Chris has been traveling extensively with tiny spaces for 14 years and counting.
Starting with a basic campervan and evolving through various mobile spaces to a fully off-grid, converted school bus, he tells us about the personal experiences, challenges, and solutions encountered along the way.
Read about his off-grid travels and how his Dwarf stove changed his Skoolie setup.
You can find Chris on Instagram and YouTube
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Who are you? Tell us something about your tiny space!
I have been traveling since 2009 after purchasing my first campervan. The build was very basic with no toilet, shower, fridge, or way to cook food. Vanlife was not really a thing at that time and I was learning as I went.
After traveling in that van for a few years, I purchased a 1989 Dodge Xplorer that was more suited for comfort on the road. I traveled in this rig for years, learning more as I went. I then purchased a Class A motorhome and learned about boondocking and off-grid camping.
This led me to build a raised roof school bus conversion designed specifically to enjoy the benefits of camping off-grid. Last Winter, my partner and I spent a Winter off-grid in my bus and her Camper van. For heat, we utilized a wood stove from Tiny Wood Stove. This one piece of gear was crucial for a successful Winter off grid.
Where did you install your stove?
I installed my Tiny Wood Stove in my raised roof school bus conversion. For heat in the past, I used a Dickinson Diesel marine heater. With that in mind, we removed the old heater and modified the space to fit the Tiny Wood Stove. After modifying the heat shields, the Tiny Wood Stove fit perfectly in the space.
While we do travel with the weather for a more temperate climate, the Winter off-grid was much colder than we are typically accustomed to. The Tiny Wood Stove provided ample heat for our tiny space.
When did you fall in love with tiny spaces and how did you learn about them?
My tiny journey started with a desire to travel on a budget. I knew I didn't want to spend money on hotels or other accommodation so I slept in my camper van. Before purchasing the van, I had done extensive travel overseas and I felt as though it was time to explore the United States.
I took my first trip in September of 2009. With that said, I have been traveling in tiny vehicles for 14 years now.
How did you decide on a Dwarf stove?
Choosing a stove proved to be more difficult than anticipated. The heat shield and distance requirements were complex to sort as the space was not originally designed for a wood burning stove.
After searching and checking clearance requirements, I found the Dwarf stove would provide enough heat and have adequate space for safety requirements.
How difficult was the installation process? Did you need any assistance of any kind?
The installation process was straightforward with some ingenuity. Being that my school bus conversion was not designed with adding a fireplace in mind, some modifications needed to be considered.
Installing the adequate heat shields took some sorting but we got it figured out. We wanted to make certain the wood stove was safely installed. After using it for 3 months, everything has held up very well!
How has your experience been using the Dwarf?
I absolutely love the Tiny Wood Stove. The build quality and the ambiance has been a fantastic addition to my Skoolie.
In terms of longevity, I am very impressed with the build quality. We used the wood stove 24/7 on some trips and we experienced zero issues with the wood stove. Customer service has been fantastic as well.
Would you recommend a Tiny Wood Stove to others?
Yes, I would recommend Tiny Wood Stove to others. I have had nothing but a positive experience with Tiny Wood Stove
Interested in a small stove for your tiny space? Contact us on the form below and we can help you sort through all the details in getting the perfect stove and installation configuration for your unique space!
