Hello! We're quite new to camping, we had a few experimental trips last year but are now planning our first trip with our new tent (Montana). The only thing I'm not sure about is where to cook if the weather is wet. We haven't the budget for the extension at the moment (and I feel the tent as a whole is big enough for us as it's a 6 man and we are only 2 adults, a 3 year old and a baby) but the little storm porch probably isn't big enough to cook in comfortably. I have seen on another thread that people have suggested cooking under a tarp such as obelink. Could anyone tell me if they do this and does it suit them? Also wondered whether people have found that they have to pay extra at campsites for having a tarp up? Thank you for your advice!
We use a tarp to cook under if it is raining. It's really usefull and versatile. Much cheaper than an extension too. Also, if it's used as sun shelter you get the advantage of a breeze rather than the more closed in extensions.
I did hear one member recently saying that they were going to be charged extra for a tarp. This has never happened to us. However one way round this might be to do what we sometimes do and tie two of the guys to the front tent poles, thus creating a canopy. It's not then a separate 'structure'.
We've never done it before, but last week at Fforest Fields we'd bought all the stuff for a BBQ and the rain was threatening, so DH put this little set up together - it worked for us!
We bought a polycotton tarp to go with out Outwell Trout Lake 4, amongst other things, for cooking under to keep away from either the sun or the rain.
We've got the original two poles plus another four adjustable ones for adapting the shape to suit the pitch. 3.5m x 3.5 m so not huge but it should be large enough..
Seemed the better option over the extension for me..
Thanks everyone. Great to see those pics and all the possibilities out there. I've spent the day browsing tarps on the internet when feeding our baby. Hubby comes home and I announce that I've solved the cooking issue, only for him to say he has a large fishing umbrella that you can peg down... but not a waste of time - if the umbrella doesn't suit us on our forthcoming trip I will source a tarp ready for next year.
I'd just like to say too what a great forum this is and a great confidence booster to new campers finding their way!
Would you not consider a small kitchen tent....baby can't get around your feet. Also food cooks much quicker due to the wind not blowing the gas. Keep insects out. can hang a light so cooking or brewing up in the dark is easy. Can store bikes / chairs overnight !
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Topic: Using a tarp for cooking?
