Different Heating Options for Your Tipi

The most effective way of heating a tipi is using an indirect fan heater. With this method of heating, the main heater is positioned outside of the tipi, with a duct connecting the heater to the tipi, with a hoover head on the end which is pushed under the edge of the canvas.

The Thermobile brand that we have worked with for many years has a Thermostat positioned inside the tipi, so that you can set it to the desired temperature. When the interior temperature drops below the set, the heater kicks on until the goal temperature is achieved. It also comes with a fan-only option for summer weather to circulate the air inside the tipi.
 

Infrared Heater

Popular for standalone tipis, infrared heaters can be attached to the main tipi framework on the purlin beams, pointing downwards.
This method of heating is used by clients who don’t want to refuel the heating equipment (like the infrared heaters), as they are powered by electricity.

While providing direct overhead warmth, they heat the isolated space below where they hang – so the larger the tipi, the more infrared heaters will be required to ensure all guests are comfortably heated. We recommend extra padding is put behind any bracketry so as not to rub on the tipi canvas, thus creating holes.

The traditional way of heating a tipi, used for many thousands of years, is an open fire positioned in the centre of the tipi. As such, the tipis have been designed with a smoke hood at the very top that can be opened and closed at will. This is a crucial design feature when you’re wanting to light an open fire pit inside the tipi as it allows the smoke to exit.

An open fire pit creates a cosy feel to the space with the flickering flames that you can toast marshmallows over. Although it has a couple of drawbacks:

• Open Fire Pits will age your canvas quicker due to the smoke residue left on the canvas.

• It is not an effective way of heating a tipi due to the large size of our tipis. When standing a metre away from the hire, you can indeed feel the heat, but any further and it is lost. So an indirect fan heater would still be required.

• They’re not suitable for the Baby Tipis as a 2m safety perimeter around the fire pit is required as a safe standing distance.

• When it is raining outside, you will need to close the smoke hood at the top of the tipi to stop rain from getting inside. This in-turn means that you will need to dampen out the fire during wet weather.

Due to the reasons above, we advise our clients to choose alternative heating methods for their tipis to ensure the tipi canvas is kept in the best condition possible, for as long as possible. A great alternative is to position a fire pit in the open air, outside the tipis, to act as a quirky breakout space for guests to gather around, ensuring that you get your rustic fire pit experience without any damage done to your tipi canvas.

Wood-Burner 

The perfect heating solution for a Baby Tipi and Midi Tipi, especially in glamping settings, in an enclosed log burner. Often positioned to the side of the tipi, with a flue attached that goes up and out of the tipi canvas, this heating method looks great and is effective in smaller spaces.

The taller the external flue, the more effective the “draw” will be, hence creating a roaring fire and a warmer temperature inside. These stoves can be installed by yourself should you feel competent to do so as the stoves don’t need to be signed off under building regulations (as of March 2023). Otherwise we’d recommend you book a HETAS registered stove and flue installer to complete the works for you.