Wind/Rain Shelter for Cooking?

[VanFan]

I'm looking for a wind shelter for cooking outside when camping near the beach. I was caught off guard last winter, and want hot meals this time!

A Kelty Outback shelter is on the way, but I failed to consider whether the barn doors can be opened with it in place, so it may have to go back. It also may be hard to handle in the wind.

Would a Clam Venture (9x9) be a better choice? I understand they get very hot inside in the summer sun, and the bag is around 6' long. Those things have made me hesitate. I think the Traveler (6x6) would be a little too small.

Have any of you had experience with either of these? Do you have other suggestions?

 

[Tony's Dream]

What do you intend to put inside this shelter? That would help us advise you on the size.

 

[jacqueg]

I have the 5-sided CLAM, and like it very much. It has enough room for a 4x8 folding table, and for my zero-gravity chair, and a couple other small pieces of camp furniture, as well as miscellaneous totes and water containers.

I could get by with the 4-sided CLAM if I didn't care about the chair.

Yes, it does heat up when the wind panels are on, but in the winter, I like that! Right now, I'm not using the wind panels. It's not all that windy where I am. If it was, I would put up three or even four of the panels. The panels are very easy to put up or take down.

I believe the Gazelle is very similar.

I'm in a van, and although the bag is pretty large, I don't find it to be a problem. If I'm staying the night somewhere and not pitching the CLAM, it fits easily right underneath my van.

If you decide to get one, come back here for hints on erecting it, etc. Several of us have one.

I'm looking for a wind shelter for cooking outside when camping near the beach. I was caught off guard last winter, and want hot meals this time!

A Kelty Outback shelter is on the way, but I failed to consider whether the barn doors can be opened with it in place, so it may have to go back. It also may be hard to handle in the wind.

Would a Clam Venture (9x9) be a better choice? I understand they get very hot inside in the summer sun, and the bag is around 6' long. Those things have made me hesitate. I think the Traveler (6x6) would be a little too small.

Have any of you had experience with either of these? Do you have other suggestions?

 

[VanFan]

What do you intend to put inside this shelter? That would help us advise you on the size.

At the most, two bag chairs, two 2-3' tables, a Coleman stove, small propane tank, and maybe a plastic tote box. I can also see using my shower set-up in there on rare occasions.

Thanks for asking that question. Initially, all I was thinking about is an improvement over squatting by the van trying to keep a tiny flame going. On my last trip, it was windier than on previous trips, and I was still trying to do without propane, so we had cold meals inside. I've gone back to propane, so that helps, but the wind is still an issue.

 

[VanFan]

Yes, it does heat up when the wind panels are on, but in the winter, I like that!...

I'm in a van, and although the bag is pretty large, I don't find it to be a problem. If I'm staying the night somewhere and not pitching the CLAM, it fits easily right underneath my van.

Really, I think the 5-sided CLAM would be a nice size for us, too. My van is pretty packed, but I suppose something could go. Have you ever set it over a picnic table? (That would be a nice option, but it's probably too small for those at most campgrounds.)

A little warmth in the winter would be nice, for sure. In warmer weather, do you think a reflective tarp over the top or shade cloth would help with the heat (when it's not too windy)? It would be nice to have some shade along with screens quite often. Have you tried using a fan inside? Any help?

Would you feel comfortable using a propane stove inside? The specs do indicate flame retardant, but there is also a warning concerning open flame heaters.

Lastly, I wonder if "staking" it with sand bags would be an option if I can't drive stakes nearby. (I'm thinking four 20 lb. bags.)

I'm thinking out loud. Thanks for listening and letting me know what you think. (You know I want one. LOL.)

 

[maki2]

I had a 5 sided gazelle. My friend had a small propane heater, the kind that can screw onto a green propane cylinder bottle. It was fine sitting a couple of feet away from the sidewalls on a cold spring evening. Make sure you set it into the available auxillary based made to stabilize those bottles and set it on flat ground. There is a risk is in knocking or tipping it over if careless in bumping into it.

