So that I don't take the fire at the campground discussion off topic I thought I would move the conversation here.
Right now we just do not have coins for a propane tent heater, but I'm thinking we might invest in one for those cold nights. Our clan monarch's wife demanded one the past couple years for their tent because she just does not like the cold.
The pink pirate detests the cold, but he got use to it when we lived in NZ but that doesn't mean he likes it much. We typically only go to TRF 1-2 times a year, and didn't get to Sherwood at all due to Theater commitments. So not sure if it would be worth the investment.
Which one's do all of you have? And what precausions do you recomend?
http://www.campingcomfortably.com/coleman-blackcat-portable-propane-catalytic-heater-with-electronic-ignition.html
I have one of these and it works very well. Precautions - it gets hot and can burn. Keep away from anything that might catch fire. It is a bit awkward if you are tight for space as well. Big thing to look at also is the size of your tent as does make a difference (ours is huge so takes a while to heat and to keep warm). Best for smaller type tents. Does not work all nite long - about 6 - 7 hours on a full tank.
If I got another one, I would get something more like this:
http://www.heatershop.com/mr_heater_portable_buddy.html
We have one of the Buddys at work and I love it. A lot safer than the other ones.
I've never messed with a tent heater, but I've given them some good looks a few times and I have hundreds of camping nights under my belt in almost any weather that can be imagined. Knowing tents, hikers, Rennies and campers, I really looked at them and said this was one of the most unsafe ideas I've ever seen.
PLEASE (yes I'm yelling that) be careful if you choose to use one. It is a fire hazard, burn hazard and trip hazard all rolled in to one.
I am about as far from the safety police as you will ever find, but those things really scare me, especially the idea of leaving one running overnight while folks are asleep or groggily getting up and shuffling around to head to the privy.
We've used a Coleman at Scottish festivals that's basically an element and shield that screws onto a propane bottle, and has a small kickstand. The shield keeps you away from direct contact withthe element, but it still gets blazing hot, so beware! Found it at Academy, I think. The bottles last about 7-8 hours, burning full blast. The one thing I advise is, regardless of the type you choose, be sure it's rated for indoor use.
Just wanted to ask to get opinions out there. To be honest the best bed warmers I have seen (other than having someone else in the bed with you) Has been these large chemical hand warmers. I put on of those between the sleeping bag, and the extra blankets. It takes 5 minutes to warm the bed, and last all night with out worry of a flame.
If I really had the coin I would do the whole set up of this.
http://tinyurl.com/2u6yxka
(http://tinyurl.com/2u6yxka) The floor, the stove, the roof protect... everything. And get the 13x27. Just put up a wall in the back so I have a bed room, and set up the tables, coolers and such in the main area.
Research very carefully. Some of the older cheaper models are not safe for tent use.
http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/camping-heaters.html
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 01, 2010, 02:17:44 PM
Just wanted to ask to get opinions out there. To be honest the best bed warmers I have seen (other than having someone else in the bed with you) Has been these large chemical hand warmers. I put on of those between the sleeping bag, and the extra blankets. It takes 5 minutes to warm the bed, and last all night with out worry of a flame.
Those things are awesome. We used to put warm water bottles, either nalgines or platypus bags down in the feet of our sleeping bags, keeps your feet warm overnight and you have water in the morning instead of ice.
A reflector screen, like the ones for car windows, shiny side up between your sleeping pad and bag can also help more than you imagine because they help keep the heat from being drawn out of your body in to the ground. Doesn't work so well with air mattresses, which are kind of a pain for cold weather anyway because they tend to lose pressure as the air cools.
Anyway, back on topic. My admittedly somewhat silly and likely dated opinion, is just don't use them. Layer up, get a good sleeping bag, ditch the air mattress and make a comfy nest on the ground with 2 or 3 layers of egg crate foam (cheap at Academy).
What is bugging me is that unless I go to a large sporting goods store I can't find hand warmer packs. I still have 2-3 left over from last year but with the temps droping into the low 40's I would like a few extra, even if all they end up doing is going in my bodice during faire to keep me warm.
We have tried 3 walmarts and no heat packs. By now we can typically find them everywhere. Must be the warm fall.
As someone said above, be sure it is UL rated for indoor use as an outdoor one carries a huge carbon monoxide risk.
The only heater i would even suggest is a Mr. Heater, aka buddy heater. It has low O2 shutoff, tip sensors
and the big boy even has a battery operated blower. They work very good and are safe, we use them out
on the lake when we are ice fishing and even if it is in the 20's we are still down to t shirts after a time.
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 02, 2010, 08:19:53 AM
What is bugging me is that unless I go to a large sporting goods store I can't find hand warmer packs. I still have 2-3 left over from last year but with the temps droping into the low 40's I would like a few extra, even if all they end up doing is going in my bodice during faire to keep me warm.
We have tried 3 walmarts and no heat packs. By now we can typically find them everywhere. Must be the warm fall.
Academy is where I got mine, but I actually saw some in a Walgreen's store on Sunday, too.
This is the one I bought this weekend at Walmart for $45 and I can't say enough good about it. Very low height profile with widely spaced feet make for very stable foot print. It stayed lit for 6 - 7 hours on one propane can.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000004165&categoryid=3000&brand=
(http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/5038-800_500.jpg)
I have one very simular to it and it was a life saver over the weekend.
That's a newer model of the one we bought, too. Spent most of a weekend trying to hatch it ;D. It put out a bunch of BTUs, for sure.
Quote from: LadyStitch on November 02, 2010, 08:19:53 AM
What is bugging me is that unless I go to a large sporting goods store I can't find hand warmer packs. I still have 2-3 left over from last year but with the temps droping into the low 40's I would like a few extra, even if all they end up doing is going in my bodice during faire to keep me warm.
We have tried 3 walmarts and no heat packs. By now we can typically find them everywhere. Must be the warm fall.
Lady Stitch, we saw some hand warmer packet doo-dads on Sunday night at a local D/FW CVS at the checkout. Sidekick says to look for stores catering to hunting - Dicks Sporting Goods, Academy, Bass Pro etc.
If you really can't find them let me know, I'll run to my CVS and we can hook up with you locally.
Try Cabella's or Cabellas.com
Quote from: Ozium on November 02, 2010, 08:47:25 AM
The only heater i would even suggest is a Mr. Heater, aka buddy heater. It has low O2 shutoff, tip sensors
and the big boy even has a battery operated blower. They work very good and are safe, we use them out
on the lake when we are ice fishing and even if it is in the 20's we are still down to t shirts after a time.
I highly recommend these heaters as well. The O2 sensor works well as a friend of ours found out at Sherwood. She buttoned her tent up tight and it took her awhile to figure out why her heater kept shutting off. She finally figured it out and cracked open a top vent on her tent and slept comfortably the remainder of the night.
My wife now gets very pouty if our Big Buddy heater runs out of fuel on a cold night. I've gone and bought the hose that allows me to hook it up to the big propane tanks so that we can run it all weekend without fear of running out.
Space isn't an issue for us as we have a decent sized tent and the heater sits in the corner on top of a box. This puts plenty of space around it to avoid knocking it over.
And like those who have come before me -
DO NOT put something like this in your tent or we will be reading about you on Monday
(http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/173633_lg.jpg)
To find hand warmers. Call up all the dollar type thrift stores and drug stores to see what they got. When it warms up again go back to see whats on clearence. If all else fails hit up google shop or amazon.