Best Heaters for Hunting Cabins

I love hunting cabins but I have always wanted to know the best way to keep them heated. I did a bit of research and here is what I found.

So, what are the best heaters for your hunting cabin? The best heaters will be anything propane operated, preferably one with a wall mount. Any such medium sized heater can easily heat a 20′ by 25′ cabin.

There are a lot of options when it comes to heater and the best fit for you depends a lot on the size and power capabilities of your cabin.

Heating Your Cabin

I have spent plenty of crisp winter nights in a cabin, so I know how chilly it can be. While spelunking in a cave of blankets every night can be fun, there are better ways to stay warm.

There are Basically three different means of heating your hunting cabin. They are:

Wood
Gas/Propane
Electric

Each fueling method has its own advantages and drawbacks. Let’s go over the specifics of each so you can decide which will work best for you.

Wood

I have a cabin in a beautifully wooded area. If your place is anything like mine then you are never in danger of running out of lumber.

An abundance of wood means an abundance of fuel which could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Maybe for that reason so many people love wood burning heaters. Plus, there’s just something about the smell of burning wood that helps put a man at ease.

There are a lot of other distinct advantages as well. For instance, a lot of small wood stoves are EPA certified. Not only do they heat for a low price, but they do so with minimal environmental impact.

Plus, because of their design, they are much more efficient than, say, a fireplace. And compared to oil and gas burners, wood burners are way more efficient.

I like wood stoves, but its important to examine some of the drawbacks as well. For example, while they may be efficient, wood stoves may also be hazardous to your health. Burning wood emits carbon monoxide into the air which, if not properly ventilated, could suffocate you.

Burning also releases soot and ash into the air which could lead to scarring in the lungs if inhaled too often.

You also have to consider the fact that while wood is cheap, it also burns very quickly. You can easily run through three cords of firewood if your trapped in your cabin all day.

Hauling wood to your cabin can be a pain and assiduously tending to the fire can be even worse. On top of that, you will need to find a place to store all the wood once it’s collected. You may not pay much money to buy wood, but a wood stove does cost a lot of time and effort.

Another thing to be aware of before you purchase a wood stove is the need to install it. Unlike a propane or electric heater, installation can be tricky with these bad boys. Make sure you have a space to put it and that you can add a chimney without damaging the integrity of your roof.

On final notice before we dive into the specific stoves. Remember, fire can be dangerous and accidents do happen around live flames. Be careful if you decide to go with a wood stove. Exercise caution and have a healthy respect for fire and you will be fine.

Alright then! With that out of the way let’s look at a couple of the best wood stoves.

Wood Stoves

US Stove – Log Wood Cast Iron Stove

This wood burning stove is perfect for indoor areas and will up to 900 square feet. Although it is not recommended for use in mobile homes, it is the perfect heater for your cabin.

You can rest assured that your little ones are going to be safe around this heater as it is equipped with a two piece safety handle that remains cool when the stove is burning.

The US Stove also includes a small cooking surface on top as an added bonus. With its unequaled life expectancy and ease of use, you can’t go wrong. To check the price, click here.

Ashley Hearth Certified Pedestal Wood Burning Stove

The Ashley Hearth Certified Pedestal Wood Burning Stove, has 68,000 BTU’s and can heat up to 1,200 square feet, which is a fairly significant space. It is lined with firebricks for long-lasting heat and combustions efficiency.

This stove can take logs up to eighteen inches long and includes a large ash pan that will allow you to make clean-up fast and easy.

Not only is it efficient, but the pedestal base gives it an elegant appearance for any log cabin. While heating, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the burning fire through a heavy cast iron door with air washed ceramic glass.

To view this heater and see the cost, click the link here!

Pleasant Hearth Wood Burning Stove with Blower

The Pleasant Hearth Wood Burning Stove with Blower is a great stove from a great company. It is small and easily portable. Capable of heating up to 1,800 square feet you won’t be needing extra blankets in your cabin.

