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Installing A Stove Into A Camper Van

There are many pros to adding a stove to a camper van, such as no need to rely on electricity or diesel; you can keep warm at any time. The cosy atmosphere that fills the room with warmth and a gentle crackling noise is just like relaxing in a log cabin.

Sebastian Santabarbara, writer and van life journalist has written a book on how to choose a van and turn it into a camper van from scratch. This wonderful book ‘Van Life For Dummies’ is worth a read if you’re looking to travel, work whilst on the move and live a life on the road.

The ‘Van Life For Dummies’ book includes a special mention of us, Glowing Embers, written by Sebastian, all about installing a stove into a camper van. For this week's blog we are going through important points to consider when installing a stove into your camper van, with key tips from Sebastian Santabarbara.

What are the important points you need to think about?

Check with your insurance to find out more information about cover before installing a stove into your camper van.

Airflow is important, you will want to install a gas drop-out vent under your fire. This will allow air to be drawn from the outside of the van, preventing a carbon monoxide build up. Keeping the window open slightly will assist with keeping the air flow within your space.

You should not drive with a fire lit. It is always best to make sure the fire is out before you leave your current location.

You will need storage for keeping your logs.

When cleaning out your stove it is handy to have a place to empty out the ash.
Make sure you choose a stove that is suited to the ratings needed for your country.

Use carbon monoxide monitors within your van.

Campervantasy stove install

Components:

You will need to make sure you have all the components ready to install your stove. This is something our team at Glowing Embers will be able to assist you with. You will need items such as flue pipe, flashing, fire rope sealant and cement, rain cap and a base for your stove to sit on.

Sebastian Santabarbara stove install

1. Bolting your stove

Some stoves have a bolt hole which enables you to attach the stove onto a safe, hard surface such as stone. If your chosen stove doesn't have bolt holes then you may want to ask a metal worker to attach a bracket to the legs.

To attach the stove to a stone base you will need a hammer drill and a masonry bit, which is the same size as the bolt. Lubricating the area with water/ putting something underneath the area to support the stone will reduce the risk of it snapping.

You may want to screw your stove down to a stand such as sand stone. Please note: You will need to drill holes that work with the size of your screws.

2. Marking the stove placement

You will now need to mark out the area you would like the stand to sit.

3. Adding a gas drop-out vent

Add a gas drop-out vent into the floor of your camper using a hole saw.

4. Attach a 90 tee piece and cap

Attaching a 90 degree tee piece and cap to the back of your stove is optional. This will depend on whether your stove connects to the chimney from the back or not. If it connects from the back, you will need a 90 degree to secure to the lip of the flue connection on the back of the stove. To secure this joint you can use fire cement to seal it.

5. Fixing brackets

A fixing bracket at every meter will support your chimney, keeping it in position.

6. Fixing and locking flue and elbow

Fix one piece of flue to the top of the stove and the 90 degree Shieldmaster elbow can be joined and locked into place.

Make sure your chimney that is sticking up from your fire is covered to avoid any mess entering it, ready for carrying out other work.

7. Create a template

It's time to create a template on the roof. You can do this by drawing around the bottom of the smaller piece of flue with a marker pen on the roof.

8. Drill a hole

Next, drill a hole large enough to allow a jigsaw blade to fit without going outside of your drawn circle.

9. Cut around the template

Use an aluminium blade to carefully follow the drawn circle template.

10. Test the flue

Test to see if your flue piece fits through the hole.

11. Draw another template

On a sheet of aluminium draw around the smaller piece of flue.

12. Cut around the template

Cut out the circle using the jigsaw. This finishing plate should go flush against your roof. Alternatively you could use our ready made finishing plates.

13. Add pieces in place

Now place the smaller piece of flue through the roof hole and your aluminium sheet.

14. Attach flue pieces

Attach the smaller and larger pieces of flue together.

15. Attach finishing plate

Attach the finishing plate on the inside of the roof with bolts.

16. Seal the gaps

Place fire tope and the sealant into the gap which is between the chimney and edge of the hole. Envirograf is a flexible silicone that is waterproof and great with van movement.

17. Add the flashing

Add a layer of adhesive sealant to the bottom of the flashing and press down onto the roof.

18. Screw onto the roof

Screw down onto the roof through the aluminium strip using the easy drive screws included in the flashing kit.

19. Place screw caps on

Now add the caps onto each screw.

20. Add the rain cap

Finally, add your rain cap onto the chimney and attach using the same method as the previous flue pieces.

Now you can enjoy having a homely stove in your van, adding a warming and comforting glow wherever you go! If you are unsure on the process of installing a stove into a camper van a Hetas approved engineer will be able to help advise you. You can search engineers here.

Need help in getting started with your stove journey? Enquire with our team today.

Find the ‘Van Life For Dummies’ book online at Amazon.