Wood Stove Recommendations for 13' X 27' Cabela's Ultimate Alaknak Tent

[Camp Cook]

I have been looking at getting a 12'x12' tent that I could set up beside my camper for when there is really crappy weather or all of my family are out with me camping.

I walked into the Abbotsford Cabela's Bargain Cave saw that they had 3 of their 13' X 27' Ultimate Alaknak tents for sale at 1/2 price = $1300 instead of $2600.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Ultimate-Alaknak-Tent-x/1570908.uts this link is US pricing.

I was able to convince myself that that tent was far to big for my needs so was able to leave without buying one went back in on Sunday with my wife there were still two left we did a little discussing and ended up bringing one of them home.

Only thing wrong with these tents was the cardboard packaging was ripped up a bit.

Now I'm in a dilema I have no idea which wood stove or what size of wood stove I need to get for this big of a tent an option is it set up to have two stoves in opposite corners so could have a bigger one at one end and a smaller one that I can stoke up occasionally during the night.

Anyone use a diesel stove I could set a larger wood stove at one end and a small diesel stove set up by the cots that could be turned on just before we head to bed.

Yes I'm just throwing out ideas would prefer on large wood stove I would appreciate any thoughts
CC

[Patman7]

That is one beauty tent! I have used wall tents for 20 years, and just a good air tight as shown in the picture will do. Just organize sleepers such as children a little closer to the heat, adults or people with warmer bags further away.
Pat

[BgBlkDg]

I detest "oil" stoves, we had these for a few years in the BCFS, 50ish years ago, and in some very remote, cold parts of BC where I was stationed. They all stink and the fuel can be messy to handle.

When setting up large tents in camps, I prefer propane and wood stoves, for your situation, I would probably get a "Big Buddy" propane stove with the conversion kit to use 25-30 lb. bottles left outside the tent. I would also buy a good, airtight stove, probably a Riley "Sheepherder" type and Cabela's has some of their own brand name, as well.

I would use the largest, with attached hot water reservoir and that setup should meet your needs.

[Weatherby Fan]

Check these guys out, we bought a Ellis Collapsible wood stove, they were great to deal with, they have a few options, as well as Cabelas should have some decent options, we use a 12x12 Alanak Wall tent and they are awesome.
In that size of tent you would want a bigger wood stove and as BBD says you can get all kind of options such as a hot water tank !

http://www.canvastentshop.ca/portablewoodstoves.html

[buckshot]

I will never get anything but a top loading airtight heater from Great West Metal. They come in different sizes. I use the 24 inch model. I just picked up my third one at Home Hardware.

[ryanb]

A big wood stove and a small 12v fan to disperse the heat in that behemoth. 12v fans don't use much juice. A small solar panel and small 12v battery ought to keep it running 24/7.

[375shooter]

I will never get anything but a top loading airtight heater from Great West Metal. They come in different sizes. I use the 24 inch model. I just picked up my third one at Home Hardware.

Yes, those stoves work GREAT! Better than a rectangular-shaped box stove, IME.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Heating-Ventilation-Cooling-Home-Comfort/Heating/Stoves-Fireplaces/Miscellaneous/610mm-Air-Tight-Heater/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5530320?Ntt=Great+West+Metal

[whitlers]

We use a diesel stove in our tent 15x25. Works great! Can get through 3 cold nights on 25l. It's expensive to operate but you don't have to cut and stack wood!

[hoochie]

my new tent is only a 10X12, and this little bugger works great:
http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy284/mrmabley/DSC00206_zps9sns1m8w.jpg (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/mrmabley/media/DSC00206_zps9sns1m8w.jpg.html)

[Dannybuoy]

Yes, those stoves work GREAT! Better than a rectangular-shaped box stove, IME.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Heating-Ventilation-Cooling-Home-Comfort/Heating/Stoves-Fireplaces/Miscellaneous/610mm-Air-Tight-Heater/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5530320?Ntt=Great+West+Metal
Yes but they are known as "hippie killers" for good reason ...

[markt308]

I got mine made by hermit on this site if you wanna pm him. We have used it in our 14x16 wall tent for the past three seasons and we are all really happy with it. Also his service was top notch

[Sportster]

Check out cylinder stoves their a great product. If you go to there website it tells you what size you need for the size of your tent.