The Pleasant Hearth Stove’s main appeal is its efficiency in burning. Its interior is lined with firebrick that improves the quality of the air and helps you spend less on fuel as well.

It is EPA certified with emissions at 2.18 grams per hour. Terrific for a heater of this size and quality. It also has a 5 year warranty so even if you do somehow damage it, you will be able to return it for a new one.

This Pleasant Hearth Stove makes clean-up and maintenance a breeze. It comes with an air wash system that not only helps improve the quality of the burn, but also helps cleaning as well. It is equipped with an ash drawer that can be easily removed and cleaned.

Lastly, it includes a blower to help your heat go further. The blower has various speeds for powerful heat distribution.

ComfortBilt HP21 Pellet Stove

With a different option than the other wood burning stoves, we have the ComfortBilt HP21 Pellet Stove. This heater is super powerful and comes with a quiet heat exchange blower that allows the pellets to burn all the way.

This unit can heat up to 2,400 square feet and produces up to 44,000 BTU per hour. Get up to 24 hours of heat with it’s top-mounted , 40 pound hopper.

What I love about the ComfortBilt HP21 is that it is equipped with a thermostat that can be set to temperatures between 61-82 degrees. I also love how it ignites with one touch and gives off heat within minutes. No waiting around for the unit to warm you up.

Like some of the others, The ComfortBilt also comes with an air wash system to keep the ceramic glass looking clean. Now unlike the others, this unit’s ash tray only has to be emptied once every three weeks due to low ash from the pellets.

The ComfortBilt HP21 is definitely one to compete with.

Propane/Gas Heating

Next, we will talk about propane and gas heating which I will refer to as simply “propane heaters” from here on out.

Propane heaters seem to be the go-to when it comes to portable heating sources nowadays and it’s easy to see why. Not only is propane an efficient fuel, but the heaters themselves are generally cheaper than a wood stove.

Not only are they cheaper, but they are much easier to install and maintain as well. With a wood stove you need install a chimney or flue and constantly clean it. I’m not sure if you’ve ever scrubbed out a chimney before, but trust me when I tell you it’s not fun.

Propane, on the other hand, burns clean. Or at the very least it doesn’t leave buckets of soot floating around in the air. Installation is a piece of cake as well. With most models, all you need to do is mount it to the wall, attach a propane tank, and your ready to go.

While propane is a great way to heat your hunting cabin, it has some distinct drawbacks as well. For one thing, propane prices are always fluctuating.

Wood is cheap or even free. Most of the time I can just gather scattered branches from around my property, but the price of propane can be a bit more volatile. A 15-lb tank of propane could cost $20 one year and $40 the next. That’s just something good to be aware of.

Propane heaters are also not aesthetically appealing. A wood heater sits elegantly in the corner of a room. Its flames dancing majestically inside and casting boisterous shadows across the walls of your cabin. Propane heaters are plain ugly. Nothing more needs be said.

All that being said, propane heaters are still an excellent choice to heat your hunting cabin. Compact, inexpensive and efficient. Guys, I really do like the propane option.

Now lets take a look at the best propane heaters.

Propane Heater

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Indoor Propane Heater

I don’t think any list on cabin heating would be complete without a Mr. Heater on it. These babies have a great reputation for being effective and reliable.

The Mr. Heater Big Buddy is capable of heating up to 300 square feet, which is perfect if you have a smaller hunting cabin.

It also boasts some useful safety features as well. A big fear with burning any fuel, but especially propane, is the constant risk of carbon monoxide. Luckily the pilot light on the Mr. Heater Big Buddy blows out automatically if oxygen levels are too low. So no more need to fear falling asleep with the heater on.

Of course you should always take care to have proper ventilation.

Another useful safety feature is the automatic shut off if the unit is tipped over. I’m not sure if you have ever tipped a propane heater over before, but it can be scary. Especially if it falls in particularly dry spot. But not so with the Mr. Heater Big Buddy.

