Gas heater for tents: choosing the right model

Gas heater for tents: choosing the right model for outdoor recreation

Nature trips are a great way to relax and spend time usefully. However, tourism lovers know perfectly well that on the way they have to face a lot of inconveniences, the main one of which is cold. If you decide to spend the night in a tent, you need to think in advance about how you plan to warm up. A gas heater for the tent will help solve the problem. Let’s consider what it is and how justified its use is.

You can warm up the space in the tent with a portable gas heater

What is a gas heater for a tent: how it works

The gas tourist heater is arranged quite simply, it consists of the following elements:

• heat fan;
• power regulator;
• gas burner;
• the reflector;
• safety valve.

Tourist gas heater with a head rotation angle of 540 degrees

All components are placed in a small metal case, which is called a portable gas heater for a tent. It is not difficult to buy such a device, but it is not so easy to choose a suitable model. Many devices have additional elements designed to control the gorenje process.

Regardless of what type of heater is used, the basis of its operation is the process of processing fuel and obtaining thermal energy. At the same time, everything happens without a network connection, which allows you to use the device even in hiking conditions. The power comes from a small cylinder filled with gas, which you can easily take with you.

In this case, heat transfer occurs due to an infrared emitter, which provides economical fuel consumption and uniform heat distribution over the entire area of the device.

Useful advice! In field conditions, a gas infrared heater for a tent can also be used outdoors to keep warm in cold weather. The field of action will not be too large, however, if you are near the device, it will be quite enough.

Mr. Heater MH18B Propane-powered gas heater

Types of gas tourist heaters for tents

Depending on how heat is transferred from the source to the environment, heaters are divided into three main types: ceramic infrared, metal and catalytic. Let’s take a closer look at each of the options to figure out which one is preferable.

In the first case, a ceramic plate is used as a base. It receives heat, which is produced as a result of burning gas in the burner, and with the help of an infrared emitter releases it. It should be noted that with such a route, the efficiency is no more than 50%. That is, at least half of the thermal energy is lost during the transition from one element to another. Nevertheless, such heaters are the lightest and most compact, which is an undeniable advantage in the campaign.

Pay attention! Infrared ceramic devices are considered to be the most economical when it comes to fuel consumption. A small canister that easily fits in a backpack is quite enough for a long hike.

Portable heater with automatic shutdown function

The second option is a portable gas heater for the tent, equipped with a metal radiator. Due to the fact that the metal bars of the working element are hidden, this option is also quite acceptable for use on a hike. Its design is safe, and a special reflector located in the back of the case allows you to adjust the direction of the heat flow.

The catalytic heater for the tent is considered the most versatile. Its capabilities are much wider than those of other representatives, and with its help you can not only warm up in a tent, but also cook food. Such a device is not very expensive, but much more fuel is consumed.

Another difference between catalytic heaters from the rest is the presence of a heat panel, which, thanks to a layer of platinum, has a catalytic effect on the combustion process.Gorenje The efficiency of such devices is maximum and often reaches 100%. From the point of view of safety, these devices are considered the least dangerous, since the process of fuel combustion in them occurs without the formation of a flame.

Compact portable heater with a weight of 11 kg

What you need to consider before buying a gas heater for a tent

Of course, accommodation and overnight in a tent are significantly different from the conditions to which we are accustomed at home or in the country. Therefore, before choosing and buying a portable gas heater, it is necessary to make appropriate requirements for it. And first of all it concerns the security of the device.

All heaters that can be considered as a camping option must necessarily be equipped with an automatic protection system. This is necessary in case you overturn or excessively tilt the burner, which happens more than often in the conditions of living in a tent.

Another requirement that is likely to become superfluous is the presence of a carbon dioxide sensor. The thing is that the combustion of gas requires oxygen, which the heater absorbs from its environment.gorenje. And if you stay near such a device for a long time, you will definitely feel if the level of carbon dioxide released exceeds the norm. Of course, this is not safe for health.

Gas heater with the possibility of cooking Kovea Fire Ball KH-0710

Considering all these indicators, only a compact gas ceramic burner of infrared radiation can be considered an ideal option. With its small size, it has all the necessary characteristics and fits perfectly into the set of necessary hiking equipment.

Useful advice! Such a device can be used not only for heating a small enclosed space, but also as a camping stove.

Safe use of gas ceramic infrared heater for Tent

The presence of a fuel combustion process inside the system and its conversion into thermal energy makes a gas ceramic infrared burner not the safest household device. Its use requires strict compliance with the rules of operation, which are designed to protect against emergencies.

