Whether you want to go for a camping in winter, or ice-fishing, or just want to cook inside a tent when it is raining in the spring or to stay away from mosquitos in the summer, using a camping wood stove is a good choice but you need to be aware of the safety precautions for using a camping wood stove inside a tent.

Our EGAN camping wood stove is a portable heavy-duty wood stove that you can use safely inside a tent when practicing all the safety instructions. These safety instructions are also given as a printed document inside the stove packaging box. 

These safety precautions are general and must be considered when you want to use any camping wood stove inside a tent or an enclosed space.

There are basically two dangers when using a portable camping wood stove inside a tent: 1) Setting the tent on fire 2) Carbon Monoxide poisoning

1) Preventing The Tent from Catching Fire

• Ensure you have fireproof material underneath the stove and have proper heat standoff distance from walls (at least 2 feet). NEVER put your stove on a tent floor or other flammable material.
• Keep all flame and heat sources away from the tent fabric even if the tent is heat/flame resistant. Heat resistant tent does not mean they are fireproof. The material will burn if left in continuous contact with a flame source.
• Do not insert the stovepipe directly through the tent fabric. The stovepipe of the stove should not have any contact with the tent fabric. A proper stove jack must be used (the stove jack does not come with this stove package). The stovepipe should extend a minimum of 20 cm (8 inches) above the ridge of the tent.
• Always use the spark arrestor to prevent the sparks from jump out of the chimney. Stove sparks will burn holes in a fire treated roof. A spark arrestor will prevent most sparks from reaching your roof.
• Always ensure your stove is on a level surface to avoid any possible problems. Keep the chimney pipe vertical and prevent it from movement or falling in windy conditions by attaching 3 pieces of cord, or rope, or wire etc. to the spark arrestor.
• This stove has been design to burn wood only. Do not use other material to burn as a fuel in this stove. NEVER USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS TO START A FIRE IN YOUR STOVE. Always use dry wood.
• Never over-fire the stove. Do not load excessive amount of wood inside the stove. Never allow your stove to get so hot that the stove or stovepipe becomes red. A red-hot stove will cause the metal to warp. If you see the stovepipe is getting red, reduce the airflow by the air control knob on the door to reduce the stove temperature.
• NEVER LEAVE THE OPERATING STOVE UNATTENDED especially when the stove’s door is open. Always close the door after fire has started or after tending the fire.

2) Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels that can cause brain damage or death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated.

• Always use a Carbon Monoxide Detector when utilizing a wood stove in enclosed spaces.

• Install the CO detector at tabletop level rather than on the ceiling like a smoke detector. If the alarm sounds:

  1. Increase ventilation by opening windows or doors.
  2. Make sure the stove door is closed and latched.
  3. Check stove for smoking or puffing condition. Increase air-flow to firebox, if needed.
  4. Check chimney for possible blockage or down-draft.
  5. Check for false alarm.
• Always leave a window cracked or door partly opened when using a wood stove in an enclosed space. A minimum opening of 20 square inches is required for adequate ventilation.
• DO NOT leave the stove unattended while it is operating and make sure it has been extinguished prior to sleeping.
• Always use all the chimney pipe pieces to have a good updraft and get good performance from your camping stove especially when using the stove inside a tent or enclosed space. A short chimney length reduces the updraft and causes incomplete combustion, smoke and poor performance.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

• Dull headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even die before anyone realizes there's a problem.

If you think you or someone you're with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek emergency medical care.