Experienced tourists know very well that outdoor recreation is only good if you go to it. This primarily applies at night, when you have to sleep in a tent. Good shelter, warm sleeping bag– this is a classic. But recently, tourists began to enjoy the fruits of scientific and technological progress, taking a gas tent heater with them on a hike. What kind of device is this, how it works, what requirements are placed on it - all this in today’s review.
Read in the article
Design features and operating principle of a portable gas heater
- gas-burner;
- power regulator;
- reflector;
- safety valve;
- thermal fan.
All these components are located in one housing made of metal. Today these devices are sold in all stores, fortunately we have enough tourists in our country.
Gas ceramic infrared burner
This is the most compact device of all of the above. Essentially, it is just a burner enclosed in a housing with a ceramic mesh installed on top. It is the latter that is the source infrared radiation after strong heating. The burner is convenient because it is simply connected to a gas cylinder through a hose. With its help you can heat a small tent for one or two people.
Safety precautions during operation
Regardless of the modification, a gas heater is a device in which fuel burns. This means that safety precautions during operation must be strictly observed. What needs to be done to avoid irreparable consequences:
- The distance from the device to the walls of the tent should not be less than half a meter.
- Organization of ventilation to remove propane combustion products. The tent must be ventilated periodically.
- Do not point the burner and its reflector at the walls of the tent, clothing or other flammable objects and materials.
- You cannot leave the heating unit on at night when no one is monitoring it.
- As carbon monoxide cools, it sinks down where it can concentrate. That's why sleeping area should be at least 25 cm above the floor.
- Particular attention to gas cylinders. For heaters of this type, it is better to use special containers with automatic protection against leaks and in the event of the burner flame going out.
- Changing the gas cylinder must be done outside the tent on the street strictly according to the instructions from the manufacturer
- Drying clothes over the heater is prohibited.
- Do not install the device near flammable or explosive materials.
Attention! It is imperative to install a supply made of non-combustible material under the gas heating device. The device should be 30% larger in area than the heater itself.
Requirements for choosing a gas heater
The most important thing that a user should be concerned about is their own safety. Therefore, when purchasing a device, you need to pay attention to two points:
- Automatic protection system. It is intended in case the device is accidentally overturned or exceeds the maximum permissible tilt. In the cramped conditions of a tent, the likelihood of such a situation is high.
- Availability of a gas analyzer that will monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide. Whether you like it or not, even well-functioning ventilation cannot guarantee one hundred percent removal of fuel combustion products.
Compactness is an important selection criterion. The smaller the device, the easier it is to carry. Although for winter fishing enthusiasts who travel by car, the opposite is true more powerful device, all the better.
Review of popular models
The modern heating equipment market is simply inundated with gas heaters from domestic and foreign manufacturers. Here are just two popular models.
Infrared gas heater “Pathfinder-Ochag”
Let's start with the fact that this is not the most compact device. Its dimensions are 275x275x180 mm, but it weighs 1.8 kg. Carrying such a device in a backpack will be inconvenient, and besides, it has rectangular shape. But with its help you can heat a tent with an area of up to 15 m². And this is a decent size. And its fuel consumption is low - 108 g/hour.
The additional name “Hearth” indicates that this model can be used as a stove. To do this, it is laid horizontally with the reflector and the mesh up; by the way, the dishes are placed on the latter. A handle is used as a support for stability.
And others positive traits models:
- the flame is not blown out by the wind;
- The package includes a special adapter that can be used to connect to a large gas cylinder;
- minimal oxygen burning;
- There is no smell of carbon monoxide.
Review of the gas heater “Sledopyt-Ochag”, MaksiMc, Tomsk: Gas heater Pathfinder Hearth PF-GHP-IM02 - Perfect for both a garage and a small house
Pros: Lightweight. Powerful. Economical. Not expensive. Gas cylinders are sold at any hardware store.
Disadvantages: Didn't find any.
I haven’t gone fishing yet, but I managed to try it out in the garage. It was -18 outside, in the (major) garage it was around -10. Heated it in about 30 minutes (standard garage is 18 sq. meters), to a quite tolerable +18.
