Hot Tent Camping With a Wood Tent Stove: Everything You Need to Know

Long nights and wet and freezing conditions make a winter camping a challenge. Moisture from the environment, your breath, and perspiration build up in your tent, clothing, and sleeping bag. It’s difficult to stay dry. The freezing weather makes it impossible to warm up. With the proper equipment, winter camping doesn’t have to be miserable. A hot tent and portable wood tent stove can keep you and your backpacking gear warm and dry, even in the most extreme winter conditions. This guide outlines everything you need to know about hot tent camping.

In this guide, I’ll explain what a hot tent is and outline the different types of hot tents and wood tent stoves. I’ll cover camp setup, safety, pricing, and more. I’ll also list the pros and cons of hot tent camping.

I always loved being in the outdoors during the winter. It’s quiet, the air is crisp, and the snow is beautiful. I just couldn’t handle the cold nights. I decided to try camping with a wood stove about four years ago and it was a game changer. Now, I look forward to winter camping. In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience. Hopefully, this guide makes your next winter camping trip a little warmer and more comfortable.

Table of Contents

• Hot tents- design, materials, shapes, sizes, weight, pricing, and more.
• Wood tent stoves- designs, sizes, materials, shapes, weight, and pricing.
• Stove pipes- designs, shaping, and materials.
• Other wood tent stove components
• Stove features and accessories
• Hot tent and wood stove setup and break in
• Firewood- collecting, drying, and processing firewood
• Cooking on a wood stove
• Maintaining a wood tent stove
• How to stay safe with a tent stove
• Pros and cons
• Hot tent recommendations
• Wood tent stove recommendations

What is Hot Tent Camping?

A hot tent is a tent that is designed to be paired with a portable wood-burning stove. The wood tent stove sits on the ground inside the tent. You build a fire inside of the stove to heat the tent. Smoke from the fire vents directly from the stove through a chimney or stovepipe through a hole in the side of the tent.

Hot tents are designed with safety in mind. They are made from flame-resistant materials. They also offer good ventilation so you don’t have to breathe in much smoke, carbon monoxide, or other contaminants emitted by the fire.

A good wood stove can keep the inside of the hot tent at a comfortable 60-70°F (15-20°C) when the outside temperature is well below freezing.

The fire also helps to keep the inside of the tent and your clothing and gear dry. The dry heat causes moisture on your clothing, boots, and gear to evaporate and vent away. The stove nearly eliminates condensation.

In addition, you can cook in a hot tent on top of most wood stoves. The fire heats the flat top of the stove, which acts as a burner.

Pros of Hot Tent Camping

• You’ll stay warmer- An efficient wood stove can easily keep your tent 40-50°F warmer than the outside temperature. For example, if it’s freezing outside, the inside of your tent could be 80°F (26°C) if you wanted. If it’s -20°F outside, you could get the inside temp up to 50-60°F. With an oversized stove, you could keep your tent even warmer. No matter the outside temperature, you can stay warm and comfy with a wood tent stove.
• Your tent and gear stay dryer in a hot tent- The heat from the fire helps to dry out the inside of your tent and your gear. You can dry your damp socks, boots, gloves, jacket, and other clothing by the stove during the night. This way, you have warm and dry clothing to wear every day. After you wake up, you can dry out your sleeping bag by the stove. The stove also helps to dry out any water that you track into your tent. You’ll stay much warmer when your clothing and gear are dry. Dry clothing lofts better and traps more heat.
• Less condensation to deal with- Condensation occurs when warm, humid air contacts a cold surface. A tent wood stove creates a dry heat. When the air inside of the tent warms up, it can hold more moisture. Any moisture that is inside of the tent evaporates into water vapor. When you open a vent or the tent door, this warm air escapes and takes the water vapor with it. It is replaced with cool, dry air from the outside. Over time, moisture from your damp clothing and gear as well as moisture from your sweat and breath leave the tent. You’re left with a warm and dry tent interior. You won’t wake up to frozen condensation on the inside of your tent. For more info, check out my guide to avoiding condensation in tents.
• You’ll stay more comfortable- After your tent heats up, you can enjoy the comfortable 70-80°F environment. When you’re warm, you can take your time cooking and eating. You don’t have to rush through your meal before it gets cold. You can also lounge around, read, and relax in comfort. In addition, you don’t have to bundle up to stay warm. You could wear your t-shirt and shorts if you wanted to. You’ll also stay dryer. You’ll never have to wear cold, damp socks and boots. Having a comfortable place to hang out allows you to camp for more days during the winter. You won’t burn out as quickly. Without a stove to keep you warm, you can only endure so many days before you become miserable.
• Your gear won’t freeze- With a hot tent, you don’t have to worry about your drinking water freezing during the night. You don’t have to worry about batteries draining because they’re too cold. You don’t have to worry about toiletries or medication freezing. All of your important gear stays warm and free of ice inside of your heated tent.
• You can cook on your hot tent stove- Most wood tent stoves feature a flat spot on top where you can cook. The top of the stove gets very hot. The surface acts like a stovetop burner. Some stoves also offer a built-in oven. It is also possible to cook some foods directly on the top of the stove. If your stove has a hot water tank, you can use the water to easily prepare dehydrated camp meals. You may not need to pack a camp stove if you use a wood stove.
• A hot tent and stove extend your camping season- If you live in a cold climate, you may only be able to comfortably camp for 4-8 months per year. With a hot tent and wood stove, you can enjoy four season camping. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy more winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
• Hot tenting is cozy and fun- Sitting in your warm tent while it’s cold and windy and snowy outside is a cozy experience. Especially when it’s snowing. The process of gathering wood, starting a fire, and watching it burn can also be fun as well.
• It is a completely unique camping experience- It’s fun to try new outdoor activities. During the winter, you may not feel like going hiking or snowshoeing. Hot tenting is something different.

