Gas tent heater: choosing the right model for outdoor recreation

Nature trips are a great way to relax and spend time with benefit. However, tourism lovers know very well that on the way they have to face many inconveniences, the main one of which is the cold. If you decide to spend the night in a tent, you need to think in advance about how you plan to warm up. A gas tent heater will help solve the problem. Let's consider what it is and how justified is its use.

What is a gas tent heater: how it works

A gas tourist heater is quite simple, it consists of the following elements:

• thermal fan;
• power regulator;
• gas-burner;
• reflector;
• protective valve.

All components are housed in a small metal case, which is called a portable gas heater for a tent. It is not difficult to buy such a device, but it is not so easy to find the right model. Many devices have additional elements designed to control the combustion process.

Regardless of what type of heater is used, its operation is based on the process of fuel processing and obtaining thermal energy. In this case, everything happens without connecting to the network, which allows you to use the device even in a hike. Food comes from a small gas cylinder that you can take with you without any problems.

In this case, heat transfer occurs due to an infrared emitter, which ensures economical fuel consumption and uniform heat distribution throughout the entire area of ​​the device.

Helpful advice! When camping, the gas infrared tent heater can also be used outdoors to keep warm in cold weather. The field of action will not be too large, however, if you are near the device, it will be quite enough.

Types of Gas Camping Tent Heaters

Depending on how the heat is transferred from the source to the environment, heaters are divided into three main types: ceramic infrared, metallic and catalytic.Let's take a closer look at each of the options to figure out which one is preferable.

In the first case, a ceramic plate is used as a base. It receives heat, which is produced by burning gas in the burner, and emits it using an infrared emitter. It should be noted that with this route the efficiency is no more than 50%. That is, at least half of the thermal energy is lost during the transition from one element to another. Nevertheless, such heaters are the lightest and most compact, which is an indisputable advantage when hiking.

Note! Infrared ceramic devices are considered to be the most economical when it comes to fuel consumption. A small can, which can easily fit in a backpack, is enough for a long hike.

The second option is a portable gas tent heater equipped with a metal radiator. Due to the fact that the metal rods of the working element are hidden, this option is also quite acceptable for use on a hike. Its design is safe, and a special reflector located at the back of the case allows you to adjust the direction of the heat flow.

A catalytic tent heater is considered the most versatile. Its capabilities are much wider than that of other representatives, and with its help you can not only keep warm in the tent, but also cook food. Such a device is not very expensive, but much more fuel is consumed.

Another difference between catalytic heaters and others is the presence of a thermal panel, which, thanks to the platinum layer, has a catalytic effect on the combustion process. The efficiency of such devices is maximum and often reaches 100%. From a safety point of view, these devices are considered the least hazardous, since the process of fuel combustion in them occurs without the formation of a flame.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Gas Tent Heater

Of course, living and sleeping in a tent is significantly different from the conditions to which we are used to at home or in the country. Therefore, before choosing and buying a portable gas heater, it is necessary to present appropriate requirements to it. And first of all it concerns the safety of the device.

All heaters that can be considered as a travel option must be equipped with an automatic protection system. This is necessary in case you overturn or overly tilt the burner, which happens more than often in living conditions in a tent.

Another requirement that is likely to be useful is the presence of a carbon dioxide sensor. The thing is that the combustion of gas requires oxygen, which the heater absorbs from its environment. And if you stay near such a device for a long time, you will definitely feel if the level of carbon dioxide emitted exceeds the norm. Of course, this is unsafe for health.

Considering all these indicators, only a compact gas ceramic infrared burner can be considered an ideal option. With its small size, it has all the necessary characteristics and fits perfectly into the set of necessary camping equipment.

Helpful advice! Such a device can be used not only to heat a small enclosed space, but also as a camping stove.

Safe Use of Gas Ceramic Infrared Tent Heater

The presence of the fuel combustion process inside the system and its conversion into thermal energy makes the gas ceramic infrared burner not the safest household device.Its use requires strict adherence to operating rules, which are designed to protect against emergencies.

