heaters for camping

see also:

• gas or liquid fuel stoves for camping
• diesel heaters for camping
• cooling options for your tent
• the problem with cold air whilst camping
• keeping warm when camping or hiking
• 12V heating pads / "electric blankets" to lie on
• risk management when camping
• comparison of full fabric 2P and 3P tents for colder nights
• shelters and tents for car camping or alpine 4 season use
• tips for camping in the rain
• how to reduce your risks in lightning storms
• hot water and showers for campers
• heat injury, burns, heat rashes and heat illness

• camping is generally associated with cool to cold nights and in winter, these nights will be long and much colder
• the traditional method of staying warm at night outside the tent is with the wood fire, but these impact the environment in many ways, risk bushfires and are banned in many camp areas such as most commercial camp grounds and National Parks
• this page discusses various options, see also gas fittings for camping and keeping warm when camping or hiking

• single use air activated iron and salt-based oxidising pocket warmers take 15-30minutes to start
  • Coghlans Disposable Hand Warmer last 6hrs, $AU1.50 each
  • Flexeze 10hr hand warmers $AU2 per pair
  • Hot Hands Hand Warmers (Chemist Warehouse) last 10hrs $AU2 for 2 pack
• re-usable super-saturated solution crystallisation pocket warmers
  • Kathmandu Pocket Hand Warmer $AU12; sodium acetate; lasts 1hr; Reactivate by gently boiling in water for 5 minutes

• multiple devices available with lithium batteries
• eg. Thermacell Heat Pack
  • $AU63 200g; Lasts up to 6-hours of constant heat per charge and can recharge in approximately 4 hours

• just connect to a USB power bank
• many options including DIY

• these can be powered by a small USB power bank or via your auxiliary 12V battery
• given the power output limitations of USB (around 5-10W), these are generally limited to smallish pads up to around 30cm square and average around 8W
• great for pets to sleep on!

• wet gloves and boots will not be great when you have another cold day ahead
• these devices insert into the gloves or boots and dries them out overnight by heating them plus uses UV to sanitise
• Sidas Drywarmer Pro USB
  • pair packs to 19L x 10W x 7H cm; 200g; 10W USB power input required; 4hr timer; $AU43;

• most cigarette sockets in cars are limited to 12V 10A 120W but you can get a 15A rated socket and connect it to an Anderson plug if you need more power output of up to 180W
• 12V heat pads such as car seat heaters
  • these are often rated at 48W (4A) but this maximum output often is limited to around 2 minutes and then there is no output for some 5-6 minutes meaning the averaged heat output is around 24W (2A)
  • one to two such heat pads (~2A per hour) plus a person in a full fabric 2-man tent will raise the air temp from 9degC to 15degC within 1hr and keep it at around 6deg higher than outside if there is minimal airflow from the outside
• 12V heating pads / "electric blankets" to lie on
  • these tend to have max output of 48-65W and often have a timed automatic off as a safety measure
• 12V fanned air heaters
  • these are usually sold as car window demisters and often are rated output of 150-160W
  • most only have one heat setting and one fan setting (without heat)
  • provide rapid heating of a small tent (temp from 13 to 19deg in 10 minutes) but does use a lot of power so may be best used with a 12V thermostat relay controllers for your tent fan heater or just intermittently as needed
  • not useful for larger tents

• these are heavy, big, expensive and use a LOT of electricity!
• EcoFlow Wave 2
  • 14.5kg; included battery only runs a fan, needs external power from AC (820W max), DC (200W max), solar (400W max) or an expensive EcoFlow battery (max 700W) for heating or cooling
  • cooling mode runs at about 540-600W although is rated at 1500W and will need a drain tube connected if humidity is > 70%
  • heating mode runs at about 540-600W although is rated at 1800W heat output and will need a drain tube connected
  • $AU1799 plus you need a massive, heavy, expensive battery eg. EcoFlow 1800W Delta 2 at $AU1999

