Heater?

[phins_jazy]

What kind of heater do you guys recommend for tent camping? We've never been with the kids, in the cold, camping. I say electric blankets but dh is insistant on a heater.

 

[Shan-man]

What kind of camping are you doing? Tent, Pop-up, Trailer, Motorhome?

 

[lisa8200]

What kind of heater do you guys recommend for tent camping? We've never been with the kids, in the cold, camping. I say electric blankets but dh is insistant on a heater.

What kind of camping are you doing? Tent, Pop-up, Trailer, Motorhome?

I hope yor checking your list thrice Shanta


Anytme anyone ask me about a portable heater I suggest one of the ceramic propane heaters. I used mine in the living quarters of an old steel horse trailer with no insulation and it still stayed warm. I'm sure that others work just fine but, I wouldn't have anything else. Mine works off the 1 lb propane bottles you can get at Wally World. They were pricey when I got mine but, worth every penny.

 

[chartle]

What kind of heater do you guys recommend for tent camping? We've never been with the kids, in the cold, camping. I say electric blankets but dh is insistant on a heater.

All the sites have electric right, so just get a small electric heater.

 

[Shan-man]

I hope yor checking your list thrice Shanta

Well gosh, I feel a little sheepish (baaa). I am without excuse. That said, I concur with Mike, a ceramic propane heater can really put out the heat. A ceramic electric heater can work very well too, and is cheaper and more portable (and cheap, did I mention cheap?). They are much safer than exposed coil electric heaters, since they are nearly incapable of igniting fabrics, et al that are liable to be near them inside the tent. And they are cheap.

 

[John VN]

Already paying for electric so as mentioned, use a ceramic heater.

 

[2goofycampers]

I agree go with the electric.

 

[juligrl]

Heck I'd go with the electric heater and the electric blanket just to make sure I didn't freeze. I love camping with electric!

 

[Old Snipe]

I concur with the little ceramic electric heater, about $15-20 at WalMart. I use one in my motorhome and it keeps us very comfortable. I'd worry that a propane heater would cook you right out of the tent. Plus, it burns oxygen and gives off bad fumes.

Best Regards!

 

[LONE-STAR]

Elec. heater plus the elec. blanket if you get cold easy. We did just the heater and sleeping bags in a tent many years ago at FW in November. It dropped into the 30's and we froze. Next trip we came back with a trailer.

 

[julierocks]

I know that an electric heater isn't the safest thing to have in a tent, but that's all we have. What should we do to make sure it's as safe as possible for when we use it?

 

[Cindy F]

I know this utility heater isn't much to look at but- it's cheap, it automatically shuts off when the room you're in reaches the temp you set, and it's a workhorse. We bought 4 of them and love them.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7768641

I get cold very easy and need to have one of these near me instead of setting our central heat on 80 like I prefer and roasting the children ~grin~

We had some nicer, prettier heaters but they were awful for sleeping since they didn't shut off/come on by thermostat. It stinks to wake up because you're too hot-turn the heater down, then wake up because you're too cold-turn the heater up.........not a very restful night's sleep. There are no exposed elements and nothing you touch on the heater is hot. I also like those little heat packs you can put in your socks (hunters use them), seems like when your feet are warm, the rest of you feels warm too!

Good luck and stay warm!

 

[LarryJ]

I know that an electric heater isn't the safest thing to have in a tent, but that's all we have. What should we do to make sure it's as safe as possible for when we use it?

The new ceramic electric heaters IMHO are very safe even in a tent. They don't get that hot and all the newer ones have the tip over safety feature and some even have an overheat where if you stand too close or block the air flow the heater will shut off.

Not sure what folks mean when they say ceramic propane heater. There are propane radiant heaters, but the heating element is not ceramic like in the electric ceramic heaters.

Larry

 

[Shan-man]

I know this utility heater isn't much to look at but- it's cheap, it automatically shuts off when the room you're in reaches the temp you set, and it's a workhorse. We bought 4 of them and love them.http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7768641
!

I have this same heater, and we do use it in the motorhome, but I wouldn't recommend it for use in a tent. It does have exposed coils, you can't touch them, but it can suck up a leaf and shoot our a flaming ember. I would recommend something like this. I have two of these, and the elements are completely enclosed with ceramic and are thermostatically controlled with two fan levels. I also have a couple of their big-brothers (same brand) that oscillate. They work great and are cheap and safe. But be aware that if you run more than 2 or three at a time you will likely trip the breaker... cold way to wake up!

(BTW - Larry J, I was thinking of a catalytic heater, I suspect Mike was as well)

 

[clkelley]

Quite honestly, I'm in the electric mattress pad and and electric blanket camp. Electric heaters in a tent make me nervous.

As you know heat rises, so having that electric mattress pad will keep you warmer than just an electric blanket, it also puts a layer between you and that cold air in the air mattress.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I would not recommend any heater in a tent that burns propane or other fuel - it would take no time at all to burn enough O2 and release enough CO to kill the inhabitants, not to mention the risk of fire. I feel the same about electric heaters re. the fire hazard. When I tent camped, I preferred body heat. FWGirl works well in this regard.

 

[2goofycampers]

I've always heard a hound dog works wonders also.

 

[BRDof3]

I've always heard a hound dog works wonders also.

Is Frank falling down on the job again?

 

[2goofycampers]

Is Frank falling down on the job again?

He uses the Forting heating method.

 

[BRDof3]

He uses the Forting heating method.

Works like a charm. Just make sure you don't pitch the tent too close to the campfire pit.