Fires under tarps

[Biddlesby]

I would like to have my fires under my tarp. I have a 3x3 cotton tatonka. Given a 'moderate' small campfire for cooking etc, how high do you think the tarp should be? Any tips for keeping smoke free or protecting the tarp? I was thinking something like a sacrificial piece of material suspended over the fire just below the tarp to stop any sparks.

Or is it just a no-no?

Cheers

 

[drstrange]

Big fern leaves upside down act as a kind of vent for smoke, directing it up and away from you (just like a shutter-blind). If you are sitting around a camp fire and the wind is changy, you can just lift one infront of you instead of moving around the fire to escape it.

As for the fire under tarp, I wouldn't like to advise

Funny Avatar!

 

[ScottC]

Peg down one side of the tarp as usual but for the otherside secure the guy lines up around saplings/other trees close by to give an open air effect but still with plenty of protection from the wind and rain. Strip the wood of the bark first and this will reduce the smoke, not sure if smoke will affect the fabric but i imagine it will stain it under certain conditions like a canvas tipi will.

 

[spamel]

What's wrong with having a smoky smelly tarp?!!

Just make sure your fire isn't a raging inferno, and you could put it a step or two away from the edge of your tarp, you'll still feel the heat from the fire.

 

[Biddlesby]

My tarp already stinks a bit - but I like it .

 

[spamel]

Me too!

 

[JonnyP]

Set up the tarp, just above head height, find which way the wind is blowing and light your fire the side the wind is going, just under the edge of the tarp. You can then sit in the shelter with the smoke blowing away from you. If it is raining hard, just drop down the side that is where the wind is comming from. I use the poly cotton tatonka for this purpose and it works a treat.
Hope this makes sence........

 

[gregorach]

One word of warning - if it's really windy, and you light a fire in the lee of your tarp, you might find yourself facing a strong vortex throwing all that smoke (and flame) straight at you.

That was an interesting experience...

 

[TAHAWK]

I have experienced sharply swirling winds many, many times. I have helped put out tarp/equipment fires started by camper's fires under those tarps on three occasions. No one was hurt, but large holes were burned in the tarps and in other gear (one very nice down sleeping bag pretty badly damaged). So it's a risk. Up to you if you want to run that risk unless you're in Scouting and following Scouting rules.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I'm sure there was a thread not so long ago where someone posted a picture of a small enclosed stove with a chimney taking care of smoke and hot gas to a level above their tarp - maybe not the ideal lightweight backpacking answer but it could be made to work well I think.

Ogri the trog

 

[Glen]

I'm sure there was a thread not so long ago where someone posted a picture of a small enclosed stove with a chimney taking care of smoke and hot gas to a level above their tarp - maybe not the ideal lightweight backpacking answer but it could be made to work well I think.

Ogri the trog

I'm guessing you mean this one,
http://forums.kifaru.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000972;p=0
from the modified nimbewill stove part 2 thread

The small stove weighs in at just over 3lbs ( how much over depends on the size of the chimney ) the smallest ( the para ) is only 2Lbs 5Oz

Pricey though

 

[Floyd Soul]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just make sure the tarp is of a reasonable height and that the campfire doesn't turn into a bonfire!Ok its just started thunder and lightning outside so I'd better turn this computer off before it blows up and get outside to listen! Laters

 

[bilko]

Just found this http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43HomePageE?openframeset and although one would definitly not use it for a fire you might find it good for stove cooking.
Also seems like an idea one could borrow and improvise/embelish.
Ah i see the site won't allow a direct link. Look under products, tents, tarp, arc tarp.

 

[mojofilter]

Set up the tarp, just above head height, find which way the wind is blowing and light your fire the side the wind is going, just under the edge of the tarp. You can then sit in the shelter with the smoke blowing away from you. If it is raining hard, just drop down the side that is where the wind is comming from. I use the poly cotton tatonka for this purpose and it works a treat.
Hope this makes sence........

Makes perfect sense to me, heres a pic of my setup!

 

[Floyd Soul]

Nice one! Could live there indefinitely!

 

[WiND]

look at all the cans in that photo

 

[mojofilter]

look at all the cans in that photo

And your point is?

 

[JonnyP]

And your point is?

Check his introduction thread Mojo and you will see.........

 

[WiND]

lol

Any of you guys or gals ex army?

 

[bikething]

I was wondering how mojo doesn't roll down that hill into the fire