What is the general etiquette for cooking outside at aires and camping car park type locations

[Billy Casper]

We've been touring around Europe for years and can't remember having seen anyone cooking outside on aires stellplatz or wild camping spots in any countries with one exception, Spain, for some reason we've noticed outside cooking quite a bit, mainly on gas rings not so much barbeque's.

I saw it twice this year. An aire in Colmar in France and the stellplatz at Rothenburg Ain der Tauber.
To be honest there was lots of space at the Colmar one so it seemed ok.

 

[Jon Stewart]

This is France Government statement, it reads as follows: No, you cannot typically use chairs and tables at an Aire de stationnement et de service de La Mailleraye sur Seine, or any French aire for that matter. While these areas are designed for parking and brief stops, putting out chairs and tables is generally considered "camping behavior" and is not permitted on aires. Aires are intended for short stays, primarily for parking and using onboard facilities. If you require more space for activities like setting up chairs and tables, a campsite is the more appropriate option.

What about in hotter weather?

I'd be inclined to stick my Cadac two burner on a table right outside the hab door (where the external gas point is located), so as not to introduce heat into the van.

My external gas supply is an onboard facility.

 

[Jon Stewart]

On the Campra site for one. The real difference is between parking and camping. Aires are overnight parking for motorhomes. Implicit in that is no chairs or cooking equipment outside the vehicle.

https://campra.org.uk/download/motorcaravan-overnight-parking-rules-on-an-aire/

That said, I think that the word aire is becoming overused and a lot of small municipal sites are now called aires but are not carparks, they're "small generally urban campsites run by local government bodies" and they allow parking not camping.

I think the main things when making the decision are common sense and consideration for others (and specifically don't imitate the French who often show neither . I'd particularly encourage being thoughtful about this is the UK where some councils are just embracing motorhome tourism and taking the piss might set that back.

We were on a very beautiful campra 'aire' the last two nights, and all and sundry had awnings, chairs, table, cooking stuff (including charcoal BBQs) out and using.

T'was more like a camping site in beautiful surroundings. I can still smell the steak that somebody else was cooking.

We were having a jalfrezi biryani in the Ramoska!

(Hope others enjoyed the tantalising smell of that!)

 

[Peregrinator]

What about in hotter weather?

I'd be inclined to stick my Cadac two burner on a table right outside the hab door (where the external gas point is located), so as not to introduce heat into the van.

My external gas supply is an onboard facility.

No means No

 

[Peregrinator]

Thank you for all your responses.

I thought that it was generally the case that ‘camping’ was frowned upon.

On Aires it is.

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[Peregrinator]

I break the rules everywhere, I always get a chair out wherever I am parked up….

So your one of those that get the councils banning Motorhomes?

 

[Peregrinator]

I break the rules everywhere, I always get a chair out wherever I am parked up….

Or do you have one of those Disable chairs on wheels?

 

[yodeli]

I'd be inclined to stick my Cadac two burner on a table right outside

The last time I saw this, was at a school friend's grand-son baptism on the 14th of June this year ( the very same day our other school friend broke her 2 shoulders if you read my previous post) .
The man in charge of the paella put the ring on top of a table. With the heat outside + ring of gaz, it set the fire to the table. The men around had to react very quickly. We were outside but next to the wall of the house the parents of the baby had rented for the occasion.
Not having anything to eat was the least of our problem indeed.

Enough said. As I told before, think twince!

As for getting a chair out in case of hotter weather:
I'm sure a policeman would understand that coming from the UK you never realised how hot it could become in France. Of course you should add : La prochaine fois si il fait aussi chaud je prendrai un camping Monsieur. You can also say you have health problems: cardiac issues, or just being old . In this case the French law says that anyone not having the proper behaviour facing someone else in danger can be prosecuted. No need to tell you you mustn't play with this law.

I've just read the rules on camping car park. Chairs and tables: look at what is allowed on each site; Gaz/electric barbecues and electric planchas are forbidden

 

[jumar]

Or do you have one of those Disable chairs on wheels?

Penny dropped.

Edit. Just smiffy can sometimes make jokes about his severe disability, like now, and I'm sure he won't be offended, because he's a great character, one of the best on Fun..and what he can do whilst Motorhoming is just incredible...

 

[yodeli]

So can you get chairs out etc on municipal sites taken over by ccp?

I think yes, especially if CCP didn't change anything on the site. Best of course would be to ask. I'll give them a ring to ask.
In some villages some old campsites which require a complete renovation (water hoses, hook up on pitches etc...) are not CCP or anything else as to be legal it needs a huge amount of money , and you can use them but of course without any facilities. These are not pointed out on books dedicated to campers ...may-be park4night though?? Never checked when I happened to use one....