I used to suspend shade cloth from the corners on the entry side and sides that were direct sun. It helped reduce the heat. The door entry side does not come with a wind blocking panel. I had to modify 2 of those panels by cutting the widths down and installing a full length zipper in the middle. My shelter only lasted for 2 years of frequent use before the fabric on top started tearing apart from UV damage. I also had to add wide webbing stitched on the upper and lower corners to reinforce it for windy conditions.

The easiest one person method for setting it is to first stake out two adjacent lower corners, I typically chose the side opposite the door side. That holds it down to the ground while you pop out the sides. Having one side staked down also makes it easy to put up and take down in windy conditions. Otherwise it will tumble away on you if not anchored by 2 staked corners.

Once all the sdes are popped out you then unzip the door side, go in and pop up the roof. Then go back out and stake down the rest of the corners. Reverse the procedure for taking it down.

For stakes I use long Spax Timber Screws. They're easy to put in and take out with a battery operated drill driver. My senior hands have some wear and tear arthritis so pounding in stakes is for me uncomfortable and can create more physical damage to my joints. Plus it is just a lot easier and faster to drive in those long timber holding screws. Works fine in rocky or softer soils. But likely not going to hold well on a sandy ocean beach. I would not trust sand bags in windy conditions.

Because strong wind is often present in the desert or in areas with thunderstorms reinforcing with webbing and adding strong hold downs at the upper corners is an essential step. Otherwise anything over 25mph will put too much stress on the stakes at the lower edges and those lower corners will rip apart. Also the wind panels do not hold up to strong winds without some modifications.

Basically out of the box, as is, it is a fair weather shelter for mild wind conditions. Best to keep it in the shade under trees to reduce UV damage and lengthen it's life span. One of my friends sets her 4 sided clam up inside of a 10 x 10 canopy to protect it from sun, reduce heat and reduce the wind stress on it. But that definitely adds to the setup time and those canopies are bulky and heavy to carry along.

 

[VanFan]

Maki: I really appreciate the tips--especially the hand-saver (they are so precious)!

After mocking up a carry bag and fitting it in the van, as well as marking off the space and putting a couple of chairs and a table inside, I'm leaning toward the smaller, 4-sided version. I'd like the additional space, but it adds about 10 pounds, 10" of bag length. With my layout, it might be a struggle to stow. Always a trade-off.

I did see a photo of a silver tarp bungeed to the top in the Amazon reviews. That looks doable for hot, low wind days.

 

[jacqueg]

Really, I think the 5-sided CLAM would be a nice size for us, too. My van is pretty packed, but I suppose something could go. Have you ever set it over a picnic table? (That would be a nice option, but it's probably too small for those at most campgrounds.)

No, it wouldn't fit over a standard picnic table. A larger one would, but since it's only me, a larger one would be overkill.

A little warmth in the winter would be nice, for sure. In warmer weather, do you think a reflective tarp over the top or shade cloth would help with the heat (when it's not too windy)? It would be nice to have some shade along with screens quite often. Have you tried using a fan inside? Any help?

Although I haven't used one, yes, a tarp on top could be a really good idea. Like all fabric tents, if you can sew, you can customize it however you please, including adding tie-downs. However, fastening a tarp on top would lead to extra stress on the tent, especially in really windy conditions.

Since the wind panels are so easy to take off / put on, I've never felt the need for a fan.

Would you feel comfortable using a propane stove inside? The specs do indicate flame retardant, but there is also a warning concerning open flame heaters.

Yes, I use my propane cook stove 2 or 3 times a day. Even with the panels up, there is plenty of ventilation. And of course, I am careful to keep the stove at least a foot away from any nearby walls.

Lastly, I wonder if "staking" it with sand bags would be an option if I can't drive stakes nearby. (I'm thinking four 20 lb. bags.)

You'd need five sand bags, but yes, that might work. As Maki said, though, you should use SPAX bolts and a drill and socket set to stake the tent. The plastic stakes that come with it are not up to the job. I haven't set up the CLAM in a place where I couldn't use the SPAX bolts. Although last year in Quartzsite, I had to use the old water trick as the ground was super hard.

 

[Pugwinkle]

I'm looking for a wind shelter for cooking outside when camping near the beach. I was caught off guard last winter, and want hot meals this time!

A Kelty Outback shelter is on the way, but I failed to consider whether the barn doors can be opened with it in place, so it may have to go back. It also may be hard to handle in the wind.

