Tent Heaters: Getting Equipped For Cold Weather Camping

When it comes to the great outdoors, preparation is key, like in every aspect of life. But one thing we can’t anticipate or predict with absolute certainty is mother nature. That’s why in camping, tent heaters are our trusted companions.

One distinct aspect of life is unpredictability. Whether we’re indoors or outdoors, things can sometimes go wrong. However, when camping outdoors, the weather can be very unpredictable. For some, a sudden drop in temperature can be very critical to their health or even fatal. Fortunately, a range of tent heaters is available to mitigate this problem. And when it comes to choosing tent heaters, there is a wide variety of choices from electric tent heaters to gasoline-powered tent heaters. And among the choices include the best tent heaters that are currently available in the market. 

However, just because a tent heater has the most optimal feature offered, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s best for you. This article will provide a useful guide on how to choose a tent heater that best fits you.

What are Tent Heaters?

Tent heaters are devices that keep the tent warm in case of chilly nights and extreme cold conditions. They come in many shapes along with sizes that range from bulky to lightweight, like most portable tent heaters. 

Even when machines have yet to be invented, keeping warm in the cold has always been a challenge. Be it from heating rocks to campfires, we’ve always devised ways to adapt and survive the extreme cold.

Thankfully, our latest technologies include tent heaters for camping. With the aid of this device, we’ll be able to stay warmer and more comfortable throughout the changing weather.

How to use tent heaters?

There are many manufacturers of tent heaters out there. Most if not all, come with their own sets of instructions, specifying how to use their respective products. 

However, one thing is for certain, they all want to keep things safe. One of the most important operating instructions is keeping the heating source secure. While extreme cold is usually an expected hazard during camping, too much heat is also dangerous for the body and health. 

Before using any device, it is important to know what risks you run, and how to mitigate any unfortunate incidents in the future. And here, we outline a few safety tips that could prevent any untoward incidents.

Tent Heater Safety Tips

When using heat sources, you run the risk of fires and even carbon monoxide poisoning. Tent heaters are heat sources as well. When using your tent heaters, it’s best to use the lowest possible setting without compromising your comfort. 

To avoid accidents or grave incidents from occurring in the future, here are a few safety tips when using tent heaters:

Which tent heater is safe to use?

There are many types of tent heaters fit for camping. One of its main categories largely depends on the type of fuel they use. These tent heaters are classified along with the following: 

• Gas Heaters
• Electric Heaters

It’s these types of portable tent heaters that are safe to use when camping. We’ll discuss more about each type of heater as we progress in the article. But ultimately, the safest among these two are electric heaters.

Electric tent heaters might have some drawbacks on their output and heat capability, but they are safe to use compared to gas-fueled tent heaters. They don’t need to combust, and do not produce carbon monoxide, nor consume the oxygen you have in your tent. However, they can still produce fire if combustibles are nearby, which brings us to the next point.

Clear out any combustibles near your tent heater

Combustibles are things that could catch fire easily. Leaving anything nearby a tent heater that is currently in use may result in a fire. So whether the tent heater you use is electric or gas, be sure to not keep it within the same vicinity as any paper, wood, or even your things.

When using it inside the tent, it’s best to prop it in an inflammable platform. As much as possible, keep it a good distance away from the tent walls too.

Make sure there is proper ventilation for your tent heater

While electric tent heaters don’t need proper ventilation as we have already discussed, gas tent heaters are a different matter. 

Any type of fuel that needs combustion to produce heat needs three things: oxygen, fuel, and ignition. This combustion would then produce carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, with the latter being dangerous to breathe in.

Giving your tent heater good ventilation will mitigate this from happening. How much ventilation will depend on what portable tent heater you have.

Don’t fall asleep when using your tent heater

The most important safety tip when using your camping tent heaters is: DO NOT FALL ASLEEP, at least while you’re still using it. 