Cons of Hot Tent Camping

• Wood tent stoves and hot tents are heavy- Adding a stove to your camp setup will add a minimum of 10 lbs if you choose an ultralight model. If you choose a mid-weight model, you’re looking at adding 25-40 lbs to your setup. This is a lot of extra weight to carry around. In order to use a tent wood stove, you need the stove itself, a hot tent, and a chimney. You may also need additional gear such as a fire extinguisher, hatchet, saw, tent fly, wood grate, etc. All of this extra gear adds weight. In addition, you may need to pack firewood with you, depending on where you’re camping. Hot tents also tend to be heavier than regular tents. Particularly if they’re made from heavy materials like canvas. This adds a few pounds to your setup. You cannot go ultralight with a wood stove and hot tent.
• Wood tent stoves and hot tents are bulky- A wood tent stove takes up a lot of space in your pack or car. The most compact collapsible wood stoves measure around 14 x 11 x 2 inches when packed. You’ll also need to pack a stove pipe, spark arrestor, and other hardware. This will take up a big chunk of space in your backpack. A small steel wood stove and accessories might take up half of your vehicle’s trunk space. You might also need to pack firewood with you. This takes up even more space. Hot tents also tend to be bulky. Particularly if they’re made from canvas. If you’re traveling on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, or horse, you’ll have to pack carefully so you can fit all of your gear in your luggage.
• It takes more time and effort to set up camp when you use a wood stove- A wood tent stove is another piece of gear that you have to set up. First, you have to unload it and carry it to camp. If your stove is heavy, this can take some effort. Next, you have to put it together. If you’re using a collapsible stove, this could take 10-15 minutes. Next, you’ll also have to place the stove in your tent and set up the chimney. You need to make sure it’s stable. You’ll also have to take everything down and pack it up when you’re ready to go. In addition, you’ll have to clean out your stove so it doesn’t get ash everywhere. Using a wood tent stove will add anywhere from 10-30 minutes to your camp set up and take down time. This is fine if you stay at the same site for several days. If you move around frequently, setting up a stove every day gets annoying.
• You have to collect or pack firewood- In order to use your wood tent stove, you need some wood to burn. You’ll have to pay attention to the regulations regarding firewood. In some areas, you are permitted to collect small pieces of firewood from fallen trees. In some areas, you must pack your firewood in. You should buy your firewood locally so you don’t accidentally bring in any invasive species on your wood. If you don’t want to burn wood, you can buy tent stoves that are designed to burn pellets. Some models can burn both pellets and wood.
• Wood tent stoves are expensive- A wood tent stove and accessories will cost anywhere from $150 to $700+. For some campers, this is a major expense. You’ll also have to buy firewood sometimes. Most campgrounds charge $5-$10 per bundle. You may need to buy multiple bundles. This cost adds up quickly. If you’re on a tight budget, you may be better off spending your money on a warmer sleeping bag and some warm clothes instead.
• You have to stoke the fire throughout the night- As outlined above, the amount of time that a stove can provide heat depends on the size of the stove, the design, and the material that the stove is made of. A small wood tent stove that is designed for backpacking may only provide heat for 1-4 hours before you have to stoke it. This means you’ll have to get up in the night to tend to your stove if you want it to keep you warm through the night. You might need to get up 3-4 times during the night. This is uncomfortable and annoying. After you get up, you might not be able to get back to sleep. Larger and heavier wood tent stoves can continue providing heat for over 8 hours. You can stoke the stove once right before bed and again when you wake up in the morning.
• You need to clean and maintain your stove- Wood tent stoves require some regular maintenance to keep them burning efficiently. After every day of use, you’ll have to remove ash from your stove. After every 1-2 days of use, you’ll have to clean the flue and stove pipe. This is necessary because creosote builds up and narrows your stove pipe. Periodically, you’ll need to scrape the rust off of your stove to prevent build-up. You may also need to oil the door hinges to keep them operating smoothly. Some of these jobs are messy and annoying. This maintenance work also takes time.
• You still need to pack a warm sleeping bag and clothing- A wood tent stove does not replace a sleeping bag and winter clothing. You’ll still need to pack a sleeping bag that will keep you warm, even if you don’t have a fire going. You’ll need warm clothing too. You’re not going to spend all of your time in your hot tent.
• Hot tent camping can be dangerous- There are a number of risks to consdier. First, you could poison yourself with carbon monoxide if you’re not careful. This happens when your stove leaks smoke and other poisonous gasses into your tent. Carbon monoxide can kill. Your stove could also light your tent on fire if a spark jumps out or if your fire gets out of hand. A spark arrestor helps reduce the risk. You could also start a forest fire if your fire gets away from you. You should only use your stove where campfires are permitted. Take the safety precautions outlined in the previous section to stay safe.

