What a hot tent is
A hot tent is a tent made to be heated by a wood-burning tent stove. Its stove jack is a ring of fire-resistant fabric set into the wall or roof, through which the stove's chimney pipe passes to the outside, so the smoke goes out and the heat stays in. Most hot tents also have a snow skirt to stop draughts, vents to let air through, and fabric treated to resist flame. Without a stove jack, no tent is safe for a stove.
Tipi, pyramid, tunnel, tarp or air: which hot tent
- Tipi and pyramid hot tents are the biggest group here, with a fire-resistant stove jack for the pipe. See tipi tents and pyramid tents.
- Tunnel and dome hot tents put the stove in an extended front hall, away from the bedroom. See tunnel tents.
- Solo hot tents and hammock tarps: the OneTigris TEGIMEN covers a hammock and has two stove jacks. See hammock tents.
- Air tents with a stove jack for families, one taking an 11cm pipe. See inflatable air tents.
- Cotton ice fishing tents with a chimney opening. See ice fishing tents.
Matching the stove to the stove jack
A stove jack is a set size, and the stove's pipe has to fit it. The pyramid teepee here has a chimney hole of 7cm as standard, the large air tent takes an 11cm pipe, and the TEGIMEN's openings are 3.3 inches square. Measure the pipe of the stove you have, or choose the stove and tent together, and use a stove made for tents.
Fabric, fire and fresh air
The fabric round a stove matters. Many hot tents here are flame-retardant polyester, one made to self-extinguish once it is away from a flame, and some are polycotton. Keep the inner tent, bedding and kit well clear of the stove and pipe; one maker says to keep the inner tent away from the side with the chimney. Open a vent whenever the stove is lit, and keep a carbon monoxide alarm inside.
What the waterproof rating means on a hot tent
The rating in millimetres, the hydrostatic head, is the height of a column of water the fabric holds back before it leaks, tested to BS EN ISO 811. About 1,000mm is the lowest rating usually called waterproof, most lightweight flysheets are 1,500mm to 3,000mm, and more is worth having for long wet trips or a hot tent left up for days. The groundsheet is often rated higher, because you kneel and lie on it. Taped seams matter as much as the number. Shop by rating: to 2,000mm, to 3,000mm and 5,000mm and over.
Questions people ask about hot tents
Can I put a stove in any tent?
No. Only in a tent with a stove jack, using a stove made for it. Never take a barbecue into a tent, even one that has gone out: carbon monoxide kills.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?
Yes, every time the stove is used. Carbon monoxide has no smell, and only an alarm will tell you it is there.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.
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