More details on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5801575.html
Heater "Pathfinder-Ion"
Most likely, this device is a burner. Compact – dimensions: 200×215×120 mm, light weight – 370 g. But with enough high power– above 1 kW. This device can heat a tent with an area of up to 20 m². At the same time, fuel consumption does not exceed 100 g/hour.
Review of this model, Yeger 47, Nizhny Novgorod: Gas heater Pathfinder-ION - Powerful heater
Pros: Powerful, heat adjustable.
Disadvantages: Gas cylinders are expensive.
With its light weight of only 370 grams and gas consumption from 50 to 110 grams. h and power up to 2 kilowatts can heat a room up to 20 square meters You can use it to heat even a pallet, even a small hunting lodge, and also dry damp clothes.
More details on Otzovik: http://otzovik.com/review_2571394.html
Good day, friends! This review will focus on heating in a tent in winter time. I posted a post on the blog - I’m looking for an answer, since the review will be educational in nature for me in particular. At the end of the post I will formulate the questions that interest me.
The frosty season is approaching, which cannot please nature lovers, fishermen, tourists, athletes and simply active people. Whatever category you fall into, I need your experience, if you have any, experience in heating a tent in winter. More precisely, the temperature range is 15-20 Celsius overboard.
Specific conditions for using heating devices are a dome tent, without a bottom (these are used for fishing). The outside of the skirt is covered with snow. There is spruce branches on the floor, a layer of 20 centimeters. On top of the spruce branches there is a tarpaulin tent, sometimes foam (depending on whether there will be spruce branches at the overnight stay or not and the weather....) and a good cocoon sleeping bag - comfort -15 Celsius.
The problem is that during my overnight stays in the forest I used several methods of heating the tent. And not one of them suits me at all. Either you’re still freezing, then you make sure you don’t burn, then you ventilate... As a result, you don't get enough sleep. I would like to have 360 minutes of undisturbed sleep... So that I can be alert and rested in the morning.
I had to sleep near Nodya a couple of times, but it’s not comfortable having to turn around like a carcass on a spit. He heated one side, cooled four... This is not a rest, this is so as not to freeze!
And so the ways:
- Gas stove
Pros.
It’s convenient because you can cook on it in a tent and it’s difficult to turn it over if you kick it in your sleep. That’s all!
Minuses.
Very high consumption cans, if you use it for heating, you need to have only high-quality cans for low temperatures, and they are expensive. As a result, using expensive raw materials, we still freeze, we have to wake up to check the combustion or change the cylinder.
-Candles.
Pros.
Cheap. It's not hard to carry.
Minuses.
Cold.
(You always have to watch to make sure you don’t turn it over when you toss and turn and sleep like that once.)
- Kerasine lamp.
Pros.
Light + Heating is not bad (a C grade).
Minuses.
Constantly ventilate! Constant control so as not to tip over in your sleep.
- Gas heater.
Pros.
You can cook on it, you can dry clothes over it. I had one of these (yes, it floated away), we constantly burned it while fishing, but since we traveled either on snowmobiles or by car, we carried a propane tank with us. 
The cylinder lasted for a very long time (for 2-3 fishing trips for sure). The only source of heating that moderately dries the air and prevents condensation (in the literal sense of the word) from falling out in the form of snow inside the tent (whoever slept knows that there is such fine snow dandruff in the morning inside the tent). Warm, comfortable, doesn’t stink, sometimes I even had to unzip the sleeping bag.
Minuses.
Gas consumption is the same as a stove. I described this minus. And carrying propane on your back is not an option.
- Potbelly stove.
In ancient times, a platoon of soldiers had to sleep in a combined arms tent. One medium-burning potbelly stove heated the tent with a bang. (Firewood has been prepared, the orderly is monitoring the stoves).
Pros.
Like indoors.
Minuses.
As in the case of a propane cylinder (weight, volume...)
- Just wrap yourself up.
Pros.
With good thermal underwear and a high-quality sleeping bag (sleeping system), you won’t have to worry about getting a good night’s sleep.
Minuses.