[longwalk]

I have the Outfitter model of the Cylinder stove. Good wood with a solid bed of coals and it will throw out heat all night. The top is good for cooking on and the hot water tank is a nice addition.

[375shooter]

Yes but they are known as "hippie killers" for good reason ...

I haven't heard that before. What is it, that makes them labelled as hippie killers?

[Downwindtracker2]

I heated my cabin in northern BC with a tin airtight. I used 22" ones in my 12x14x5 wall tent. Tin airtights are called hippie killers, I was told they were the #1 reason for house fires in the north. So you have to be careful with them. They should not be ran wide open, it warps the intake. Then they are not airtight any more and can run away on you. They need a damper as well. Beetle killed swamp pine did a number on one of mine. The heat output is not really a product of size, with the smouldering fire, but burn time certainly is. I would be tempted to use a real steel airtight if you have more trucks packing.

[Downwindtracker2]

If you feed your partner enough beer, he'll have to get up in the middle of the night, then he can feed the fire!

[Vossie]

We have a 16x20 tent and for the first few years used a modified 30lb propane tank for a wood stove. It worked fine, only one problem, it weighs close to 100lb with the 1/4" thick top plate and front door system. A few years back I welded up the ultimate wood stove for our setup. 1.6mm thick stainless, 14"x14" x 28" rectangular stove. Air tight with proper door seals, air regulator, inside baffle plate and removable legs.

This is why I will build this stove again:
- It has enough flat top surface to heat up breakfast or any meal for that matter.
- We place a 5 gal steel pale on top with water so we always have hot water to wash dishes or shower, etc.
- A rectangle is real easy to pack, as appose to a ob-round or half round with odd legs sticking out.
- If it is -15ºC outside I can make that stove glow red hot and we are all sweating soon.
- I really like the extra size because I can stack it full when we go to bed, dial the air down to a whisper and keep the tent warm till the morning.
- This one weighs in at 46lbs.
- With the amount of dead pine in the province wood stove is my choice.

My 2 cent, get something bigger(if weight is not an issue) than smaller and you have more options.

[Whonnock Boy]

Get yourself some dedicated stove pipe. I believe that pipe is galvanized, and is not the most healthy of choices.


my new tent is only a 10X12, and this little bugger works great:
http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy284/mrmabley/DSC00206_zps9sns1m8w.jpg (http://s800.photobucket.com/user/mrmabley/media/DSC00206_zps9sns1m8w.jpg.html)

[curt]

This is an awesome little unit!!!
yes, those stoves work great! Better than a rectangular-shaped box stove, ime.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/heating-ventilation-cooling-home-comfort/heating/stoves-fireplaces/miscellaneous/610mm-air-tight-heater/_/n-2pqfz67l/ne-67n/ntk-all_en/r-i5530320?ntt=great+west+metal

[Brew]

Go with the diesel stove from deakin equipment. I made the mistake of buying the large one for my 12x12 cabelas tent because it's so hot even on the lowest setting. It sure is nice when it's cold and wet. If you buy the large one I bet you wouldn't need two stoves. The diesel stoves sure crank the heat and dry stuff out in a hurry. It burns 7 litres a night on low and about 10L on high. You won't regret it

they hardly weigh anything as well compared to good wood stoves

[Downwindtracker2]

The real joy of a stove is dry. Your clothes after a day of hunting, and the dampness in your sleeping bag.

A wood stove needs a chainsaw and splitting maul as well.

I had a bad experience with one of those cat heaters that screw on to a 20# propane tank. I was up first cooking breakfast and pointed the heater into the wall tent door, the sleepy heads got up pretty groggy. They burn the oxygen in the air. I wouldn't use one for heating the inside of a tent if you wanted to wake up alive.

[Camp Cook]

Thanks for the thoughts guys I really appreciate them.

I'm finally going to get the tent set up today I don't have enough room in my yard so I'm setting it up on my neighbours 1 acre lot next to me.

I haven't decided on a stove yet so please keep your thoughts on this coming.

