As an ice fisher, you probably spend a lot of time prepping for your fishing trips, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, food is often an afterthought. What do you do when you get hungry? Can you cook up some fish in your tent or are you limited to cold meals and heat-up foods? We’ve done all the research and will share our findings with you.
Many avoid cooking food in their ice fishing tent because of the risk of carbon monoxide inhalation. But if you keep safety in mind, use the right tent type, and pack the right equipment, you can successfully cook hot meals in your shanty.
Cooking in your ice fishing tent is an amazing experience you shouldn’t have to miss out on. Keep reading to learn more about cooking food in your ice fishing tent and safe ways to do so.
You Can Cook Food in Your Ice Fishing Tent
Many will recommend against cooking in an ice fishing tent. People die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in these enclosed spaces. Any cooking appliance that burns fuel can increase the carbon monoxide levels in your tent to dangerous levels and put you at risk. Given the risk, you’ll have to cook smart.
Many cook in their ice shanty with their big buddy heaters with one of these cooking surface attachments.
As long as you’re aware of the risks associated with smoke inhalation and poor ventilation, you can take steps to safely prepare meals in your tent.
How to Promote Safety While Cooking in an Ice Fishing Tent
If you want to cook something from scratch or heat up food items in an ice fishing tent, you have options. There are several ways you can make delicious meals in your shanty, and we’ll share how in this section of the article.
Increase Ventilation in the Tent
If you plan on using a propane stove or any other cooking method that involves fuel, you’ll want to increase ventilation in your tent. The point is to allow carbon monoxide to escape from the tent rather than build up inside.
Ensure Your Tent is Equipped for Good Ventilation
Sometimes, ice fishing tents aren’t equipped with enough ventilation to keep you safe while cooking with fuel. While cooking and for a short period afterwards, ensure there’s overhead and ground-level ventilation to allow air to move throughout the space. If your tent doesn’t have ventilation both overhead and below, you may need to open a couple of the tent’s flaps to be safe.
Note: Some tents come with ventilation specifically for cooking situations like these. They tend to have two doors and windows you can open to get some extra airflow through the tent. Look for tents like these if you haven’t yet bought one.
Use a Low-Level Carbon Monoxide Detector
In addition to increasing ventilation in your tent, get yourself a low-level carbon monoxide detector. This is not like the carbon monoxide detector you may have at home. The ones we use at home only sound off when carbon monoxide levels reach 70 ppm and hold for 60 minutes.
This won’t work in a situation like cooking in an ice fishing tent. Carbon monoxide levels can get much higher than 70 ppm in less than 60 minutes – this could result in a situation where you aren’t notified of the carbon monoxide within enough time.
Low-level carbon monoxide detectors sound off at much lower carbon monoxide levels. This Lunarlip Carbon Monoxide Detector can measure anywhere from 0 – 1000 ppm, and you get to set the carbon monoxide limit as low as you want to. Having a device like this on hand goes a long way to keeping you safe as you cook.
Learn About the Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Ventilation and detectors go a long way in making you and your loved ones safer while cooking. But if your detector malfunctions or you don’t have enough ventilation, it’s important to know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you notice that anyone is showing these signs, act immediately, getting away from the source and seeking professional help.
Here are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath or labored breathing
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Headache
- Confusion
- Inability to think clearly
*Though these are some of the main signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, this is not a full list of symptoms.
Tips for Cooking in an Ice Fishing Tent
Now that you know how to cook safely, you’re fully ready to get cooking. But what do you cook? And what happens if smoke builds up? We’ll share tips for these things and more in the below list:
- Know which types of food are best for ice fishing tent meals – soups, fish you catch, hot dogs, and The simpler the meal is, the easier it’ll be to cook it up.
- Get your hands on a gas burner or another source of heat, a skillet or pot, and the rest of your cooking supplies (spices, utensils, water, oil, etc.).
- If there’s excessive smoke build up, turn off the burner and ventilate the area as best as you can. Open your tent windows and doors, and if you happen to have a fan on-hand, turn it on. If the smoke doesn’t dissipate right away, exit the tent and return when the smoke is at a workable level.
- The second a fire starts in your pot or skillet, put the lid back on to starve the fire and turn the burner off. If a fire starts and spreads, leave everything as is and leave the tent to call for help. If the fire appears to be at a manageable level, douse it with ample water, but keep enough distance to ensure the steam doesn’t burn your face.
How to Get Stinky Smells Out of the Tent/Hub Fabric
After enjoying your meal, you may notice that something sticks around – that stinky fishy or shrimpy smell. Here are some cleaning tips to get your tent smelling better:
Do a Full Wash in the Tub
If your tent is small enough to fit in your tub, soak it in some tech wash. It is an all-in-one cleanser for waterproof materials, like those used in tents.
- Soak the tent in a mixture of tech wash and water for up to 30 minutes
- Press out any excess water and remove the tent from the tub
- Drain and refill the tub with water and put the tent back in for a rinse
Be careful to allow the tent to get 100% dry before you put it in storage. If you don’t, mildew and mold may grow, and you’ll have a new problem on your hands.
Use an Odor Eliminator
Odor eliminators come in handy when you’re battling a stubborn odor. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fill your tub with enough water to cover your tent.
- Add the odor eliminator to the water according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Place the tent in the water for a few minutes
- Remove the tent and dry.
To keep the tent from developing stubborn odors in the future, air out the tent as best you can during and after cooking on the ice.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about cooking in an ice fishing tent. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best this ice fishing season!
