The most unique way to keep your ice fishing hut warm is via a tent stove. This allows you to burn wood to keep yourself warm. This has many benefits, even beyond just the aesthetic appeal. You don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide and it can be efficient depending on which wood you are using.
In the sections below we’ll identify the best tent stoves for ice fishing and include a section on the topic of how to turn your hut into a space for a tent stove with a simple kit. Alternatively, you can make use of a hot tent that can easily be adapted to ice fishing.
Can I Use Wood To Heat My Tent?
Why Wood? Many might ask this question, given the fact that propane burns more efficiently. There are many reasons why wood is more favorable than gas for heating a tent.
Safer- No Carbon Monoxide Risk
The great danger of using propane to heat any space is the dangerous byproduct of carbon monoxide. While this can be alleviated with proper venting, you just simply won’t have the same risks with wood.
Wood Can Be Cheaper
This depends on the circumstances of your situation. In early 2021 the cost of propane doubled and remained high into 2023. Propane products are subject to temperature fluctuations, in particular the 10-gallon tanks which are preferable to some for their compact size but unfortunately quite expensive.
You’ll save money if you have easy access to a steady supply of firewood (and a little of the right type can go a long way, as you’ll see later).
Aesthetics- Wood Fires Bring Good Memories
Burning wood reminds everyone of a campfire or a fireplace on a cold winter’s day. This alone is plenty of reason to choose the classic over propane gas for some anglers. There’s something about smoke billowing out the top of a hut that screams warmth.
Types Of Wood That Are Most Effective
The heat content of energy is measured in BTUs. For propane that measure is expressed in BTUs per gallon but for wood the value is shown as BTUs per cord of firewood. A chord fits within 128 square feet.
Without getting too deep into the numbers game, it is safe to say that propane gives you the most BTUs at the most efficient use of space. However, not every wood is created equally and some are pretty well known for producing long-lasting fires.
For the best fires, you’ll want white oak, red oak, sugar maple, apple, mulberry and locust. Technically Osage Orange and Shagbark Hickory generate longer warmth, but these trees are harder to find and their wood can be pricey.
Best Ice Fishing Tents For Wood Burning Stoves
You’ll want an ice fishing tent that you can run a chimney through. Many tents do have this feature, as you’ve seen with hot tents and outfitters tents. Many are not ice fishing-specific but can easily be adapted for this purpose since these do not come with canvas flooring attached.
Before You Start- You’ll Need Ice Anchors
Some of these tents are more so built for camping in general and not with ice fishing specifically in mind. As such, you’ll likely need to purchase ice anchors, such as the ones found here.
You can also buy yourself a nifty little attachment such as the Brocraft for your cordless drill that can be used to quickly drill the anchors into the ice. Alternatively, you may drill a pilot hole for the anchors using a bit.
DIY Stove Jack Install On An Ice Fishing Hut
There are many ways to add a stove jack to your insulated ice fishing hut. Many people run the stove jack through the roof, while others might go through the side. There are many videos on YouTube of ice anglers sharing their experiences.
You can find DIY Stove Jack Kits online, such as the one found here, that help prevent the stove jack from being in direct contact with the tent canvas.
10 Favorite Wood-Burning Stoves For Ice Fishing
These are the best tent stoves for ice fishing. You can find these in several different size options and many different unique features, which are described in further detail below.
Winnerwell Nomad Medium
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 20” x 15” x 90” |
| Material | 304 Stainless Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 20 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 800 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
One nice feature of the Nomad medium is the small footprint. This is because the firebox is rectangular and the legs have a nesting design. 2 gridded platforms are mounted on either side of the stove. These shelves are convenient for cooking and clothes-drying purposes.
A glass viewing window allows you to actively view the flame and you have access to dual dampers for controlling airflow and the strength of the flame.
Danchel Outdoor Pure Titanium
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 14” x 7.8” x 10.9” |
| Material | Titanium w/ Door Glass |
| Weight (lbs.) | 4.4 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 816 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The titanium construction makes the Danchel one of the least heavy options on this list. You also have the benefit of the H-Type legs, which collapse with ease. This stove also has a glass door, allowing you to view the fire from the outside.
