If you camp in the shoulder season or deep winter, your entire trip revolves around one thing: The Heat Source.
At Bigtent Outdoors, we have been obsessed with finding the perfect solution for keeping a family warm when the temperature drops. And honestly? We’ve tried everything. But last winter, on a -15°C trip in the Rockies, we realized we needed a different solution.
Our evolution of heating looked like this:
- The Electric Phase: Great heat, but we got tired of being tethered to powered campsites.
- The Diesel Heater Boxes: Efficient, but the setup was a pain and the constant tick-tick-tick of the fuel pump ruined the silence of nature.
- Wood Stoves: Awesome for ambience, but a hassle to set up and maintain all night.
- Mr. Heater "Buddy" Series: Everyone owns a Buddy. It is popular for a reason—it’s portable, accessible, and reliable.
But as our groups got larger and the weather got colder, we realized we needed more than just a "heater." We needed a solution that didn't just warm our shins, but warmed the entire shelter.
That was when we introduced the Kovea Giga Sun to our rig. It isn't just a "step up"; it is an overwhelming solution that changes how you live outdoors.
The "Bonfire Effect": 360° vs. Spotlight
The most common frustration with standard portable heaters like the Buddy series is that they are directional. They act like a spotlight—if you are sitting in the beam, you are toasty (sometimes even too hot). If you move two feet to the left, you are freezing. This leads to the classic camping game of "musical chairs," where everyone fights for the warm spot.
The Giga Sun is different. It acts like a campfire.
It features a massive rotary mesh emitter that radiates intense heat in a complete 360-degree circle. This allows you to place the heater in the center of your shelter, just like a fire pit but without the smoke or spark issues. The result? The entire family stays cozy, no matter where they are sitting.
To fully unlock this "hearth" vibe, we surround the heater with a Snow Peak Jikaro or Kovea Mesh Table. This simple addition creates a safe buffer zone and a perfect spot for hot drinks or card games, effectively turning your cold-weather tent into a proper living room.
More Than Heat: The Ambiance
Let’s be real for a second: Camping is also about the vibe.
Diesel heaters are utilitarian plastic boxes that sit outside in the mud. The Big Buddy looks like a piece of industrial safety equipment. The Kovea Giga Sun looks like a piece of art. With its stainless steel cage and glowing red core, it creates a warm, amber light that mimics the cozy glow of a wood stove. It’s silent (no fans, no pumps), and it looks incredible in photos. It feels less like a "furnace" and more like a "hearth."
Raw Power: A Different Weight Class
When we talk about "upgrading," we aren't talking about a small bump in specs. We are talking about doubling your power.
Most standard portable heaters max out around 9,000 BTU. The Kovea Giga Sun operates in a league of its own, pumping out approximately 24,000 BTU (6.97 kW) of radiant heat.
In our testing, standard heaters often struggle to raise the ambient air temperature inside a large uninsulated canvas tent or ice fishing hut; they just spot-heat objects. The Giga Sun has the raw horsepower to fight the Canadian cold and turn your shelter into a warm living room.
Pro tip: Set it on full power to heat the heater and tent up quickly, then set it on med-low for better fuel efficiency.
"I used it with a 20lb propane tank at freezing temperatures. It ran for about 20 hours on full power inside a shelter tent. It was so warm I stayed in short sleeves — no noise, no odor."
— BigTent Editor D
Built Like a Tank: Durability & Transport
One thing photos can't fully convey is the sheer build quality of this unit. Unlike standard portable heaters which are largely constructed from plastic, the Kovea Giga Sun is built with a robust stainless steel body and a heavy-duty rotary mesh.
We have bounced ours around in the back of trucks on washboard roads for two seasons, and it fires up on the first click every time. It feels like a piece of gear you will hand down to the next generation, not throw away after a few rough winters.
The Verdict: Which Heater Belongs in Your Campsite?
We want to be clear: this isn't about ditching your old gear. It's about using the right tool for the job.
The Buddy Heater is still a wonderful companion for situations requiring personal heating and high portability. If you are solo camping, sitting in a deer blind, or need something you can carry in one hand, it is still a great choice.