Hot Tent Design

Hot tents are specially designed so you can safely use a wood stove inside. They are made from flame-retardant materials that won’t catch fire if a spark comes into contact. The tent wall features a fire-resistant stove jack sewn in. The jack won’t catch fire when it touches the hot stove pipe.

The chimney pipe or stovepipe runs through the stove jack. Smoke vents directly out of the tent through the stovepipe. This way, the tent doesn’t get filled with smoke or dangerous carbon monoxide gas.

Most winter tents feature a removable floor or are floorless. Without a floor, you don’t have to worry about the stove or hot embers burning or melting through the floor of the tent. You also don’t have to worry about tracking snow into the tent. If your hot tent has a floor, you can use a fire retardant mat to protect it.

In addition, the tent won’t freeze to the ground after putting your fire out. If your tent has a floor, snow can melt underneath while the fire is burning then re-freeze when the fire goes out. Your tent floor can freeze to the ground. Most tent stove manufacturers recommend that you place the stove directly on the ground to avoid this.

Most hot tents are single wall rather than double wall. This means there is no mesh tent inner. The single-wall design saves some weight and makes the tent a bit easier to set up. The single-wall design works fine for winter tents because you don’t need to worry about insects during the winter. A mesh inner bug net is unnecessary. Condensation can be a problem in single-wall tents. With a hot tent, you don’t have to worry about this either because the stove keeps the inside of the tent dry.

Hot tents are usually non-freestanding as opposed to freestanding. This means you must stake the tent out in order for it to maintain its shape and remain standing. The tent gets its structure from a pole or poles and stakes and tensioned guy lines. You can’t pick the tent up and move it around while pitched.

Tent Materials

Hot tents are made from durable and fire-resistant materials. They are designed to hold up to harsh winter conditions and not catch fire.

The most common hot tent material is canvas. Canvas is a thick, rugged, and tightly woven cotton fabric. It is ideal for hot tents because it is durable. It holds up well to extreme winter conditions. It’s also breathable. This helps keep condensation at bay. Generally, the canvas used to make hot tents is treated with a fire-resistant coating.

The main drawback to canvas is the weight. Canvas is heavy. It is also a thick and bulky material. Canvas hot tents are ideal for trips that don’t require you to carry the tent too far, such as car camping.