Would a Clam Venture (9x9) be a better choice? I understand they get very hot inside in the summer sun, and the bag is around 6' long. Those things have made me hesitate. I think the Traveler (6x6) would be a little too small.

Have any of you had experience with either of these? Do you have other suggestions?

I have the 6 x 6 traveler style and I find it's just perfect for one or two people. Easy to put up and when in the bag it's probably only about 5' long.

 

[LoupGarou]

My 12' Kelty's Noahs Tarp as served me well. I managed to find some Snake Skins for it that make set up and take down a breeze.

Not sure you'll find anything to survive a blow out when beach camping. You might consider a Sun Shade type of tarp, some poles, elastic tie down straps and sand anchors. I've beach camped in Mexico only canvas tents and tarps seem to survive the wind coming off the ocean.

https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Noahs-...1660558996&sprefix=Kelty+noahs,aps,104&sr=8-3

 

[jacqueg]

What's a Snake Skin?

 

[VanFan]

Jacqueg: Thank you so, so much for answering my questions. It has been tremendously helpful. I ordered a 6x6 CLAM, and can hardly wait for it.

What kind/size of SPAX bolts do you suggest?

 

[abnorm]

3/8" x 8" with 1/2" hex head..........Add a 2" diameter fender washer.........buy a 1/2" driver for the screw gun

Home Depot sells SPAX

 

[VanFan]

The Kelty tarp has caught my eye a few times--lots of tie down points. I've always carried a blue/silver cheapy, along with a couple of tent poles and some spring clamps for a make shift van awning, but haven't used it much for that purpose. A tarp hung Boy Scout dining fly style over a table would be a good option for shade (not at the beach). I do have a hard time remembering knots though!

Yes. What are Snake Skims?

 

[user 423]

I have the 5-sided CLAM, and like it very much. It has enough room for a 4x8 folding table, and for my zero-gravity chair, and a couple other small pieces of camp furniture, as well as miscellaneous totes and water containers.

I could get by with the 4-sided CLAM if I didn't care about the chair.

Would the chair fit ok minus the table,etc? Which chair do you have?

It's nice that the prices for the Clams have come down a bit.

 

[JeepLiving]

I have the 6 x 6 traveler style and I find it's just perfect for one or two people. Easy to put up and when in the bag it's probably only about 5' long.

I also use the Clam Traveler as a cook tent (for one person). I don't often eat in it but I could. I set up a 2' x 4' folding table for my Coleman stove and to store and prep. I have a folding chair, a bunch of water jugs (collapsables), a couple of storage bins, a full size propane tank and a slop bucket. As is, it's very roomy and keeps the bugs out when cooking. Easy to set up and relatively robust against strong winds (except once when an unusually strong gust caught it and sent it about 90 feet up the side of a cliff, but it survived!). Also use it for sponge baths.

 

[jacqueg]

Would the chair fit ok minus the table,etc? Which chair do you have?

It's nice that the prices for the Clams have come down a bit.

I have a Timber Ridge zero-gravity, which takes up lots of room. I'm pretty sure an ordinary folding camp chair would fit just fine along with my 4x8 folding table in the 4-sided CLAM.

(https://www.amazon.com/TIMBER-Overs...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932713184596&psc=1)
I have the over-sized one because when my GERD gets bad, I sleep in the chair.

 

[LoupGarou]

Snake Skins come from the hammock world. When I arrive at a site I can easily hang the tarp sliding back the snake skins only when I need to deploy it. I anchor the ridge line between two points, then slide the tarp along the ridge line until its covers the area I want, then pull back the Snake Skins and stake out the two sides.

 

[VanFan]

Snake Skins come from the hammock world.

Very cool! Thank you.

 

[VanFan]

The CLAM Traveler (6'x6') arrived, and it's... big! I'm going to like it a lot. Thanks for all of your help in choosing.

I "discovered" that a wall panel can be attached to the roof just like any other wall for denser shade. I may make something from a reflective, UV-resistant material for that as well. With only the front clips attached to the roof, the wall drops down over the front door for a little more privacy.

I am reasonably strong, and was surprised at how hard it was to pull the walls out, even with my husband standing on the skirt on the opposite side.