Winter Camping in Australia: Best Hot Tent Stoves & Pro Tips

July 13 2025 , by Edward Xu , 10 min reading time

Picture this: you’re nestled inside your bell tent, winter chill outside, a gentle fire crackling in your hot tent stove, steam drifting from your mug. That’s the magic of hot tenting—it transforms cold nights into cosy experiences. This guide dives into choosing the best stove, safe setups, and pro tips for hot tenting across Australia’s cooler seasons.

GREEN STOVE Tbale Master Pro stove Green Stove

What Is a Hot Tent Stove?

A hot tent stove is a compact wood burning appliance engineered for safe use inside tents equipped with stove jacks and chimneys. They serve dual roles: heating and cooking within your tent's shelter.

It keeps your tent warm while letting you enjoy the cozy ambiance of a real fire. It’s the ultimate go-to for a winter camping experience—but it does require a bit of know-how to use safely and effectively

Top Hot Tent Stove Types

Wood-Burning Hot Tent Stoves (Stainless Steel, Titanium)

Wood-burning stoves are the heart and soul of traditional hot tent camping. They offer a nostalgic, crackling fire experience that many campers crave, complete with radiant warmth and a mesmerizing flame view—especially in models with a glass door.

Stainless steel models are known for their durability, high heat retention, and weather resistance. They’re ideal for stationary or glamping setups where pack weight isn’t a concern. Titanium versions, on the other hand, are ultralight and corrosion-resistant—perfect for hikers or minimalist bushcrafters who need mobility without sacrificing warmth.

Fuel sourcing is easy, especially in Australian bushland where dry hardwoods are often available around campsites (check regulations for collection). The wood smoke can even infuse a rich, earthy aroma into your camp meals.

Pros:
- Authentic fire experience
- No need to carry fuel (if wood is allowed)
- Great for cooking and heat
- High heat output
Considerations:
- Requires more skill to manage airflow and burn rate
- Produces ash and creosote that need regular cleaning
- Must be paired with a stove jack and spark arrestor for safety
Pellet/Multi-Fuel Hot Tent Stoves

Pellet or multi-fuel stoves are a modern, efficient solution for campers who want clean-burning convenience. These stoves use compressed wood pellets, biomass briquettes, or other renewable fuels—making them a favorite for eco-conscious campers or areas where firewood is restricted.

Pellet stoves offer a longer, more controlled burn, often with less smoke and ash than wood. Some advanced models feature gravity-fed hoppers or auto-feeding designs, so you spend less time refueling and more time relaxing.

They’re especially useful in fire-restricted zones where open wood burning might be banned, but pellet combustion is still allowed (always verify with local park authorities).

Pros:
- Efficient and clean-burning
- Extended burn times with steady heat
- Less smoke and soot buildup
- Lightweight options available
Considerations:
- You must pack in pellets (adds to gear weight)
- May be harder to source fuel mid-trip
- Requires practice to manage fuel feed and airflow

GREEN STOVE Aries stove Green Stove

Recommonded hot tent Stoves Available in Australia

1. FireMaple Hot Tent Stove

Pros:

Heavy-duty stainless steel, extremely durable and heat-resistant
Folds compactly (25 × 20 × 40 cm) for easy transport
Full kit includes chimney, shelves, grates, ash-pan, poker, and carry bag — ready to go

Cons:

At ~8 kg (with chimney), it’s bulky for lightweight camping
Folding joints may trap soot and need regular cleaning

2. BlackDeer Steel Wood Stove

Pros:

Made from high-grade stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance
Sturdy and portable, suited for serious outdoor use
Adjustable chimney airflow control improves burn efficiency

Cons:

Weighs ~10 kg — heavy for carry-in setups
Larger folded size (32 × 13 × 5.5 cm) compared to ultralight models

3. Green Stove Hori 5

Type: Dual-fuel wood & pellet stove with built-in oven
Pros:

Versatile dual-fuel use: supports both wood and pellets—ideal for fuel availability and efficiency
Durable 430‑grade stainless steel; integrated oven adds cooking flexibility
U‑shaped fire channel boosts heat retention; gravity-fed pellet system delivers 5–10 hrs burn time
Compact design stores all chimney sections inside the body—great for transport
Cons:
Heavy (~13.5 kg), making it better suited for car camping over backpacking
Pellet cage may need replacement after long-term use

4. Green Stove Defender Wood Stove

Type: Stainless steel wood-burning stove with chimney kit
Pros:

Robust stainless build designed specifically for outdoor use
Efficient airflow via adjustable venting and spark arrestor included
Cons:
Relatively bulky; better suited for cabin or sheltered setups
May require extra accessories like heat mats for safe indoor use

5. Green Stove Butterfly‑Mini Wood Stove

Type: Small, portable wood-burning stove
Pros:

Lightweight and compact—great for solo campers or hikers
Easy to set up; folds flat when not in use
Cons:
Smaller firebox produces less heat—more suited for quick meals than full tent heating
Does not include chimney sections in basic kit

Step‑by‑Step Setup Guide

1. Tent & Stove Jack

Choose a canvas or bell‑tent with a stove jack. For retrofit setups, install a flashing kit following manufacturer guidelines .

2. Place Stove on Heat Mat

Set it on a rated mat at a safe distance—ideally 1 m from walls—with a proper stove jack fitted .

3. Stack Chimney & Spark Arrestor

Assemble flue sections upward from the stove, add the spark arrestor atop as rain protection.

4. Ignite & Monitor Fire

Start outdoors to cure the paint and field‑test the draft . Manage burn rate with the damper. No visible smoke? You’re efficient.

5. Ventilation Checks

Crack vents/windows and monitor air quality—watch for CO symptoms like headache or nausea .

Cooking Inside Your Tent

Use stove top for soups, teas, hot meals.
Consider accessories like water tanks or pipe ovens .
Bring mitts and pot lifter—and practice before your trip.

Stove Maintenance & Care

Ash out daily; inspect seals and clean creosote safely .
Cure new stoves outdoors to remove paint residue .
Pack down pipelines and stove parts dry to avoid rust or damage.

Pro Tips for Cosy Camping

Always carry a CO alarm and compact extinguisher.
Even asleep, keep vents open.
Dry wet gear near stove—not too close.
Do a test setup at home first.
Winter gear: insulated bags, thermal liners, extra blankets .

Conclusion

Hot tenting in Australia isn’t just braving the cold—it’s embracing winter with comfort, warmth, and culinary delight. Choose the right stove (wood-burning is safest), prioritize ventilation and CO protection, and enjoy cosy camp moments. Head to CosyCamp.com.au to explore stove-compatible tents and stove gear, and subscribe for more warm-winter adventures. If you want more info and helps, feel free to visit us in store and our staff will be able to help you out!