While it might be a tempting thought to do so with the heat on amidst such cold temperatures, it doesn’t change the fact the risk outweighs the benefits. Besides, it won’t take long for your tent heater to warm the tent up come morning.

So if you go to sleep, shut it down to avoid the risk of having the following major accidents from occurring.

In Case of Fire

There are five fire classification classes: A, B, C or E, D, and K or F. Each of them are classified to identify what fuels these types of fire, and knowing which type of fire extinguisher to use can be crucial.

CLASS B is the type of fire fueled by oil, alcohol, and gasoline, and not the oils that are used to cook in. CLASS C, or E in Australia, are fires that come from electrical equipment. These two fires are most likely to occur when using tent heaters. When these types of fire occur, DO NOT USE WATER to put them out. Instead, use dry powder, foam, or even carbon dioxide extinguishers.

First Aid Measures

If you find yourself unable to put out the fire, evacuate the perimeter immediately. If you find yourself catching on fire, the classic STOP, DROP, and ROLL should do the trick and help put out the flames. Should you find yourself with burns, here’s what you should do:

1. Determine if it is minor or major. If it is similar to a sunburn, and the affected area is no larger than 3 inches (8cm) in diameter, then it is a minor burn that you can take care of yourself. Any bigger, and call emergency care.

For minor burns:

1. We cool down the area by running it under water, but NOT COLD WATER as this would aggravate the skin. You can also cool it down further by rubbing lotion that contains a moisturizer, or aloe vera. It should help to reduce the pain.
2. DO NOT BREAK ANY BLISTERS as well as they provide a protective barrier against infection.
3. Bandage the burn area to sterilize it, wrap it around loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin.
4. When that’s done, take an over-the-counter pain reliever when needed.

For major burns:

1. Keep away from the heat source, if possible, turn the heat source off before approaching the burned person.
2. Make sure they are still breathing, if needed, begin rescue breathing if you know how.
3. Remove obstacles on the burned areas, and the neck as well. Areas burned could swell rapidly.
4. While cooling down the burns, DO NOT IMMERSE IN WATER as this will do more harm, and instead give them hypothermia. Cover them instead with a clean, and/ or moist bandage, and elevate them above heart level if possible.
5. Keep watch for signs of shock, these include fainting, pale complexions, and shallow breaths.

In Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is one of the by-products of combustion, but this only happens when your combustion happens to be incomplete. For easy identification, incomplete combustion happens when your flame appears red to light orange.

But the thing that makes carbon monoxide so dangerous is that, when inhaled by a person, it displaces the oxygen in your body, causing the body to lose consciousness and ultimately suffocate. As your tent heaters produce heat, they burn their respective fuels, and when not used responsibly, they can produce carbon monoxide as well. 

This is also why, when using tent heaters, proper ventilation and knowing which tent heaters are safe to use is advised. This is also one of the reasons why we should not fall asleep when using tent heaters. 

In case carbon monoxide poisoning occurs, there are some first-aid measures to do:

First Aid Measures

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas when exposed to large quantities. It’s difficult to detect as it has no taste or smell. However, there are some signs and symptoms you can look out for:

When exposed to low levels:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Aggression
• Nausea or vomiting

When exposed to high levels:

• Cherry-red or a grey-blue skin coloration
• Difficulty in breathing, and
• Unresponsiveness

When this happens, here are a few things you can do while waiting for medical help:

1. Move to fresh air. Do not even attempt to enter the fume-filled area as it could affect you as well, but you can help the victims exit and escort them to a wide-open space.
2. Help them breathe normally. As they are disoriented from lack of oxygen, encourage them to keep breathing in the fresh air, and put out any fire remnants on them, and treat their burns.
3. If by chance you find them unresponsive, check the airways and clear out any obstacles, and perform CPR.

When to use tent heaters?

As a tent heater’s purpose is solely for heating the tent, you might want to hold off on using them during summer. But any other season, like spring, autumn, and winter, you can use them.