Some modern hot tents are made from thin and lightweight synthetic materials such as ripstop nylon. These are sometimes called backpacking hot tents because they are light enough to be carried while hiking. They are much lighter and more compact than canvas. Nylon hot tents are light and compact enough to use for backpacking, bicycle touring, or motorcycle touring.

There are drawbacks to nylon hot tents. They tend to be less durable because the material is so much thinner. They are also not as spark-resistant. An ember could melt a hole. They are also a bit less breathable.

Tent Shapes and Sizes

Hot tents come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. You can choose from pyramid, dome, hexagon, teepee, yurt, a-frame, 4 wall tents, and more. Smaller hot tents may use trekking poles as tent poles. Larger models require proprietary poles.

The simplest and most popular hot tent design is probably the pyramid. These tents set up quickly and easily with one central pole. They require minimal staking. Pyramid tents feature steep walls that don’t allow snow to accumulate.

Dome-shaped hot tents are another popular design. They are popular due to their roominess and efficient use of space. The dome design is also strong. They can handle a snow load when necessary. For larger tents, a modified wedge or a-frame design is a good option.

For longer trips, a wall tent may be preferable. These are large tents with 4 vertical walls and a pitched roof. They are basically a rectangular room. This design allows the tent to have plenty of headroom and interior space for multiple campers and gear. You can stand up and walk around in a large wall tent. This tent design is popular among hunters and glampers because there is so much space for cots and extra gear.

Hot Tent Capacity

Hot tents are available in sizes ranging from 1-8 person. Larger wall style and yurt style hot tents are available that can accommodate even more people.

Hot tents tend to be larger and roomier than standard tents. This is necessary because there needs to be space for the stove and firewood inside of the tent. The stove needs to sit away from the tent walls and your gear so nothing gets too hot and ignites. While hot tenting, you also tend to spend more time in your tent. It’s nice to have extra space to move around.

When choosing a hot tent, try to choose a model that is designed to accommodate one more person than you plan to camp with. For example, if there are 3 people in your group camping together, choose a hot tent that is designed to accommodate 4 people. If you’re camping alone, consider packing a 2 person hot tent.

The extra space gives you more room to store bulky winter gear such as snow boots, heavy jackets, and thick winter sleeping bags. There is also extra room to lay your wet gear out to dry. The extra space also gives everyone more room to move around and stretch out inside of the tent.

If your hot tent is too small and cramped, it’s easy for someone to bump or rub up against the stove and burn themselves or knock it over. There also isn’t enough room to dry out gear.

Hot Tent Weight

The weight of a hot tent depends on the tent size, materials it’s made of, and the design. Hot tents come in ultralight designs that are light enough to carry around in a backpack. These models are typically made from sil-nylon. Canvas hot tents tend to be larger and heavier because the material is much thicker.

A few examples of hot tent weight ranges include:

• Ultralight sil-nylon 1-2 person hot tents weighs 1.5-3 lbs (0.68-1.36 kg).
• Ultralight sil-nylon 2-4 person hot tents weigh 3-5 lbs (1.36-2.26 kg).
• Canvas hot tents for 1-2 people weigh 20-30 lbs (9-14 kg).
• Mid-size canvas hot tents for 3-4 people weigh 70-80 lbs (32-36 kg).
• Large canvas wall tents weigh over 100 lbs (45 kg).

How much tent weight matters depends on how you plan to transport the tent and how far you have to transport it.

If you plan to hike several miles with the tent in a backpack, it needs to be as light as possible. Ideally less than 5 lbs.

If you plan to set up your tent right next to your car, weight isn’t really an issue. You just need to be able to lift it.

If you have to carry a heavy tent a few hundred yards from your vehicle to a campsite, you can use a game cart or sled to make the job easier. You won’t want to carry an 80 lb tent by yourself.

If you’re carrying your tent with a horse or motorcycle or bicycle, it needs to be relatively lightweight. Ideally under 20 lbs. If you’re camping with someone else, you can use a heavier tent because you can divide up the weight. For example, one person can carry the tent and the other can carry the poles.

Of course, you’ll have to consider the weight of your stove as well. Your wood stove can weigh as much or more than your tent. We’ll talk more about stoves in the next section.

