Choosing a Tent Stove

A tent stove can be as simple as the lightweight, notebook-sized propane model that you use for a camping stove, or as serious as a heavy pellet or wood burning portable stove that you use for heat in an enclosed camp or cabin. Which tent stove you choose depends on your specific needs, your budget, and on where and when you plan to camp.

A propane-powered camping stove serves the needs of the average camper very well. A propane tent stove is used for cooking and heating water, not for providing heat for an outdoor space, tent, or cabin. You can find a propane tent stove for backpacking that is as small as an apple and a fraction of the weight. Or, if you like to go camping with family or friends, a double burner propane tent stove will allow you to make coffee and cook dinner at the same time.

Many people in the U.S. keep a lightweight, double burner Coleman tent stove on hand for use during power outages. These outages come ever more frequently as the U.S. electrical grid ages and is not upgraded. In some parts of the U.S., electrical power goes out for days or even weeks at a time several times each year. A tent stove can be a lifesaver.

If you have a cabin or a large tent and are planning a longer stay in the wilderness, you can also purchase freestanding stoves that run on either wood or wood pellets. This type of tent stove provides heat as well as a cooking surface, and is much safer than building a fire. Because it contains and directs the heat, it also keeps you warmer than a campfire.

A wood or pellet-burning tent stove gives you the choice of a lightweight or heavy weight body. The lightweight models are especially good for packing and any kind of camping that involves frequent changes of location. The heavy models are great for established campsites or cabins, or for large family outings that involve a large capacity tent.

When using a tent stove in emergency situations, take care to keep a fire extinguisher close by and either open a window or use the stove outside to prevent build up of noxious fumes. If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, consider a high-efficiency permanent woodstove that you can cook with.

Whatever your needs, a tent stove can be a handy thing to own. Propane powered tent stoves start as low as $20. A freestanding wood or pellet tent stove will set you back anywhere from $100 to $250 depending on the size and the features. Both types are durable and last for years. Many people still have Coleman tent stoves that their parents used, and that’s a real bargain.