It’s disgusting to get up in the morning and crawl out to the toilet! It’s disgusting to crawl out to the toilet. Everything cold in the tent is dandruff everywhere, in order to drink tea you need to light a fire or a tile inside the tent, everything that is damp is frozen... brrr... I had such mornings several times when, having given up on everything, I turned out the candles, primus stoves, tiles in order to sleep peacefully.
I am skeptical about salt heating pads, catalytic heating pads in a sleeping bag (they will only warm separate plot bodies, not for long), bottles of boiling water, I haven’t tried heated stones in a tent, but you need a cobblestone the size of your head, there are no such things in our forest. AND open sources fire (candles, Lebedev lights...., it's not safe). There is a good idea for candles, but where can you find such a chandelier?
As of today I don't have optimal option. Neither in my backpack nor in my head. Before asking a question, I say right away that I understand that no the ideal remedy heating But there is hope.
I would like to purchase it at a reasonable price, so that I don’t have to worry about a fire in the tent, so as not to suffocate, so that the weight is not heavy, so that flammable consumables are available, not expensive and available in stores (and not by ordering online). And the main thing is that it should be really warm (not like in a bathhouse, but so that the steam from your mouth does not billow out in clouds inside the tent.) Someone may know something like this; in extreme cases, I am ready to sacrifice some of the benefits I have listed.
???
And may the force be with you!
All lovers of tourism and simply relaxing in nature have to solve the problem of heating. You can't light a fire in a tent. And I really want to dry my clothes and equipment after a hike. What can we say about winter tourism!
The ideal solution for this is a portable gas heater. It is lightweight, safe and easy to use. A wide range of models will allow you to choose what you need.
Advantages of a portable gas heater:
- light weight and compact dimensions;
- convenient source of fuel - a gas cylinder - safe, lightweight, instantly ready for use (can be inserted inside the heater or connected with a flexible hose);
- high efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the heater;
- safe - minimum size flames, protective automatics;
- convenient to use;
- instant warmth - no need to wait for the air to heat up, infrared radiation will instantly warm you up immediately after turning on the device;
- can be used outdoors.
You can use the portable gas heater to heat your tent, ice fishing, car, garage and just for outdoors. It all depends on the power of the device.
You can also choose a heater for the gas cylinder size that is most convenient for you - from miniature gas canister up to a full size propane tank
Are you going to spend the night in a tent in the forest or in the mountains? Then you need a good sleeping bag. It will take up some space in your backpack, but will provide you with warmth. It is best to purchase a special tent heater. With its help you will create in the tent space comfortable conditions for a long overnight stay and an equally long day stay. The industry produces many portable heating devices, so there will be no problems purchasing them.
In this review we will look at:
- The main types of tent heaters;
- Features of certain heating devices;
- Equipment selection criteria.
After reviewing the material presented, you will be able to choose and purchase excellent equipment for heating tents.
Types of tent heaters
Portable heating devices fall into three main categories:
- Liquid;
- Gas;
- Catalytic.
You can make alcohol heaters yourself, for example from tin cans, but this is not the most safe way get warm.
Liquid models run on alcohol or purified gasoline. Alcohol candles are small candles that burn with a bright flame and provide warmth. The disadvantage of such a candle is the presence of an undisguised flame - in fact, we have before us the simplest burner, like those found in chemical, biological and medical laboratories. Therefore, such a burner is not suitable for heating a tent in which people will sleep - the likelihood of a fire is too high.
Petrol tourist heater for a tent, which can be purchased at many specialty stores, is a combination of a heating device and an ancient kerosene lamp. This symbiosis of two devices made it possible to create miniature devices that give good results - they quickly create comfortable atmosphere in tents of almost any size, filling their space with life-giving warmth.
What's wrong with gasoline models?
- Low quality gasoline leads to unstable operation;
- Liquid fuel may accidentally spill, causing additional problems;
- Even the purest gasoline gives off a not very pleasant smell.
Nevertheless, gasoline stoves remain quite popular travel accessories.
The emergence of compact gas cylinders led to the rapid development of all kinds of stove-heaters, used not only for heating tent volumes, but also for cooking. What can we find in specialized tourist stores?