Packed Size

If you are limited by space, you will want to consider the packed size when choosing a hot tent. The packed size is determined mostly by the capacity and material your hot tent is made of.

Tents that are designed to accommodate more people are larger when packed because they contain more material. Canvas hot tents are larger and bulkier than synthetic hot tents when packed because the material is thicker.

If you plan to use the tent for backpacking, it needs to pack down small enough to fit in your pack or at least attach to it. A 1-2 person sil-nylon hot tent is ideal for backpacking

When you’re car camping, the size doesn’t matter as much. The tent just needs to fit in your vehicle with the rest of your gear. Any hot tent will do.

If you’re traveling by horse, motorcycle, or bicycle, or with a sled, the tent needs to fit in your luggage. If you’re camping in a dense forest, you’ll find a more compact tent easier to transport.

Hot Tent Pricing

Pricing depends on the materials, design, and size of the hot tent. A few common price ranges forgot tents include:

• Single-person hot tents cost around $150-$300.
• Mid-range hot tents designed for 3-4 people costs around $250-$600.
• Large hot tents cost $500-$1000.
• High-end models designed for long-term living or expeditions cost $1200-$2000+.

Hot tent prices vary greatly. Most hot tent models are pretty affordable due to their basic design. They feature simple single-wall, floorless, non-freestanding construction. These tents are easy to manufacture and require few materials.

Higher-end and larger models often feature more durable components, better build quality, and more complex designs. In most cases, stove jacks are included and already installed.

Some premium models feature a floor that is removable with a zipper, quick setup, extra windows and vents, insect netting, or double-wall construction. These hot tents tend to be more expensive.

Portable Wood Tent Stoves

Most hot tent campers buy their stove separate from their tent. Wood tent stoves come in a range of sizes, materials, and designs. The ideal wood stove for your trip depends on the size of your hot tent and how you plan to transport your gear.

In this section, we’ll outline the different types of wood stoves. We’ll cover stove size, weight, heat output, burn time, pricing, and more. I’ll also list a few features to look out for.

Types of Wood Tent Stoves

A number of tent wood stove styles exist. In this section, I’ll outline the three main designs, listed in order from heaviest to lightest.

Heavy steel or cast iron stoves

These large, heavy-duty stoves are made from thick rolled steel or cast iron. They are designed to heat a large area of 150-400+ square feet. These stoves can heat a large 8 person wall tent, small cabin, ice fishing shack, motorhome/van, garage, or even a large room in a home.

Heavy steel stoves are durable and long-lasting. They don’t warp easily due to the thickness of the material. The stove walls typically measure 18 to 10 gauge (0.05-0.135″). These heavy steel and cast iron stoves come in cylinder and box designs.

These stoves also put out the most heat and continue producing heat for the longest amount of time. This is possible due to their large firebox size, sealing door, and built-in damper. Thick metal also retains heat longer after the fire dies down. Many models can continue putting out heat for 5-15+ hours before they need to be stoked.

The main drawback is that these stoves are extremely heavy. They weigh 50-90+ lbs (23-40 kg). They are also large and bulky. They’re also expensive. Large stoves cost $200-$300+.

Lightweight steel stoves

These stoves are usually made from thin stainless steel or galvanized steel sheets. They are designed to heat a mid-sized 2-4 person tent with an area of around 80-250 square feet. These stoves work well for car camping, hunting, and ice fishing.

Most models weigh around 15-30 lbs. They are small and light enough to easily carry around and transport in a vehicle or on horseback. Some models fold or disassemble for storage and transport. They come in both cylinder and box styles. Due to the smaller size, you need to stoke these stoves more often. They can burn for 2-8 hours.

These stoves are durable but don’t last quite as long as heavy steel stoves. They can warp if they overheat because the material is thinner. It is also possible to burn a hole in the material over time. Higher-end models are made from two layers of material. This improves durability.

These are the most affordable type of wood tent stove. They cost around $130-$300. Premium models with multiple layers of material and additional features are also available. These cost $500-$600.

Ultralight backpacker stoves

These small, lightweight stoves are designed to carry in a backpack. Most models collapse down flat or come apart for easy packing.

Ultralight tent stoves are usually made from lightweight titanium sheets. These are designed to be paired with an ultralight 1 or 2 person hot tent. They can heat a small area of 60-80 square feet. Due to the small firebox size, these stoves may only provide 1-2 hours of heat before they need more wood.

