We are new to bell tents and had a mishap 2nd time we used the log burning stove in our bell tent. The thermometer only said 200C so we kept adding wood then realised is was getting too hot. Thankfully we had heat proof gloves so could remove some wood. The result was that we managed to melt the footprint, thankfully the groundsheet is still usable.
We are now looking for a good thermometer and a heat shield for the floor (we do have a fire mat for embers). Just wondering how other people protect their floor from the heat and what you recommend as a thermometer and heat protector.
Watching this thread with interest. I do wonder about log burners inside a tent because the log burners in our house all had to have a specific non combustible surface underneath and to a certain distance around to comply with building regulations. Stone slabs aren’t good for camping though…. Steel plate maybe?
200 degC is hot, it’s the “best operation”, according to my basic flue thermometer (plenty of these online, I doubt if there’s that much difference between them). Any hotter & you’re wasting fuel or risking a chimney fire if it’s not been swept (been there); much less and the flue is tarring up. I get a slightly scary roaring noise at home above 200C, I’d hate to think what that sounds like in a tent.
Quote: Originally posted by Caligula on 12/4/2022
Many groundsheets for hot tents, have removeable sections or splits that enable clear ground under the stove.
Not over dry peat, I’d hope. That’s a peat wildfire waiting to start.
The folding mat looks a much safer option.
I use a wood burner in a tent and even have a rug down underneath. The trick (I say trick, but you sound read as I have never melted anything) is to layer up. Depending how even the ground is I use thin plywood under the legs at the base, then a welding mat over that, then some oven cloths over that then finally a heat proof resin mat with the the stove on top. I store some logs underneath the stove. This also aids insulation but as the benefit of given the logs a bit of a pre-warm (I am not sure that matters a jot but seems sensible to me). It might be overkill but stops the worry, is cheap and always works like a dream. Don't forget to have a water bucker, a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket and sharp knife to hand.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 27/5/2022
I don't think I would consider a fire in a tent. Carbon monoxide risk or the whole thing going up. Each to,their own.
Re CO risk. The tent stove with a flue is no different to ones I use at home, just smaller; it’s burning wood not charcoal (the BBQ being brought inside is the deadly risk we all know). We all have a CO alarm in our MHs because of the gas appliances, so an alarm would give peace of mind in a (well ventilated) tent.
We were on one site next to a home conversion MH with a stove flue & they were burning plastic / rubbish by the smell of it. Not as pleasant as the whiff of woodsmoke!