However, the Kovea Giga Sun is for when you are done compromising.
If you are setting up a basecamp, a tarp, traveling with a family, or using a large shelter like the Snow Peak Land Lock or Land Nest, the Giga Sun is the "Main Event." It connects directly to a standard propane tank (hose included), features a one-touch Piezo ignition, and looks absolutely stunning with its stainless steel "lantern" aesthetic.
You should upgrade to the Kovea Giga Sun if:
- You camp with a group or family and are tired of fighting over the "warm spot."
- You use a large shelter (like a Gazelle, Springbar, or Ice Fishing hut) and need raw horsepower to fight the cold.
- You value silence and ambiance over pure utility.
It’s an investment, but the first time you sit around that glowing red circle with your friends in the middle of a snowstorm, you’ll understand exactly why we switched.
The Showdown: Kovea vs. The Standard
| Feature | Kovea Giga Sun (The Upgrade) |
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy (The Standard MH9BX) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Output (BTU) | 24,000 BTU 2.5x Power | 9,000 BTU |
| Heat Type | 360° Radiant Circle | Directional Beam |
| Safety System | Triple System (ODS, Tip-over, Flame-out) |
Dual System (ODS, Tip-over) |
| Best Use Case | Large Family Tents, Extreme Cold, Basecamp | Small Tents, Solo Camping, Hunting Blinds |
Frequently Asked Questions: Kovea Giga Sun Heater
Q: How many BTUs is the Kovea Giga Sun?
A: The Kovea Giga Sun produces approximately 24,000 BTU (6.97 kW) of radiant heat on its highest setting. This makes it roughly 30-35% more powerful than the standard Mr. Heater Big Buddy (which maxes out at 18,000 BTU).
Q: Does the Kovea Giga Sun come with a propane hose?
A: Yes, if you buy from Bigtent Outdoors. We include a specialized, North American certified propane hose and regulator in the box. This allows you to connect the heater directly to a standard 5lb, 10lb, or 20lb propane tank immediately.
Note: Grey-market units shipped from Korea do not include compatible hoses for Canadian/US tanks.
Q: How long will it run on a 20lb propane tank?
A: On the maximum "High" setting, the Giga Sun consumes about 500g (1.1 lbs) of fuel per hour. This means a standard 20lb BBQ tank will last approximately 18 to 20 hours at full blast. On the "Low" setting, you can get significantly longer run times (up to 36+ hours).
Q: Can I cook on top of the Giga Sun?
A: Technically, no. The Kovea Giga Sun is classified as a heater, not a stove. The top metal cage is a safety guard designed to prevent burns, not to support heavy pots. However, many campers successfully place a small stainless steel cup or kettle on top to keep water warm—just be aware this is an "off-label" use and you should never let water boil over into the ceramic mesh.
Q: Why is it more expensive than a Buddy Heater?
A: You are paying for 360-degree heating technology and premium build quality. While standard heaters are made of plastic and project heat in a single directional beam (leaving everyone else cold), the Giga Sun uses a stainless steel rotary emitter to radiate heat in a full circle, warming the entire space and everyone in it. It is built to be a durable "lifetime" piece of gear rather than a disposable seasonal item.
More importantly, the math proves the value: A standard Buddy unit is only 9,000 BTUs. To match the Giga Sun’s output, you would need to run 2.5 Buddy Heaters simultaneously, requiring you to buy multiple units and multiple propane tank adapters. When you factor in the total cost of that setup, the Giga Sun is actually the cheaper, simpler, and far more effective solution.
Q: Is the Giga Sun heater safe?
A: Yes. The Giga Sun is engineered with a Triple Safety System that exceeds standard portable heater requirements. It features an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) that shuts off gas if oxygen levels drop, a Tip-Over Switch that cuts fuel if knocked over, and a Flame Failure Device that stops gas if the wind blows the flame out.
Q: Who is Kovea?
A: Kovea is the "brand behind the brands." Founded in 1982 in South Korea, they have spent over 40 years manufacturing high-end gas appliances for some of the world's most famous outdoor companies. They are a global leader in camping innovation, holding numerous international safety certifications and awards, including the prestigious ISPO Gold Award.