[BromBones]

If you ever plan to cook on the stove, don't get the Great West metal top loader. Real pain in the butt to add a little more wood when you've got some food cooking on top. Not much for a flat surface other than the loading lid. I own one, it heats my tent nice but is finicky and you have to watch you don't overload the thing with dry wood - they start woofing, warp, and never seal properly again. Some green poplar over a hot dry pine fire works good for night time. They are nice and light, and cheap, but to me not a long term investment.

You also have to be very careful if your tent has a floor, the legs are only 4'' tall. I put 2-3'' of sand in the bottom of mine and after a few hours of running hot the bottom of the stove puts out a lot of heat. I have a 4x4 piece of plywood under a fireproof mat that goes under the stove. Without anything you will melt the floor.

These 'style' of stoves are much better -

http://www.canvastentshop.ca/woodcampstoves.html
(http://www.canvastentshop.ca/woodcampstoves.html)
Cooking surface, side warming trays, water jacket, etc. Much more functional and useful stove. Taller legs means no worrying about bottom heat on your floor.

[TravisC]

We have and older fisher wood stove. Heavy as shit, we use in 14x16 wall tent, It's fairly small it only take 3 maybe 4 pieces of wood at a time but burns for hrs because of the weight (thickness) of the cast steel. It get so hot in the tent even at -20 we sometimes have to leave the door open to be able to breath :) dries the gear out great. Personally have never used a diesel stove but we did camp with a group that did and they froze when the fuel froze up while we stayed warm because there's always wood to burn. If your trekking deep into area harder to pack all the extras you need if your going to burn 10L a day of fuel. Wood is pretty much a guarantee. (Just a thought.) especially If your camped out for weeks at a time away from any close by gas station for re stock. The diesel would be great if its just a extra room for camping along side your trailer. The diesel heat is constant and little to no messing with and NO reloading with wood in the middle of the night :(

[ellenbill]

Nothing wrong with great west stoves if you know how to use them.I hate to admit my age but I have used them for 65years.Never a problem if you long enough pipe and dampening. Hippies were always stoned to death before they lit the stove anyways!

I agree not the best for cooking on, but you should not cook in a tent unless you want uninvited guests.Mabey keep the coffee warm.

[Camp Cook]

I just set it up for the first time = its huge... 8)

It has two chimney holes and a two zippered floor areas that you unzip and fold back exposing bare ground for the stove to sit on.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/561/medium/Cabelas_Ultimate_Alaknak_13_x27_tent_2.JPG


http://www.hunt101.com/data/561/medium/Cabelas_Ultimate_Alaknak_13_x27_tent_3.JPG

Next time I'm putting up the center pole first

http://www.hunt101.com/data/561/medium/Cabelas_Ultimate_Alaknak_13_x27_tent_4.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/561/medium/Cabelas_Ultimate_Alaknak_13_x27_tent_5.JPG

[bcsteve]

Quite the palace!!!

[kevan]

Pretty awesome tent CC, looks to be very well made.
Wouldn't the ' homeless ' bunch love to get their hands on that ??

[Camp Cook]

Took about 1 hour to set it up by myself this first time now that I know what I'm doing it will probably depending on how hard the ground is only take 35 min.

Two people that know what their doing would take 20 minutes.

There are a lot of quality pegs so it should handle a lot of wind.

[hoochie]

Get yourself some dedicated stove pipe. I believe that pipe is galvanized, and is not the most healthy of choices.
that's the pipe that came with the unit. we got the wrong elbows, got 5" instead of the 6". thus the wire.
mines not galvanized.

[Fixit]

i use a fisher baby bear air tight stove, heavy as $hit but it burns through the night when the draft is 3/4 of a turn open.

[REMINGTON JIM]

CC thats NOT a tent its a Dance Hall ! :wink: Right on ! RJ

[Wentrot]

Holy crap that's a monster. Party on!

