Not camped since I was a kid when i suspect things were done very differently (Cooking in the tent)!
No i have kids id like to have a go at camping with them so a few questions if I may.
I am looking to get a Vango either air or pole (camping exhibition soon to confirm) i am looking at a few with built in canopy in excess of 1 metre. One model has doors to enclose it, if open can i cook in the canopy? would it be easier to buy electric hobs instead? At them moment looking at the case gas stoves with a stand with protective surround. Also thinking that maybe windbreak with some sort of tarp over one section might be a bonus for cooking.
When booking pitch by size do i need to also take into account any extra for windbreaks etc?
thanks so much, I'm sure i will have more questions.
Welcome back to camping! I'm no expert but I think pitch sizes and what's allowed within them will vary with the site and your best bet is to enquire direct when you find a site you fancy.
If you buy electric hobs you are stuck with paying for hook-up when you go away which, while it is an agreeable luxury to have kettle, toaster etc, can be quite pricey. I'd be tempted to keep it simple with the briefcase gas stoves and, if all goes well and you think you'll be camping a lot, then consider an upgrade.
I would have thought cooking under an open canopy would be okay with a protective surround as long as there is another way out of the tent. There is a windbreak with a central section that can be put up as a cover; don't know how effective it is. You end up surrounded by a forest of guy ropes if you've got too much going on outside.
we have a Vango Illusion 800XL TC and we cook inside the enclosed "porch" area with a gas stove...as long as you're sensible about it, ie make sure your stove is on a stable level surface, a safe distance from the flysheet and there's plenty of ventilation, then you'll be fine doing the same...
Great idea looking at the tents you want in the flesh, that's what I do. I agree with hedgehugger about the EHU. It does limit you to where you want to pitch. However it does give you a choice whether you want to or not.
If you have young children, safety is paramount due accidents. I have cooked in my tent due to bad weather, I had a rules, my son played away from where I was cooking.
I have used a tarp over a door and wind break, that worked really well. Gas suitcase stoves are great, easy to use and no messing around with connectors and regulators, just insert a C annister, remove after use. Like anything, very safe if used correctly.
Pitch sizes vary from site to site along with pricing. Some sites everything is included, some are priced individually. Bog standard pitches are 6m x 6m guy lines needed to be inside the parameter, however with tents becoming bigger, sites do have bigger pitches to accommodate them. This doesn't matter with unmarked pitches, along as the tent is not pitched too close to another tent.
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Hi Osvic, we're in much the same boat as you in terms of starting out although we've 3 children and space is even more of a premium. I was sold on a Vango until we went to see them pitched at a local dealer and the Kampa Croyde air won me over, so i think going to a show is a great idea. Good luck on getting all your gear together and enjoying your first camp.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: new to camping
