Understandably, under the circumstances with extreme heat and dry conditions, Birchwood Tourist Park near Wareham, Dorset, has decided to ban charcoal BBQs until further notice.
This decision came about after a fire near Studland, which allegedly was attributed to a BBQ and campfire (WHY, despite all the warnings in the news and social media about the dangers???!!!).
Normally they do not allow campsite for this reason.
I am checking if Cobbs are allowed, as they too burn charcoal, and would support the ban if they are not allowed.
Hopefully the situation would be more favourable when I go there in September.
I shall bring out the induction-ready grill pan if required if Cobbs are banned.
Over 10 years ago, I bought a Cadac Safari Chef HP with the intention of using it in France at sites that bans charcoal BBQs. It did not function well as a BBQ (food took too long to cook), however, the double-sided grill/flat pan and the lid worked well.
I ditched it as it did not perform well at sub-zero temperature and bought a Coleman 424 Dual Fuel 2-burner stove instead.
DK
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Don’t know about Cobbs as I’ve never been interested in one since we saw one go up in flames and destroy a van awning in Annecy. Suspect it was user error but didn’t want to take the chance as it does prove they are not infallible.
Some campsites don’t allow non gas bbqs at any time but things have got so bad now that all naked flame cookers, even normal camping has stoves, have been banned at some festival campsites in the UK this weekend on the advice of the Fire Officers, though gas cookers in purpose built campervans etc are ok. In view of that I think I would check with each site before using any non electric outside cooking equipment until the current crisis is over.
Understandable as you say DK. It amazes me that some people are still thoughtless enough to use such things despite all the warnings.
The Heritage Railway I volunteer on has had to suspend all its steam-hauled services for the same reason, as we run through open countryside and the risk of setting fields alight is unthinkable. All trains are currently diesel. Despite the risk, we are still getting people complaining about the lack of steam trains. Just don't stop and think do they?
It's surprising how easy it is to set even initially damp green grass on fire, two incidents I can think of that didn't involve BBQs or stoves.
We are sensible and take precautions, but on a couple of camps we allowed 'helpful' inexperienced members of our group to set up equipment, and despite being told what to do, they neglected to follow instructions. And sadly no one double checked - 100% our error!
First incident was with a small generator, where they failed to stand it on a fireproof board that had been provided. The hot exhaust fumes were directed at the ground and after an hour or thereabouts of running, the previously green grass had been dried out and was starting to smoulder - luckily the smoke was smelt/spotted before real harm done!
Second incident was with a 3-way fridge running on gas. Instead of being raised off the ground (green grass again), they put it straight onto the ground and lit it, it was fine for a few hours, but the burner is quite near the casing which gets quite hot, the heat dried the once green grass and a bit of grass got blown into the flame spy hole, caught fire and acted as a fuse, setting fire to the now tinder dry grass! We saw the flames as well as the smoke that time!
On tinder dry grass that could easily have got out of hand all too quickly!
I've seen raised fire pits designed to keep the fire safely off the grass, but the radiated heat has dried the grass underneath and it's smouldered!
There really is no place for naked flames or anything radiating heat anywhere near tinder dry grass or undergrowth.
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Just imagine my horror some years ago. We were at an "Old Fashioned Harvest" on a local farm. The car park was one of the previously harvested fields.
Walking back to our car to collect our sandwiches, I spotted a family with a small gas stove standing down in the stubble while they boiled a kettle for tea.
As has been said, some people........
I heard back from Birchwood, Cobb will be fine, however, they advised to have a bucket of water to hand.
My late partner, being ex-army, taught me to water the grass underneath a BBQ first before lighting the fire, and I have done that every since, except when I was on a hardstanding pitch with no grass or I was using the Cobb.
I carry two bricks inside my Weber Go Anywhere BBQ so that I always have something to elevate it without having to look for them on a site.
And yes to a bucket of water to hand.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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Personally I would be happy if all campsites banned charcoal and wood fires for all times as they are totally anti social unless used in an area away from the pitches. In very hot weather the last thing you want to do is to have to close up doors and windows to keep smoke out.
David
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Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 14/8/2022
Personally I would be happy if all campsites banned charcoal and wood fires for all times as they are totally anti social unless used in an area away from the pitches. In very hot weather the last thing you want to do is to have to close up doors and windows to keep smoke out.
David
Ahh ok. So because YOU don’t like campfires, they should be banned?…
How about you just go to campsites that don’t allow fires (the vast majority), and let others choose whether they wish to have a fire or not, knowing that the site permits it?
However I do agree that in the current climate, a temporary ban due to wild fire risk is sensible.
The Severn Valley heritage line near us has stopped steam services because of the fire risk. Luckily they have a fair view vintage diesels!
Shrewsbury flower show had to cancel the evening fireworks but put on a laser show instead.
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Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 14/8/2022
Personally I would be happy if all campsites banned charcoal and wood fires for all times as they are totally anti social unless used in an area away from the pitches. In very hot weather the last thing you want to do is to have to close up doors and windows to keep smoke out.
David
On the group camps I organise, regardless of drought conditions, I ban firepits and open fires from the camping area, even if the campsite allows them. I don't want my or anyone else's VERY expensive tents and awnings damaged by the inevitable flying sparks and embers, never mind the general fire risk and nuisance from drifting smoke.
I like sitting around open fires, but the risks are too high and potential damage too expensive, my awning is over £1000's worth, and if not ruined totally, likely hundreds to repair if it takes out an Airbeam as well as puncturing the flysheet and damaging containment tube!
The wildfires in Gironde, France, have started up again because the fire kept smouldering unknown in the peat after they had put out the fire above ground.
It’s also a major problem in UK where there’s peat, which often coincides with wild camping areas. The only safe place for a campfire in that instance is a stony river bed.
As for BBQs on site, it’s the lighter fuel smell that irritates me the most - once it’s got going, the charcoal smoke is minimal.
But pitched downwind from someone with a chiminerea who kept putting plastic bottles in it to burn - very very unpleasant acrid smell, we had to go inside.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 15/8/2022
The Severn Valley heritage line near us has stopped steam services because of the fire risk. Luckily they have a fair view vintage diesels!
Shrewsbury flower show had to cancel the evening fireworks but put on a laser show instead.
Epping Ongar Railway that I volunteer on has had to stop steam too, and we have several vintage diesels. That's what I usually drive. I'm driving one Friday.
Makes sense to stop fireworks too in this situation.
We love using our charcoal Weber BBQ and use it even in this so called hot weather. Nothing beats a nice steak on a charcoal fire and cannot understand why some think it is anti social. Highly unlikely this type of BBQ causes fires. Probably those throw away jobbies that cause the fires.
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 16/8/2022
We love using our charcoal Weber BBQ and use it even in this so called hot weather. Nothing beats a nice steak on a charcoal fire and cannot understand why some think it is anti social. Highly unlikely this type of BBQ causes fires. Probably those throw away jobbies that cause the fires.
I have a Weber GA myself, and IMHO, the wire feet alone do not raise it high enough to prevent scorching underneath - been there done that!
I use 2 bricks for added elevation, in addition to dowsing the grass underneath with water first.
So, yes, even a Weber GA is a fire risk based on my own personal experience!
I don't like to cook my steak on the BBQ - prefer to pan-fry on high heat. Each to their own and all that.
I can understand why some people find it anti-social - I don't like second-hand cigarette smoke myself!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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Topic: Sites banning charcoal BBQs
via mobile 15/8/2022 at 10:03am