It’s perfectly possible to make camp outdoors in late spring, and early autumn. You might be able to stand the cold nights, but for ultimate comfort, bringing a tent heater along with you is a good idea. 

However, if you want to camp in the winter, packing a tent heater with you will save you from lasting damages the extreme cold may bring you.

What is Winter Camping?

Camping is always a wonderful experience. To be outside and enjoy mother nature to the fullest, there’s always a surprise waiting. The same could be said when camping in winter, and in the middle of the snow, where trees and plants are blanketed in white!

However, keep in mind that there are a few precautions as well. As you camp, there is a least likely chance of having any access to a power supply, especially to power up your portable tent heater. Temperatures at night around camping areas can drop as low as below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered too low for our bodies.

When this happens, your camping tent heaters become indispensable.

Keeping Warm in Winter Camping

It’s been discussed that, as a safety precaution, tent heaters should be shut down when you go to sleep. To retain the heat given off by your tent heater, here are some things you can do in the middle of winter camping:

• Wear Multiple Layers. While in the mornings you have the sun to help you warm up, when it goes down, you only have your body heat to go by. So to help keep your body temperature up, dress in many layers of clothes. Remember, the closest layer to your skin is advised to be moisture-wicking, which removes sweat from your body.
• Wear a hat. Your body heat is also susceptible to escape through your head. Wearing a hat would give your extra protection from the cold, and is most certainly comforting.
• Wear Wool Socks. Wool is a great moisture-wicking fabric. Your feet are also important to keep warm after all.
• Wear Gloves or Mittens. While they are not comfortable to sleep with, they are essential as they add a layer of protection to your hands, just make sure it’s durable enough to handle firewood, rocks, and even dirt.
• Heat Packs. Inexpensive, portable, and often forgettable, but will make a huge difference in keeping your hands warm as well, and improve your comfort levels.
• Winter Sleeping Bag. While regular sleeping bags are fine and dandy in a normal camping setting, most would prefer to invest in sleeping bags with high-quality, rated to zero-degree weather as it gives you an extra precautionary measure.
• Blankets. Simple, and a very versatile object. You can lay them on the ground beneath your sleeping bag, wrap it around your body, or make a fort (if you have space for one).
• Cuddle Up. If you’re on a solo camping trip, this is something you obviously can’t do, but if you’re with someone, take advantage of each other, and cuddle up on cold nights, as sharing body heats can help you survive together.

In Case of Hypothermia

Hypothermia is when your body uses too much heat, including the body’s reserves, to compensate for the cold weather around you, leaving the body’s temperature on levels lower than required. When this happens, the low body temperature will begin to affect the person’s brain, rendering them unable to move, or even think clearly. What’s even more dangerous, is the person may not be even aware that they have one.

People usually at risk of hypothermia include the following:

• The elderly, especially when they have inadequate intake of food, clothing, or even heating
• The infantile when sleeping in cold areas
• Staying outdoors for too long
• People who drink alcohol, or even use illicit drugs

So what can we do in case of hypothermia when the tent heater is not adequate?

First Aid Measures

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Which is why it’s important to keep tent heaters around when deciding to camp outdoors. However, accidents and mistakes may arise, making the tent heater unable to perform up to standards.

The key to stopping further damage is early diagnosis. To identify if your companion is suffering hypothermia, here is a list of common signs and symptoms, aside from excessive shivering, are:

• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Shallow, and/or slow breathing
• Weakened pulse
• Lack of coordination or clumsiness
• Low energy or drowsiness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Bright red skin, or cold skin (for infants)

Remember, the person suffering from hypothermia isn’t usually aware they’re having one. When you suspect they do, here is a list you can do while waiting for 911 or professional help to arrive:

1. Get them out of the cold. As you are outside, shielding them from strong winds would suffice, and secure them around the neck and the head.
2. Replace wet clothing with warm if they are found wet. Moisture will only aid hypothermia.
3. Warm them gradually. This will only do more harm than good for the body. Do not attempt to warm the arms and legs either, for heating and massaging them would only stress out the heart and lungs.
4. Do not offer alcoholic drinks. Warm drinks are welcome but don’t give them any alcohol.
5. If found unconscious, begin CPR.