These stoves are fairly expensive due to the complex folding design and lightweight materials used. Most ultralight models cost $300-$600. They also tend to be a bit fragile because they are made from thin materials.

Wood Tent Stove Sizes and Heat Output

Wood tent stoves come in a range of sizes. The size of stove you need depends on the size of the area that you plan to heat. Generally, the larger the stove, the more heat it can produce. To heat a large tent, you’ll need a large wood stove. For a small 1-2 person tent, you can get away with a smaller stove.

To determine the size of stove you need to keep your tent warm, you’ll need to know the size of the hot tent you plan to pair it with. Most manufacturers list the square footage of the tent in the specifications. You can also measure the square footage yourself. Look for a stove that is designed to heat that amount of space.

Most stove manufacturers list the amount of area that their stove can heat. For example, if your tent measures 10’ x 10’ or 100 square feet, look for a stove that is designed to heat 100 square feet.

It’s also a good idea to consider the firebox size when choosing a stove. Generally, the larger the firebox, the more heat that the stove can put out. This is the case because you’ll be able to fit more wood inside of a stove with a larger firebox.

The firebox size is usually listed in cubic inches, cubic feet, or liters. This measurement can come in handy if you want to compare two stoves from different manufacturers that are designed to heat similarly sized areas.

For example, maybe you’re considering two stoves that are each rated to heat 200 square feet. One has a firebox that measures 2500 square inches and the other has a firebox that measures 2750 square inches. Most likely, the stove with the 2750 square inch firebox will put out more heat because the firebox is 250 square inches larger in volume. All else being equal, you’re better off going with the stove with a larger firebox.

A small collapsible titanium wood stove designed for backpacking might only be able to heat 50 square feet. This would be ideal for heating a 1 or 2 person tent. A large steel stove might be able to heat 400 square feet or more. This would be ideal for heating a large tent, small cabin, or an ice fishing shack. A mid-sized stove might heat 100-200 square feet. These are ideal for heating a 3-4 person wall tent or hunting tent.

If you expect to camp in extremely cold weather, you may want to choose a stove that is designed to heat a larger area than your tent. For example, if your hot tent measures 150 square feet and you frequently camp in below-freezing conditions, you might choose a stove that is designed to heat 200 square feet. An extra larger wood stove could keep the inside of the tent warm and cozy in temperatures well below zero.

It’s also important to consider the amount of space that the stove takes up in your tent. If you’re camping in a small 2 person hot tent, you wouldn’t want to bring a massive stove. It would take up too much floor space. If your tent is too cramped, you could accidentally rub up against the stove while moving around inside. You could burn yourself or melt your gear. If your tent is roomy, the size of the stove is less important. Some poorly designed stoves have a large physical size but small firebox size.

Wood Tent Stove Materials

The stove material plays a major role in the performance, longevity, and weight of the stove. Wood tent stoves are made from either steel, cast iron, or titanium.

Heavy-duty wood tent stoves are made from either thick steel plates or cast iron. Lightweight stoves are made from thin stainless or galvanized steel plates. Ultralight backpacking wood stoves are made from lightweight titanium sheets. Each stove material has its pros and cons.

• Thick steel or cast iron stoves offer a long burn time. Many models will burn for 8+ hours. These stoves also last practically forever. The thick material is unlikely to warp or melt through. The drawback is that these stoves are extremely heavy and bulky. They are not portable.
• Stoves made from thin steel plates don’t burn for quite as long. Most offer a burn time of 2-8 hours depending on the firebox size. If you burn the stove too hot, thin steel plates can warp. Over time, they can also burn through. These stoves don’t last quite as long as stoves made from thicker plates or cast iron. The main benefit of stoves made from thin steel is that they are significantly lighter and more compact. This makes transporting the stove easier.
• Titanium stoves are the lightest weight. They are also the most compact. These stoves are portable. They also offer the shortest burn time. Most models can only burn for 1-2 hours before they need to be stoked. Titanium stoves last a long time but they can warp if the fire gets too hot for too long.

The best stove material depends on how you plan to use and transport your stove. If you need to use your stove to keep you warm all night every night, a heavy-duty steel stove is ideal. If you need to be able to transport your stove easily in a backpack, a lightweight and collapsible steel or titanium stove will be preferable. There are compromises to make.

