A heater is the best way to keep your tent warm in the evening when you are camping in autumn, winter and early spring.

But what is the best type of heater for cold weather camping and how do you use them?

WHAT KIND OF HEATER?
For safety reasons, electric heating is your best bet for warming your tent and there are plenty of options to choose from, including fan, halogen and radiant options. You can also get catalytic and radiant butane and propane gas models. And for fans of bushcraft andglamping, how about a wood burning stove?

Outwell’s Fuji hanging electric heater spreads heat evenly over a wide area through its halogen heating element with variable output. It’s pretty heavy, though, so think about how you’ll hang it.

Butane gas heaters have a ceramic heating element with safety guard, adjustable angle for directional heat, piezo ignition and variable temperature control.

USING A HEATER

Naked flames are a definite no-no when it comes to heating, with the double threat of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. The safest option is sticking to electric – a hook-up will allow you a whole world of heating choices, including fan, halogen and radiant options.

Don’t wait until the temperature is unbearably cold before putting your heater on. Once your body is cold it can be difficult to heat up again so try to avoid that happening by flicking the switch as soon as it starts to get chilly.

After the initial blast of heat it’s better to keep the heater on at a low steady level, rather than constantly switching off when it gets too warm then back on again when you start to get cold again. Even in the coldest weather it won’t take long to get your tent to a nice temperature.

Leave plenty of space in front of your heater and don’t drape wet clothes over it.

A woodburning stove with a heat-radiating chimney pipe is a marvellous, alternative way to heat a traditional canvas bell tent but make sure they are safe, especially if you have young children.

Whatever your source of heat, it’s not a good idea to leave a heater running unattended or through the night. Switch off when not needed.