We recently tested the idea of using tealights and terracotta pots as makeshift heaters. While they can warm very small spaces, we found them to be a fire risk. As a safer alternative, we recommended the UCO Candle Lantern for heating a tent in the field. So, we decided to put that suggestion to the test.
Key takeaways:
- A single candle can raise the temperature of a small three-season tent by about 4°F (2°C).
- Even if you warm the air inside the tent, heat loss through the ground is often more significant.
- For cold-weather emergencies, an inflatable sleeping pad paired with a closed-cell pad and warm clothing is a better investment.
- Be cautious with candle lanterns—allow plenty of time for them to cool before handling.
- UCO offers a three-candle lantern that provides up to 5,000 BTU, but it might be too heavy for a go-bag.
The UCO Candle Lantern
If you're going to use a candle in a tent, the UCO Candle Lantern is one of the safest options available. When collapsed, it’s just 4.25 inches (11 cm) long, safely enclosing the glass in a metal sheath. Extend it to 6.25 inches (17 cm), and you’ll see the glass and the top of the candle. The lantern weighs 8.8 ounces (249 grams) with a candle included. There's also a lighter aluminum version at 6.4 ounces (181 grams).
The UCO Candle Lantern uses specially made candles—available in paraffin, beeswax, and citronella. It comes with a paraffin candle, but I bought beeswax ones because they emit fewer fumes, which is important in a confined space. Beeswax candles also last longer, burning for 12 hours compared to 9 for the others.
Loading the candle is a bit unique. The bottom unscrews, revealing a spring and plate that push the candle upward. Once you remove those parts, you can replace the candle easily. If you lose a part, spare components are available for purchase.
Lighting the lantern after reassembly took a few tries. You extend it and then slide the glass down to expose the wick. At the top is a metal heat shield with vents for airflow and to blow out the flame. A lot of heat rises through this opening, making it a decent handwarmer—but it also heats up the hanging bail and chain.
Be careful with the heat shield—it gets hot fast. I lit the candle briefly for photos, blew it out, and burned my hand when I tried to collapse it. After extinguishing, let the bail and chain cool for several minutes, and wait for the wax to harden. In the cold, this only took a minute or two.
One Hour in a Cold Tent
I set up my REI Co-op Passage 2 tent in my yard. It's a two-person, three-season tent I keep in my go-bag. Inside, I sat on a basic closed-cell foam pad and hung a thermometer I use for chicken brooders.
The outdoor temperature was 28°F (-2°C). I left the flap open for ten minutes, and the tent warmed to 35°F (2°C). Then I zipped it up, sat inside, and waited another ten minutes—the temperature rose to 45°F (7°C).
I lit the UCO Candle Lantern, which was hanging from the center of the tent’s roof. After ten minutes, the temperature was still around 45°F (7°C). I gave it another 15 minutes, and it barely rose to 49°F (9°C).
To improve the effect, I moved the lantern lower near the door. The temperature rose slightly to under 50°F (10°C). According to *The SAS Survival Handbook*, a 4°F increase is typical for a 13.5-foot diameter igloo. But a mesh tent isn’t nearly as insulated.
Using an online BTU calculator, I estimated that it would take 789 BTU to raise the temperature by 10°F. A single candle produces about 80 BTU, so it’s unlikely the candle had much impact. My body heat likely contributed more than the flame itself.
To maximize effectiveness, consider using an insulated tent, a smaller shelter, wrapping the tent in a tarp, or piling snow around it. Still, the candle only provided a minor boost. And I felt colder over time, especially after lying on the sleeping pad, which increased heat loss through the ground.
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Thankfully, I wasn’t far from the door. If I were in the field, I’d skip the candle and bring an inflatable sleeping pad instead. Adding a better foam pad and extra socks would have helped significantly.
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After testing, I learned that UCO makes a three-candle lantern called the Candleier Lantern, which claims 5,000 BTU. That’s enough to heat food and drinks, though I’m skeptical. It weighs over a pound, so it’s not ideal for a go-bag, but it could work well at home as a safer alternative to tea lights and terracotta pots.
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