Stove Pipe Material

The stove pipe material is an important consideration as well. Stove pipes are made from either titanium or steel. The stove pipe material plays a role in its weight, packed size, and durability.

Titanium is probably the best stove pipe material. The material is strong, lightweight, and doesn’t corrode. Titanium stovepipes can also be rolled up tightly into a 12″ x 1″ x 1″ cylinder. They don’t take up much space in your pack. The drawback is that titanium stovepipes are expensive at around $75.

Steel stove pipes are strong, durable, and affordable. The main drawback is that they are heavy and bulky. They can also rust when exposed to moisture.

Unfortunately, you can’t use aluminum to make a stovepipe because it will melt.

Chances are your stove pipe will get dented, regardless of the material it’s made of. As long as it doesn’t have any holes, it should perform just fine.

Portability and Packed Size of Tent Wood Stoves

When choosing a stove, you’ll want to consider portability and packed size. Obviously, a smaller stove is more portable than a larger stove. Some smaller stoves that are designed for backpacking collapse down or disassemble to make them easier to pack.

A few stove designs and their average packed sizes include:

• Ultraportable collapsible wood tent stoves- These pack down to around 15 x 10 x 3 inches (around 38 x 25 x 8 cm). Most fold flat so they can fit in a backpack.
• Mid-sized steel stoves- These measure around 16 x 10 x 10 inches (around 40 x 25 x 25 cm).
• Large heavy duty steel or cast iron stoves- These measure around 20 x 12 x 12 inches (around 50 x 30 x 30 cm).

How much the packed size matters depends on how you plan to use your stove. If you plan to carry your stove in a backpack, on a bicycle or motorcycle, in a sled, or on a horse, portability is crucial. It needs to fold down small enough to fit in your luggage. If you only plan to use your stove for car camping, the packed size is less important. It just needs to be small enough to fit in your vehicle with the rest of your gear.

You’ll also need to consider where you’re going to store the stove at home. If it’s bulky, it will take up a decent amount of space in your home, basement, or garage. If you choose a portable stove that disassembles or folds, it will be much easier to store. When storage space isn’t an issue, then the packed size of the stove doesn’t matter.

Of course, you’ll also need to consider the size of your hot tent. A bulk tent can take up more space than your stove.

A Note About Collapsible Wood Tent Stoves

If you choose a collapsible stove, be sure to consider the assembly time and difficulty. Some models simply unfold and lock into place in a couple of minutes. More complicated models take around 15 minutes to put together. Assembly can take you even longer the first few times you use your stove. Box-shaped stoves that are made from flat metal panels are usually easier to assemble than cylindrical stoves, in my experience.

If you can, watch a video about how the stove assembles or assemble it yourself before buying. You’re not going to want to spend 30 minutes assembling and disassembling a complicated stove with freezing fingers.

Wood Tent Stove Weight

Wood tent stoves range in weight from under 2 lbs to over 90 lbs (around 1 kg-40 kg). The stove weight depends on the material that the stove is made of, the thickness of the material, the size of the stove, and the features that the stove includes.

Small titanium stoves are the lightest. Large stoves made from thick rolled steel or cast iron are the heaviest. Stoves made from thin steel sheets are somewhere in between.

Average stove weights include:

• Ultralight titanium wood tent stoves typically weigh around 2-4 lbs- These are the lightest stoves on the market. They are designed for backpacking.
• Lightweight steel wood tent stoves typically weigh around 20-30 lbs- These stoves are made from thin stainless steel or galvanized steel.
• Heavy-duty steel stoves usually weigh 60-90 lbs- These stoves are made from steel plates that are 10-18 gauge (.128-.048” inches or 3.2-1.22 mm). Some models are made from cast iron.

These weights include the stove, chimney, damper, legs, and all hardware. Pretty much everything you need to use the stove.

Weight is an important consideration when choosing a wood tent stove. Exactly how much your stove weight matters depends on how far you have to transport it and how you plan to transport it.

If you need to hike several miles into the backwoods with your stove in a backpack, it needs to be as light as possible. You probably won’t want to hike with a stove that weighs more than 10-15 lbs. If you only need to carry your stove a few steps from your car to your campsite, weight isn’t as important. If you’re going to carry the stove on horseback, on a motorcycle, in a sled, or on a game cart, it needs to be reasonably light. Ideally less than 30 lbs.

