fire in a shelter

[forry]

Hi, i recently built a dome group shelter with a circlular open roof.
When i lit a fire inside the shelter it did light but i had to keep blowing on it to keep a good flame.
Could the cause of this be that the shelter was built to high and the doorway was too narrow. Are you better facing the doorway towards the wind.

thanks

 

[Toddy]

In the days when all houses were built with fires in the centre of the floor the doorway was generally to the East regardless of the wind direction.

Did you raise the fire off the ground ? even on a bed of timbers helps air flow from below, allows the fire to 'draw'.

Sorry, not an expert, just my tuppence halfpenny worth

cheers,
Toddy

 

[forry]

Hi, the doorway was facing east but i actually dug a bowl for the fire to sit in.
i was going on the ray mears book. i think the bowl may have been too deep.

thanks for the tips. will try them next time.

cheers

 

[treadlightly]

I've been experimenting recently with a fire inside a tipi-style shelter.



I'm no expert but I found that while of course you need airflow, you don't want too much of it. If you get too much it counters the funnel effect of the open apex and the smoke goes sideways instead of up and out. I had my fire on ground level but will check

You definitely do not want the doorway facing into the wind. If it is, then its best to put something across it to reduce airflow.

 

[forry]

did the tipee have a hole at the top for the smoke to be released?

 

[treadlightly]

did the tipee have a hole at the top for the smoke to be released?

Yes. The apex is about 8 foot high and open. It works well enough as long as you stay low down in the shelter underneath the smoke

 

[Bushwhacker]

You could try making a cowl to go over the hole.

 

[forry]

sounds good. I will give it a go next time.
thanks again

 

[wattsy]

i'd have thought that having a hole at the top i pretty much a necessity if your fire's in an enclosed shelter otherwise you'll go to sleep and wake up dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. incresed height should increase the suction effect of the hole helping the smoke rise and i think what toddy suggested is a great idea

 

[bushwacker bob]

i'd have thought that having a hole at the top i pretty much a necessity if your fire's in an enclosed shelter otherwise you'll go to sleep and wake up dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. incresed height should increase the suction effect of the hole helping the smoke rise and i think what toddy suggested is a great idea

I didn't get Carbon monoxide poisoning but I dont have a tent any more