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Topic: Cooking/Dining/Utility tent/tarp?

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Gimpymoo

27/4/2014 at 1:45pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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Any recommendations please?

It may sound a little OTT but there is 5 of us.

For some reason, I do not like cooking in/near the tent, not because I am worried about it burning down, more worried about cooking stains on the tent - lol.

Where possible, will simply cook away from the tent but with the Great British weather being like it is, it is not always possible. Likewise, with young kids inside the tent, eating can be a little messy.

Any recommendations plaese?

kate w

27/4/2014 at 1:55pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Camplet Concorde Bailey Phoenix+ 420

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I used to use a Wynnster utility tent, great except for the sloping roof, if you get one, get one with a pointy roof they don't hold the water. Middle of the night trip outside to push loads of water out of the roof isn't ideal.

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dk168

27/4/2014 at 2:09pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC

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An utility/kitchen tent would be a good investment IMHO, and a tarp/canopy extension would work well for meal times.

However, a tarp may need to be taken down in windy conditions though.

Check out the threads on tarps for inspirations, like this one:

2014 - The year of the tarp thread

DK

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Tynxuk

27/4/2014 at 2:24pm
Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent

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We too are a family of 5 and use a (camper van) drive away awning which doesn't look out of place beside our 7 seater. It's approx. 2mx3m and we use it as a kitchen diner (cook using electric). We did have a 2mx2m pop up utility but found it wasn't big enough for us.
I don't fry anything in the awning and never had anything spit whilst cooking yet although still have a kitchen unit with wind shield on.

Francais

27/4/2014 at 3:24pm
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Yep, we use a Cabanon PN20 Utility Tent as a Kitchen Tent.

Gimpymoo

27/4/2014 at 7:21pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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Thank you for the ideas so far.

We do have a large family tent (Croyde 6) but with 5 in a young family, the space is easily consumed.

I know when I was a kid, people just got on with it, I remember most tents back in the day having a "designated" cooking area.

Is one being a giant softie for even wanting a utility tent?

ANGEDAWS

27/4/2014 at 9:14pm
Location: Northern England
Outfit: Coleman Mosedale 5

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Quote:

Is one being a giant softie for even wanting a utility tent?

No, definitely not. A utility tent made a huge difference to our camping holidays - whether we took the big tent or the smaller weekend one. It gave us somewhere safe to cook away from where the kids were playing, kept all the mess and cooking smells in one place and was a great overnight storage place for scooters, footballs, cricket stuff etc.

We have just bought a folding camper but will keep the utility tent (an outdoor revolution outhouse) for when we dont want to put up the awning.

I dont agree with paying extra site fees for one though. We have always been a bit cheeky and just put it up without saying anything - unless the site makes it clear that we arent allowed to. No-one has said anything so far!

Gimpymoo

28/4/2014 at 1:34am
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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Any recommendations for ones which could fit cooker/stand with table and chairs or does that then become too big?

Also, if someone could help, I have a Texas L which is superb, we use it for a weekend tent but would dearly love some sheltered outdoor space, anyone recommend a tarp?

The Gelert Vector canopy looked great but no longer available.

Post last edited on 28/04/2014 01:52:50

Post last edited on 28/04/2014 01:56:02

dk168

28/4/2014 at 2:27am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC

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It is not going to be easy to find a matching side extension for this tent. Although other makes may fit, however, it will definitely not match in colour.

Therefore, I would advise using a tarp over the main door instead.

Have a look at Tigermouse's post and pics on Page 1 in the Tent Origami thread for inspiration, when she used a cheapo builder's tarp over a door of her vis-a-vis tent:

Tent Origami Thread

The tarp needs to be long enough to go over the tallest point of the tent, so that rain can drip down the other side and not via any gaps near the opened door.

Hope that makes sense.

DK

Gimpymoo

28/4/2014 at 11:35am
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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Something like this would be perfect:

http://www.khyam.co.uk/detail.asp?p=389

I say "Like" as unsure of the stability/quality of that one owing to some of the reviews.

I think what I need is a Tarp for the smaller tent and a utility tent for the family tent.

Just a matter of which Tarp. I looked at the origami thread... some great ideas.

Just not sure which tarp to get as LOTS of choices.

dk168

28/4/2014 at 1:03pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC

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Issue with the Khyam utility/shelter is its size, in that at 3m x 3m, it is going to be difficult to fit it within the allocated tent pitch without incurring additional charges!!!

As for a tarp, I would advise getting a cheapo builder's tarp and try it out first, before forking out more on a better quality one etc...

DK

Gimpymoo

28/4/2014 at 1:47pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 28/4/2014Issue with the Khyam utility/shelter is its size, in that at 3m x 3m, it is going to be difficult to fit it within the allocated tent pitch without incurring additional charges!!!

As for a tarp, I would advise getting a cheapo builder's tarp and try it out first, before forking out more on a better quality one etc...

DK

Your right about its size, it is "too big".

Will stick to a kitchen tent.

Regarding Tarp, I have no problem purchasing one, for me would be easier to have something I just buy some poles for if needed and peg it in and guy it down.

Post last edited on 28/04/2014 15:08:52

Tynxuk

28/4/2014 at 7:15pm
Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent

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how about this, nice size attaches to your tent so pitch fees shouldn't cost more and not too bad a colour match

gulliver7952

28/4/2014 at 10:37pm
Location: Corinium in the Cotswolds
Outfit: Calais - Eldorado - Alaska - Romahome

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A utility tent is very useful for cooking and keeping the main tent clear of all the junk that seems to accumulate in the tent.
I have a 2x2 mtr Royal which has a Bath Tub ground sheet, has door to rear and canopy - fly screen - window combination at the front. Takes up less space (foot print) than a Tarp and keeps things dry in wet weather.
Some sites do charge extra but I have never had to pay as yet. I do avoid the sites that state they do charge for Utility Tents. I will use a Tarp if weather looks fine for a short break.

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Gimpymoo

29/4/2014 at 12:15pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell

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In topic:
"2014 - The year of the tarp?"

Ewen C posted:

Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 16/3/2014
I got this

LA Garden 82080 Sun Canopy 430 x 530 x 200 cm Blue
amazon Uk has no info on it but i got it cheaper from amazon.fr which has all the info including it's hydrostatic head. 25 EUR.

It will be used as a kitchen shelter attached to the tent.

I also have one on pre order from sports direct. Doubt if I will ever get that. It is a gelert.

Looks to be just what I was after. Should be able to fit table/chairs under there if raining :)

chappers2341

05/5/2014 at 5:13pm
Location: Oxford
Outfit: helsport Kongsvold

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We have a really cheap. Pro-action utility tent, which is perfect for cooking in, I haven't seen another since and will be really sorry when this one gives up the ghost

Here it is in action as part of our shanty town set-up

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