Heating a tent

[rik_uk3]

With the February camp coming up, I've been thinking about a heater for my Hex 3, open fires are a no no, so I dug out this little beauty from the back of one of my stove cuboards, gave it a little fettle, and it works fine. Pumps out a load of heat, and will work fine I think, left just outside the doorway.

[Chris G]

I've been known to use a Coleman before now!

Chris

[Fin]

You've given me some ideas there - involving a Svea 123 and a stainless steel mini wok!

[JonnyP]

so I dug out this little beauty from the back of one of my stove cuboards

Love it...How many stoves do you have Rik...?

[rik_uk3]

Love it...How many stoves do you have Rik...?

Hi John, to be honest, I have got rid of a lot of stove this last year, I guess I have around 50 left now

If any of you have the silent burner Optimus 111, a standard tea strainer rests over the burner like its was designed for it, a tin foil reflector in the lid and away you go



Fin, sounds like a good idea, I love the 123, great stoves, and they have started making them again
http://www.coastlineadventures.com/M...t_Code=54-123R

[Toddy]

I haven't seen one of those parabolic stoves thingies for years A real blast from the past, we used them camping when I was a child and to help dry off the canvas sails. Between the tilley lamp and the stove we were warm and snug even when it poured in Winter.
I'm old enough that the smell of warm paraffin is a defining comfort smell of childhood.
Good kit; thanks for the links.
I don't suppose you know of a source of those little round paraffin stoves that folks used to leave lit in the bathroom at night to stop pipes freezing, do you? Looked like thick flying saucers.

Cheers,
Toddy

[gregorach]

Just be careful if you're firing up a stove in an enclosed space - there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Although in a palace such as a Hex 3, probably not that big a risk.

Now, in my tent (Macpac Microlight), all you need is a candle...

[w00dsmoke]

I've always fancied an optimous hiker but have been wary of any ebay untested models...
Anyone know where someone can get hold of a "good" one?

[rik_uk3]

There you go Toddy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Anti-Frost-Hea...QQcmdZViewItem

[oetzi]

How about hanging an empty can over a candle and using it as a radiator?

[EdS]

veg curry does the trick

[Wintrup]

I wouldn't chance anything with a flame in a Hex 3. I've been thinking about a Campingaz Catalytic heater though, they'd do the trick.

And they've now bought out a catalytic stove, that could be dual purpose.

http://www.bluedome.co.uk/TrailWalk/...t=29&subcat=72

[rik_uk3]

I wouldn't chance anything with a flame in a Hex 3. I've been thinking about a Campingaz Catalytic heater though, they'd do the trick.

And they've now bought out a catalytic stove, that could be dual purpose.

http://www.bluedome.co.uk/TrailWalk/...t=29&subcat=72

The heater won't be in the tent as is, just the doorway and the radiant heat will do the trick. Catalytic stoves I thought had been around a few years now? Not sure though, I don't collect gas stoves really, just liquid fuel types The Coleman portable heater has been around ages and they work quite well, although a little expensive to run in my experience of using one of them.

You are right about using open flame products in a Hex, or any tent for that matter, maximum care MUST be used at all times, as indeed, I do.

[Toddy]

I wouldn't chance anything with a flame in a Hex 3. I've been thinking about a Campingaz Catalytic heater though, they'd do the trick.

And they've now bought out a catalytic stove, that could be dual purpose.

http://www.bluedome.co.uk/TrailWalk/...t=29&subcat=72

I've got a couple of those CAT stoves and they are brilliant
They have never failed to start, never clogged, never blown out, no soot on pots or bags, easy to find refills and really good amounts of heat. The only downsides are that it's kind of heavy and it takes about 20 minutes to get cold. Really just long enough to finish tea or dinner though

Thanks for the link Rik, I was thinking about using one in my tipi or the geodesic dome.

cheers,
Toddy

[Wintrup]

I found this really interesting little contraption that was recommended on another forum. It looks like a series of clay pots bolted together to trap and radiate heat.

http://www.heatstick.com/

What do you reckon?

[Chopper]

I prefer a wood burner

[Wintrup]

I prefer a wood burner

Yeah, but you're a traveling circus by the looks of things

[Chopper]

Yeah, but you're a traveling circus by the looks of things

Could you lend me your unicycle??

[RobertRogers]

Reminds me of my old optimus 8R from 1978

[Toddy]

I found this really interesting little contraption that was recommended on another forum. It looks like a series of clay pots bolted together to trap and radiate heat.

http://www.heatstick.com/

What do you reckon?

