A wood-burning stove to get through the cold winter
Wood-burning stoves warm you from the core with the effect of far-infrared rays.
Because it has a strong flame, you can not only keep warm but also cook with it. It would be great for hot sake with oden (Japanese hot pot).
How does having a wood-burning stove change winter camping?
So, how does having a wood-burning stove change winter camping?
Let's start by looking at the precautions for use and the amount of firewood needed.
How to handle things when going to bed
When I'm awake and active, I consciously open the tent entrance to ventilate it, but when I go to sleep, I tend to close the door.
Absolutely not.
Before going to bed, make sure the fire is extinguished (even embers, which are burning but not flames), before you go to sleep.
The ventilation system provided in the tent is insufficient.
This is because ventilation systems are primarily designed to prevent condensation and are not intended for use with devices that draw in large amounts of oxygen and produce carbon monoxide, such as wood-burning stoves.
I lack the necessary skills.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, transparent, and odorless.
The first symptom of addiction is drowsiness.
When you've been drinking, it becomes even harder to make sound judgments.
If you absolutely must use it, be prepared to tolerate some of the cold, such as leaving the entrance door half-open.
A carbon monoxide detector is a must-have.
Carbon monoxide detectors alert you to danger with a digital display and a loud sound (around 80 dB).
The price is around 2000 yen, which is not a big deal if you think of it as insurance.
A wood-burning stove provides benefits that more than compensate for any shortcomings.
Amount of firewood needed
The amount of firewood used for one night is approximately 24 kg, assuming check-in and check-out in the morning.
It's about four bundles of firewood that are commonly sold in stores.
This applies to hardwoods, which are difficult to ignite but are fuel-efficient. For softwoods, which are easier for beginners to handle, you should expect to need 1.5 times that amount.
Advantages and disadvantages compared to oil/kerosene stoves
Advantages of wood-burning stoves over oil/kerosene stoves
warmth
The warmth you get from burning firewood is incomparable to burning wood soaked in kerosene.
And yet, the feeling of being warmed gently from the core is something you can't experience with other heating appliances.
I think it's similar to what my grandfather often said about bathwater heated with firewood being soft.
A large heating surface expands the range of dishes you can cook.
Compared to oil and kerosene stoves, it has a larger cooking area.
With its large heating surface, you can cook 3-4 dishes at once and enjoy things like hot sake.
For a snack, we'll have a hot pot or oden simmering away.
To finish off, we'll use the high heat to make fried rice in a skillet.
No, even for breakfast rice porridge, I'd prefer stewed ramen.
It will warm you up from the inside out.
Points where wood-burning stoves are inferior to oil/kerosene stoves
Ignition and extinguishing are not a one-step process.
While oil and kerosene stoves can be operated simply by pressing an ignition switch and an extinguishing button, wood-burning stoves are not as simple as just switching a switch.
Prepare kindling, light a fire, and gradually increase the size of the flames. If you don't make sure the fire is completely extinguished, embers may remain and pose an unexpected danger.
It takes some skill to install.
From assembling the main body to installing the chimney, it's quite difficult to do on your first try.
You'll also need to choose a tent that allows for a chimney insert. Try assembling it once before the actual event.
Advantages and disadvantages compared to ceramic heaters
Advantages of wood-burning stoves over ceramic heaters
Depending on the model, it can be used for cooking.
Its powerful heat allows you to cook not only grilled dishes but also boiled and simmered foods. Medium-sized and larger models allow for simultaneous cooking of multiple items.
Can be used even without a power source.
If using it inside a tent, the chimney needs to be extended outside, but since it doesn't require electricity, it can be used even at campsites without power.
Since there are no electrical components, it's fine even with a little snow. Gathering around the wood-burning stove and chatting in the snow makes you forget about time.
However, when using it inside a tent, even with the chimney extended, there are gaps due to the structure, so carbon monoxide will leak out. You need to be very careful about this. A carbon monoxide detector is essential.
Points where wood-burning stoves are inferior to ceramic heaters
The main features are the same as those of a kerosene heater.
Ignition and extinguishing are not a one-step process.
While ceramic heaters can be operated with just a power switch, wood-burning stoves are not so simple.
Prepare kindling, light a fire, and gradually increase the size of the flames. If you don't make sure the fire is completely extinguished, embers may remain and pose an unexpected danger.
It takes some skill to install.
Ceramic heaters are lightweight and ready to use simply by placing them down.
Setting up a wood-burning stove, from assembling the main unit to installing the chimney, can be quite difficult for someone seeing it for the first time.
You'll also need to choose a tent that allows for a chimney insert. Try assembling it once before the actual event.
Common precautions for petroleum, kerosene, and wood-burning stoves
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
This is the biggest drawback of wood-burning stoves and oil/kerosene stoves.
While ceramic heaters pose few risks other than burns, wood-burning stoves, oil stoves, and kerosene stoves carry the silent, creeping danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, it's important to understand the risks and take appropriate precautions before using them.
A thorough comparison of wood-burning stoves
| Dimensions: Width x Depth x Height (mm) | Storage dimensions: width x depth x height (mm) | weight | price | Features | |
| Captain Stag BBQ KAMADO | (High) 600 x 510 x 1070, 1415, 177 mm (Low) 470 x 360 x 830, 1180, 1530 mm | 80×270×265 | Approximately 10kg | ¥22,800 | Compatible with both low and high styles.You can see the flames through the large window. |
| G-Stove | 420 x 420 x 2400 | 420 × 330 × 240 | 9.4kg | ¥47,828 | Designed specifically for keeping warm. The warming shelf has a simple structure that doubles as a handle when stored. |
| Honma Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Black heat-resistant windowed clock-type wood-burning stove | 400 x 600 x 400 | Same as unfolded dimensions | 6.7kg | ¥15,581 | It has two openings at the top, one large and one small, allowing for direct flame cooking. Recommended for those who enjoy cooking. |
CAPTAIN STAG Stove BBQ KAMADO
- Assembly size
-
(Approx.) High/Width 600 x Depth 510 x Height 1070, 1415, 1770 mm
Low/Width 470 x Depth 360 x Height 830, 1180, 1530 mm - Storage size
-
(Approx.) Width 480 x Depth 270 x Height 265 mm
- weight
-
(Approximately) 10kg
You can enjoy watching the firewood burn through the large windows.
It supports both low-style and high-style setups, but please decide on the setup during installation and never change it after the fire is lit.
It weighs about 10 kg, which is easily manageable for a man to carry.
G-Stove Heat View Main Unit Set
- Assembly size
-
2400mm × 420mm × 420mm (including chimney and legs)
- Storage size
-
240mm × 420mm × 330mm
- weight
-
(Approximately) 9.4 kg
Made of stainless steel, which is resistant to heat deformation and rust.
The chimney fits entirely into the main body for compact storage, and the handle can be extended during use to place items you want to keep warm.
While cooking is possible on the top plate, the oven function has been intentionally omitted to enhance combustion power.
Honma Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Black heat-resistant windowed clock-type wood-burning stove
Size: Width 400 x Depth 600 x Height 400 mm
Weight: 6.7kg
It does not have a folding function. This is the standard wood-burning stove.
It cannot be folded, but at 6.7 kg it is relatively light, so it is not difficult to carry around.
It's easy to cook with, and it has openings at both the front and back, allowing for "direct flame cooking" using round cooking utensils.
The large opening at the back can be resized using a ring, making it possible to cook rice in a traditional iron pot. Please give it a try!
