Many popular camping sites are overcrowded during the summer. To avoid this, many prefer to camp during the winter. Nothing is better than sitting at a cozy campfire and talking for hours and hours. But there will come a time when you have to sleep. Unfortunately, your tent will be an icy tundra, and the campfire will be useless. Camping during the winter can be especially difficult if you do not have a heater. You can insulate your tent, but it will take time to warm up to a suitable temperature. How can you heat your tent quicker? Is it safe to use a propane heater in tent?

These questions are the reason why this article exists. We will provide you with information about heating your tent. This article will go over the safety of propane heaters and the dangers of carbon monoxide. We will also provide our top picks for the best tent-safe heater options.

Can You Use a Propane Heater in a Canvas Tent?

This is a common question as keeping a propane heater inside a tent seems unsafe. Many people assume that propane is why these heaters are dangerous. But that is not the case. In actuality, the carbon monoxide is what gives these heaters a bad reputation. Rest assured, they are safe if you follow the proper instructions.

Keep Your Heater in a Cage

Keep your propane heater inside a metal cage if you want to be safe from an accidental fire. We recommend placing your heater on the dry ground away from the tent walls. Do not put it on top of anything flammable.

Watch this YouTube video to learn more about how to use a propane heater in a tent properly:

Is There a Heater That Can Be Used in a Tent?

Yes, many heaters can be used safely inside a tent. If you do not want to use a propane heater in tent, your best bet is to use a good electric heater. There are also many other ways to warm up your tent safely.

Electric Heaters

If your campsite has electricity, then electric heaters are your best option. They are highly efficient and produce no carbon monoxide. They can also get your tent warmed up faster than any other method.

Any unattended electrical device can be a potential fire hazard. Once your tent is warmed up, turn the heater off. Even if there is no electricity in the camp, a small generator can address the issue. Remember the following when using an electric heater in your tent. LL

Buy the heater from a good vendor.
Ensure proper connections to avoid sparking.
Do not use the heater while sleeping.
Ensure ventilation to avoid humidity.

You can also use an electric blanket. These are low-powered and much safer.

Hot Stones and Hot Water Bottles

Hot stones and hot water bottles are an effective method of warming your tent. It involves heating stones and water bottles using your campfire. While only short-term solutions, hot water bottles and hot stones can provide much-needed warmth when going to sleep.

To learn more ways of heating your tent, be sure to read our article on how to insulate your tent for winter camping.

Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From a Propane Heater?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. It is produced when there is incomplete combustion of propane or other fuels. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected without the use of a specialized sensor.

It is estimated that around 430 people die from carbon monoxide exposure every year in the United States. However, it is quite simple to prevent this during camping by properly maintaining your propane heater.

The first symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is dizziness. Known as “the silent killer” it is toxic in high concentrations. When in a high enough concentration, it will render you unconscious. If you or anyone with you feels dizzy or sick when a propane heater has been running, turn it off immediately.

Modern heaters have carbon monoxide detectors and will set off an alarm if the oxygen gets too low. If your heater has an alarm, be sure not to ignore it. Immediately move to an open area after turning off the heater. A propane heater in tent is extremely dangerous if there is no ventilation.

Do You Need Ventilation When Using a Propane Heater?

When using propane heaters, you must keep your tent ventilated. Even if it is unlikely, your heater can still produce carbon monoxide. Keeping your tent ventilated will ensure that the carbon monoxide does not build up and keeps escaping outside.

You are encouraged to make an opening for airflow or keep the tent door partially open. This is especially important if you are using an insulated tent. They are unlikely to have any vents that can allow carbon monoxide to escape.

Ventilation will allow you to breathe a sigh of relief. Still, you should be vigilant. Do not keep your heater on for too long. Even in a ventilated tent, carbon monoxide can build up slowly over time.

Ventilation is recommended even when using an electric heater. There is no carbon monoxide but ventilation will still prevent your tent from becoming too humid.

Can You Sleep With a Propane Heater On?

