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We have cooked last Easter inside our Monty with one of the windows rolled right up so all smells etc went out. We were 3 adults and a 10 year old though. We have also cooked under the extension. Now we have Bear 4 and have bought the extension and we are debating cooking in that or under the canopy with a windbreak around.

If I had small children though, I would probably have bought a utility tent to be on the safe side.

We have a 3 year old and cook inside the large tent if its too wet (but nothing that will splash or anything fatty). There is sufficient room for our son to be kept well away from the stove and he knows the rules. We keep an emergency exit open at all times and have fire blanket and water bucket to hand. Yes, as at home there is a risk, but we never cook with someone in an inner tent and take all available precautions. If something happens, just get out (practice getting out) and stay out. Its only a tent!

An attached awning is equally bad (although it should avoid any escaping gas pooling in the tent - although if the tent is lower the gas will still accumulate at the lowest point) and any utility tent which is close to the main tent will with the aid of any wind, catch the main tent anyway. There are risks with any option. However, with small children and pets its best if they can be kept apart as it reduces the risk of an incident, but being careful and not leaving or turning your back for a second is the key IMHO.

Helen

The best thing I did recently was to get an EHU lead and an electric kettle. To be able to make a cup of coffee first thing in the morning without having to go outside in the cold and wet to boil a kettle on a gas stove is the height of luxury

I am thinking of getting an electric stove to boil things like eggs, something like this

The trouble with the suitcase gas stoves is that you can only turn the heat down to a certain level which is often too hot. The first time I ever tried frying liver on one of those (fortunately outside) was the last time...fat spitting everywhere!! I certainly wouldn't use hot fat inside a tent.

Quote: Originally posted by dawsoctor on 02/4/2010

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I dont like using the stove in the tent when its windy or raining.I have been on ebay today and bought a cooking shelter new for £16 free p&p,looks ideal,big enough to get the stove and work area in and to stand in.Typed "shelters" and then under camping.

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Quote: Originally posted by new2camp on 02/4/2010

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Hi all

Just picked up my Montana 6 and wanted to ask about where you all cook if it's raining.  When we camped before (in FIL's field) he put us up a massive canvas gazebo and we set up in there.

So, if we've got an extension/awning is it ok to cook in there - think not cos it's attached to the tent.  Or should we go for a utility tent or just some sort of canopy.  Hopefully weather will be ok to cook outside but ummmm.......

If you can't cook under an extension what are the benefits?

Thanks

Sharon

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depends on the site and what space you have.  on the site i am on presently, we have a canopy up, but still fairly windy to cook in.  we have a sunncamp day room and i really wish i had the space to set it up.

still anywhere is better than your main living area!

Quote: Originally posted by new2camp on 02/4/2010

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Thanks all.  Might just get a utility tent or wing it this year. What if you just want a cuppa?  Stove outside again.  As said were pretty spoilt on that front last year (though weeing in the bush was not the most fun as the field was a bit away from the house).

Can certainly see the benefit of lounging out under extension/awning.

Does the front come off the awning completely so it's more of an extension that you can zip up at night.

Can't wait.  Need to sort table and chairs out (any recommendations?) and compact pans (have kettle already) but that's about it as have the other bits already

First trip New Forest in May some time followed by a couple of weekends (Henley and maybe West Wittering) and a week or so in Devon/Cornwall.  France next year for sure.

 

 

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We take a flask & fill it with boiling water in the morning, which keeps the cuppas flowing all day.

We tend to cook in the front porch of our tent, but we have no pets or kiddies.

Much rather BBQ though, we BBQ away from the tent but have still managed to get a small hole burnt in the door from tiny embers been picked up by the wind.