SureFire Tactics To Warm Your Tent Without Electricity!

Covered Candle/s

This is an interesting one that I found as I was doing some research on the overall topic of “heating a tent”. I’ve never tried it, but it does sound like it could work. However, extra caution must be taken as this could easily become quite dangerous.

With this idea, the user is going to be using a candle, or multiple candles that will provide the heat. However, there is a twist, Rather then just an open flame candle the user is supposed to use a Candle lantern rather than simply just a candle. Because a candle lantern at least conceals the flame inside, rather than having an open flame inside a tent.

Which I see as sketchy in my opinion. I mean, why not just have a campfire in the middle of your tent at that point….. Haha.

Anyway, the user is supposed to light the candle, and place it on a hard surface, somewhere safe, where it will not get bumped or knocked over. Ideally, It would be best the safer you are able to make this so including a few tin cans with holes poked in the sides would be a great addition, as it will add a little more to the safety side of this idea.

Nonetheless, this obviously requires close attention (You cannot leave something like this unattended). Also must be put out before going to bed. This is basically like having a mini fire inside your tent so you must be responsible with it. As well you must have proper ventilation set up, and its a great idea to have a carbon monoxide, or oxygen sensor with you when doing this.

Now, as I said above I’ve never tried this, so I don’t know exactly what to expect, but I have heard of others using this method and getting it to work. Check out the below videos for further explanation. The Candle Lantern Being used is the: UCO Candlelier and its available on Amazon with multiple options “Here’s” A link to it if you’d like to check it out. I guess it’s supposed to provide both light and heat.

I’ll have to give this a try and report back as to how well it worked. But for now check out the below videos on the topic:

This is likely how I would go about setting up this Idea: (Skip To 1:00 Min In) 

Like I said above, the UCO Candlelier is the candle lantern I would go about using for this idea.  But I’m not exactly sure how it would go, or how the lantern would hold up??? Given I’ve Never tried this But Once I do it I’ll be sure to Document it and update this post, but for now, looks like Outdoorscart Got it to work above.

If you have tried this, be sure to leave a comment below as to how it worked for you, and the way you chose to set it up. (The more descriptive the better!) As well as any ideas you may have that could be added! Would be much appreciated!

Custom DIY Flower Pot Heater

This is a brilliant idea in my opinion! I’ve never tried it. However, I Definitely will be. The whole idea here uses candle heat like the Idea above. Nonetheless, this idea captures the heat being produced by the candle/s and heats the clay flower pots that are suspended above the candle.

Which then radiate the heat in a more dispersed manner, rather then straight up to the ceiling. and best of all you can customize it however you’d like. Check out the below videos to get a better idea as to how this concept can be brought to life!

Check out this video of the same idea as in the Previous video. But this one has been expanded upon in order to produce more heat!

Alittle Creativity, and this idea could become one that is well worth the time spend to create it!

Wood Burning Tent Stove

Wood burning stoves can be an Excellent option for heating a tent! I’ve never used one in a tent personally as they can be bulky, and a lot of the camping I do requires as little weight as possible. However, I have seen many videos of campers doing what is known as “Hot tenting”, or at least that’s what they call it…

Anyway, typically these videos are of known youtubers that like to go out camping in colder climates. I’ve even seen some stay in -30 degree weather… Yet the inside of their tent was well above 60 degrees!

Using a wood burning stove seams to be a great option, especially for those who do a lot of cold weather camping. And to be quite honest, in my opinion camping with a stove in the tent sounds kind of cozy in a way.

Probably the only real downside to using a wood burning stove is the amount of stuff you’d have to pack in. But this likely won’t be a problem if you aren’t going to be hiking into camp. But even if you are, I have seen backpacking tent stoves available that are light weight, and fold down quite well.

Anyway, Here is a video that demonstrates how well a wood burning stove can work:

If you do decide you’d like to give “Hot tenting” a try. Be sure to do your research, as there is a lot more that goes into hot tenting, then simply setting up your typical camping tent. You’ve got to have the proper tent and equipment if your going to do so.

Simply Body Heat

The idea here is basically the exact same as what is going on inside your sleep system when you lay down for the night. Your body heat that is given off is getting trapped inside your sleeping bag, making the inside of your sleeping bag a warm and cozy place as you sleep right! well, this is the same idea. However, you are either going to need a small tent in order to achieve this on your own or with a partner.

Or you will need many bodies in order to achieve this with a larger tent.

Now, don’t be expecting the temps to rise from 25° to 50°. If anything you may get the temps to change by about 5 to 10° but any more then that I’d think would be quite hard to achieve.

But by using a smaller tent, which equals less space you likely could get the temperature to rise slightly more. And the better your tent is insulated the better that tent will be able to retain the heat, and the warmer the space is likely to become. Hanging portions of Mylar blanket around the inside of your tent would likely help this idea a lot.

However, the important part of this concept is that you have a small tent, as this is really the only way you are likely to notice any difference. The smaller the space, the easier it will be to heat.

Use Chemical Heat Packets

I’m sure if you have ever been skiing or snowboarding or even just simply spent a lot of time out in the snow? Often times your gloves may not have been able to keep your hands warm the entire time. Likely You have experienced the same for your feet? your boots didn’t provide well enough and your feet began to get cold.

