We’ve all had this thought when it’s cold outside:
It sure would be great to have a fire inside a tent.
The biggest time I considered this was a few years ago when we went camping in November, and there was a decent snowfall.
I just wanted to be both warm and covered at the same time, so I asked:
Can you put a fire pit in a tent?
Don’t put fire pits inside sleeping tents at all. If the tent is a taller canopy or gazebo tent with a hole in the center to release the heat, it’s OK to try it, but it’s better to avoid it altogether. Heat rises and melts tent materials quickly.
Let’s look ahead to better solutions.
The Solution: Can You Use A Propane Fire Pit In A Tent?
There is one way to put a fire pit in a tent, and it requires a specific combination of elements.
First, you won’t use a wood campfire at all. You need a portable gas fire pit for camping (click the link for our top picks).
Wood campfires give off too many BTUs (British Thermal Units used to measure heat).
The heat rises and melts the tent top quickly.
Portable fire pits give off much less BTU, so it won’t melt or hurt the tent as much.
Second, you need a tall and open-sided tent like a canopy or gazebo-style tent.
The height prevents too much heat from building up, and the sides offer an out for the heat.
This combination will give you both coverage from the elements and some heat from a fire pit.
It’s the only truly safe way to put a fire pit in a tent.
Speaking of BTU, check out our article answering the question: Is 40,000 BTU good for a fire pit?
The Compromise: Can You Put A Fire Pit Under A Gazebo?
A gazebo tent or tall canopy tent is the only type of tent to put a fire pit in.
We talked about a propane fire pit, but is there a way to keep a normal campfire inside it?
There are two main compromises to consider here.
First, cut a hole in the center of the top of the tent if it isn’t there already.
This hole allows the heat to pass through and disperse into the air above.
A hole like this will save the bulk of the tent, but the edges of the hole will still get melted if your fire is hot enough.
My cousin, uncle, and I did this when camping one winter, and now we keep this tent around just in case it’s snows or rains, and we want a fire.
Though every time we use it, it gets a little more damaged.
The other compromise is to put the fire pit just outside the tent and stand on the edge of the tent to get what heat you can.
If it’s pouring, the fire may go out, but anything less than that and the fire will still give off heat.
What About A Teepee Tent With Fire Pit?
I’m no expert in teepee tents (or tipi tents as it’s sometimes spelled), but if we look at one, we can see how a fire pit would work.
The top of the teepee tent is open to the air and tall. Heat rises directly up when given a chance, so it doesn’t build up and exits right out of the opening in the top.
Warning! Most quality teepee tents are made of canvas or other tougher materials and not cheap poly materials.
They will take the heat better without melting, but too much will still catch them on fire.
Also, teepee tents come in various sizes, with some being really wide and tall. These are the best options for using a fire pit.