On gas infrared heater You can easily not only heat up food, but also cook it.
- Ceramic gas tent heaters operating on infrared principle actions;
- Heaters with classic metal radiators;
- Heaters with built-in and plug-in gas cylinders.
Ceramic emitters provide a powerful flow of heat (due to infrared radiation absorbed by surrounding objects), requiring minimum costs gas for heating the tent. At first these heating devices work for full power, and then the intensity of combustion can be reduced. Compact stoves with metal emitters work in approximately the same way (they are less fragile, but also less efficient). Both devices are floor-mounted or come as attachments to cans.
There is also a division according to the type of gas cylinders - there are tent heaters with built-in cylinders and with connected ones (via a collet or flexible hose with gearbox).
All of the above devices, to one degree or another, create combustion products of gaseous or liquid fuel. That's why tents must be ventilated. As for catalytic models, they heat due to exothermic chemical reaction fuel decomposition in the presence of a catalyst. Gas catalytic devices are not compact and are more suitable for heating large camping tents, but a gasoline catalytic tent heater can even fit in a pocket - it is aimed at small tent volumes.
Conventional stoves and burners, which do not have radiating elements, are not suitable for heating - they are focused on cooking. In addition, food can also be prepared on some ceramic floor models.
Which tent heater is best?
Such devices are great for heating tents. They are mobile, and their power is more than enough.
You can buy a tent heater at any store that sells tourism products. If in your locality There are no normal sales points, use the help of online stores - there are many online shops online, where you can find anything from shoes to multi-room camping tents. How to choose the right gas heater for a tent?
When choosing any goods, first of all it is necessary to answer the question - under what conditions they will be used and what is required of them? If you are faced with the task of heating a small one-room tent, feel free to choose a floor-standing gas heater or a model for mounting on a cylinder. The former are more powerful and safe, but the latter are characterized by mobility - their operation requires caution. But they benefit from compactness, which is very important on long autonomous trips.
Here the essence of the choice comes down to the following - if you are traveling by car, feel free to choose floor model. But for advanced and avid tourists, wandering through forests and mountains for weeks, more compact samples are suitable.
We recommend floor-standing gasoline and alcohol models to fishermen and those who live in a campsite, where there is always close access to fuel. But in long-term autonomous events, their operation will lead to the need to carry substantial reserves of gasoline with you. If you don’t want to deal with gas, we recommend using a catalytic tent heater. What's good about it?
- Many hours of work on 100 grams of gasoline;
- Compact size - this heater is somewhat similar to a small flask;
- No flame - work is carried out due to catalytic oxidation of fuel.
By pouring 50 grams of purified gasoline into the device, you can provide yourself with cozy and warm nights away from civilization. But for spacious camping tents such a heater will not be enough; here you will need floor-mounted portable models.
Camping with a tent is always an adventure. And it doesn’t matter what time of year it is: winter is not a hindrance for true lovers of forest tourism. Experienced travelers know how to stay warm in a tent: they stock up on insulated sleeping bags, double-layer tents and warming tea (read more about how to choose a sleeping bag). Choosing a parking spot away from the wind is half the battle. It is necessary to ensure that the tent is warm and comfortable at night. Nowadays, there are many ways to heat a tent. Let's take a closer look.
Heating a tent while fishing
The first thing you need to do is decide on the volume of the room that will need to be heated. A tent for one or more people is a challenge for different types heaters. On the topic - how to heat a tent on winter fishing, there are many videos and opinions of experienced fishermen. We will try to put together basic information on this issue.
Way to heat a tent
Gas canister-based stoves and burners
The first thing that attracts winter fishermen to this method of heating a tent is the affordability of such cans. But as soon as the temperature drops below - 10 degrees, the can will freeze and will need to be warmed up.
The burners heat a winter fishing tent well, but the risk of fire is extremely high due to possible gas emissions and fire. And it’s worth transporting it separately from other things so that no debris gets inside the burner. Otherwise, nothing good will come of the heating: it will either not light up at all, or it will burst into flames.