• 1000W output = 3500 BTU = 3.7MJ/hr and requires 74g gas/hr or approx. 100mL/hr of diesel
• each 1MJ/hr requires 20g gas per hour
• a 9000BTU 9.5MJ Mr Heater Portable Buddy Heater uses 190g gas per hour
  • at $12.50 per 468g cartridge = $AU5 per hour and you only get 2-3 hours from one cartridge
  • at $25 per 3.7kg LPG gas swap = $AU2.50 per hour
• a 9000BTU kerosene heater uses 0.25L/hr ⇒ kerosene costs about $AU9-10 per litre so running cost is about $AU2.50 per hour and a 5L tank will last 20 hours
• a 9000BTU diesel heater would use 0.25L/hr and as diesel costs ~$2 per litre, running cost is $AU0.50 per hour
• a Winnerwell medium wood stove uses ~1kg kindling per hour which translates into ~$2 per hour if purchased retail in 10kg bags (free if you find your own kindling)

• there are a range of heating devices that can either attach:
  • directly onto a gas canister
    • Mini heater to sit on upright small cartridges
      • 15*15*14cm; 300g; $AU17 but needs lighting;
      • https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003407554683.html
    • Easy Heater Piezo for upright gas cartridges
      • 17 * 13.5 * 13.5cm; 340g; $AU30 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005047386127.html
    • Portable Piezo Ignition Gas Heater for long gas cartidges
      • angles 45deg upwards; 15 * 17cm; 442g; 1000W 72g/hr; $AU33 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004697477679.html
    • Mr Heater Little Buddy Heater
      • 465g Disposable Propane Canister
      • 3,800 BTU;
      • 43.2 (H) x 25.4 (D) x 21 (W) cm (including propane cyclinder)
      • 2.26kg; $A89
      • doesn't heat your feet as it faces upwards, is prone to tipping over as top heavy but it does have a tip over auto-off but the hot element may still create a fire and there are quality issues ¹⁾
    • NatureHike Ri Yan 2 Outdoor Heating Stove
      • uses standard 110g, 230g or 450g butane/propane canister
      • 360deg 2400-2700W heating using ~115g/hr;
      • 1.5kg w/o gas; 215x325mm; can boil water on top;
    • CampMaster gas cartridge heater stove
      • ceramic heater can be rotated to face upwards to function as a stove or vertically to function as a heater
      • 220g butane gas cartridge or LPG gas cylinder via adapter
      • 1.5kg (2.2kg packed); max. 1300W / 4500BTU output using 100g/hr; $AU69
      • https://www.batterymate.com.au/products/portable-butane-gas-heater-camping-camp-tent-outdoor-hiking-camper-survival-black?currency=AUD&variant=43218776948987
    • Jinyu ceramic gas heater, stove
      • lie it down to work as a stove;
      • 125g/h 1700W; 1.8kg (2.3kg packed) 27.5 * 27.5 * 18cm
      • $AU59 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004787484338.html
  • onto the burner of a gas stove
    • Portable Mini Camping Heater
      • stainless steel stove heater 14.4×11.7cm plus handle
      • can be used on most small gas stoves or even an alcohol Trangia stove
      • risk of wind blowing the very hot can over, or the area nearby underneath getting too hot
      • high burns risk if not careful
      • $A27
      • for a similar model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN98_w0WfJo

• there are a range of portable gas heaters which allow a gas cartridge to be attached, and often can also be used attached to a traditional LPG propane gas cylinder
• these use 450g BOC gas cartridges or optional adapter for gas cylinders
• examples:
  • Mr Heater Portable Buddy Heater
    • 9,000BTU
    • 34.5 (W) x 18.5 (D) x 37 (H) cm
    • 3.6kg w/o gas; $AU109
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJKqMzUsz9w
  • Companion Portable Propane Heater
    • 7300BTU; Gas Consumption: Low: 5.24MJ/hr - 104g/Hr. High: 7.71MJ/hr - 153g/Hr
    • 33 x 40 x 20cm;
    • 4.2kg $AU135