You might also consider who you’re camping with when choosing a stove. If you’re camping alone, you probably won’t want to move an 80 lb stove by yourself. Even if you’re only lifting it in and out of your vehicle. If you have someone to help you out, a heavy stove is easier to manage.

You might also want to think about how often you need to move camp. If you set up camp and stay for a week, lifting a heavy stove one time isn’t that big of a deal. If you move camp every day, you’ll want a lighter stove that’s easier to load and unload.

Wood Tent Stove Shape: Cylindrical Vs Box Shaped Stoves

Wood tent stoves are available in rectangular box shapes and cylindrical shapes. Both designs have their own set of pros and cons.

Cylinder-shaped stoves

Cylindrical stoves generally pack down smaller than box stoves. Most models come apart into multiple pieces and collapse down. They also tend to be a bit lighter.

In most cases, cylinder-shaped stoves offer a bit more depth than box stoves. This allows you to burn longer logs. This saves you time while processing wood. You don’t have to cut the pieces quite as small.

Cylinder-shaped stoves are also less likely to warp. Most cylinder stoves have a small cooking surface or no cooking surface at all. Sometimes the top is rounded and not suitable for cooking.

Box-shaped stoves

Box-shaped stoves are generally better for cooking because they feature a large flat cooking surface on top. Box stoves are also easier to assemble in most cases. They are made from simple rectangular panels.

These stoves are usually a bit bulkier and heavier than cylinder-shaped stoves. Warping may be more likely.

Wood Tent Stove Burn Time

Burn time is the amount of time a stove full of wood will burn. It is measured from the time the wood ignites until it’s a smoldering pile of ash. At the end of the burn time, you should be able to add another load of wood and it will ignite without having to use a match or lighter.

The ideal burn time depends on how you plan to use your stove. Most hot tent campers want their stove to have a long burn time so they don’t have to get up and stoke the fire frequently during the night. 6-8 hours is a good burn time for this purpose. If you don’t plan to use your stove all night long, the burn time is less important. A 2-4 hour burn time may work fine.

Most stove manufacturers list a burn time in the stove specification. This number is almost always greatly exaggerated. Oftentimes by 50-100%. I don’t pay attention to this metric for this reason.

The best way to compare burn times between different stoves is to compare the stove firebox size. The larger the firebox, the more wood you can fit in the stove. The more wood you can fit in the stove, the longer the stove will burn. The firebox size is usually listed in cubic inches, cubic feet, or liters.

If you need a stove with a long burn time, you should also choose a stove with a door gasket. A door gasket allows the stove to seal up airtight. When the door is sealed up, you can control the burn rate much more accurately by adjusting the damper. If the stove doesn’t have a door gasket, it won’t seal up airtight. More air will make its way to your fire and it will burn faster as a result.

Generally, collapsible backpacker-sized stoves have a burn time of around 1-2 hours. Mid-sized stoves can burn for 2-8 hours. Large stoves can burn for 8+ hours. Some large models can burn as long as 15 hours.

If you don’t mind getting up in the night to stoke your stove, you can get away with a smaller stove. If you want your stove to continue producing heat throughout the night, you’ll need a larger model.

For most campers a 6-8 hour burn time is ideal. You can stoke the fire right before bed then again when you wake up. If you don’t leave your fire burning during the night or you don’t mind getting up to add wood, you can get away with a shorter burn time. If you’re camping with someone else, you can take turns getting up to stoke the fire during the night.

Your damper adjustment plays a major role in the burn time that your stove achieves. To maximize burn time, you’ll have to properly adjust your damper so your fire doesn’t get too much oxygen. If your damper is open too far, your fire will burn too hot and fast. If you close your damper too much, smoke will enter your tent and your fire will go out. You also need to keep the door closed while the fire is burning.

Wood Tent Stove Durability and Longevity

All wood tent stoves are pretty durable. After all, they are just simple metal boxes. If you take care of your stove, it will last decades. That said, there are a few durability issues you can run into.

Probably the most common issue is warping. This happens if you burn your stove too hot for too long. Warping is common on stoves that are made from thin materials. Lightweight stoves made from thin