Heat options in lavvus

Few people go camping without using some form of heat-source for cooking or warmth. There are various options available depending on the season, and they each have their advantages and their disadvantages.

Open fire using firewood from the campsite

Nothing gives you that true wilderness feeling like an open fire! Making a fire is also a great way to staying warm inside the lavvu. Heating, boiling, cooking and grilling — an open fire makes it all possible, all year-round. Throughout the year, there are times when you are prohibited from lighting fires outdoors. Please check before setting off on your trip.

Advantages

  • No extra weight to carry

  • Excellent radiation heat from the flames

  • Provides good light

  • Warms well overnight if rocks are placed around it

  • The smoke from the fire keeps insects away

Disadvantages

  • Fires create a lasting mark on the landscape

  • Less energy efficient than a stove

  • A lot of smoke inside the lavvu

  • Heavy and time-consuming in winter when there is a lot of snow and you have to dig almost down to the ground

  • No way of guarding against sparks when you’re asleep, which increases the fire risk

Wood-fired stove

A wood-fired lavvu stove is heavy, but if you are setting up a base camp that you’ll be using for several days, it’s a good option.

Advantages

  • Suitable for all seasons

  • Less smoke than an open fire

  • Uses less fuel than an open fire

  • Makes the warmth last well into the night and allows you to sleep soundly without having to worry about sparks or open flames setting fire to anything

  • The top cover of the stove can be used as a cooking surface and makes boiling water and cooking easier

Disadvantages

  • The weight of the stove

  • Weight and bulk of fuel if this needs to be carried

  • Generates less light than an open fire

Burner

A burner is a sort of hybrid between a stove and an open fire. It is a round container with air holes that is hung from the lavvu pole.

Advantages

  • Slightly more energy efficient than a fire

  • Can be moved outdoors when it’s time to sleep

  • No need to dig into the ground if the lavvu has been pitched on snow

  • Fewer sparks than from an open fire

  • Light

  • Cheaper than a stove

  • The Helsport burner has a top cover where a coffee pot or frying pan can be placed

Disadvantages

  • More smoke inside the lavvu than when a stove is used

  • Boiling/cooking opportunities are more limited