Wood-Burning Tent Stove Safety Checklist

A wood-burning stove can heat a compatible hot tent and provide a cooking surface, but it also creates fire, burn, smoke, and carbon monoxide hazards. Safe operation depends on the complete installation and on continuous supervision – not on the stove alone.

Use only a stove-ready tent

The tent must have a designated heat-resistant stove jack and enough room for the stove, required clearance, sleeping equipment, and an unobstructed exit. Not every camping tent is stove-compatible. Never cut an improvised opening in ordinary tent fabric.

Caminus S and Caminus M

Caminus S has a 230 x 320 x 200 mm (9.05 x 12.59 x 7.87") firebox, a 65 mm (2.56") chimney, and a net weight of 10.7 kg (23.58 lb). Caminus M has a 250 x 500 x 250 mm (9.84 x 19.68 x 9.84") firebox, an 80 mm (3.15") chimney, and a net weight of 16.5 kg (36.37 lb). Both are made from AISI 430 stainless steel and use 4 mm (0.16") fire-resistant ceramic glass side panels rated up to 750 °C (1382 °F). Compatibility must be confirmed for the exact tent.

Before lighting the stove

• Complete the first firing outdoors for at least 1 hour.
• Inspect the stove, glass, chimney, spark arrestor, heat shields, mat, and tent stove jack.
• Place the stove on a level surface with the supplied fire-resistant mat beneath it.
• Keep at least 50 cm (19.6") of clearance from surrounding objects and keep the exit open.
• Connect all chimney sections tightly and keep the outlet at least 50 cm (19.6") above the tent ridge.
• Install the spark arrestor and required deflector.
• Open the required ventilation and confirm unobstructed draft.
• Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

While the stove is operating

• Load no more than two-thirds of the firebox volume.
• Keep the firebox door closed except while loading fuel.
• Use the included gloves when touching controls or loading the stove.
• Do not place clothing, fuel, bedding, or other materials on or near the stove and chimney.
• Maintain continuous airflow; never seal the tent to retain heat.
• Never leave the stove unattended and do not sleep while a portable fuel-burning heater is operating.
• Do not operate the stove continuously for more than 7 hours.

Cleaning and shutdown

The Caminus manual requires chimney cleaning after every 10 hours of use. Soot on ceramic glass can be removed only after the stove has cooled, using a suitable cleaning method. Allow every component to cool completely before moving or packing it.

Condensation and overnight warmth

A stove does not eliminate condensation. Moisture from people, wet gear, cooking, and temperature changes still collects unless the tent is ventilated. Use a sleeping bag and insulated pad appropriate for the overnight low so safety does not depend on keeping the stove running while people sleep.

Safety reference: CPSC carbon monoxide guidance for camping equipment