• Companion gas cylinders have a vertical 3/8“ LH BSP adapter and thus allow devices to attach directly above the cylinder
• examples:
  • Companion LPG Radiator Reflect Heater
    • 5500 BTU with 206mm wide reflector; Gas Consumption: 5.8Mj/Hr or 116g/Hr; manual lighting only, no piezo;
    • 27 x 21 x 12 cm; 0.76kg;
    • $AU49

• Companion Portable LPG Gas Heater
  • 10,800 BTU; Gas Consumption: 13MJ/hr-260g/hr; supplied with a POL gas hose and regulator
  • 41(L) x 19(D) x 33(H) cm;
  • 4.21kg; $AU140
• Industrial high output air heaters for large areas:
  • DETROIT 20KW LPG Heater HLPG20
    • 9kg; 52 x 27 x 48cm;
    • 20kW – 70,000 BTU; 1.40kg/hr Gas consumption
    • 500m3/hr Air flow and should heat a 200m2 space with 2.5m ceilings
    • requires 80W 0.5A 240V input for fan
    • $AU269 include hose and regulator

• these are potentially the safest and least hassle heating options (not used inside tent and thus no added condensation, no fire risk, no CO risk, no smelly liquids to spill) HOWEVER they do still require a decent amount of battery power which limits the utility of the Companion and Gasmate models!
• Companion AeroHeat Lithium Tent Heater
  • 800mm air outlet hose to run into your tent providing 60degC hot air while the unit itself must be only used in well-ventilated areas.
  • built-in gas regulator with BOM connection
  • can run directly off 468g propane cartridge (9hrs of heating) or via hose a LPG gas cylinder
    • gas consumption 2.2Mj/h | 43.7g/h
  • 4hr lithium battery to run the fan with 12V 5A DC in charging with 1-2m charging cord
  • Bluetooth remote control via smartphone
  • will not operate in ambient temperatures above 15degC!
  • 442L x 164W x 360H; 7kg;
  • $AU419 on special
• Gasmate CH100 Ducted Camping Heater
  • uses propane cartridge or LPG
  • heats 15degC intake air to max. 58degC (cutoff)
  • internal rechargeable battery lasts 5hrs (seems can't charge while its in use and recharge takes 6hrs) and uses 55g/h gas giving 2.8 MJ/h
  • 8.6kg w/o gas cartridge
  • 43.3 x D 21 x H 39.3cm
  • must be professionally serviced every 12 months
  • $AU299
• Propex HS2211
  • uses external 12V DC power (max. 1.7A; ~20Ah/night on full)
  • uses 37mbar – CAT I3p (37) propane or 30mbar – CAT I3B/P (30) Butane/Propane
  • may not be approved for use in Australia as per note for the HS2000 model here

