The Ultimate Guide to Portable Woodburners in Bell Tents and Glawnings: Stay Warm, Cosy, and Stylish

There's something truly magical about camping, especially when you're glamping in a glawning or bell tent. The spacious interior, the nostalgic feel of canvas, and the connection to nature create an unforgettable experience. However, one thing that can make or break a camping trip is staying warm and cosy, especially during cooler months or chilly evenings. Enter the portable woodburner—a game-changer for bell tent enthusiasts...and one of the main reasons we invented the glawning!

In this blog, we’ll dive into why portable woodburners are a must-have for your next glamping adventure, how to use them safely, and the best options available to keep your bell tent/glawning warm and welcoming.

Why Choose a Portable Woodburner for Your Glamping Set Up?

1. Ultimate Comfort and Warmth
A portable woodburner is not just a heat source; it's an ambiance booster.  No matter the season, canvas tents can get quite cold at night. A woodburner provides an efficient way to heat the tent, ensuring that you and your guests are cosy without the need for electric or gas heaters.

2. Atmosphere and Charm
One of the best things about a woodburner is the atmosphere it creates. Nothing beats the sound of crackling wood and the gentle glow of a fire that adds to the overall charm of glamping. It brings a rustic, homely vibe to your bell tent, creating an inviting space to relax and unwind. We have been away in our glawning in many weathers and the saving grace of some miserable weather holidays has been our trusty woodburner!

3. Sustainable Heating
Unlike gas heaters, woodburners use renewable energy—wood! If you're eco-conscious, this is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the outdoors. Plus, many woodburners are highly efficient, meaning they make the most of the fuel without wasting heat.

4. Cooking Possibilities
Our portable woodburners come with stove tops and/or or oven attachments, which can add a whole new dimension to your glamping experience. Whether you’re warming up a pot of soup or cooking breakfast, having a stove inside your tent makes outdoor living much more convenient. Warming your tent and cooking at the same time!

How to Use a Portable Woodburner Safely in Your Bell Tent

While woodburners offer comfort and charm, safety should always be your priority. Our bell tents and glawnings are all now fitted with a fire-retardant stove jack, but taking extra precautions is essential to ensure a safe experience.

1. Use a Proper Flue System
A woodburner must have a chimney (also called a flue) to vent smoke outside the tent. Most modern portable woodburners (and certainly our glawning range here) come with an integrated flue system. Make sure the flue is properly installed and exits the tent safely through a fireproof stove jack (a reinforced section of the tent designed for stove pipes). We recommend using this in conjunction with a flashing kit. Regular cleaning of the flue is essential and a cheap loo brush from IKEA os perfect for this job!

2. Use a Heatproof Mat/Stand
Place a heatproof mat or fireproof surface under the stove to protect the groundsheet or flooring of your tent from heat damage. This also helps stabilize the woodburner.

3. Never Leave the Fire Unattended
As tempting as it might be to drift off while the fire’s burning, always make sure the fire is fully out before going to bed or leaving the tent. Using fire guards will help if you have small kids or pets with you and spark arrestors will prevent embers from escaping.

4. Ensure Good Ventilation
Though a woodburner is a contained system, proper ventilation is key to preventing carbon monoxide buildup. Always ensure your tent is well-ventilated, even if it’s cold outside. Our bell tents and glawnings come with ventilation flaps designed for this purpose.

5. Bring Safety Precautions

We recommend having a small fire extinguisher, fire gloves, a fire blanket, and a carbon monoxide detector with you at all times.

Top Portable Woodburners for Bell Tents

Choosing the right portable woodburner can enhance your glamping experience. There are plenty of great camping stoves on the market and here are a few of our own popular options that are tried, tested and perfect for glawnings and bell tents when used with a stove fitting kit:

1. Glow Stove £249

The Glow Stove is a favorite among glampers for its portability (only 13kg!), easy setup, and versatility. It’s our lightest stove and very compact but still provides plenty of heat. It also has a flat top for cooking. It is an excellent option if you’re looking for a woodburner of a compact size, and its glass window still lets you enjoy the glow of the fire. It’s ideal for smaller bell tents or those who prefer a minimalist setup. Folded size in mm: 36.5D x 23W x 26H

2. Stainless Glow Stove £379

This stove is known for its high-quality stainless steel build, making it a durable and reliable option. It has windows in the side so you can see more of the living flame. Its built-in cooking surface and compact design make it great for glamping trips, as do those sturdy legs. The side racks act as handles for carrying it too! Folded size in mm: 210W x 380D x 210H 12.5kg

3. Vista Sista Stove £399

This woodburner offers not just one but three large windows to watch the flames dance from all angles while keeping your tent warm which is probably why it's currently our most popular option. The Sista is 16kg in weight, powerful, and designed for both heating and cooking in addition to being so very aesthetically pleasing. Folded size in mm: 264W x 498D x 330H 

4. Gloven £419

You've guessed it, there's an oven involved in this one! Whilst it weighs in as a heavier option at 24kg the addition of the oven at the back is a total game changer and opens new possibilites for glamping meals all whilst keeping your tent toasty. Baked potatoes, pizzas, bread rolls, lasagne are all suddenly very possible camping meals! Folded size in mm: 393W x 606D x 430H 

All of these stoves kick out enough heat in kW to heat up a tent in no time. They are made from cold rolled steel, come with their own flue pipes that fit into the body of the stove for transportation, a built in spark arrestor, side racks (apart from the gloven) and sturdy carry bag. They can all be used as garden/patio stoves or installed in summer houses when not away on camping trips.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Glamping Experience

A portable woodburner can transform your bell tent into a cosy haven, especially when the temperatures drop. It adds warmth, charm, and a touch of luxury to your outdoor adventures. By choosing the right woodburner and following essential safety precautions, you can enjoy the comfort of a warm, glowing fire while surrounded by nature. Win win!

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a family camping trip, bringing a portable woodburner will make your bell tent or glawning feel like a home away from home. Stay warm, stay cosy, and enjoy your glamping experience to the absolute fullest!