Getting in and out of the sleeping bag has often been a chilly affair, for me. Pre-warming the tent has been most effective. in shiver reduction (especially when washing up).
Over the years many things have been tried; ranging from 20,000 BTU propane heaters through smaller heaters down through lanterns and even stoves...
One of the better things that I used was a small 5,000 BTU El-Cheap-O, one pound can, propane heater; worked pretty well until it disintegrated one chilly morn.
Since I have gotten closer and closer to Glamping, I have been looking at portable fireplaces... A friend gave me a case of gelled alcohol fake fireplace fuel; wich kind of works for occasional tent heating (during the regular early/late season rain/sleet storm here in the rockies).
The can of gelled fuel works but, a flaming paint can is far from the classiest (or safest) way to provide a little temporary tent heat. It should be noted that all activities involve risk and everyone is responsible for their own actions.
Recently during my regular Amazon perusal I found tabletop denatured alcohol fireplaces (apparently a décor accessory).
Sporting a 1.5 to 2 hour runtime for about a pint of alcohol... the 4000 BTU rating looked interesting....so I decided to give one a try...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UUJXTYU?psc=1
It warms my den up nicely (roughly a half cup of fuel will bring it from 40 degrees up to 72 degrees) and provides an acceptable small fire ambience.
A pint of so (1/2 liter) will over heat the den starting from 40 degrees, and last roughly 2 hours... Maximum capacity of this fireplace is 0.6 liters.
There is a residual ethanol smell (way more acceptable than white gas lantern smell) after it goes out; which can be eliminated with the oil lamp I maintain in case one of my cigarette/smokestack friends show up ( a candle or oil lamp is very effective in combating cigarette smoke stink). ...Will probably resurrect the candle lamp for this purpose in-tent.
The sides are however glass and since glass is pretty much guaranteed to get broken camping I will make up some Lexan sides instead.
The metal base is on the heavy side but should work OK.
I already carry denatured alcohol fuel for the Trangia stove that I use to heat morning and evening wash water; I'll just have to pack a couple of quarts (for a weekend) instead of the 4 ounces for the stove. (Long term I should look at using this fireplace as a water heater).
Note; this is not intended as a tent heating solution just something to take the edge of the cold off when getting into or on those 25 degree mornings after getting out of the sleeping bag... or when friends stop by for social time during storms...
Don't really know if this is the best solution but we will see come spring...
Enjoy!
(Edit); tried it out over the post memorial day weekend; high altitude (~10 K feet) reduces the flame size and heat output (less oxygen) so while it does work it takes a long time and would likely not be good fro really cold weather.
Over the years many things have been tried; ranging from 20,000 BTU propane heaters through smaller heaters down through lanterns and even stoves...
One of the better things that I used was a small 5,000 BTU El-Cheap-O, one pound can, propane heater; worked pretty well until it disintegrated one chilly morn.
Since I have gotten closer and closer to Glamping, I have been looking at portable fireplaces... A friend gave me a case of gelled alcohol fake fireplace fuel; wich kind of works for occasional tent heating (during the regular early/late season rain/sleet storm here in the rockies).
The can of gelled fuel works but, a flaming paint can is far from the classiest (or safest) way to provide a little temporary tent heat. It should be noted that all activities involve risk and everyone is responsible for their own actions.
Recently during my regular Amazon perusal I found tabletop denatured alcohol fireplaces (apparently a décor accessory).
Sporting a 1.5 to 2 hour runtime for about a pint of alcohol... the 4000 BTU rating looked interesting....so I decided to give one a try...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UUJXTYU?psc=1
It warms my den up nicely (roughly a half cup of fuel will bring it from 40 degrees up to 72 degrees) and provides an acceptable small fire ambience.
A pint of so (1/2 liter) will over heat the den starting from 40 degrees, and last roughly 2 hours... Maximum capacity of this fireplace is 0.6 liters.
There is a residual ethanol smell (way more acceptable than white gas lantern smell) after it goes out; which can be eliminated with the oil lamp I maintain in case one of my cigarette/smokestack friends show up ( a candle or oil lamp is very effective in combating cigarette smoke stink). ...Will probably resurrect the candle lamp for this purpose in-tent.
The sides are however glass and since glass is pretty much guaranteed to get broken camping I will make up some Lexan sides instead.
The metal base is on the heavy side but should work OK.
I already carry denatured alcohol fuel for the Trangia stove that I use to heat morning and evening wash water; I'll just have to pack a couple of quarts (for a weekend) instead of the 4 ounces for the stove. (Long term I should look at using this fireplace as a water heater).
Note; this is not intended as a tent heating solution just something to take the edge of the cold off when getting into or on those 25 degree mornings after getting out of the sleeping bag... or when friends stop by for social time during storms...
Don't really know if this is the best solution but we will see come spring...
Enjoy!
(Edit); tried it out over the post memorial day weekend; high altitude (~10 K feet) reduces the flame size and heat output (less oxygen) so while it does work it takes a long time and would likely not be good fro really cold weather.
Comment