If you’re looking for a way to stay extra toasty this winter camping season, then a hot tent might be for you! Hot tents are tents that have heating capabilities thanks to a stove jack in the roof. By adding a stove, campers can ensure their tents are warm and cozy even in the chilliest weather.
However, manufacturers of hot tents may be missing an opportunity, as none of the ones on the market come standard with an included hot tent stove. So, choosing a hot tent and a stove are separate decisions and purchases.
While there are no tents with built-in stoves to recommend, we DO have some great recommendations for hot tents that are stove-compatible. We’ve also included our top picks for hot tent stoves. So keep reading to learn more about what tent and stove you need for winter camping!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
UNISTRENGH 4 Season Cotton Canvas Bell Tent
Premium Option
Playdo 4-Season Waterproof Canvas Bell Tent
Budget Option
Preself 3-Person Lightweight Tipi Hot Tent
Best Overall
UNISTRENGH 4 Season Cotton Canvas Bell Tent
Looking for winter camping tents with stove options means seeking durability and comfort. The UNISTRENGH 4 Season Cotton Canvas Bell Tent delivers both.
The UNISTRENGH is our choice for best overall among winter camping tents with stove options in large part because of its high-strength cotton canvas construction. With waterproofing included in the fabric, the Unistrengh is ready for even the wettest cold weather.
In addition to its canvas sides, the UNISTRENG includes a PVC floor to keep moisture out. Available in sizes ranging from 10 to 19 feet in diameter, the UNISTRENG can accommodate anything from small families to large groups.
Pros
- Rugged enough for sustained use
- Easy set-up
- Holds heat very well
Cons
- May not shed snow as effectively as expected
- Ventilation could be improved
- Tent material may be somewhat light
Premium Option
Playdo 4-Season Waterproof Cotton Canvas Bell Tent
If you’re looking for the ultimate winter camping tents with stove options, look at the Playdo 4-Season Waterproof Cotton Canvas Bell Tent. Constructed of 300-grams-per-square-meter cotton canvas, the Playdo tent comes in sizes that can accommodate up to 8 people.
Included in the Playdo tent is a 5-inch stove jack, which should accommodate the stovepipe for whatever tent stove you choose. Also, the stove jack placement provides warmth throughout the tent without interfering with people’s movement.
Pros
- Tent material is very durable
- Easy set-up
- Plastic zip-in floor
Cons
- May not stand up well to windy weather
- Waterproofing may not withstand extremely rainy weather
- Stitching could be improved
Budget Option
Preself 3-Person Lightweight Tipi Hot Tent
Adding a hot tent with provisions for a stove to your camping gear need not be expensive. Among our recommendations for best winter camping tents with stove options is the budget-friendly Preself 3-person lightweight hot tent.
Constructed with a combination of polyester and fabric, the Preself tent comes in three sizes among winter camping tents with stove options. The smallest can accommodate a single camper; the largest can sleep three campers.
Designed with a steep peak for stability, the Preself 3-person tent offers high wind resistance among winter camping tents with stove capabilities. In addition, its octagonal shape ensures the most room for occupants. The shape also means a stove can be installed far enough from occupants to not be a danger.
Pros
- Great for long camping trips
- Withstands high winds and rain
- Stays very warm
Cons
- May not be as roomy as some users expect
- Zippers can be hard to close
- Condensation may be an issue
Best Backpacking
OneTigris Smokey HUT Ultralight Hot Tent
If you’re thinking no backpacking tents can accommodate a stove, think again. That’s exactly what the OneTigris Smokey HUT Ultralight brings to winter camping tents with stove capabilities.
The OneTigris tent is constructed of nylon, one of the synthetic materials that can, with a reasonable amount of care, accommodate a wood-burning stove. In addition to its stove jack, the OneTigris tent includes vents at its top to promote good airflow.
Weighing only 2.6 pounds, the OneTigris tent is certainly light enough for backpacking while adding extra comfort to your adventures.
Pros
- Packs easily
- Very roomy
- Great value
Cons
- No instructions for set-up
- Could use more guy wires
- Tent peak should be stronger
Best Versatility
DANCHEL Outdoor B5 Pro
One of the challenges with winter camping tents with stove options is orienting the tent correctly. Proper orientation ensures stovepipes adequately remove smoke and embers from the vicinity of the tent.
The DANCHEL Outdoor B5 Pro tent makes that job a bit easier. Equipped with two stove jacks, the DANCHEL tent doubles the options of most other winter camping tents with stove options for ensuring safe operation.
In addition, the two stove jacks mean that a stove can be arranged in the tent in a number of ways to facilitate safety and movement.
Pros
- Well-designed
- Heavy-duty floor
- Solid center pole and durable stakes
Cons
- Zippers should operate more smoothly
- Stove jack could be more durable
- Stove jack placement may be inconvenient for some stoves
Our Top Picks for Best Hot Tent Stoves
Now that you’ve seen our recommendations for best winter camping tents with stove jacks, you might be interested in our choices for best hot tent stoves. Read on to find out about good tent stoves for a variety of situations.
Best Overall
Camp Chef Alpine Heavy Duty Cylinder Stove
Best for Family Camping
WINNERWELL Woodlander Medium Tent Stove
Best for Cooking
WINNERWELL Nomad Large View Tent Stove
Best Overall
Camp Chef Alpine Heavy Duty Cylinder Stove
As a no-fuss option for winter camping tents with stove options, the Camp Chef Alpine Heavy Duty Cylinder Stove is a top choice. Complete with a five-piece stovepipe, spark arrestor, accessory shelves, damper and internal log grate, the Camp Chef Alpine is ready to go to work.
