Installing a small stove in a campervan might seem like a big task at first, but if you take it step by step it’s very achievable. Many of our customers install their own stoves successfully with just a few basic tools and a bit of careful planning.

A small wood burning stove can completely transform your van. Whether you're travelling in colder climates or simply want the cosy atmosphere of a real fire, having a reliable heat source makes van life far more comfortable.

Below is a simple step-by-step guide to installing a Little Burners stove in your campervan.

Step 1: Choose the Right Location for Your Stove

Before installing your stove, you need to choose the right location inside your campervan.

When deciding where the stove should sit, consider the following:

Space
Make sure the stove fits comfortably in the area you’ve chosen, with enough room around it for safe clearances.

Ventilation
Your stove will need a good supply of oxygen to burn efficiently. Many van owners install a small 100mm vent behind the stove near the floor so the stove isn’t fighting with you for oxygen inside the van.

Heat protection
The area surrounding the stove must be heat resistant. You should avoid placing it directly next to combustible materials without protection.

Tip: Mark the position of the stove on the floor before continuing. This helps you visualise clearances and flue position.

Step 2: Prepare the Installation Area

Once you’ve chosen the location, you can begin preparing the installation area.

Start by:

• Clearing the area of furniture or obstacles
• Marking the exact location where the stove will sit
• Making sure the floor surface is solid and level

It’s also important to check your clearances at this stage.

As a general guide, you should aim for around 250-300mm clearance from the sides of the stove to combustible materials.

If you install a heat shield with an air gap, this distance can usually be reduced by around half.

Heat shields can be made from:

• Pre-made heat shields (like ours)
• Vermiculite board
• Tiles with an air gap behind them

Step 3: Mark the Flue Position

Now you need to mark where the flue pipe will pass through the roof.

This is one of the most common questions we get:

“How do I know where to drill the hole?”

The easiest method is using a simple plumb line.

You don’t need fancy tools for this — most van builders don't have them anyway!

All you need is:

• A piece of string
• Something weighty (a nut or bolt works perfectly)

How to find the centre of the hole

1. Place the string on the ceiling roughly above the stove outlet.

2. Let the nut hang down directly over the centre of the stove flue outlet.

3. Once it hangs straight down, mark the point on the ceiling.

That mark becomes your centre hole for cutting the hole.

Important: This works best when your van is parked on level ground.

Step 4: Cut the Roof Hole

Once you have marked your centre point, you can cut the hole.

Most people use:

• A holesaw
• A jigsaw with a metal blade
• Metal nibblers

A jigsaw works very well for campervan roofs — just make sure you're using a metal blade for metal roofs or a wood blade for wooden ceilings.

When cutting the internal ceiling hole, ensure there is at least a 50mm gap between the twin wall flue and any combustible material.

Step 5: Install the Stove and Flue Pipes

Now you can install the stove and flue system.

Start by securing the stove to the floor if required. Many people bolt the stove down or secure it to a hearth plate to prevent movement while driving.

The typical flue setup inside the van looks like this:

Stove
↓
Single wall stove pipe
↓
Single-to-twin wall adapter
↓
Twin wall flue pipe
↓
Rain cap

Single wall pipe is used inside the van for heat output, while twin wall flue is used where the pipe passes through the roof.

Always ensure the flue is securely fitted and properly aligned.

Step 6: Install the External Silicone Roof Boot

If you purchased one of our flue kits, it will include an orange silicone boot.

When installing the silicone boot:

• Ensure the metal band faces upward
• Apply the supplied silicone adhesive
• Secure using the supplied self-drilling, self-tapping screws

These screws are suitable for metal roofs.

If you're installing through fibreglass or wood, make sure you're using the correct screws and prepare the surface properly.

Many van builders install a wooden frame inside the roof to give the screws something solid to fix into.

Step 7: Install the Rain Cap

The rain cap prevents water entering your flue.

Single wall kits

The second pipe section has three pre-drilled holes.
Simply attach the rain cap legs into these holes and secure.

Twin wall kits

Twin wall kits include a larger rain cap with a locking band.

To install:

1. Fit the internal flue so it extends above the silicone boot.

2. Secure the silicone boot.

3. Undo the locking band.

4. Clip the rain cap in place.

Tip: Watch your fingers when tightening the locking band — they can pinch!

Step 8: Test the Stove

Once everything is installed, it’s time for the first burn.

Start with a small fire using kindling.

This helps:

• Check that the chimney is drawing correctly
• Confirm there are no smoke leaks
• Begin curing the stove paint

During the first few burn, the stove paint will smoke slightly while curing. This is completely normal and can last a couple of hours.

Make sure:

• Doors and windows are open
• The van is well ventilated

You can also cure the stove outside before installation if you prefer.

Important Safety Tips

• Always install a carbon monoxide alarm
• Only burn dry seasoned wood or approved smokeless fuel
• Clean your flue pipe regularly
• Never leave the stove unattended when lit

Quick Installation Overview

Position stove
Mark centre hole using a plumb line
Cut roof hole
Install flashing / silicone boot
Install stove and flue pipes
Install rain cap
Test the stove

Final Thoughts

Installing a wood burning stove in a campervan might feel intimidating at first, but thousands of vanlifers successfully do it themselves.

With careful planning and the right flue kit, the process is very achievable.

Once installed, your Little Burners stove will provide reliable heat and that unbeatable cosy feeling that only a real fire can bring to van life.