Well the answer you have probably heard of to solve that problem are these Hand or Feet warmer packets that you place inside your gloves, or inside your snow boots and they will provide you with warmth upwards of 7 – 8 hours, Some even 18 Hours! Well given that these are so small, I’m not sure how well they would heat a tent on their own?

However, if you were to use the larger ones such as the Bodywarmers and you simply place them on your body wherever you desire, this could Definitely offer you a great personal heater, as you go about doing what you do inside your tent.

But can also be used when your out and about. Either going about your day playing on the mountain. Or could also be a great heat source option as you go to sleep for the night. The thing about using these is, they don’t require anything to get them going. Simply Shaking the package activates them. And well, some of them will continuously keep producing warmth for upwards of 18 hours! That’s nearly a full day.

Whenever I leave to go out for a day of fun, weekend of fun, or even if I’m going to be working out in the cold for the day. These no doubt help me get through the Time, and I enjoy it as well. And there are so many different uses, I mean, a little Idea generation and you could be using these to heat your house… Haha, probably not your house… But a small tent in the mountains, maybe?

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Condensation Problems That Can Occur

Have you ever woken up in the morning and noticed water droplets all over the interior of your tent? Or maybe you’ve woken up at to the walls of your tent frozen with a thin layer of Frost build up?

Typically these are causes of condensation, which can become a big problem when camping in a tent, especially when camping in colder weather.

Condensation forms on the walls of your tent when the warm air inside your tent meets with the cold walls of your tent, which then form little water droplets all throughout the interior of your tent.

Sometimes condensation and can get so bad that you awake to all your gear soaked, and potentially little puddles throughout the interior of your tent floor.

If you’re not sure exactly what I’m talking about, here is an example:

Taking a glass of water for instance. If you leave a glass filled with ice cold water for a period of time, just sitting on the counter. After a while, you’ll begin to notice water droplets forming on the outside of the glass.

This is condensation at its finest… What is happening is water vapor in the air is coming into contact with the cold walls of the glass. The molecules then slow down and return to their original state (Water).

The same sort of idea is happening with your tent, but backward. The warm air inside your tent meets with the cold walls if your tent which is being cooled by the cold air outside.

Then the water vapor/moisture that is in the air inside of the tent then begins to turn back into water once it hits the walls of the tent.

Given the fact that we have been talking about how to heat a tent this entire time, you can likely see how condensation can become a big problem. However, there are some ways to combat this. However, the great thing about using heaters in a tent is it will dry out the air that is inside the tent.

But that’s not to say Condensation won’t happen. Often times there isn’t much you can do about it. However, there are a few tips you can implement that will help reduce the condensations that forms inside the tent.

1. Ventilate Your Tent Properly (You Don’t Want Moist Air To Be Trapped)
2. Avoid Cooking or heating water Inside Your Tent
3. Dry your clothes outside If Possible.
4. Use A double wall tent If Possible
5. Waterproof your tent so water can’t leak in

Basically just do your best to keep the air inside your tent dry, and free from water vapor. As well, be sure you keep your tent ventilated properly, as moist air trapped will cause condensation in a bad way…

Safety Concerns That Need To Be Covered

When it comes to heating a tent there are a few things you need to think about in terms of airflow, oxygen flow, and simply just the overall dangers of using heaters in a tent.

Safety When Insulating & Heating Your Tent

Ventilation Is probably the largest part when it comes to insulating a tent. When speaking about insulating a tent, that does not mean, seal the tent so air can’t get it. Rather it simply means try to find ways you can retain or reflect heat back down to you.

When restricting air flow you can cause problems with condensation as discussed above. As well as create an environment that is un-safe for you and others to be in. such as low oxygen, Carbon monoxide in the air (If using a heater) and more…

If you plan to use a heater in your tent I strongly recommend you pick yourself up a carbon monoxide detector or other similar devices. As this will protect you if there are traces of carbon monoxide or a low oxygen level. Amazon Has them for pretty cheap I’ve seen many using This one “Here“.

For More Information, and safety precautions that need to be followed when heating, and insulating a tent Check out this article that covers it quite extensively (Safety when using heaters in a tent).

Conclusion

Obviously, there are many different options when it comes to Heating a tent and/or insulating a tent. From lightweight simple options to heavy duty long lasting options. There is likely an option that will work well for you and what you need it for.

With some simple brainstorming, and I was a little idea generation you can likely come up with something that could build upon some of the ideas above.

Just make sure to use common sense, and keep yourself out of danger.

I hope you have found this article to be helpful, and it’s got you excited about what you can do with your tent!

Other Resources You Should Check out that will help you stay even Warmer!

Learn how you can keep yourself Warm as you sleep in your tent. Check out “20 Easy Ideas To Stay Warm As You Sleep (Camping In Comfort!)” so you stay warm as you sleep!

Disclaimer

Many of the ideas above were sourced from other backpackers, and campers. Outdoor Luxuriez and those associated do not recommend the use of open flame or burning fuels to be used inside a tent. Burning fuels for heat, and open flames can be extremely dangerous if proper care is not taken.