Spray tiles are good more in summer, perhaps in the fall. A tile packed in a black suitcase is especially convenient: you can warm up something, for example, tea or coffee.
Liquid fuel stoves, alcohol stoves, burners
What's bad: you need to carry a canister of fuel with you. Moreover, the canister must be of high quality to avoid leakage. Plus, if there is direct contact with your hands, the smell of gasoline or kerosene is extremely difficult to get rid of. What’s good about it is that it heats beautifully and you can cook anything.
You can use kerosene lantern heaters. Single tents are extremely warm and provide excellent illumination of the hole. But the minus is still the same - fuel.
How to heat a tent while camping
All of the above can be applied not only for autumn-winter fishing, but also on a hike. Let's add a few more to these methods.
How to warm a tent with a candle
This method is more suitable for autumn than for winter cold. Let us first note the danger of heating a tent with a candle: it is still open fire. However, if you have insomnia and can watch the flame all night, then this is just your option. You can also place the candle in a safe burner. At one time, tourists came up with a method using an old flask thermos. The candle is placed in it, and when it falls, it remains there. And heating the walls of the thermos with it increases heat transfer.
Heating a tent with candles
Heating a tent with stones
The old way. Designed for extreme cold. But in order to preserve the heat of the stone for a long time, it will be necessary to carry out a number of simple manipulations. The first option is to put it in a container (kettle or pan with thick walls) and cover it with a lid. The heat will dissipate more slowly. The second option is to wrap the stone in foil, preferably in several layers. This way the stone will remain warm for 6-8 hours. If you feel that the temperature has decreased, it is tedious to remove one layer of foil.
Stones in the tent
Heating with water
The container with water is heated and covered with a lid. All this simple device is installed on pre-prepared pieces of wood or stones. 3-4 hours of warmth are provided to you.
How to heat a tent with a fire
Another common way to heat a tent is to place it on the spot where the fire was burning. Dig a hole the size of the tent and maintain a fire in this place for several hours. After the large coals have burned out, it is covered with a layer of earth no more than 10 cm, dry grass is placed on top and a tent is installed in this place. The warmth will remain until dawn.
How to warm a tent
An old-fashioned way to warm a tent
People with imagination, of course, can come up with many devices from scrap materials in order to heat a tent. Alternatively, use a kerosene lamp and a piece of tin.
- The tin square is rolled into a cylinder with a height of approximately 40 cm and gets drunk. The diameter should match the diameter of the top of the kerosene lamp.
- Next, six circles are cut out from the same material and with the same diameter. It is better to place small “petals” along the edges, so that it is convenient to solder them to the cylinder.
- Several holes are made in each circle. They are made closer to the edge of the circle and not over the entire area, but only in one place. There should be a cluster from 6-8 holes.
- These circles are located inside the cylinder at an equal distance from each other so that the holes are not on the same line, but alternate in location. That is, the air will rise through them not in a straight line, but in a wave-like manner.
- The top of the cylinder is closed with a lid with a small piece (approximately 10 cm) of metal hose inserted into it. Warm air will eventually come out of it.
- This entire structure is mounted on top of a kerosene lamp. The heat will rise to the top, spreading throughout the tent. This way you can heat your tent while fishing in winter, there is detailed video instructions for this.
The best way to heat a tent - reviews
Oksana, 39 years old.“My husband and I are mountain climbers. And mainly in winter. The air there at this time is such that you can’t breathe. And how many health benefits! At one time, a dog was eaten on tourist equipment. We often go away for more than one day, we can spend a night in the mountains, or even more than one. When heating the tent we use stones. We’re already used to it: it retains heat for a long time, you can always find them in the mountains, even in winter. And it doesn’t require much physical effort. Wrap it in foil.”
Author of the publication
I am interested in hiking and traveling, photography and videography.
I have been going hiking since childhood. The whole family went and went - sometimes to the sea, then to the river, to the lake, to the forest. There was a time when we spent a whole month in the forest. We lived in tents and cooked over fires. This is probably why I am still drawn to the forest and, in general, to nature.
I travel regularly. About three trips a year for 10-15 days and many 2 and 3 day hikes.