats zipping closed a solid inner. Those Ali down socks are great for sleeping in, i often find I've kicked them off through the night (too hot).

Ive never noticed extra condensation from a tea light/Starlyte, if anything the fly seems quite dry above the flame area?...
 
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tom

Thru Hiker
A larger/ higher shelter with a smaller solid nest inside should help with condensation and a little extra warmth...
 

Taz38

Thru Hiker
You soon get used to being in the cold, what helps me is insulated trousers (to put on over my leggings in the evening), insulated jacket, hat and gloves obviously, sometimes an insulated blanket (like a snugpack jungle blacket).
A uco candle is nice as well, the light is great and I think it does give some warmth.
I often pitch late then eat and have a hot drink, then either have a little walk or retire to the sb.
 
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