Mr. Heater & Tent

[Jmnhunter]

I know i should be posting this in the camping topic, but there is more traffic here.

anyone have experience with using a Mr. Heater in the tent in cold temps? I know you are not supposed to do it in an enclosed shelter; but I figured the standard nylon tents had enough circulation going through..

[Tom7227]

And you could wake up dead if you do it. Bad idea. Spend the bucks on a better sleeping bag if it's too cold in the tent.

[SkunkedAgain]

To answer your question directly, yes, there are people with experience doing it. There have been posts on this subject before. Some people have done it. As Tom pointed out though, there might have been some people to post against this practice but they may not be alive to do so!

Some tents do have circulation and could handle it, but you're taking an unnecessary risk IMO. Tom was right, a better sleeping bag will do the same thing but will greatly lower your risk of suffocation our burning to death. Those nylon tents are flammable. I wouldn't do it unless using canvas.

[HookEmHard84]

A Mr. Heater would be a little risky, but you could probly use a Buddy Heater if you have one of those. Obviously they are OK for Ice shacks, so I can’t see how a tent would be any different.

[JacobMHD]

But they do not recommend you sleep in the fish house with the mr. heater. When you are awake you know when the flame goes out and the unit is pumping gas into the tent/fish house. If you are fast asleep when that happens there is a good chance you will not wake up to shut it off.

[SkunkedAgain]

Exactly, when you are awake you can tell when you're getting loopy or sick from the gas. If you're asleep, you may never know. Nobody is saying that you can't use one of these units. In fact, to be honest, I don't really care if someone does or doesn't. However, you should know that there is a much higher risk of using a heater in a tent versus a heavier sleeping bag.

[echotrail]

Use a combination of both suggestions already given. Get a good -20 degree sleeping bag for sure. You can also use a Buddy Heater to heat the tent before you go to bed and then start it again in the morning for a while so you can dress in a warm enviornment. We use one in a Cabelas 12x12 XWT and the Buddy Heater warms the entire tent in less than 10 minutes.

[mknolls]

If I remember correctly the Buddy heaters have oxygen sensors in them. If there is lake of oxygen they shut down. The gas shuts off if no flame. They also have a typing safety that shuts down if tipped over. Have used on in fish house and in tents. Put it on a small peace of plywood as to keep the heat of the the tent floor. With all that said I still wake up a few times a night just to make sure all is well. And you still take some risk with anything that burns any kind of gas. If you consider this check the instruction with what ever heater you go with. I would consider getting a canvas tent wood burning stove. Works great in all kinds of weather. good luck.

MK

[Archerysniper]

Used the buddy heater in the tent last year moose hunting but only to warm it up in eve and mornings for 10 to 15 minutes do not use one while you are sleeping cause more than likely you won't wake up if you do it will be because the pollyester is melting into your skin. They burn off your oxygen and produce carbon monoxide. Just remember back to gun saftey it is a mechanical device that can fail.

[GotOne]

Just wondering what the difference is between the buddy heaters and a non-vented type you use in fish houses?

[Powerstroke]

Just wondering what the difference is between the buddy heaters and a non-vented type you use in fish houses?

There is no difference in operation except that the Buddy has a tip-over switch and a low oxygen sensor. Both will shut off the gas if either condition is met. ANyone who's ever replaced a sensor on a car knows that they get dirty, break and fail like anything else. I certainly wouldn't trust my life to a sensor.

Feel free to use a heater for warming up, but DO NOT use it overnight. If you can't sleep through the night because you're too cold then you didn't pack the proper sleeping bag and the proper clothing.

There was a huge discussion about this in the camping forum. Feel free to check it out. Its on the first page or you can CLICK HERE

[MNpurple]

I use it the same way as sniper does when I go elk hunting using a 3 season tent. When going to bed I turn it on for 10-15 minutes just to take the bite out of the air and then again for 15 minutes before I get out of the sleeping bag in the morning. I would never consider leaving it on all night.