In Case of Frostbites

Frostbites occur when the skin, along with its underlying tissues, become frozen from extreme exposure to freezing temperatures. If you chose a tent heater that isn’t fit for your campsite and use, you’re likely to fall prey to this.

Frostbite comes in three stages: (1) frostnip, (2) superficial frostbite, and (3) deep and severe frostbite.

The first stage is FROSTNIP, which is mild frostbite. You’ll begin to notice this as the area exposed would turn numb, and when warmed there’s a certain sting or even pain. But don’t worry, it won’t damage the skin permanently.

The second one is SUPERFICIAL FROSTBITE. This frostbite would appear red and would turn snow white. Should your skin begin to feel warm, it’s a warning that there is a serious skin involvement. Should you treat it at this stage, the skin surface may appear mottled or marked with different colors. A fluid-filled blister will also appear within 12 to 36 hours after rewarming.

And lastly, the DEEP FROSTBITE, which is where it not only affects the surface of the skin, but also the underlying tissues below it. The skin turns to white or even grayish blue, and there’s a numbness all over, and loss of senses, including cold, pain, and even discomfort. After rewarming, large blisters would appear within 24 to 48 hours, and the tissues eventually die and turn black and hard.

First Aid Measures

While you can treat frostnip, for the other cases, calling 911 and the nearest hospital should always be the first step. But when you’re stuck with nothing but the cold, and an inadequate tent heater, you may do the following list for the meantime. Some of the first aid you can do in hypothermia is also applicable in frostbites, but here are a few additional steps.

1. Protect the skin, if you suspect the areas will freeze up again, DO NOT THAW the area. If they are thawed, wrap them up securely so that they don’t re-freeze. If you can’t, tucking them beneath your armpits will do. 
2. Drink medicine for the pain. Frostbites are painful when you can still feel through the frozen areas. Any over-the-counter pain reliever would do.
3. Be ready when your skin thaws. You will feel some slight burns and tingles as your skin warms up, and the normal flow of blood returns. When blisters appear, take care to NOT BREAK any.

When thoroughly warmed and secure, let the professionals do the rest.

Tips for choosing the best tent heater for you!

Tent heaters aren’t common to prepare for campers. There’s a certain set of conditions that you’ll be expecting to want to use one, like family camping trips, or winter camping. You can even use them in cars, or RVs, and of course, inside tents.

There are many varieties of camping tent heaters out there. It can be big, or portable, and even dubbed as the best by their marketers, but it comes down to the fact that you should choose the one best for your current set of needs. In this section, we outline a few guide questions you can ask yourself when choosing your best tent heater.

How to choose a tent heater by size?

There are two kinds of sizes you must consider when choosing your tent heater: (1) the size of your tent, and (2) the size of your tent heater.

For your tent heater size, you might prefer portable tent heaters compared to a bigger camping tent heater. Heavy loads when outdoors could ruin the mood for an adventure, so having luggage easy to carry around is better.

Here comes the tent size factor in choosing the best tent heater for you. If you have a small tent, choosing a portable sized tent heater would be safer as tent heaters are still fire hazards. So when in doubt, portable tent heaters are better, as they are smaller, and consume lesser fuel. 

How to choose a tent heater by heat output?

Heat output means how much heat is being produced by your tent heater. In tent heaters, or any temperature regulating equipment, you see this with a BTU or a British Thermal Unit.

The term BTU indicates how much energy is required to raise the temperature by 1 degree Fahrenheit, and a perfectly acceptable output for tent heaters is 1,000 to 5,000 BTUs.

Fortunately, many models of tent heaters are equipped with an adjustable climate setting. If you lower the heat output for your tent heater, then less electricity, or gas, would be consumed. 

