Backyard winter tinkerin

[HamMike]

I had my superfly, lite owl, 20deg Phoenix, 20deg Burrow with my 50deg Burrow inside of it. The temp outside was 25f and forecast low of 18f. The temp inside the tarp was 35f. I put together a reflector of tinfoil layered cardboard and set my canister stove in front of it. The reflector is about 18 X 24 bent in the middle and angled at the top. I placed it in a safe spot. Once I lit the stove the temp went up to 46.2 pretty quick. It did cause some snow to melt on the outside of the tarp that froze once the stove was turned off and temp went back down. The snow stuck to these areas but came off with some tapping from inside. Has anyone else tinkered with the idea of a small uncomplicated heater?EDIT overnight low was 15.3f

[Capt Nat]

I have thought about that and maybe a candle, but worry about damaging the tarp, especially with the stove.

[SkyPainter]

===> I have been toying with the idea of using a Sterno can or two inside my Superfly as a heat source, although with my HG TQ and UQ it would need to be closer to 0* to need it.

~ SkyPainter

[YeahIdIDThat]

Any idea how much run time a full canister would give u?

[TZBrown]

It is a real benefit to have a "stove board" under your stove. Fuel will stay slightly warmer and be more efficient.

I know it is only for a bit of warmth, but if you ever put a pot on top with a snow base under any stove, pretty soon you get to start all over again.

I have done it wrong more than once, but I don't usually tell

[Deadphans]

Haha, me too tz, me too. It took some trial and error till I realized what was going on.

[nothermark]

And that 12 deg feels really good!! It also helps dry out although how much depends on how long you can run it.

[mudsocks]

I wonder how much a small candle like this might raise the temperature:

http://www.amazon.com/UCO-B-LTN-Micr...ef=pd_sim_sg_2

[mgreg.scout]

I was toying with the idea of using a black cat ceramic propane heater. They can be used in a tent and a single cannister should last @ 6 hours according to the packaging. My friend has one and I may borrow it in January for a test.

Just the heat rising to be captured by the tarp should be worth a couple of degrees. But the effect on my UQ is where my question lies. I'm not worried about it melting but I don't expect the heat to get through. Maybe if I put it toward my feet...

[Penfold]

Optimus makes a canister fuel powered lantern with a mesh cover that will also generate heat. Essentially the same result as what HamMike did. I have never used one, but might be a good idea in the right circumstances, but not something I would use in an enclosed space.