The main prohibitions aimed at using gas heaters from a cylinder for a tent:

1. It is strictly forbidden to use the device to dry clothes, as well as any other items that may catch fire when dry.
2. It is unacceptable to install the heater near explosive or flammable objects.
3. The appliance must always be in an upright position and must not be covered with cloth or paper.
4. Any operations with the heater, including changing the cylinder, must be carried out strictly outside.
5. When the heater is turned on, the ventilation valve of the tent must be slightly open. You should also try to ventilate the tent as often as possible to maintain a normal oxygen level.

Note! The category of flammable objects includes, inter alia, all cylinders under pressure. It can also be a regular mosquito repellent spray.

If the infrared gas tent heater needs refueling and you do it yourself, be very careful. Ask in advance how exactly the parsing and refueling with gas takes place, what is necessary for this, and also how to avoid a leak.

Do not be lazy to read the instructions for the purchased device. This will save you from many unpleasant situations associated with improper operation of the device. It is much better to devote a little time to this in advance, so that later during the hike there will not be any unpleasant surprises.

Features and price of infrared gas burner and heater Pathfinder-Ion

Among the models offered by manufacturers, you can find both simple and more complex and expensive devices. Many companies, both domestic and foreign, are engaged in the production of gas heaters. Consider the most popular model that is produced in Russia and is widely popular.

The Pathfinder-Ion gas heater is designed for the climatic conditions in which it will be used. The main advantages of the device:

• light weight - only 370 grams;
• compact dimensions - 120x200x215 mm;
• rather high power - 1000-12000 W;
• the presence of piezo-ignition;
• the ability to heat rooms up to 20 m².

Such a device is extremely economical: depending on the mode used, the fuel consumption per hour does not exceed 50-110 grams, which allows you to warm up for a long time even with the smallest cylinder. As many hobbyists confirm, this is a great option for a gas heater in a tent for winter fishing or for hiking.

Helpful advice! When calculating the required amount of fuel that you will take with you on a hike, be sure to leave some reserve. Calculating stocks back to back, you run the risk of not guessing with the needs.

The average cost at which you can buy an infrared gas burner is 1,650 rubles, the price of the Pathfinder-Ion heater is 2,900 rubles.

Gas heater Pathfinder-Hearth: reviews and device features

The second most popular heating device for tents and tents is the Hearthfinder. Affordable, simple and very convenient, this heater has taken a solid position in the domestic market. Let's consider how it is characterized and differs from the previous model.

First of all, this device has large dimensions - 275x275x180 mm, and weighs 1.8 kg.It can be quite problematic to carry such a heavy device with you, but if we are talking about a large tent where several people or a family with children will live, then you simply cannot do without it.

The area that such a device can heat is about 15 m², but at the same time, the fuel consumption in the maximum operating mode does not exceed 108 g / h. This suggests that, despite its size, such a device is quite economical in fuel consumption and does not require excessive gas reserves.

After reviewing the reviews on the use of this device in real conditions, there are several fundamental advantages that made the device popular:

• it can be easily used for cooking as a gas stove;
• using a special adapter, the device can be connected to large gas cylinders;
• the burner does not blow out in a strong wind, or even when trying to do it on purpose;
• there is no smell of gas during use, and oxygen burning in the tent is minimal.

Features of choosing an infrared gas burner: reviews on use in a tent

Before finally deciding which infrared gas burner to buy, you should evaluate your choice from several points:

• fire safety;
• Efficiency and fuel consumption;

• the presence of additional functions, for example, the ability to warm up or cook food;
• availability of appropriate product certification confirming the safety of its use in small rooms and tents.

If the chosen model suits you in all these parameters, you can make a purchase with confidence. Additionally, it is worth reading the reviews of those who use such devices in practice - perhaps they will tell you some flaws, or advise more convenient and practical models. In any case, it should be remembered that the main selection criterion is safety, and here there should be no questions about the device.