Bell Tent

[jabbadahut]

i have been looking at getting a bell tent but not sure about the opening for a flue, if not using the chimney how do you seal the opening securely against the rain?
is it possible to convert a normal canvas tent to take a flue? if so, how, and is it easily achieved?
do you have to wet them and dry again to proof them against the rain?

thanks for your help
jabba

[EarlyRiser]

You can use a flexible silicone flue flashing. I've got one on my arctic ridge tent.

On the ridge tent there was a mesh vent already so I just had to cut this out and rivet the flashing on using some washers on the inside. A backing plate would be advisable. I'd be worried about causing a weakness in the material though but it's not uncommon so it must work if done right.

I've used a stove in a tent (relum scout) which does not have a vent at the top and when smoke escapes from the stove it has nowhere to go, unlike a tipi / lavvu. At least that's my experience. Once the fire's burning well and you have a good updraft through the flue, it's OK.

Cheers

Tom

[Oblio13]

We use silicon stove jacks in several of our tents. Here are some pics of one that caught on fire last winter, and pics of it being replaced. (So yes, a tent maker can add one to a tent.)

http://oblio13.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-do-you-do-when-your-tent-catches.html

When you are using the tent without a stove, there is a canvas flap that goes over the stove jack with velcro.

And here are some additional thoughts on tents:

http://oblio13.blogspot.com/2008/03/thoughts-on-tents.html