I've never done it before. But I just got back from a very wet week. It rained almost every day. I did not have enough fuel to cook all the meals over the stove. So I set a center-ridgeline tarp over the firepit. It worked great. I was able to cook while being completely protected from the rain. And the tarp collected some heat so I actually got a chance to warm up and dry out.

Do most folks set up a tarp over the fire?

Your picture seems to show that the tarp is near but not above the fire pit. I don't think that many people hang tarps over a fire. Doing so is a good way for sparks to burn holes in a tarp.

I have never done that. My fires seem to get too big for something like that and my tarp would burn up.

Recent discussion on this topic some do, some don't, some would never consider it, and ZS makes a stupid comment.

butthead

I agree. ZS did make a stupid comment. What are we supposed to do? Stand around in the rain like farm animals? Even most of those have the sense to get out of the rain if they can...

I specifically try to get my tarp over fires. Never had an issue, I am not sure what the risk is people talked about in the other threads. My CCS silnylon tarp is 15 years old now. Still looks pretty good. If I had it my way I'd never set up though I like a more open feeling, but beats being stuck in a tent all day.



Here is a steak dinner under the tarp in a rain storm.


Me under the tarp in a torrential downpour--lower left pic.

Wife enjoying Pizza cooked on the fire started pouring down a little later.

T

Always set mine over the firepit, and always will. Never had a single burn hole. Just don't make giant fires. I've done it with my CCS tarp for about 10 years or more. Before then was with a cheaper tarp from Backcountry or some other similar site. Try it - You will like it. Traps a little smoke under it for a few seconds, so it seems to help to dissuade skeeters. Love that smoky smell myself.

Tomster

I have never done it, not sure I would as I would not want to cook the tarp. That said, on my recent trip, it rained almost every day out of 11. I did use a Dragonfly under the tarp/flap of my Lean-and even that had me worried. Seeing T's pics, however, does give me pause.

Unless the tarp is quite low and you have a raging high fire I don't think there is a danger to the tarp. Ya gotta use some common sense obviously. I swear Dan Cooke chimed in one time on this and said something similar with more scientific words :) but I could be remembering wrong.

I have set the tarp up right in the middle of the fire pit on very rainy trips, but typically the fire pit is covered but on the very edge of the tarp. I do this not because I am afraid of my tarp burning or melting but because I want to maximize space under the tarp for people or keeping things dry and the fire pit takes up space for people.

T

Another tarp/fire thread

I do it all the time. I have a 10'x10' CCS tarp with a ridgeline setup. There are no holes in it. As long as you don't burn paper products in the fire, nor make the fire raging big, the spark output will be minimal.

Gotta have my first night steak, potatoes and wild rice cooked over a campfire, even if it is raining!

I've never done it, so take this suggestion FWIW.....

If I WERE to do it, I'd put some large flat rocks on top of the grate to catch any errant sparks, and remove those rocks once a good bed of coals was established.

wear thick leather gloves and be careful!

I'm in the "wouldn't do it" camp, but more a matter of style than fretting for the tarp. We always cook over a stove, so the fire's an ambience element only. Also, I like to keep packs and gear under the tarp, and a firepit in the middle of that space seems like it'd be a problem.

That looks like a great set up for a rainy day MA. Fire far enough away not to put burn holes in the tarp and still get the reflector oven effect for some wood fire soaking heat. I think it's the same principle that Bill Mason used with his campfire tent.

It also depends on the wood you're burning. If it is punky or water logged you can expect sparks to fly and that could damage your tarp. Nice dry, split wood shouldn't be a problem. Me? With the cost of a good tarp these days I don't risk hanging over the fire.

Our group which includes teenagers always prefers to put a rainfly or two over the fire pit and seating area. We have never had a problem with sparks but they can get a little sooty from the smoke.

quote Mad_Angler: "I agree. ZS did make a stupid comment. What are we supposed to do? Stand around in the rain like farm animals? Even most of those have the sense to get out of the rain if they can..."

I have a piece of new fangled equipment called a rain suit, also I assume you have heard of a tent.

nothing peeves me more than somebody who sets up a huge tarp on a site, blocking all movement and blocking the nice view of the sky. If you want a roof over your head stay home or stay in the tent.

I typically set the tarp up so the corner provides some coverage for the fire. I try to keep it standing height or taller above the grate, haven't had any damage or pinholes yet.

quote ZaraSp00k: "... If you want a roof over your head stay home or stay in the tent."

So... it rains/pours for 12 hour straight like my last trip. I have two options: I can stay in the tent or I can stand around in my rain suit? (or go home??)

Personally, I'd rather sit under a tarp. I can still see the lake and the woods. I can still smell the fresh air. If I set my tarp correctly, I can have a campfire and even cook my dinner over the fire. I can also relax and visit with my family. We can play games and enjoy any food that we cook. We don't have to just sit there and bear it in our newfangled rain suits.

Once the rain stops, you can remove most of the ropes and perhaps even slide the tarp out of the way.

Judging by your comments, you clearly have not been out when it rained long and hard...

I agree, after several days of constant rain its nice to have a comfy pace to sit and hang out. No rain suit I've ever seen would keep you dry in hard,driving, windblown rain.

quote ZaraSp00k: "

quote Mad_Angler: "I agree. ZS did make a stupid comment. What are we supposed to do? Stand around in the rain like farm animals? Even most of those have the sense to get out of the rain if they can..."

I have a piece of new fangled equipment called a rain suit, also I assume you have heard of a tent.


nothing peeves me more than somebody who sets up a huge tarp on a site, blocking all movement and blocking the nice view of the sky. If you want a roof over your head stay home or stay in the tent."

Huh. That's the first time I've ever heard someone on this site disparage the use of a tarp......

quote ZaraSp00k: "

quote Mad_Angler: "I agree. ZS did make a stupid comment. What are we supposed to do? Stand around in the rain like farm animals? Even most of those have the sense to get out of the rain if they can..."

I have a piece of new fangled equipment called a rain suit, also I assume you have heard of a tent.


nothing peeves me more than somebody who sets up a huge tarp on a site, blocking all movement and blocking the nice view of the sky. If you want a roof over your head stay home or stay in the tent."

I take it you have never brought a group of young teenager/pre-teens to the BWCA and had 2-3 days of constant rain & wind. Without a large tarp it would of most likely cut short the trips and may have even ruined the experience enough that they would have passed at the next chance to go to the BWCA. But with a large tarp it keeps the boys out of the elements and adds to their experience and helps keeps them coming year after year.... I would never leave home without them.

Just got came out on the 2nd of July had two days of rain spent both under the tarp around the fire only way to go. spent a hour or so at home washing the soot off my 16/16 Noah's tarp other then that no harm done. Only view of the sky we had was wet.