When I was designing the Vardo, I considered several heating options, including no heat at all. I went with the current Four-Dog tent stove because I already owned it and the size was pretty good for the space I had. However, I am still considering better options to increase floor space in the Vardo.
Initially, I set up the stove and adjacent counter at the same height to use as work surfaces when not in use for heat. Since the great majority of the time spent in the wagon is without a need for heat the surface is very handy but the stove uses a large amount of the limited floor space. Below are a few options I am considering.
The above stove is a “Sardine” stove designed for heating the cabin of a fishing boat. These are wonderful little stoves but a bit too costly for my taste. Click the image to see their website including their larger model “The Little Cod”.
Another option is diesel or kerosene heaters. These are commonly used in the boating community and work well in small spaces. I think these are a fine option and very efficient but cannot work without access to purchased fuel.
My preferred option right now is a Cozy Cabin Solid Fuel heater (above) as it mounts directly to the wall and is much smaller than the tent stove. The stove is the heart of the wagon, especially in cold, wet climates so it should meet your needs as closely as possible without too much weight or size. After spending so much time in my wagon, I think its time to move down in size and up in technology to a wall mount heater.
To be continued…
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 
Hello, Ive got a Dickinson Diesel heater. Have you considered running biodiesel?
This is my second favorite option. The little diesels run on oils, K1, K2, or bio. I like this idea and they can be gravity fed, eliminating the electric pump.
The Sardine is awfully darned neat though. Of course, it has a hefty price tag. Especially if you want it in color with the glass window.
You might want to check out the Dickenson Newport P-9000 Propane Fireplace heater. It’s not cheap…around $700…but it’s super nice and runs on propane. I attached the link below. Good luck and keep me up to date with any changes. Are you going to sell a set of plans to your vardo? If so, I’d love to purchase them. Thanks!
http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/
I don’t really want to go the route of propane. I know they are popular but I think I will stick with diesel or solid fuels for now.
In my lil vardo I do have a propane heater, but only because of the size. I looked into a tiny upright pot belly shaped cast iron salesman sample stove, but both I ordered on ebay came broken to me…and honestly the firebox is pretty tiny. There is a point where useing it other then to heat while sitting and being right there to feed it is fine, but doubtful it would hold a fire for a full nights rest.
Here is another wood stove http://www.shipmatestove.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=46&category=6 they are actualy made next state over from me. I trhought of this for my boat… then decided the diesel is a better choice. .
http://www.salamanderstoves.com/docs/52/the_pipsqueak/#.TtToFfS-k6Y.facebook
http://www.windysmithy.co.uk/html/woodburners.htm
Thanks Deryk. I put a couple of those up in a post. The Pipsqueak and the Hobbit are real beauties.
No problem, I enjoy shareing links… never know when ya find something new!
I am going to install a tiny tot into our little vardo. It is luck that I found one, because a friend’s sailboat was destroyed by a tornado. All I have to do is pay for shipping and replace the two lids that went missing.
http://www.fatscostoves.com/images/StovePictures/TTFront.jpglids. I think a marine stove is a good choice with the small space that we have.
I like to hear that the stove is such an important point of interest and home in your vardo.
There’s also this from UK http://www.salamanderstoves.com/docs/52/the_pipsqueak__stove/
Yes, those are great. I think I wrote about them somewhere. They are WAY out of m price range.