Do you find your camping tent too cold at night?
Are you looking for a way to extend your camping season into the colder times by making your tent a little warmer?
A lot of people look into portable space heaters as a way to keep their tent warm.
But will a space heater keep a tent warm?
A space heater will keep a tent warm if you get one that’s rated for indoors and that can radiate the heat. You need to be careful that the heater has a carbon monoxide shut-off and has some heat control settings, so you don’t damage your tent.
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Is It Safe To Have A Heater In A Tent?
Yes, you can safely use heaters in tents.
Tents often come with ventilation in place and the material offers some natural ventilation.
The CO2 can be dangerous if it’s allowed to gather.
The best option is to get a heater that has an automatic shut-off if it senses the air levels getting dangerous.
You can help by opening one of the tent vents if it has one.
These are commonly found at the lower level of the tent.
This will allow the dangerous air to escape while keeping most of the heat inside.
If you want to avoid gas problems altogether, you can opt for one of the best halogen heaters for camping.
How Long Can A Space Heater Last?
That usually depends on the specific heater itself. In general, small portable heaters work at max heat for only a few hours.
However, at a lesser heat level, it can last for many times longer than that depending on how much control you have in the heat settings.
The Mr. Heater I use (check out the review below) lasts me for days even though the manufacturer says it only last 3 hours on full blast.
How To Use A Space Heater To Keep A Tent Warm
Using a space heater to heat your tent isn’t just as simple as turning it on though.
There are a couple of recommendations we have to use the heater in the best way.
#1 Turn It On Low
A lot of people will just crank up the heater to its highest level and this is a mistake.
The higher the heat level, the greater the chance the heater will ruin your tent material.
In the smaller space of a tent, it doesn’t take much to heat the tent.
Plus, if you turn it on high and you’re close to it, there’s a chance you could be burned.
#2 Keep It By Your Feet And Away From The Tent
You lose a lot of your body heat through your feet, so it makes sense to keep the heater by your feet.
While your head is also a place that loses a lot of heat, it’s also where your body regulates the heat.
Putting a heater by your head can actually trick your body into thinking it’s hot.
This would make your body cool down the rest of your body which can actually end up making you colder in the long run.
Also, keep it a distance away from the tent walls.
Don’t point it (where applicable) at the walls either.
#3 Run It Before Bed And Then Turn It Off
I advise you to run the heater for a short time before bed and then turn it off. 15-45 minutes would do the job.
Running it too long can make the tent too hot.
This can make you sweaty and make condensation form on the outside of the tent.
Both of these are nature’s way of cooling down.
So if you ran out of energy and the heat shut off, the moisture will cool you down way faster than if you were chilled.
Plus, a well-insulated tent can hold onto the heat well throughout the night.
If it gets too cold, turn it on for a while again and then shut it off.
This also extends the run time of the heater.
Most will run out of their portable tank or battery after a few hours.
Using this scattered heating method you can help it run much longer.
#4 Open A Vent
Believe it or not, opening a vent at the lower end of your tent can help keep it warm.
First, it actually helps keep you safe with fresh air.
Most heaters (like the Mr. Heater one I use) have an automatic shut-off if oxygen gets low, but it never hurts to be safe.
Second, warm air rises.
The warmest air will gather at the top of your tent.
Opening a vent gives the air inside some circulation allowing the warm air to move around the tent.
Note: I’m not suggesting you open a window.
Just one of those little vents at the bottom of many tents.
Review Of The Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy Portable Propane Radiant Heater
This portable heater by Mr. Heater may cost more than other portable space heaters out there, but you can’t beat its quality and reliability.
This is the one my family uses when we go hunting, camping, and really anything else outdoor related.
We own several of these, and their small propane tanks make them very portable.
The heater is made from steel, plastic, and nickel which makes it tough and resistant to weather changes.
It’s fully approved for indoor and outdoor use, so you don’t need to be afraid about using it inside your tent.
You adjust the heat output with its intuitive dial from 4,000-9,000 BTUs.
In a tent, you’ll probably never need the max output, but it can heat spaces of up to 225 square feet.
That would a 15ft x 15ft tent area which is much larger than most 4 person tents.
It has automatic shut-off valves in case of tipping over or if the oxygen gets too low.
This is an important safety feature for using inside.
It’s easy to hook up the propane you want to use. For maximum portability, you can simply screw in a one gallon tank.
If you wanted to hook up a larger tank, a hose can hook up with the heater easily as well.
This can make your heater stay on longer.
The fold down handle is nice for storing and carrying.
There’s also a wire grate to keep anyone from accidentally the heated part.
But don’t just take my word for it, here’s what other users had to say as well:
Pros about the product experience
- Heats large areas well even at lower temperatures
- Super easy to carry
- Connects with propane easily
- Starts right up without any problem
- Auto shut-off for tipping and low oxygen is a must and a good feature
Cons about the product experience
- Repeated tipping and dropping may make the shut-off switch start to malfunction
Conclusion
Now you should know that a space heater can keep a tent warm if you get the right kind and you use it correctly.
Two things to remember:
- Make sure it’s rated for indoor use
- Make sure it has some kind of low-oxygen or CO2 shut-off
Don’t be scared off by the colder nights.
Extend your camping season by heating your tent with a space heater.
Now get out there and enjoy the (chilly) fresh air!
If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also enjoy reading about other ways to keep your tent warm.