[Camp Cook]

I had a friend ask me yesterday if he could borrow it for his daughters outdoor wedding. :)

[Camp Cook]

Finally ordered a stove yesterday from Canvas Tent Shop Canada in Castlegar, BC I went with the following.

http://www.canvastentshop.ca/woodcampstoves.html

WILDERNESS 5 STANDARD STOVE KIT/COMBO (16"W x 16"H x 26"L has a 10-12 hour burn time)
INTERNAL GRATE
SECOND SIDE SHELF / WARMING TRAY
5" IN LINE SPARK BOX / ARRESTOR
HEAT SHIELD (to protect the wall behind the stove don't need one on the floor it has a zippered area to unzip to expose the ground)

[Elkaholic]

Finally ordered a stove yesterday from Canvas Tent Shop Canada in Castlegar, BC I went with the following.

http://www.canvastentshop.ca/woodcampstoves.html

WILDERNESS 5 STANDARD STOVE KIT/COMBO (16"W x 16"H x 26"L has a 10-12 hour burn time)
INTERNAL GRATE
SECOND SIDE SHELF / WARMING TRAY
5" IN LINE SPARK BOX / ARRESTOR
HEAT SHIELD (to protect the wall behind the stove don't need one on the floor it has a zippered area to unzip to expose the ground)

I have been using at 12x12 alkanak for years now. You will find that material to be really fire resistant. We have had the stove red hot in ours and we touched the material and it was fine, it was warm but did not melt or anything change about it. Even the plastic fire gasket on the stove pipe hole will not melt its amazing. They are great tents and awesome to hunt out of. Yours is like a palace compared to mine but will be just as reliable no doubt. The tent pegs that come with it are unreal as far as lifespan. I dont know how many times they have been bent and re bent straight again. Still work great and this tent can handle the weather if its all done right. The fastest method I have to setup the 12x12 on my own is I do the four corners just so they hold each other up. Then do the center pole, now re-adjust the corners tight and put the rest of the poles/pegs in place. I can do it myself in 20-25 minutes, less with help that has done it before. I don't know if that would specifically apply to that tent as it has 3 center poles but just giving you some real world feedback on it.

[Camp Cook]

Excellent info

Thanks

[Camp Cook]

I still have the tent set up here is how it looks inside with some of my stuff I'll do a little rearranging when the stove gets here.

7 chairs
3 cots
two 2'x4' folding leg tables
yep that is indoor plumbing you see in the corner :lol:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Ultimate_Alaknak_inside.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Ultimate_Alaknak_inside_2.JPG

[.264winmag]

That is quite the mansion, some comfy! I think you picked the perfect stove, we have the 10''x14'' cabelas ISQ outfitter tent and the same stove as Hoochie. It burns plenty hot that you're stripping off layers in a hurry but doesn't burn all night on medium. Yours should as its a much bigger stove. I like the tent, just needs to be vented at all times to prevent condensation. Enjoy.

[boxhitch]

Palacious set up there. maybe hang an emergency/survival thermal blanket behind the stove to help reflect heat and protect the wall.

[Camp Cook]

Wilderness 5 camp stove arrived today got it out of the box and set up.

We have had it burning for the last couple of hours on its first trial run and to season the paint.

I'll put it into the tent tomorrow for its first real test.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Wood_stove_2.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Wood_stove_4.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Wilderness_5_wood_stove.JPG

[guest]

I was out getting my stove components yesterday and was told DO NOT USE GALVANIZED pipe. Toxic.

just saying

[REMINGTON JIM]

Nice Tent and Stove there CC ! I like it ! ;) RJ

[srupp]

Holy mansions batman....what a amazing setup.thinking of my single tent in the snow for upcoming moose hunt.the stove looks top notch..all great choices..very envious of that setup should serve you well for many many years
Truly top notch.
Cheers
Green..lol

[curt]

absolutely awesome unit!!!

Yes, those stoves work GREAT! Better than a rectangular-shaped box stove, IME.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Heating-Ventilation-Cooling-Home-Comfort/Heating/Stoves-Fireplaces/Miscellaneous/610mm-Air-Tight-Heater/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5530320?Ntt=Great+West+Metal

[Camp Cook]

I was out getting my stove components yesterday and was told DO NOT USE GALVANIZED pipe. Toxic.

just saying

I have heard this as well which is why if you look at the last pic you will see that I got the stove ripping so hot that it has mostly burnt the zinc coating on the pipes it should be fine now.