It also has a low, medium, and high setting which allows you to save energy for when you don’t need so much heat.

The only problem with the Big Buddy is that it can’t operate at altitudes over 7,000 feet. So if you were planning on trekking high into the mountains, this isn’t the heater for you.

Dyna Glo Cabinet Heater

The Dyna Glo Cabinet Heater is a nice option especially for the safety conscious. Like the Big Buddy, the Dyna Glo has an automatic shutoff for when oxygen levels get dangerously low.

In addition to that, the Dyna Glo has a piezo ignition, which ignites the pilot light without having to put a live flame up to it. The Dyna Glo is small and compact, only 20 lbs, easy to carry and transport.

It has a 600 foot heating radius. Great for your hunting cabin. It also has three different heat settings which is handy when you want to conserve energy.

This heater can also be easily rolled around on the locking casters at the base of the unit.

Procom Propane Wall Heater

This next option is for those who are looking for something more permanent in their home. The Procom Propane Wall Heater is useful because you install it directly into your wall. No more need to lug around a heater every time you go hunting.

The Procom can be operated with both natural gas or liquid propane making it more versatile in its functionality. It also has 5 heating settings so you can micromanage the temperature of the room. I know my wife really appreciates that.

It also has an easy push button pilot light ignition which means you won’t have to get near this thing with an open flame.

You can also feel safe knowing that the outer casing is heat resistant and won’t warm up, so it’s safe to be touched.

The Procom can easily heat your entire cabin and doesn’t take up much room making it an excellent heating option.

Camco 57331 Portable Propane Heater

The Camco 57331 Olympian Wave-3 3000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater is an easily portable heater that can be stored in the cabin as well as taken out to heat up a tent.

The Camco 57331 burns at an adjustable rate of 1600 to 3000 BTUs/hour so it won’t heat up your entire cabin, but it will easily heat a single room. This makes it great to take on the go, especially if you will be roughing it in a tent.

Not only that, but you will also be able to use this as a secondary heat source if your primary heating source just isn’t putting off enough energy.

There are no batteries or electricity of any kind involved and it also blows silently. So not only will you be able to sleep warm, but you will also be able sleep in silence.

The Camco 57331 has an automatic safety switch that shuts off the unit if oxygen levels get too low. And finally, to top it all off, it comes with a one year warranty.

HearthSense Ventless Duel Fuel Blue Flame Heater

The HearthSense Ventless Duel Fuel Blue Flame Heater is one of the less expensive options recommended, but nonetheless is a best seller.

Not only does it pack a punch, but its also small in size. The HearthSense weighs in at an incredibly light 27.6 pounds making transportation easier than ever.

This heater comes with a built-in thermostat allowing precise control of the temperature. You don’t like how hot it is? The various heat settings allow you to set exactly at your comfort level.

A few more details about this unit is that it has a 30,000 max BTU and can heat up to 1,000 square feet. So if you have a smaller space to heat, this heater will do the job.

Electric

The final heating source we will discuss here today is electric heating. Electric heating isn’t very popular with hunting cabins because they are usually off the grid. If you are one of those lucky blokes with electricty in your cabin, stay tuned!

Electricity may be your best heating option if it is available. Relatively cheap, extremely versatile, and no need for chimneys or other add-ons. Electricity is a great option.

One problem with electric heating in cabins is the lack of central heating capabilities. Due to the size and architecture of most small hunting cabins, it doesn’t seem necessary. If you do have central heating in your cabin the my hat is off to you.

Another issue is maintaining the electric line to your cabin. I have read a lot of stories of people whose electricity goes down in the middle of winter leaving them hurting for warmth pretty badly. While this is relatively rare, it still happens and is something to be aware of.

After all, who wants to be stuck in their small hunting cabin with only a few blankets? Better to always be prepared.

