Winter camping is a nice pursuit since it gives a brand new definition of outdoor adventure. But at the same time, camping in the cold will require extra preparations. One of the things that you need to deal with is the temperature. Of course, freezing temperatures aren’t something that we can trifle with. If unprepared, you might suffer from deleterious experiences.
A tested-and-tried method of keeping yourself warm is through insulating your tent. Many tents these days are meant for 4-season applications; this means that these tents are ideal for cold-weather use, even in areas where the snow is heavy. But at the same time, you would still want to make sure that you can enhance their insulation.
In any other case, warming a tent might become a must. For instance, it tends to get chilly in the evening, even if the day is warm.
Fortunately, numerous ways are available to ensure that your tent remains cozy and warm throughout your adventure. Learn all of these tent-heating techniques below!
Is It Safe To Heat A Tent?
The answer to this question varies. Specifically, if you are going to use a safe method, then you shouldn’t worry a thing about heating your tent. On the flip side, there are also approaches that could spark danger and harm to you and your tent.
For instance, you should never light up a campfire too close to your tent. Obviously, doing this would potentially cause fire, especially if the wind propels the blaze toward your tent. Not all tents are fireproof, so it is recommended that you avoid this method.
Of course, you should never create a fire inside your tent. That’s an absurd thing to do! Your tents aren’t designed to withstand fire!
Here, you would only need to resort to options that are actually safe for you. Fortunately, there’s no inadequacy in methods that could improve the setting and conduciveness of your tents during a cold camping adventure.
Why Should You Heat A Tent In Winter?
The answer to this question is pretty obvious. No matter how insulated your tent is, you are still required to boost the heat sources you have.
Temperatures that are close to zero may pose a danger to your well-being. While the number of deaths caused by hypothermia isn’t that high, keep in mind that it is never zero.
Aside from wearing proper clothing layers, you need to make your shelter and beddings extra insulated. In this way, you will prevent yourself from catching an extreme cold. Here, you might need to invest in a 4-season tent because it has been designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
The idea here is to ensure that you won’t have to worry about feeling the effects of the cold weather. Aside from the discomforts, it may also put you in dangerous situations. Being prepared and responsive will keep your safety afloat.
Of course, your adventure would be a lot more memorable if you weren’t feeling any inconvenience while you were inside your outdoor shelter!
Ways To Heat A Tent
When it comes to heating a tent, there are multiples that you can try. Specifically, you can divide these techniques into two categories: traditional and modern. Let’s explore each of them so that you’ll know which one you can use on your next trip.
Traditional Heating Methods
The traditional methods of heating tents don’t involve batteries or electricity. Of course, I am not saying that these things aren’t useful. All I am saying is that there are instances where access to these technologies is impossible. In these situations, you need to be skilled and knowledgeable. Otherwise, the cold will catch you in an instant.
Here are some of the old-school tent-heating methods that you should learn right now!
Method 1: Hot Water Bottles
Of course, you should never sleep on this technique. People in the past have been using hot water to heat up their surroundings. Farmers, for instance, use heated water barrels to create greenhouses. You can apply this concept to your tent, especially if the latter is small.
Here, you would need a number of water bottles, preferably those that are made from hard plastic or metal. Furthermore, you would need to create fire, as well, to boil water. Surely enough, boiling pans are needed here, as well. You can’t heat water if you don’t have these camping pans.
Once the water is hot, you should transfer it to the water bottles. Next, place them in different sections of the tent to evenly disperse the heat. By following this procedure, you would be able to warm your tent for extended periods.
Method 2: Heated Rocks
Hot rocks are also great sources of thermal heat. The principle of this approach is similar to the first method we have listed above. Interestingly, hot rocks can heat your tents faster than water bottles. But their biggest downside is that they can’t hold their heat for prolonged periods.
To do this method, you need to gather several stones around your area. Once you have gathered enough of them, put them near a fire. Don’t place them directly in the fire, as it would be difficult to take them out.
Around 10 to 20 minutes before you go inside your tent, remove the stones near the fire. After that, wrap them in a thick fabric or clothing. Be careful, as these stones can scorch you.
Scatter the stones inside your tent. Make sure that you distribute them evenly. You can also focus on areas where you have cold spots. But as a reminder, make sure that their placement isn’t in a location where you can touch them accidentally.