OneTigris Tiger Roar
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 10.6” x 8.5” x 17.3” |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 21 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 878 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The compact design includes two H-style legs that collapse along the bottom of the stove for easy storage. At 878 cubic inches, the Tiger Roar has one of the larger fireboxes when compared to all the others in this list.
Another nice feature is the pre-packed with replacement glass, should you ever need it. The stove also comes with a pair of leather gloves for safely maneuvering logs within the firebox.
MC TOMOUNT
| Collapsed Dimensions(D x W x H) (in.) | 18.11” x 12.2” x 11” |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 15 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 843 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
This is easily one of the most affordable options on this list. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the cost savings is the simplistic design. The glass viewing window is relatively small. More importantly, the stove does not come with a spark arrestor. The purpose of a spark arrestor is to prevent sparks and ash from exiting the stove pipe.
That being said, you can purchase a spark arrestor that is 6 cm, such as this one if you wish to have extra safety. Despite this the chimney does have dampers to control the flame, and the stove itself does come equipped with shelves for cooking/heating objects.
Firehiking TOLA
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 13” x 9.5” x 7.5” |
| Material | Titanium |
| Weight (lbs.) | 3.4 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 862 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The stove owes its ultra-lightweight characteristic to the titanium construction. One nice feature is the way that the damper is secured. The damper is fixed with nuts, which should make it less likely to come undone and allow air to leak.
Titanium is much more tensile than stainless steel. Which means that it should be more durable than stainless steel. So this could be one feature that you consider when comparing the cost of individual stoves against each other.
Aomxay Dual Interior Wall
| Collapsed Dimensions(D x W x H) (in.) | 22” x 17.5” x 25.7” |
| Material | Carbon Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 26 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 1264 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
One feature that’s different when compared to other stoves is: the bottom air intake control. This allows you to extinguish the flame quickly, which should lead to more efficient use of firewood. The heat-resistant window is large and covers most of the height of the stove.
Perhaps less important, but still noteworthy is the carbon steel construction. This makes the unit more affordable compared to many of the other options on this list. You also have a unique sleek black design while most stoves are gray.
Winnerwell Nomad Large
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 18” x 18” x 9.8” |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 34 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 1500 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Nomad Large is the big sister of the Nomad Medium. You have all the great features of the Medium, including the shelf and heat-resistant glass, with a larger firebox.
This allows for greater heat output (at the sacrifice of portability). However, the fire will last much longer if you can swing additional weight. This can be of great benefit when it comes to the heating demands of a large tent. Imagine not having to worry about not having to restock the fire in the middle of the night during an overnight trip.
Winnerwell Woodlander- Medium
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 15” x 8” x 8” |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 20 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 800 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The spring-loaded legs are one of the unique features of the Woodlander. One thing to note is that they do take up more space, although there may be greater support versus the H-style legs of other tent stoves.
The Woodlander Medium also has a bigger sister, just like the Nomad, which you can view here. Both models have the same features, including the removable top plate for cooking.
XCMAN Camping Wood Stove
| Collapsed Dimensions (D x W x H) (in.) | 16.9” x 5.9” x 8.2” |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 24 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 16.9 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
Among the most unique features are the three-view glass windows. You can view the fire from 3 windows, a feature none of the other tent stoves in this list have. It also has a flat cooking top and two mounted cooking shelves.
The bottom stainless steel panel can also be removed when you need to add more oxygen to the firebox.
kampMATE Woodflame Ultra Lightweight
| Collapsed Dimensions(D x W x H) (in.) | 7.5” x 0.2” x 6” |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Weight (lbs.) | 1.1 |
| Firebox Size (cubic inches) | 168 |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The kampMATE is a unique item within this list. It is not a wood-burning stove with a chimney. Rather it is a small, open-air backpacking stove that can be used for having an open flame out on the ice.
The stainless steel sides should help protect the flame against winds. The best use for this backpack stove is to have an open flame out on those to keep your hands warm. You could set the stove up right next to you if you are fishing outside and keep your hands warm.
Final Thoughts
Having a tent stove in your ice fishing hut can be preferable to propane. In recent times the price of propane has been high, meaning you could easily save money if you have a supply of firewood.
You also have the added benefit of not having to worry about carbon monoxide if you are camping overnight. Also, the flame can last more than 5-6 hours depending on which type of wood you are using.