How to choose a tent heater by their fuel?

There are two main categories of fuel when it comes to tent heaters: (1) electric-powered tent heaters, and (2) gas-fueled tent heaters. So what’s the main difference between the two types of tent heaters? Well here it is:

1. TOXIC EMISSIONS

Electric tent heaters are less prone to omitting the dreaded carbon monoxide when being in use. Gas fueled tent heaters on the other hand use actual fuels like propane, butane, and even kerosene, which they burn to produce much-needed heat.

2. POWER AVAILABILITY

There are always some electric tent heaters that can run for certain periods before their battery or electric supply eventually runs out. If you’re in a location where you can re-charge, or just hook up your tent heater, then great. If not, using gas-fueled tent heaters might be the better option.

The fuels of propane and butane are a cleaner option than kerosene. They also have few complications when used in tight and enclosed spaces.

3. OUTPUT CAPACITY

Electric heaters are safer and portable compared to gas tent heaters, but when it comes to output, gas tent heaters have them beaten. 

Some of these battery-powered tent heaters are sized very small, their heating capacity isn’t always up to par, and very limited in how much heat they can produce. So if you’re going for trips for an extended period, choosing gas tent heaters are the best option for you, as you can always refill them when they run out of fuel.

How to choose a tent heater by durability?

It’s also important, when you choose a tent heater, to pick the one that will hold out during the amount of time you are expecting to use it and could handle extreme conditions while we’re at it.

DO NOT CUT CORNERS especially if it’s just to reduce costs. In the long run, though it might be expensive, a well-trusted brand and good quality of tent heater material will be beneficial if you are to buy it.

While it’s important to save money, keep in mind it’s more important to save yourself and your companion’s lives.

How to choose a tent heater by noise?

Noise, by definition, is an unwanted sound. If you’re sensitive to sound when you’re relaxing, then perhaps an electric tent heater is not for you. Electric tent heaters are built with radiators and fans present. If you want to get an electric tent heater, pick one that would generate little to no noise at all.

How to choose tent heaters by camping location?

Knowing where you’re going to camp is a big factor in deciding what type of tent heater you want to bring along. If the place you have chosen is equipped with a power supply that is made available to you, bringing along electric tent heaters might be the best course of action. 

How to choose a good camping spot

When choosing a camping spot during spring through fall, knowing in advance your local rules and regulations as well as the location’s topography is very important. Two important spots to camp nearby are: (1) a good water source, and (2) the camping trail. Make sure the two spots are at least 200 feet away. Also, be aware of any bugs and insects around the area. 

When off winter camping, placing your campsite on snow or bare ground where there are no visible signs of plant life is much advisable. You might also consider doing so on higher ground as colder air flows downwards and hot air flows up.

As an extra precaution on winter camping spots, reading into the place’s avalanche activity should also be done.

Different Tent Heater Types

As mentioned earlier, the two main categories of a tent heater are classified into an electric tent heater and a gas type tent heater. Further elaborating on these different categories, there are five groups of tent heaters.

Some of these tent heaters, though they exist, are not as famous as the gas tent heaters and electric tent heaters. They would be elaborated later, but for now, here are the other three types of camping tent heaters: 

1. Halogen Tent Heaters

These halogen tent heaters can be classified too as electric. However, they differ by the way electric tent heaters produce their heat. 

Halogen is a gas that is used to combine with tungsten. This combination would create a light, which emits heat. It is for this reason halogen tent heaters aren’t too advisable to use, as they could melt down your tent if placed too close to the sides.

If you are to use this type of tent heater, it’s best to hang it up at the center of your tent.

2. Battery Powered Tent Heaters 

This tent heater might seem like the best option for camping. They require no electricity, no gas, and best of all, don’t give off carbon monoxide. 

However, there is one small problem, tent heaters require a lot of power. And due to technology constraints, using a battery tent heater is inadequate to use for any reasonable length of time.

