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Quote: Originally posted by twistywillow on 13/8/2008

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Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 12/8/2008

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Hi again.

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I find it strange that some members don't seem to like the Idea of a kitchen tent, they are small and easy to set up
and really do make cooking in any weather a lot better. I have put a picture of our Kitchen tent in my gallery.
as I have always said family camping can be made very cozy
and comfortable.
Regards
Rex.

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Hi Rex, I had a quick look at your pics, and that looks a remarkably efficient set up in  a utility tent, but can I ask, why is it dangerous to cook inside the main tent(apart from the condensation aspect) and why would a utility tent be a better option? Sorry if I sound dumb, I am new to the forum and to serious camping and I do want to get it right as I have 3 kids and safety is a big issue with me. We used to camp a lot as kids, in tents, caravans etc, and I dont remember my folks caring too much about gas safety at all, but I guess we had better weather back in those days so cooking outside wasnt such an issue as it is now.

ps how close to the main tent can a utility tent be? pitch sizes seem awfully small these days!

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can I ask, why is it dangerous to cook inside the main tent(apart from the condensation aspect) nd why would a utility tent be a better option?

Here is my take on it, it is a typical summers day on a British campsite and the rain is coming down like stair rods and the kids are bored and getting on your nerves, as you are stood in the entrance to your tent cooking dinner one of the kids rush past on the way to the toilet and knock the kitchen stand which lets be honest are not the most sturdy things in the world, at best you have got all your dinner and a lit stove on the floor at worst you have got a scalded child and a tent fire to deal with

and also if you are in the tent cooking then there is a good chance that it is because of bad weather and the rest of the family will be in the tent somewhere, if you had a problem that caused a tent fire how would you all get out ?

a utility tent is a more controlled environment which is used by one person and there is no reason for anybody else to be in there and you have total control of the situation and just have to turn and walk out if there is a problem  

Quote: Originally posted by winhill on 13/8/2008

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Oh, here's a thought, if you use a utility tent, for safety's sake, shouldn't the uitility be 6 metres from your tent to avoid a fire risk?

It would also have to be 6 metres from your neighbours tent too?

If your own tent was 2 metres wide (just big enough to sleep in) then the pitch would have to be 3+2+6+2+3 metres minimum, or 16 metres wide! We're going to need some very big pitches for those large tents, something like 80 square metres.

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Oh dear, does it turn out that no-one leaves 6 metres between their cooking tent and their main tent and 6 metres between their cooking tent and their neighbour's tent?

This could be the start of a whole new topic methinks.