Never sleep with a propane heater in tent. This rule can potentially save your life, so do not take it lightly. Sleeping while a propane heater is on can be deadly for you and your family.

When sleeping, you cannot know if your heater has malfunctioned. Your tent may catch on fire if the heater falls on something flammable. Or you could even get carbon monoxide poisoning. Your oxygen will slowly be depleted, and death can occur.

Even if your heater sets off the low oxygen alarm, you may not be able to hear it. The oxygen can deplete even faster if there are multiple people in your tent. This will not allow you to take the proper measures even if you wake up.

You should not sleep with electric heaters running either. Any short-circuit can result in a major fire.

Are Tent Heater Deaths Common?

Deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning do occur in tents. The culprits behind these deaths are propane heaters. Tent heater deaths may seem quite common, but that is because every case gets an absurd level of media coverage.

There have been many instances of propane heater-related deaths during the decade. The following is a list of some of these recent tragedies:

The common factor that connects these cases is people leaving propane heaters on while sleeping. Therefore, you should take the proper precautions to prevent such a tragedy from taking place.

Tent-Safe Heater Options

Are you looking to buy a heater for your next camping trip? There are many tent-safe heaters available on the market. For your convenience, we have compiled our best gas and electric heaters list.

Gas Tent Heaters

Our Choice: Mr. Heater Buddy

Mr. Heater Buddy is our overall best choice regarding gas heaters for camping. It is a 4000- to 9000 BTU radiant heater for spaces up to 225 square feet. It shuts off automatically when tipped over or after detecting low oxygen levels. However, the heater may shut off when operating at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level. It is the most efficient propane heater on the market, with a burn rate of 0.099 Gallons per hour.

Runner up: Texsport Propane Heater

The Texsport Propane Heater is a great choice if you already own a propane tank. It has a durable stainless steel burner and a pressure regulator control valve that can adjust up to 3000 BTUs. It also includes a molded plastic cup holder and a large paddle foot plastic base which can hold a 16.4 Oz disposable propane fuel cylinder.

Best Value: Mr. Heater Little Buddy

Mr. Heater Little Buddy offers the best value proposition. A 1-pound disposable propane cylinder can last up to 5.6 hours. This heater also has a low-oxygen sensor and an accidental tip-over switch with auto shut-off for safety. It is a perfect solution for heating small enclosed spaces like tents.

Electric Tent Heaters

Our Choice – Dreo Portable Space Heater

The Dreo Portable Space Heater is perfect if you want a small, high-efficiency electric heater. This heater reacts fast with an alarm when tipped over. It has a DC motor and a 9-blade fan, making it extremely quiet. The Dreo’s exclusive ECO mode keeps adjusting its output based on the ambient temperature, keeping it cozy and comfortable.

Runner Up – Amazon Basics Ceramic Heater

The Amazon Basics Ceramic Heater is a great choice and delivers great efficiency. The max setting is 1500 watts, and three output options are available: low, high, or Fan Only. The power indicator light lets you know when it is plugged in. Furthermore, It has a tip-over switch and overheat protection with auto shut-off for safety. It also has a carrying handle for easy transport.

Best Value – Electric Space Heater with Thermostat

The Electric Space Heater offers the best value for its price. It is compact and powerful with two output settings. The thermostat control will turn the heater off when it reaches a preset temperature and turn it back on when the temperature dips below the thermostat setting. Its noise is lower than 45 decibels, quiet enough for most people to use in a bedroom while sleeping.

Conclusion

You can use a propane heater in tent, but there are significant risks. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very real possibility. To mitigate these risks, always ensure your tent is properly ventilated and never sleep while a propane heater is on. You should also keep the heater away from anything flammable as you can easily start a fire if you do not place your propane heater in a suitable place.

The products available on the market take care of these concerns. With low oxygen sensors and tip-over switches, propane heaters are much safer. However, these countermeasures do not always work as intended. Buying an electric heater is much safer. Unfortunately, you are likely to find yourself at a campsite with no electricity or a generator. Happy camping!

Is It Safe to Use a Propane Heater in a Tent When Camping?