Conveniently, all of those pieces can be packed inside the chamber of the Camp Chef Alpine stove for easy transport. At 73 pounds, the Camp Chef Alpine clearly is designed for car camping or cabin stays. But the trade-off of incredible cooking and warming versatility is worth that weight.
Pros
- Built to last for years
- Fits larger logs than many stoves
- Thick-gauge steel construction
Cons
- May leak some smoke
- Stovepipe sections could be sealed better
- Stovepipe may not be sized exactly accurate to stove jack
Best for Family Camping
WINNERWELL Woodlander Medium Tent Stove
One thing that should inform the purchase of any piece of camping gear is safety. That’s particularly true for family camping with young children.
To help ensure safety in winter camping tents with stove jacks, the WINNERWELL Woodlander stove is a great choice. More than rigid four-legged stoves, the spring-equipped tripod legs of the Woodlander help keep it stable on uneven ground.
That configuration can make it a safer option than other stoves when young children are present. Also, the legs can fold away for more convenient carrying to and from your campsite. Finally, the Woodlander weighs just 20 pounds for easy carrying.
Pros
- High-quality workmanship
- Great combination of portability and performance
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May be smaller than some users expect
- Build-up of smoke residue may be a problem
- May take some time to get fire going in stove
Best for Cooking
WINNERWELL Nomad Large View Tent Stove
One of the reasons for choosing among winter camping tents with stove options is to ensure warmth in cold weather. But having a tent stove also presents the opportunity for cooking. In that light, you need to consider the WINNERWELL Nomad.
With its 1,500-cubic-inch firebox and stainless steel construction, the WINNERWELL Nomad is ready to churn out tasty hot meals. As just one example, the stove’s side shelves allow for keeping cooked food warm while the rest of the meal is still being prepared.
Plus, its stainless steel construction provides for cooking under high heat. Also, stainless steel won’t corrode, so the WINNERWELL Nomad will be cooking meals for years.
Pros
- Easy operation
- Produces lots of heat
- Built to last
Cons
- Windows may crack
- Stove pipe can get exceedingly ho
- Adjusting overnight burning can be difficult
Best Tents With Stove Jacks for Winter Camping Buyer’s Guide
Your best bet among winter camping tents with stove jacks will be one manufactured from canvas. Canvas won’t suffer damage from high temperatures, and it’s great for keeping heat inside your tent.
Of course, canvas tents are heavier than other tents. But if you’re camping with a tent stove, chances are you’re car camping, so weight won’t be much of an issue.
There are some synthetic-material tents that come with stove jacks, but they are subject to damage if the heat from your stove becomes too great. If you do choose a synthetic stove-jack-equipped tent, be careful when using a stove.
Tent Size
The larger your tent, the harder it will be to heat. That’s one reason it’s important to choose your tent at the same time you’re choosing your stove.
You’ll also want to be sure your tent is adequately ventilated. Having lots of screened windows will allow for great ventilation. That, in turn, will help regulate heat inside the tent. Also, it will help in controlling any smoke that might escape from the stove.
Stove Jack Location
As you consider the purchase of one of the many winter camping tents with stove capabilities, pay attention to the location of the stove jack. In an ideal world, the stove jack would be placed in the center of the tent for optimum safety.
Unfortunately, placing a stove at or near the center of a tent is inconvenient for moving around. But, be sure the stove jack in any tent you’re considering is at least a foot away from any wall.
Best Tents With Stove Jacks for Winter Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you’ve learned about pairing winter camping tents with stove options, it’s time to delve more deeply into the subject. Read on for answers to frequently asked questions.
Can you add a stove jack to a tent that does not have one?
You can install a stove jack in a tent that did not originally have one. However, you should limit the installation of a stove jack to canvas or polycotton tents. Other tents present too much of a fire danger.
If you do install a stove jack, the hole should be located to keep the stove and stovepipe as far as possible from the tent’s side walls. The exact distance will depend on the size and configuration of your tent.
While you could manufacture your own stove jack, there are kits available. You’ll find two types — a flap with heat-resistant fabric or a grommet-type stove jack that can be sized to fit your stovepipe.
What is the safest material for a stove jack?
A primary component of stove jacks is silicone, with flap-type stove jacks often incorporating fiberglass. As you shop for a stove jack kit, make sure one or both materials are listed.
How far should a stovepipe extend through the stove jack?
A stovepipe should extend at least 6 inches above the highest point of the tent. But even if your installation complies with that minimum distance, check to be sure the stovepipe is safely discharging smoke and embers.
Wrapping up the Best Tents With Stove Jacks for Winter Camping
Winter camping tents with stove jacks bring comfort in cold weather. With some careful thought, you can make a great decision on winter camping tents with stove options.
For more, check out the Beyond The Tent winter camping checklist and guide to winter backpacking.
- About the Author
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Jim Thompson grew up tent camping with his family, and was introduced to backpacking with the Boy Scouts. He attended a military college, where he was introduced to rappelling, an outdoor activity which he has not pursued.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia, and spent 35 years as a newspaper writer and editor before become a writer for Apple Pie Media.
Jim can be reached at jimt3rd@yahoo.com