When using a gas heater, it is important to adhere to fire safety rules

The main prohibitions aimed at using gas heaters from a balloon for a tent:

It is strictly forbidden to use the device to dry clothes, as well as any other items that can catch fire in a dry state.

It is unacceptable to install the heater near explosive or flammable objects.

The device must always be in an upright position, it must not be covered with a cloth or paper.

Any operations with the heater, including changing the cylinder, must be carried out strictly on the street.

While the heater is on, the ventilation valve of the tent must be slightly ajar. You also need to try to ventilate the tent as often as possible to maintain a normal oxygen level in it.

Pay attention! The category of flammable items includes, among other things, all cylinders under pressure. It can also be a regular spray to protect against mosquitoes.

Installing a gas cylinder in a portable infrared heater Kovea Power Sense

If the infrared gas heater for the tent needs refueling, and you do it yourself, be very careful. Ask in advance how exactly the disassembly and refueling with gas takes place, what is necessary for this, as well as how to avoid leakage.

Do not be lazy to read the instructions for the purchased device. This will save you from the occurrence of many unpleasant situations associated with improper operation of the device. It is much better to devote a little time to this in advance, so that later during the hike there will be no unpleasant surprises.

Characteristics and price of the infrared gas burner and heater Pathfinder-Ion

Among the models offered by manufacturers, you can find both simple and more complex and expensive devices. Many companies, both domestic and foreign, are engaged in the production of gas heaters. Consider the most popular model, which is produced in Russia, and enjoys wide popularity.

Infrared gas heater Pathfinder-Ion

The Pathfinder-Ion gas heater is designed taking into account the climatic conditions in which it will be used. The main advantages of the device:

• light weight – only 370 gr.;
• compact dimensions – 120x200x215 mm;
• a sufficiently large power – 1000-12000 watts;
• the presence of piezo ignition;
• the ability to heat rooms with an area of up to 20 m2.

Such a device is extremely economical: depending on the mode used, fuel consumption per hour does not exceed 50-110 gr., which allows you to warm up for a long time even with the smallest volume of the cylinder. As many amateurs confirm, this is a great option for a gas heater in a tent for winter fishing or for hiking.

Useful advice! When calculating the required amount of fuel that you will take with you on a hike, be sure to leave some stock. Calculating stocks end-to-end, you risk not guessing with the needs.

The average cost at which you can buy an infrared gas burner is 1,650 rubles, the price of the Pathfinder-Ion heater is 2,900 rubles.

Gas burner with piezo ignition Pathfinder

Gas heater Pathfinder-Hearth: reviews and features of the device

The second most popular device for heating tents and tents is the Pathfinder–Hearth. Affordable, simple and very convenient, this heater has taken a strong position in the domestic market. Let’s consider how it is characterized and differs from the previous model.

First of all, this device has large dimensions – 275x275x180 mm, and weighs 1.8 kg. It can be quite problematic to carry such a heavy device with you, but if we are talking about a large tent where several people or a family with children will live, then you simply can’t do without it.

The area that such a device is capable of heating is about 15 m2, but at the same time fuel consumption in the maximum operating mode does not exceed 108 gr. / hour. This suggests that, despite its size, such a device consumes fuel quite economically and does not require excessive gas reserves.

Gas heater for hiking conditions Pathfinder-Hearth

After reviewing the reviews about the use of this device in real conditions, we can highlight several fundamental advantages that have made the device popular:

• it can easily be used for cooking as a gas stove;
• with the help of a special adapter, the device can be connected to large gas cylinders;
• the burner does not blow out either in a strong wind, or even when trying to do it on purpose;
• the smell of gas does not appear during use, and the burning of oxygen in the tent is minimal.

Features of choosing an infrared gas burner: reviews of use in a tent

Before you finally decide which infrared gas burner to buy, you should evaluate your choice from several positions:

• fire safety;
• Efficiency and fuel consumption level;

Cooking with a gas burner

• availability of additional functions, for example, the ability to warm up or cook food;
• the availability of appropriate product certification confirming the safety of its use in small rooms and tents.

If the selected model suits you in all these parameters, you can confidently make a purchase. Additionally, it is worth reading the reviews of those who use such devices in practice – perhaps they will tell you some disadvantages, or advise more convenient and practical models. In any case, it should be remembered that the main criterion of choice is safety, and here there should be no questions about the device.