I'm not sure I'd find it a pleasurable experience to even try.
IMHO, What's wrong with using a gas stove?? I love camping but I don't totally ignore modern devices which make my life immeasurably easier for the sake of 'tradition'.
Call me a philistine if you like, but is there any strong reason to cook over a fire? we love our portable charcoal barbie when the weather's fine, but using pots and pans over a fire seems just a total extra hassle and in the rain just downright masochistic!
I suppose if you're travelling so light that you can't even justify packing a single burner stove then an open fire is all you have, but I personally would not enjoy spending all my time lighting fires and looking for fuel. Other than this, I can't think of any reason to cook over a fire.
When we went as guides we only cooked on wood fires all food and water was done this way for 30 plus people. We didn't even take gas 'in case'. It was not great but a necessity. We put a tarp above the fire place.
But you cant beat a real fire, great to sit round in the evening too. I prefer to cook outside unless really difficult conditions, and reading the other thread on fires in tents I know why.
------------- Annie :)
Its better to regret things you've done than things you have never tried
It really does depend on just how much rain. So long as your pot has a lid and the wood was dry in the first place you would not have a problem. A little bit more wood would overcome the added heatloss easly.
Sat around in the rain for 2 hours while a stew simmers... thanks a different game
As for why - I really really enjoy it at campsites which have facility for a fire! Just as others really really enjoy sitting in their tents watching Big Brother on their portable sky dishes and tellies.....
My friends had a pig roast last year for their birthday celebrations. It was cooked over a wood fire, but as it was pouring with rain they put a gazebo over the pig. Obviously had to keep a close eye on it. The chef that was cooking it said he could have continued cooking without the gazebo, but it gave him some shelter as well.