3. Wood Burning Stoves

It’s an old-school type of a camping tent heater, and though it had worked great before, its major drawback is the ventilation.

If you want to use one though, perhaps giving it proper ventilation, where fumes could escape, should be planned.

Gas Tent Heaters

Gas tent heaters also emit carbon monoxide and also need a well-ventilated tent to be used in. But aside from that, they could also have gas leaks. 

Thankfully, modern tent heaters also come in with a safety switch that automatically shuts the tent heater down which would protect you from these hazards. To this day gas heaters are still popular to use too. And here are some of the best options for tent heaters you may find in the market.

Best Gas Tent Heaters

Propane Tent Heaters

Propane is a light fuel and may come in individual canisters or large tanks even. They can also be refilled. Most propane fuel is used in portable tent heaters. Here are some propane tent heaters you might want to check out when choosing:

1. Mr. Heater Buddy

Mr. Heater Buddy is a portable tent heater. Its heat settings come up to 4,000 BTU and 9,000 BTU per hour, which is higher than the average expected output for a well heating tent heater. It can even heat spaces to 225 square feet, which is bigger than just a campsite.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • compact and portable
  • low oxygen switch
  • heat spaces up to 225 square feet.
• The cons?
  • It has performance issues when used above 7,000 feet

There are many other Mr. Buddy tent heaters out there, equally as good as this one, but this model is the best tent heater for small and medium-sized tents.

2. Texsport

This tent heater is the smallest and the most compact tent heater that’s ever been invented. It’s perfectly designed for outdoor use and can be adjusted up to 2,890 BTU, which is best for personal use.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • smallest and most compact model
  • comes with a fold-away plastic base
• The cons?
  • no tip-over protection
  • no low oxygen shut off

So pay close attention when you pick this tent heater.

3. Stansport Portable Outdoor Infrared Propane Heater

For this tent heater, it can heat up to 3,100 BTU and shares a similar build with Texsport, but slightly heavier than the previous propane tent heater. This makes it a perfect camping tent heater for small areas.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • long life-span
  • well-balanced design
• The cons?
  • no auto shut-off function
  • not adequate for large tents

4. Camco Olympic Wave 6

This tent heater is more expensive than the Mr. Buddy models, but it does offer everything you need in a tent heater. Its heat output is adjustable from 3,200 to 6,000 BTU, which is enough for 200 square feet of space.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • catalytic heating system
  • reduce carbon footprint
  • heats up to 200 square feet
• The cons?
  • expensive

Butane Tent Heaters

Butane is one of the fuels used in gas heaters and is similar to propane. It is denser than propane and, unfortunately for butane fuels, its canisters are disposable and cannot be refilled. However, here is a noteworthy butane tent heater you might want to check out: 

1. Camplux

Camplux portable butane heater has a heating capability of 4,400 BTU an hour, which can reach its full heating capacity in a short time of five seconds. Just one can of the butane fuel can make this tent heater to heat your space for up to five hours.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • versatile use
  • heat the space up to 5 hours
  • quick to reach full heating capacity
• The cons?
  • it has a hot surface

Electric Tent Heaters

Electric tent heaters, compared to gas tent heaters, are certainly the safer choice. It also works as a portable tent heater most of the time, but the downside is its heat capacity. Having water nearby this equipment may cause the device to malfunction, so be extra careful when using this type of tent heater.

And when you’re choosing one, make sure it has an auto shut-off timer, as it’s the most important safety feature it should have when buying electric tent heaters. However, we do have a few suggestions in mind!

Best Electric Tent Heaters

1. Lasko Ceramic Portable Heater

This electric tent heater is deemed to be the most adjustable tent heater! It is equipped with about eleven different temperature settings with just a turn of its dial. It even has a fan option, so if it’s too hot, you can also use this to keep you cool. You also can’t get burned when touching it as it does come with a cool-touch exterior.