[albravo2]

Camp,
I have a similar setup, though it is just a cheap costco pop up garage, 12'x28'.

I just learned a few lessons up Buckinghorse Way a couple weeks ago.

1. vent the wood stove out the side or you will deal with burn holes on your roof from embers. Last year we used a diesel heater which was awesome but this year we used a wood stove. Nice to be able to replenish fuel but the diesel was steadier heat without the flying embers. I have some holes to patch now.
2. those stoves get red hot and will leave burn marks and scars on anything that touches them. common sense, I know, but i'm still nursing a burn on my hand.
3. Do NOT economize on tie downs even if the weather is really nice when you set up. We ended up cold and wet trying to save our tent in our underwear in the middle of a 60kph wind and rain storm. Damn thing nearly blew away right on top of us. I'm talking stakes at every support pole (not just the corners) and some guy wires out to the sides. Those big tents really make nice parachutes in big wind.

Looks like a great setup.

[Camp Cook]

Thanks for the advise

The only way to put up a Alaknak tent is with lots of tie downs nothing stands unless it is heald in place with tie downs it is definitely not a free standing tent.

As to the roof getting burn holes I have the spark arrestor at the top of the pipe but I also purchased the second spark arrestor it is the square box you see on the stove.

I also purchased one of the roof spark protector sheets that clips to the roof from Cabela's http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Alaknak-II-Roof-Panel-Protector/732431.uts its actually a lot bigger than what you see in the link so I am really hoping I have the spark issue covered.

[boxhitch]

I was out getting my stove components yesterday and was told DO NOT USE GALVANIZED pipe. Toxic. just sayingMost stoves are sold with galvanized pipe, for a reason. Its safe at temperatures from a wood fire, not so safe when welding though.
One stove company had a good write-up on their website, take a google.

[panhead]

Was on strike for 3 months one time and was "doing my time" in a plywood shack with one of those HH Hippyheaters. It was run for almost the full 3 months 24/7. Lasted the whole time but was "done" at the end. We used to fry porkchops on it and feed a down and out fellow who used to drop by and chat. Great little stove for the price but certainly not as good as an airtight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He stubborn’s up like a mule in a mud puddle

[Camp Cook]

The weather is getting a bit colder and damper had the Wilderness 5 stove ripping last night I need to find one of those heat activated fans to blow the warmth around.

Why did we have the fire going instead of going away for the weekend well its like this my son and I walked back into the Cabela's bargain cave again and found a box with a vestibule for our tent in it at less than 1/2 price so it came home with us I had to put it on the tent to see how it works.

Overall length of the tent with the vestibule is 39' ... 8)

Next time I set the tent up I'm putting the vestibule on the stove end of the tent going to use it to keep my firewood in and where I am going to do the cooking etc.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Cabela_s_Ultimate_Alaknak_13_x27_with_Vestabule.JP G

[RiverOtter]

How long to set that tent "train" up?

[Squamch]

I'm pretty sure that tent is bigger than the house I grew up in.

[Stormy]

I sure that they can spot that canvass mansion from the ISS, everytime they make a pass overhead....

what does it all weigh when folded?

[Camp Cook]

Tent is appr 127 lbs

Vestibule I'd guess 20 - 25 lbs

Stove is appr 78 lbs

First time I put up the tent it took appr 1 hr with two people I thnk it would be 20 - 30 min the vestibule took a bit to figure out took appr 20 min.

I'm thinking the entire tent including setting up the stove - tables - chairs - cots - sleeping bags etc will take 1 hr with 2 people when I set it up again.

[tigrr]

Zinc isn't toxic, if you weld on it for a few hours you will get zinc chills. If the smoke coming off the pipe is burning white/yellow keep your head out of the plume. Lead and chromium is toxic. Welding instructor here.
Nice canvas palace!

[.264winmag]

[QUOTE=tigrr;1821839]Zinc isn't toxic, if you weld on it for a few hours you will get zinc chills. If the smoke coming off the pipe is burning white/yellow keep your head out of the plume. Lead and chromium is toxic. Welding instructor here.
Thanks for that, almost as tired from that myth as the garbage bag toxic for meat one...