• see diesel heaters for camping

• these can produce carbon monoxide so take precautions:
  • leave a door or window open at least 1 inch
  • use a carbon monoxide alarm
  • use only clean 1-K grade kerosene and don't mix fuels
  • keep the wick clean
  • don't sleep with it in an enclosed space especially without a CO alarm
  • when filling the tank for the first time or after changing the wick, you must let it sit for 30 minutes before lighting it. Lighting a dry or partially dry wick results in highly inefficient combustion, thick black smoke, and a massive spike in carbon monoxide
  • after manual ignition, you must lift the burner chamber spring handle and gently move the chimney/lamp cover left and right to seat it completely flat. Watch it for the first 15 minutes. If the combustion chamber is tilted even slightly, the flame burns unevenly, rapidly producing dangerous levels of CO and soot
  • always turn the knob fully OFF and confirm the wick has dropped completely to the bottom to extinguish the flame before going to bed or leaving the room
  • to safely operate a 9,000 BTU unvented kerosene heater without starving the room of oxygen or causing rapid carbon monoxide buildup, you need a minimum room volume of 13 cubic meters (for a 2m tall tent this equates to at least a 6.5 sq meter tent (eg. 2.5×2.5m) and this would equate to a 6P size tent or larger - smaller tents would need a door or window reasonably wide open)
• residential heating standards typically allocate 30 to 40 BTU per square foot for adequate heating
  • hence 9000BTU would heat a residential room of 24 sq m - this would be too much for most tents which are less than a quarter this size so leaving a door open would be usually resolve excessive heating and the oxygen, CO issues
• kerosene costs about $AU9-10 per litre so running cost is about $AU2.50 per hour
• Charmate Portable Kerosene Heater
  • 9000 BTU / 2.6kW; 0.25L/Hour;
  • 4.6L fuel tank capacity
  • Removable top with trivet for cooking
  • matches for ignition
  • 4.2kg
  • $AU119
• Vevor Kerosene Heater Stove:
  • 9000 BTU / 2.6kW; 5L tank; can last up to 20hrs using 0.25L/hr;
  • stove top can support 10kg load but not clear if you can remove trivet for cooking but can use a fry pan or kettle on it
  • adjustable height 34-43cm and height above mesh can raise to 90mm above it
  • matches for ignition
  • comes with 3 replacement wicks, storage bag, gloves, funnel, cleaning oil suction tube
  • 4.15kg 315mm wide x 340mm tall packed
  • https://www.vevor.com.au/kerosene-forced-air-heater-c_12390/vevor-9000-btu-portable-kerosene-heater-stove-2-in-1-non-electric-indoor-outdoor-heater-with-adjustable-height-flame-easy-storage-for-camping-hunting-cooking-home-garage-black-p_010590083761
• Ausway 2 in 1:
  • 9000 BTU / 2.6kW; adjustable height 35-38cm;
  • no removable trivet; matches for ignition;
  • 31x35cm;
  • https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GMZ2WZS4/
• Denash
  • 3.5kg with 4.5L tank;
  • 400 x 330mm;
  • https://www.amazon.com.au/Denash-Portable-Adjustable-Emergency-Preparedness/dp/B0GJSK1HML/
• 5-6kg models for indoor or outdoor use:
  • various similar models to the Vevor branded by Denash, Pomya, Senecesli, etc but double the price or more - perhaps they have a better more windproof combustion chamber?
  • Cryfokt 10000 BTU Portable Kerosene Heater Stove
    • 10,000BTU;
    • 45D x 33W x 33Hcm; 6L tank; 5kg;
    • https://www.amazon.com.au/Cryfokt-Portable-Kerosene-Electric-Emergency/dp/B0GGBJLDFV/ ~$AU230
• heaters with rear reflector for directional heat and a stove:
  • Decorn
    • https://www.amazon.com.au/Portable-Kerosene-Heater-Camping-Stove/dp/B0CHW82JCL currently unavailable
• heaters with an open flame stove top:
  • Decorn 2 in 1 Portable Kerosene Heater & Camping Stove
    • 11000 BTU / 3000W; 0.25 L/hr
    • 12.8×13.8 inches;
    • 3.8kg; 5.2L tank giving 15hr burn time;
    • https://www.amazon.com.au/Portable-Kerosene-Heater-Camping-Stove/dp/B0CHYV716P ~$AU330
• Toyotomi RL-2524 Rainbow Kerosene Heater
  • 1.25-2.5kW; made in Japan;
  • 4xC batteries for ignition;
  • rainbow like glow;
  • double tank structure designed to enhance operational safety
  • not clear if you can cook on it but probably could boil water?
  • 6.2kg; 485.7 × 388 × 388 mm;
  • expensive ~$AU670
  • https://cosycamp.com.au/products/toyotomi-kerosene-oil-heaterrl-f2500?variant=51754199187744

