Heat options in lavvus

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