I've just gone back and really read this; how cool an idea is that?
So simple, plant pots, nuts, washers and a big bolt, sorted And, it catches the soot as well.
I like the company ethos too.
Nice find, Wintrup

cheers,
Toddy

[Wintrup]

I've just gone back and really read this; how cool an idea is that?
So simple, plant pots, nuts, washers and a big bolt, sorted And, it catches the soot as well.
I like the company ethos too.
Nice find, Wintrup
cheers,
Toddy

I reckon this is the bees knees. A smaller version would be ideal for my Hex 3. It would warm the tent up nicely throughout the evening for next to no money. I'd just blow it out prior to bedtime and luxuriate in the radiant heat.

I would happily send $30 his way for one of his inventions, but it doesn't look like he ships to the UK. So, failing that, I'm going to attempt to build something similar. I reckon iron nuts and bolts would be a better bet than steel, as it conducts and retains heat better. The only tricky bit is making the stand, but I'll bodge something together. How about you? Maybe we can compare notes?

[Toddy]

I've been checking my mini plant pot stash......I've got loads If you are missing the little inside ones, let me know and I'll send a set. I've got from 1cm upwards (12th scale minatures) but I reckon I'm going to start with a 1"one. HWMBLT thinks I'm nuts but has gone to find the tub of nuts and bolts

The metal frame...hmmm, I'm thinking of bending it out of fencing wire, and if I use a clay plant pot saucer as the base too then that ought to hold the jar safely and catch any wax spills, as well as giving me something to wrap the wire around.

cheers,
Toddy

[Wintrup]

couldn't find a real small one, probably have a rummage around my dad's shed this weekend. I bought two the same size and one large. I'm thinking instead of have smaller pots arranged concentrically, I might stack 3 pots of the same size. This may even work better as the heated air will be effectively trapped due to the lips of the pot over lapping the one underneath. I'll take a picture when I'm done.

First things first. I need to make a stand for the the heat catcher that I've already made and then test the thing.

I'll report back later with my findings.

[Prophecy]

How about using a Bushlite, or a UCO Candle Lantern?

Santa's bringin' me a Bushlit Kit and I'm hoping that will help raise take the edge off a cold tent!

[rik_uk3]

Got one of these coming from a mate in the states, stable and safe

http://cgi.ebay.com/Origo-Heat-Pal-5...QQcmdZViewItem

[Mikey P]

veg curry does the trick

But that causes an eggy drifter/asphyxiation issue.

[cliffc]

hi ric

i would be very interested in how you get on with origo 5100 heater - i considered one for a tipi arran 5 . I went for one of chis randall 's exelent fire boxes with a top that you can use a kk on see www.canoepaddler.me.uk
I am verry happy wilth the fire box but would be interested in a 5100 for sites with a no fire rule

regards
cliff

[rik_uk3]

hi ric

i would be very interested in how you get on with origo 5100 heater - i considered one for a tipi arran 5 . I went for one of chis randall 's exelent fire boxes with a top that you can use a kk on see www.canoepaddler.me.uk
I am verry happy wilth the fire box but would be interested in a 5100 for sites with a no fire rule

regards
cliff

Hi Cliff
I use a Hex 3 at the moment (Tundra 8 in the new year) so an open flame is a no no. The Origo is not cheap to run but its very safe and spill proof, ideal for UK winters. I'll buy the stove sold with the Bison Tundra to be honest, and the Origo for when I use the Hex, but the fire boxes you linked to look very good

The Origo pumps out around a kilowatt of heat I think, so I guess it could certainly take the chill out of the air in a bigger tent?

Richard

[hanzo]

I think Jessica Alba would heat up my tent nicely. Just don't tell the missus.

[w00dsmoke]

Hi Cliff


The Origo pumps out around a kilowatt of heat I think, so I guess it could certainly take the chill out of the air in a bigger tent?

Richard

I use a heatpal burner (without the remainder of the stove as it was too dear), it cost £25 and operates like a glorified trianga burner. I use mine for winter camping in a Tinde 8. Points to consider and useful tips:

* It is expensive to run
* It glows red after a while and really does heat up a huge tent(think Glen Etive in Febuary)
*You can cook on the top of it with a minor alteration
* The smell of burning meths in a closed tent is appalling, hurts your eyes, alters your taste buds so the door or vent must be open to use.
*Cover the whole burner in an upside down stainless steel pasta pot liner drainer from ikea and use this as your stove top.

Alternatives to consider are :

* petrol stove-I've tried a whsiperlite international, it works too and is not too dangerous in a huge tent!
* Petrol lantern-this is what the marines used in the arctic, safer and may be worth considering as they pump out a lot of heat.
*Charcoal in an old pot-works and aslong as the pot is covered is easy and safe to use overnight in huge tipii.

Woodsmoke