Method 3: Insulate The Tent
The next thing that you can do is to insulate the tent. This approach is being made to ensure that you can maintain the heat of your tent for extended periods. Instead of leaving the tent, the insulating material would reflect it back to you. If you are going to use this method with other heating approaches, you will be able to warm yourself properly.
Several items work as excellent insulators. Double-air reflective foils and foams are among the best options that you can use to insulate the interiors of your tent.
Method 4: Pitch Your Tent In A Dead Campfire
This traditional method isn’t popular, but it is quite effective. Of course, we have to assure you that there’s no live fire involved here. You should simply follow the steps below.
The first thing that you need to do is to create a campfire. Make sure that the fire is set on a shallow ditch. At the same time, the ditch must have an identical width to the entirety of your tent.
Burn as much firewood in the tent. In this way, you will be able to create lots of coals. Once the fire dies, you can already fill the ditch with soil. After that, you can set your tent on top of it. The coal buried in the soil will release heat gradually.
Surely enough, this method isn’t the fastest here. But it provides long-term heating effects. Hence, extra preparation is necessary to achieve this feat!
At the same time, we have to remind you that you must never use a sleeping pad on the tent floor if you make this heating approach. After all, sleeping pads can reflect the heat back to the ground.
You are still free to create another campfire alongside the ditch you created. But it takes a lot of effort to do so. Again, we have to emphasize the importance of preparation in this method.
Modern Heating Methods
Now that we have covered all the traditional heating methods let us tackle the modern ones already. I am pretty sure that you are looking for more convenient methods than the ones we listed above.
We aren’t saying that those old-school methods aren’t effective. In fact, they have tested-and-proven effects. However, numerous technologies have been developed today to provide campers an extra cozy experience without pouring too much effort.
Let’s take a look at these modern approaches to heating tents:
Method 1: Use An Electric Blanket
Electric blankets will never heat up a tent. That’s the caveat. However, it is effective enough to heat up your body while you are not inside the tent.
These electric blankets are safe to use because they don’t involve live fire or electricity. Their wires are covered with the necessary insulating materials so that they won’t cause any problems for you. Furthermore, they have safety mechanisms, such as an automatic shutdown feature if it is too hot.
If you have an electric blanket, you don’t need to heat your tent any more. The heat it produces is more than enough to keep you comfortable. Specifically, the average heat of these blankets reaches up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
These blankets last long in service, especially if you don’t use them regularly. However, keep in mind that their performance drops over time, causing them to increase their power consumption.
Of course, we have to emphasize that they require a power source, which is not readily available in most camping situations.
Method 2: Use Underfloor Heating Carpets
These underfloor heating carpets are still relatively new to the camping niche. Interestingly, they have similar features to electric blankets. But at the same time, they provide additional benefits.
Heating carpets can be placed on the tent floor. At the same time, you can also use a sleeping bag with them, as they aren’t susceptible to overheating. They are fairly simple to use. But at times, they can get bulky as well if you are streamlining the weight of your baggage.
If you are going to use these heating carpets, we recommend that you place reflective material on the tent floor first. In this way, the heat won’t be released on the ground.
Method 3: Use Electric Radiators
Portable electric radiators are commonly used for heating purposes. They are also the most popular option that there is when it comes to modern heating methods. With a portable radiator, you will be able to heat up your tent pretty quickly.
Many people are using these radiators because they are easy and require minimal attention. We recommend that you go for oil-filled radiators, as they don’t generate excessive noise as those radiators that use fans.
Similar to electric blankets, radiators would require a constant power source. They are difficult to carry, too, preventing them from becoming an amenity for your backpacking trip.
What Are Heat Sources Not Safe For Tents?
We already have mentioned different ways to heat up your tent or your body while winter camping. But at the same time, we have to emphasize that not all heating methods are safe. There are those that you should avoid at all costs.
Among these things that you shouldn’t use are tent stoves and gas heaters. A lot of people are using these items for heating their tents, which is quite alarming. After all, these gas heaters and stoves emit carbon monoxide. Inhaling them can result in various health complications. You should only use them in open spaces and not inside your tent.
Conclusion
Overall, there are numerous options for heating your tent during a winter escapade. You simply have to choose which one is the most convenient and applicable to you.
Of course, be careful whenever you are using fire, electricity, or other sources of heat. If you touch them accidentally, injuries could take place. Always exercise proper precautions at all times.