Retaining Heat Once the Stove Goes Out

[ndbwhunter]

Wondering if anyone has some tips or tricks for retaining heat in a floorless shelter. I built a little 12" cylinder stove and I know the wood won't last long once I stop feeding it. Has anyone tried putting rocks under/around the stove to retain heat? Anything that works well, or at least helps?

 

[5MilesBack]

That's what your sleeping bag or quilt is supposed to do after the heat goes out.

I don't know if it's the moisture inside the shelter or what, but it always seems a lot colder inside the shelter than outside at night. Then of course it's always way warmer inside than outside during the day when it's 80 degrees outside.

The only way I know of to keep it warm at night is to stoke the stove.

 

[ndbwhunter]

That's what your sleeping bag or quilt is supposed to do after the heat goes out.

I don't know if it's the moisture inside the shelter or what, but it always seems a lot colder inside the shelter than outside at night. Then of course it's always way warmer inside than outside during the day when it's 80 degrees outside.

The only way I know of to keep it warm at night is to stoke the stove.

I'm going to pick up a 0 or 10 degree EE for next rifle season, but this season I'm stuck with my DIY synthetic 20 degree. It was great during the archery season, and almost too warm at times.

It seems like rocks retain heat quite well around most campfires, so I don't see it being much different setting under a red hot stove (minus the direct contact with the flame). I'll give it a shot if my SS from Tigoat shows up today.

 

[oldgoat]

I doubt rocks under the stove will work, heat goes up! Maybe place them on top but some rocks blow up when heated. From what I've read, cut your wood as big as you can and just barely fitting in stove for maximum burn time. Also plan on having some lump charcoal when camping near the truck. Good luck, if you figure out something, let us know!

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Give it a try and report back. I think its a good idea if you can fit large enough rocks underneath, I've got an Ed T's stove and the ground underneath it gets burning hot, if theres pine needles under there it'll start smoking the ground.

 

[justin davis]

The purpose of the small stoves in shelters is for heat for when your up and hanging out. Or getting dressed. There is no way to make them last longer. I've heard the rock trick. Might retain a little but not much.

 

[Dos Perros]

Let's say you fully stuff the stove with wood and it's burning hot, how long before it stops making meaningful heat?

Do they advertise how many BTU's per unit time these stoves put out?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Ya just gotta travel with the right partner.

 

[ndbwhunter]

I'm going to test the stove as soon as my foil shows up. I'm not expecting the heat to last all night, but if a few rocks will retain a little heat for a few extra hours it won't hurt.

 

[ndbwhunter]

I like Bruce's idea! Her boots wouldn't be very warm though

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I like Bruce's idea! Her boots wouldn't be very warm though

The boots can be removed. Who knows what sleepwear she's packin'?

 

[colonel00]

I believe Stid mentioned in a thread that he puts rocks in the bottom of the stove. I think this will provide a couple benefits as they will retain some heat as well as allowing for air to flow under the wood as ash builds up.

I actually plan to try the rock thing as well the next time I have an opportunity. My thoughts were to hopefully use larger rocks and build up around and maybe even on top of the stove to create something like a stone oven.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

For long term heat, coal is your best bet.

 

[Bowjack]

Can you use coal in the small titanium tent stoves?

 

[oldgoat]

Her and that pack look perfectly balanced!

I believe Stid mentioned in a thread that he puts rocks in the bottom of the stove. I think this will provide a couple benefits as they will retain some heat as well as allowing for air to flow under the wood as ash builds up.

I actually plan to try the rock thing as well the next time I have an opportunity. My thoughts were to hopefully use larger rocks and build up around and maybe even on top of the stove to create something like a stone oven.

 

[dunner543]

Can you use coal in the small titanium tent stoves?

I don't see why not. Titanium can take a ton of heat.

 

[Kevin_t]

Bruce's idea will work way better than rocks. Get one at more middle age and it will probably be even warmer. On a serious note Eco logs work well I've heard but require you to carry in. A few things can work ... For instance is snow falls on the shelter an stays on it it is an insulater. Likewise , sometimes if you have warm days and the tent is very warm the ground can give off a fair amount. FWIW I used to carry a couple small thermometers and measure inside and out. However , if you need to go outside for some reason in the middle of the night opening the zipper will release almost all stored heat (this happened near Gunnison a few years ago in December when some snow fell and the shelter was very warm in the middle of the night ... Until the zipper opened ).

Some stoves work well enough to be stoked a few hours later and fire right up ... Our XL had done this for me if I get a little chilly. Proper prep is the key there

 

[colonel00]

Nothing better than a good set of thigh muffs.

 

[oldgoat]

I don't see why not. Titanium can take a ton of heat.

Kifaru advertisers "any organic fuel" if you hunt in an area that has coal veins it would be really sweet!

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I believe Stid mentioned in a thread that he puts rocks in the bottom of the stove. I think this will provide a couple benefits as they will retain some heat as well as allowing for air to flow under the wood as ash builds up.

I actually plan to try the rock thing as well the next time I have an opportunity. My thoughts were to hopefully use larger rocks and build up around and maybe even on top of the stove to create something like a stone oven.

I did pile rocks around the base this year to try it out. It probably helped a little but would take quite some time to charge them with heat and we never burned that long. Last year I would bring in rocks from around a camp fire that would retain some warmth for a couple hours, but again takes a bit to get them hot to begin with.