【Wood Stove Purchase Record ①】The three points to consider when a beginner buys their first wood stove

The author remembers that they purchased a tent suitable for use with a wood stove at the beginning of this year. Since it's a great opportunity, they decided to buy their first wood stove. As a purchase record, they have summarized the points to consider when choosing a wood stove.

Surprisingly Affordable!? Points for Choosing a Campfire Stove

As autumn arrives, the perfect camping season begins. Speaking of which, I remembered that I had purchased a tent with a chimney hole for a wood stove, and I decided that this year I would finally introduce a wood stove that can fit inside the tent.

Until now, I had the perception that wood stoves are cumbersome and expensive, but upon investigating, I was surprised to find that affordable ones can be purchased for under 20,000 yen. Moreover, while they all have similar shapes, I discovered that there are a few differences.

Point 1: The "Size" That Allows You to Put Wood In Without Splitting It

Campfire stoves are all compact enough to fit in a tent, and typically, rectangular shapes are the most common. I focused on whether the size allows for "putting wood inside without splitting it" as a key point.

It's quite a hassle to saw the wood into sizes that fit inside when consuming a large amount. If the wood can fit in at around 40cm in depth, which is the size of commercially available firewood, that trouble should be eliminated.

Point 2: The "Number and Orientation of Glass Windows" That You Want to Gaze At Fire

One of the delights of a wood stove is the time spent watching the flames from within a warm tent. What to keep in mind during this time is the "number and position of the glass windows that allow you to see the fire inside the stove." Generally, the windows are located on up to three sides: both side panels and the front. The position and orientation of the wood stove inside the tent are determined by where the chimney exits, which limits the placement and direction of the stove. A greater number of windows can accommodate various needs, but if there are fewer windows, their position becomes important. If the stove has a window facing the space where you relax, it seems you could enjoy a wonderful time.

Third point: "Presence or absence of the damper and spark arrestor in the chimney."

A key component of a薪ストーブ (wood stove) is the part related to the chimney. Among them, the "damper" and the "spark arrestor" greatly influence functionality. First, the damper is an air control valve located inside the chimney that adjusts the amount of air exiting due to draft effects, allowing for control over the combustion process.

The spark arrestor is an umbrella-like device that is attached to the top of the chimney, serving to protect the tent from rain and preventing sparks from the stove from scattering. Additionally, some models come with a ring for connecting a guy rope, providing a function for securing the chimney as well. Neither of these is essential and can be added later, but purchasing them as a set can help reduce costs and the hassle of selection.

Everyone has different points when it comes to choosing items.

In addition to these three points, there are various elements influenced by the ingenuity of each manufacturer, such as leg length and material differences. Since the functions and coloring also vary, preferences are bound to differ. Naturally, multifunctional items tend to be more expensive, so it seems better to choose while keeping in mind the points that you are unwilling to compromise on.

What I purchased was the SoomLoom Vista V

In the end, what I bought was the SoomLoom "Vista V" wood stove. Up until just before buying, I had my eyes set on a "stove that allows you to put firewood in as is," but I suddenly changed my mind and went with this Vista V. The reason was simply that it can be used for oven cooking. The image of "oven cooking with firewood while drinking sake" was just too appealing, so its priority shot up for me.

However, splitting firewood still seems challenging, so I decided to research whether there’s a good method.

I also discovered that firewood can be purchased online by size

When I looked into the online sale of firewood, I found that it was sold cut into various widths. It seems that I can buy firewood of about 20cm, which can fit into the Vista V I purchased.

Generally, commercially available firewood is about 40cm, but I learned that you can choose the size at specialty shops, so it would be a good idea to buy firewood before going to the campsite. However, since there are shipping costs, if there is a store near your home or the campsite you intend to go to, that might be the best option.

Ventilation is essential, but a carbon monoxide checker is also necessary

Carbon monoxide is emitted by the wood stove inside the tent, so ventilation is necessary. On top of that, it is also important to install a carbon monoxide checker. Completely closing the damper can cause exhaust to stagnate, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the damper open.

Additionally, it is important to turn off the stove while sleeping to prevent incomplete combustion as well as to reduce the risk of fire.

With a wood stove, the wait for the truly cold season is exciting

Autumn has just begun, but I have started to look forward to the truly cold season. I have summarized points before and after purchase, but there are certainly more things to be aware of when actually using a wood stove inside a tent.

I will discover many things from now on.

Reporting and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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