Now let’s take a look at some specific ways to heat your cabin using electricity

Electric Heaters

King Baseboard Heater

The King Baseboard Heater is great for warming your hunting cabin. The great thing about baseboard heaters and the King especially is their ease of installation. You just plug it in, place it on the base of your wall and get warm.

The King Baseboard Heater is great because it utilizes a thermostat that allows you to get the exact temperature you want.

The King also uses a smart crush proof design creates a chimney-like flue that maximizes heat transference. In other words, it can get you warmer, faster. Very important. I know after a long day of hunting its great to come back to the cabin and get warm fast.

Home Leader Mini Oil Filled Heater

The Home Leader Mini Oil Fille d Heater is another great option for electric heating. Easily installed and easily transported, the Home Leader’s compact design will be a great fit in your cabin.

The Home Leader utilizes sophisticated heating technology that provides warmth to your whole cabin. It radiates heat by a permanently sealed special endothermic oil. No need to worry about fire danger, the heavy gauge sheet metal cabinet guarantees safety.

One of the great things about this heater is how responsive it is. Turn it on and it starts heating instantaneously. It also doesn’t make a ton of noise like a propane heater would. And on top of all that it is low energy consumption.

One of my favorite things about electric heaters is the degree to which you can manage the temperature and the Home Leader is no exception. The Home Leader uses a thermostat, but unlike a lot of other heaters, the thermostat is already built in. No separate purchase is necessary.

Edenpure GEN21

The Edenpure GEN 21 Wall Hugger 3 in 1 Infrared Heater and Fan is a great supplementary heater during the cold winter months. I want to stress that this little guy doesn’t have the power to heat the whole room, but is great for personal use. Place it next to your bed and you will stay toasty warm in the night.

The Edenpure GEN21 Is built to last. It has an average life expectancy of 80,000 heating hours and heats up to 1500 Watts and up to 25 watts when its on fan mode. Not only that, but it’s small. With only taking up 1 square foot of floor space, it is able to be fit inside your suitcase you will have no problem transporting the Edenpure.

The Edenpure GEN21 is also very safe. Not only is it more durable than other infrared heaters you may find on the market, it also has an exterior that’s cool to the touch. No curious pets or dogs can accidently hurt themselves around the Edenpure.

One of the best things about the Edenpure GEN21 is its versatility. Not only does it function as a heater, but you use it as a fan too. During the hot summer months the Edenpure GEN21’s fan only setting will help you stay nice and cool.

DeLonghi Full Room Radiant Heat

The DeLonghi is my number one choice when it comes to electric heating. Low energy and silent, this heater comes with a lot of cool features that I love.

One is that it never needs to have its oil changed. A lot of electrical heaters will get worn over time and require an ocassional oil change, but not the DeLonghi.

Its patented thermal chimney design make it the fastest working heater that I have ever seen, but it still manages to maintain a cool exterior.

It also is easily transported. It has four locking wheels on its base that are super convenient.

The DeLonghi can heat up to 250 square feet, so if you need a little more heat, don’t be afraid to get a couple of these bad boys.

Conclusion

There are a lot of ways to heat your cabin and each method has its pros and cons.

Wood is a cheap fuel that is easy to burn. I love the way it smells and there is something manly about hauling cords of fire wood to my hunting cabin, but its also a pain to store wood and clean out the chimney.

Propane heaters are easy to maintain. They provide a lot of heat and they work fast, plus they are reliable even if the weather gets rough outside. On the downside, propane prices are constantly fluctuating and you never know how much a barrel may cost you.

Electric heaters are convenient and cheap. Being able to control the temperature to the degree is a huge plus in my book. Plus, they couldn’t be any easier to use. Just plug them in and watch them go.

On the other hand, electricity isn’t as reliable as wood or propane. It may go out just as the weather gets roughest. It also is weaker when compared to the other fuels. You made need two electric heaters to do the job that one propane heater could do.

In the end, you need to pick which option works best for you. I personally love the efficiency and ease of propane heaters, but you are free to choose what you think is best.