Small Cabin Picture

Small Cabin Heating

Small Cabin Heating... in the Fall Image I love to go to my small wilderness cabin in the fall. Sometimes quite late in the fall. The forest colors are outstanding! Smell of fallen leaves and camp fire... Definitely my kind of time.

Also, no summer heat and humidity. And the best part - no bugs!

So the question is - how to keep you small cabin warm during cold night?

Wood Stove

Small Cabin Heating Wood Stove Image I believe the best heating option for the small wilderness cabin is a wood stove. Especially when there is lots of free firewood around on your property.
Besides, I like smell of firewood on the fall.

(Also, since I do not use electricity service at my small cabin property, I can't use electrical heaters).

Wood Stove Safety

The important thing about using wood stove inside the small cabin is fire safety (and safety regulations).
When you purchase a new stove, it comes with safety and installation instructions. Perhaps the most important of them is stove's proximity to (flammable) cabin walls.

The actual space requirements depend on the wood stove design and vary from model to model.

Some quick tips:
  • Always place stove on non-flammable surface, like ceramic tiles or sheet of metal
  • You can use a metal heat shield to reduce space between the stove and flammable wall - mount a metal sheet 1" from the wall and 1" off the floor. This will save valuable cabin space.
Although I've seen people using wood stoves inside fabric tents and other small places, you should to get familiar with some basic guidelines on wood stove safety and clearances to the combustible surfaces.

Other Cabin Heating Options

  • Small Cabin Heating - Electric Heater Image If you have electricity service at the cabin site, the electrical heater is most easy and convenient heating option to keep you warm at night.

  • Small Cabin Heating - Propane Heater Image I do not recommend using propane heater for heating the small cabin. I used it and I don't like it:
    • It emits smell which is unpleasant and makes your nose dry.
    • It burns oxygen inside you cabin and releases carbon oxide - you have to keep cabin window open, which makes it ineffective
    • Retail models are not large enough to heat even my small cabin (they are typically meant for emergency car heating)

  • ...other small cabin heating suggestions?

Small Cabin Heating Safety (again)

Watch your heating equipment - cabin fire in the forest is no joke. Use common sense and be on guard.

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