Has anyone used either of these or anything like them and can give me some handy hints for choosing one as they are quite expensive and I dont want to make a mistake by buying the wrong one. Thanks
It'll be the site owner/manager who'll cause the problem. I've yet to see a commercial site that would allow any form of open fire other than a BBQ. Just too much risk of sparks.
If you choose a site that allows camp fires, then I don't see that there would be a problem. Not that there are too many of them about. So that means I know of THREE sites you could camp at, two in the Lake district, and one near Bridlington East Yorks. I will admit, that if a camp fire is any where near me when I am camping, I can never go to bed untill they are out.
UP DATE TO MY POSTING
O K I just did a search in the the camp site search section, and there are loads where they allow open fires. So I don't think this will be a problem for you.
Post last edited on 01/12/2009 18:09:17
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
I have a five meter Soulpad, and a heavy weight four meter Silvermans. I'd love a wood burning stove, but just don't have the room to add it to the huge list of things I already take camping. I also recently bought a four meter inner, which I intend to use with both tents. I'm sure you will enjoy it, I just love using mine.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Thanks for all the comments. I intend using it on fire friendly sites and festivals where I know this type of stove has been used before. I have another larger tent for use on more conventional sites.
I take it from the replies no-one has a wood fire stove for their tent? I must admit that having an open fire at home and loving camp fires makes me hunt out the fire friendly sites as a priority. To me camping is all about the camp fire and nature. I would also love it if more sites allowed drumming but I can understand the noise factor with the neighbours.
We have had a soulpad 4000 ease for the last year and one of their stoves which goes out through the roof not through the sides and it has been amazing! you NEED to cut your logs to the right size and I bought an axe from here GRANSFORS who are great! and we have found the some charcoal or the fake stuff most places sell helps keep things warm longer.
We are in Wokingham and often go to Mellow Farm farnham for short breaks, they are basic but clean and tidy and friendly, which I am glad to see have allowed reviews back on here.
You can buy spark arrestors, and we do have and recommend having a CO detector and fire extinguisher nearby, I keep a knife nearby as I know I can cut my way out far easier than finding a zip in the dark.....I have had to, it;s not fun!
G
Does this mean you have had your tent burn down? I was under the impression that they were fairly safe but you are getting me worried now.
The reason I was looking at the stoves I linked to was that the pipe goes out the side of the tent which I thought was a better idea than the top - no leaks of rain etc. Any thoughts?
I have had a look at Mellow farm on the reviews and may people say the loos are dirty - I dont mind basic - very basic infact but - dirty no. What has your experience been? Looks a good site and placement for a quick weekend escape - we often go around Frencham for walks anyway. It's a pity they close over winter as I cant try them out till next spring but with the weather as it has been i think a boat is better than a tent!
Top & bottom of this is that flames & tents do not mix. Traditional cotton canvas is a bit more resilient than man made fibres, but even those that self extinguish will still burn a hole in with a decent spark from a solid fuel fire. I was a Scout leader cooking on open fires for years. The only safe way to do it is not to have the tents near the cooking area. Check your camping insurance (!) covers you for the liability of burning down that awning on the big twin axle caravan down wind of you.
Still not convinced? Look up tent fire on YouTube.
Chimneys with 90' kinks and bends draw a fire worse than a visually impaired drawing pin! Ours goes out through the roof and it has rained very heavily, a few drips until the fibres swelled up and then things were fine even when the fire was drying the tent whilst it was still raining, this was a user error as I had made it burn just a little too well, but it was the first time I had used it :-) You can buy spark arrestors that fit at the top of the flue as well.
I have not had a tent burn down, but fully intend to be able to get out of one if an (uncontrolled) fire happened, and the CO detector, fire extinguisher etc just makes sense really.
Dirty toilets, if you mean muddy dirty then yes they can be in wet weather, you are in a bog ('scuse the pun) standard field. The one with the power shower can be rinsed down as it is a wet room really and the others are port-a-loos which, lets face it will never be used at the Ritz, but do serve their purpose. If you mean hmmmm dirty in the people missing the toilet altogether sense, then no they are generally fine. They are used by many people at times but I have been to other sites and, hell, hotels that have had grottier loos.
Better late than never - Ive been a bit busy recently anyway. Thanks for the info - all the comments are really useful especially from someone who actually uses a stove and I will bear them in mind when I make my decicion.
Concerning the loos - I ment the people missing sort of mess - I've been to many festivals including the infamous Glastonbury on the years there were major flooding so mud is no prob - well it cant be at Glasto can it?!! I now have my new tent and am dying to try it out and only then will I make a full decision on stoves.
Thanks so much - hope to see you at Mellow farm some time :)
This is something I am thinking about as well - considering this or similar. Another thing to consider is the stove being suited to the fuel. The bell tent one looks to be made from plate with only front/top air and so would only be suited to wood. Being cast, and having an air inlet beneath the fire, the pipsqueak should be fine for fuels other than wood that burn hotter and need air from below.
Which ever way you go it is advisable to season the stove once you get it by having a series of small fires, this will relax any of the internal stresses that remain in the metal from the manufacturing process - lighting a large fire in your new stove could very well damage it - an expensive mistake. The seasoning should also cure the stove paint which could be smelly.
As well as a CO monitor a stove pipe thermometer it also a good idea to help control the heat of the fire.
Well,I've never used a stove in a tent myself (..although I really like the idea!)but I used to install woodburners/multi fuel stoves for a living and there are very strict SAFTEY reg's reguarding clearances from combustible materials etc.,and for very good reason!?!...
So being in a tent,the thought of multiplying then ten fold plus,would in theory be unworkable...
Like yourself we have a woodburner at home and when that's drawing well,the flue pipe can quite literally glow "red hot"..!
I'd maybe consider either using twin-walled insulated flue sections(heavier to lug about) or fitting a butterfly-baffle in the flue pipe,if I were you(..even tho' that is now illegal in a domestic installation,as it's considered to be a "restriction" in the flue,which is strictly speaking a no-no ).
Sorry didn't want to sound like a kill joy..just what ever you do,be safe....
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Wood burning/multi fuel Stove
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