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Amazing compact heater for backpackers and ground blind hunters
Picked up this heater/candle lantern a month ago and I was very skeptical. But I must say I was impressed.
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It's called the UCO Candlelier. Supposedly it puts out 5,000 btu for 9 hours off of three candles. I tested it out on a recent trip deep winter camping in -6 to -17 celcius. We had a buddy heater running at 4,000btu and it made a noticeable difference, not huge, but noticeable. Keep in mind this was a 13.5ftx9ftx7ft tent. So I can see this keeping a 2 person tent at a cozy 5-10 celsius during deep winter camping. But the best part? The lantern and 9 extra candles only took up half of a 10L compartment in my backpack and lasted 9-11 hours on three candles!
Lets compare this with the smallest propane heater setup available, the little buddy heater.
Little buddy heater: Costs $110. Uses 1lb propane tanks, runs at 4,000btu for 5-6 hours for $5. Cannot be used when backpacking or hiking long distances.
UCO candlelier: Costs $40. Uses 3 candles, runs at 5,000btu for 9 hours for $3. Lightweight and can fit in a backpack.
One issue I can see with this is the light it gives off for sitting in a ground blind. Although this can be easily fixed by wrapping tin foil or pop can material around the glass. So I can see this easily being applied in a hunting setting! I can see this being put under a chair in your blind, I was able to put this under my cot that's 12" off the ground and never felt it would burn the cot. So many ideas running through my head! I was always limited by campfires and heavy propane setups when it cam to camping.