• The pros for this tent heater
  • Has 11 temperature settings
  • can turn into a fan in hot weather
  • cool- touch exterior
• The cons?
  • uses too much electricity

So if you are to choose this portable tent heater, you might want to make sure the campsite has some electricity supply you can hook it up with.

2. 750W/1500W Ceramic Space Heater Portable Electric Heater

This electricity might be small, but it works excellently for small and medium-sized tents. Though compared to Lasko, this space tent heater does come with three temperature settings, and a safety precaution against overheating, and tip-over protection. 

• The pros for this tent heater
  • excellent for small and medium-sized tents
  • precaution against overheating
  • tip-over protection
• The cons?
  • expensive if you want to off-the-grid camp

You can’t go off the grid camping with this buddy as you’ll be needing around at least three deep cycle batteries, and an inverter to convert the DC into usable AC power. 

Other Tent Heater ideas

There are other ways to heat your tent without gases or electricity. All you need is the heat and some good planning. 

Here are also some tips to keep the warmth inside your tent, long after you have shut down your tent heater.

Insulate your tent 

Insulation acts as a buffer of sorts against temperature changes. To do that, we thicken the layer between the two different temperatures. So how do we insulate our tent properly?

1. Place a rug, or carpet on the tent floor. This is a good way to prevent the cold floor from draining out the heat from the above area, as it does during night time. 
2. Place extra layers on the tent. It doesn’t have to be particularly the same tent material, any blanket or covering, enough to provide an extra layer should do the trick.
3. Line your sleeping bag. This is also a reason you should choose sleeping bags carefully. If you line them with extra coverage from the inside, it should help keep you warm when you sleep.

But aside from insulation, you can also use old-schooled tent heating ideas other than wood-burning stoves.

DIY Tent Heater Ideas

Hot Water Bottles as a Tent Heater

Water is essential when we go camping. If you’re expecting cold temperatures around the place you want to camp in, make sure you pack extra water bottles. Here are the steps:

1. Boil the water. You can do so in a large pot or pan you have packed along with your equipment. Once you are done, put it back in the water bottle, just make sure you don’t burn yourself during the transfer.
2. Place them around your tent. 

And viola you have hot water bottles as a tent heater! This is one of the safest ways to heat your tent but the process could last up to several hours. 

Heated Rocks as a Tent Heater

Did you ever wonder how prehistoric cavemen keep themselves warm on cold nights? Well, one of the ways they did so is with heated rocks. Here’s what you should do:

1. Look for dry, medium-sized rocks. Wet rocks are a “no-go” as they could crack, or explode under heat.
2. Heat the stones, but don’t put them on the actual fire. They would only cause the fire to go out as well. Remember to turn them around to heat every surface.
3. Place them around your tent, just be careful not to touch them with your skin. You can use either stick or wear thick gloves when transferring them.

These heated rocks may last you for at least an hour.

Burnt Out Campfire as a Tent Heater

This works best for large tents, and basically, it’s just building your tent on top of your campfire remnants.

You might have noticed that despite dousing the fire out of your campfire, there is still some residual heat. This is the heat you will use to become your tent heater. The downside is you will have to set up your tent much later than usual. And doing so under the cover of the night could be a little difficult.

The Best Tent Heater is the Right Tent Heater

And there you have it! Tent heaters come in many shapes, sizes, and fuels even. It can be used in almost any type of camping but is especially important if you plan to camp during the winter season.

Despite its many benefits, you may encounter a few risks when using these tent heaters for two main reasons: (1) inadequate tent heaters, and (2) unattended tent heaters. If you don’t choose your tent heater properly, you tend to suffer the consequences.

But modern technology and some old-school tricks offer safe ways to mitigate these risks. Furthermore, each type of tent heater has some of the best safety options you can look into. Just remember not to cut costs when considering to buy one because, although it’s important to save money, your safety is even more crucial.

Enjoy prepping!