• these were originally designed to heat up irons for ironing clothes but now can be used with a frypan when camping and have a nice mica “glass” window to watch the flames
• they have much smaller fuel tanks of only ~0.4L hence with shorter burn times of about 9 hours HOWEVER should not be used when less than half full so this means you may only get 4-5hrs use before topping up and you cant top up until it cools down
• much smaller than the 9000BTU kerosene heater stoves
• they also tend to smoke more if you haven't got the wick height precise and they do have an open flame at the top
• not designed for use in wind
• probably more of a novelty stove but might be OK for smaller tents as long as well ventilated and safety aspects are attended
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Xo4zDkw6Y
• Soomloom titanium coated stainless steel stove with wooden base
  • 0.42L tank;
  • glass window is 136x77x3mm; wick 10x12cm;
  • carry bag 20×13.5×22.5cm tall; ~2kg;
  • https://www.temu.com/au/-titanium-coated-camping-stove-portable-stainless-steel-stove-for-outdoor-heating-lighting-picnic-compact-outdoor-stove-with-carry-bag-g-605906586697162.html
• Soomloom Stainless Steel Camping Stove with Viewing Window
  • 18 x 12 x 23cm; 2kg; carry bag is 22×21.5×25.5cm tall; no assembly needed, comes with a spare glass and spare wicks;
  • no safety controls; major risk if it tips over!
  • https://www.temu.com/au/-stainless-steel-camping-stove-with-viewing-window-black-portable-cooker-fire-viewing-stove-compact-outdoor-stove-w-carry-bag-adjustable--g-601101487109334.html

• need a fireproof stove jack in the tent ceiling or wall (or can run the chimney through a open section of the tent) and must keep at least one door or window open
• an enclosed stove is safer than a fire pit for spark generation especially if the chimney has a spark arrester, but neither will be allowed on fire ban days or in some National Parks
  • most use around 1kg/hr of dry seasoned kindling and need stoking every 45min or so
  • can also get wood pellet fed stoves which use about 1kg/hr of wood pellets which last 4-8hrs depending upon size of the feeder hopper
  • see wood stoves for camping

• unless you BYO wood, you will probably need a chain saw and an axe to split the wood - assuming you can find dry wood and you are not decimating the local wildlife's homes
• a fire pit or stove reduces risk of fire burn scars on the ground but can kill grass nearby due to the heat

• these are usually around 6-15kg
• Slot Me In The Wedge Fire Pit & Camp Cooker - Ultimate Combo Kit
  • flat pack 4mm thick Australian BlueScope Xlerplate® steel 14.2kg; $AU589
  • packs to 660mm L x 460mm W x 25mm H packed in the canvas storage bag
• Kamoto Open Fire Pit Large
  • 9.6kg folding powder-coated steel and stainless steel cooking grid
  • W 550 x D 470 x H 380 mm
  • $AU419
• Kamoto Open Fire Pit
  • 6.3kg folding powder-coated steel and stainless steel cooking grid
  • 53 x 39 x 6cm folded; 46 x 39 x 33 cm unfolded;
  • $AU379
• Darche Stainless Steel BBQ 450 Firepit
  • stainless steel flat pack foldable design, packs to 56 x 56 x 8cm
  • 11.5kg $AU299
• Winnerwell Large Flat Firepit
  • flat packed to 657(L) x 348(W) x 30(H) mm
  • 4.1kg $AU120
• Supa Peg Frontier Portable Folding Fire Pit
  • 2.5mm Heavy Duty Steel; flat packs to 400mm x 310mm x 40mm
  • 6.8kg $AU180

• adjustable air flow can allow the fire to rapidly become relatively smoke free but you will need to charge it up and use more wood, plus there is a risk the fan system will fail leaving it as a not so good fire pit
• BioLite FirePit+
  • incorporates a 12,800mAh lithium battery which lasts 30hrs of fire on low fan (7hrs on hire fan - fan output controllable by smartphone app via Bluetooth) and can be used as a USB power bank as well as being USB rechargeable
  • enamel coating with “Xray” mesh for high visibility fire;
  • fan can be noisy, mesh tends to rust rapidly and it is fairly bulky as it packs to 70L x 30D x 28H cm 9kg;
  • uses wood up to 40cm long and Heat Beads; smallish fire pit and if you put wood in above the air pipes it will smoke; needs constant feeding with small wood
  • can cook on it via the removable grill grate; opt. grill lid $AU89 and fire poker $AU33
  • $AU329
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYySwCJBicA

• using a wood log fire in the snow to heat a metal pipe which passes hot air into the tent without need for a pump - it just uses the temperature gradient to create air flow
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeHGDr81XwM for some ideas just make sure the intake of the pipe does not entrain carbon monoxide!