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[Peavy]

When I wanted to go back to my place from La Junquera, a huge fire was taking place on the A61. It took me a 9,5 hours drive while 5 hours would have been enough to do both ways. The fire lasted 4 days , and what set it? A barbecue not properly extinguished.

I clearly remember that terrible fire in 2012 (if that's the one I think you're referring to, Frankie).
There were some victims, including people trapped in their cars on a coastal road in Portbou.
Sadly, they died after falling from the cliffs into the sea while trying to escape the flames.
And there are selfish, brainless people who still throw cigarette butts out their car windows.
Common sense should prevail. I would only cook outdoors with an open flame in a designated recreational area.

 

[yodeli]

I clearly remember that terrible fire in 2012 (if that's the one I think you're referring to, Frankie).

No, the one I'm talking about was just after we met at Montroig campsite, when you came to change the pump. The friend I was to stay with after a few days with Mum, is the one who broke her 2 shoulders. A very bad fall ! She could not breathe, so stuck with pain! Not a very nice baptism...Mainly problems that day

On the 16th of June... Already A61 and A9 were cut both ways because of lorries crash (1st one on A61 from 4.00am) on both motorways

 

[Jon Stewart]

The last time I saw this, was at a school friend's grand-son baptism on the 14th of June this year ( the very same day our other school friend broke her 2 shoulders if you read my previous post) .
The man in charge of the paella put the ring on top of a table. With the heat outside + ring of gaz, it set the fire to the table. The men around had to react very quickly. We were outside but next to the wall of the house the parents of the baby had rented for the occasion.
Not having anything to eat was the least of our problem indeed.

Enough said. As I told before, think twince!

As for getting a chair out in case of hotter weather:
I'm sure a policeman would understand that coming from the UK you never realised how hot it could become in France. Of course you should add : La prochaine fois si il fait aussi chaud je prendrai un camping Monsieur. You can also say you have health problems: cardiac issues, or just being old . In this case the French law says that anyone not having the proper behaviour facing someone else in danger can be prosecuted. No need to tell you you mustn't play with this law.

I've just read the rules on camping car park. Chairs and tables: look at what is allowed on each site; Gaz/electric barbecues and electric planchas are forbidden

Funny, in all the times I've used my Cadac cook 2 (designed to sit on a table) on a table, I've never set the table on fire.

Is there anybody out there with Cadac cook 2 (or other similar types) that has set the table on fire?

How did it happen?

 

[jumar]

Funny, in all the times I've used my Cadac cook 2 (designed to sit on a table) on a table, I've never set the table on fire.

Is there anybody out there with Cadac cook 2 (or other similar types) that has set the table on fire?

How did it happen?

The easiest way to enforce a total No Naked Flame ban, is to ban ALL Naked flames and smoking materials..
Doing it this way prevents any bending of the rules or loopholes that may or may not present themselves..
I'm fully aware of how safe a Cadac can be if used correctly but equally aware of how fires originate and spread in an out of control situation.

 

[Littlewheels]

I'm fully aware of how safe a Cadac can be if used correctly but equally aware of how fires originate and spread in an out of control situation.

Absolutely, it is so often the case that the user has never considered any procedure in the case of an accident so often self inflicted. Sheer panic makes matters worse.

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[Rog NotJane]

Funny, in all the times I've used my Cadac cook 2 (designed to sit on a table) on a table, I've never set the table on fire.

Not really that strange - fires are fairly rare - but also in no way proof that these rules are something you should ignore. Fires are rare but the massive and awful consequence of an error means breaking the French etc BBQ rules is still selfish.

 

[yodeli]

Look Jon Stewart , I never wanted to make anyone feel bad in anyway, believe me.
You might be one of those who are careful, and also I know nothing about the way a cadac is very safe.

At the moment, excuse me to be human, what I've seen recently is mums dads grannies graddies children babies animals either suffering consequences of relatives'death or found dead.
We have this at the news too often to just say this is secure or not. This is not what I say. What I say is think first. Make the whole thing secure , make sure you have water enough next to you, is the moho away enough from the "hot place". All these things AND ... Wind and heat are not your friends.

This is also why I've always asked/begged even, to my motorhomers friends coming to my place when I was warden at the stadium in Balma: to let their grey water run free on my grass. No, it's not disgusting when you just take some time to wipe the dishes before you do the washing up, and every little water helps.

I do understand that you are not always aware of the danger. UK is surrounded by water and is mainly a green land with the rain. But France, Spain, Italy, Greece to only name a few have their share of sun and heat going up every single year. AND floods after that, so other advice is look at the forecast and try to avoid them as well, no bridge, so crumbling mountains next to where you park.....I wouldn't say a word if I didn't want to protect you as well from water just the same, you know!

EDIT : There are also people from those countries who carry on throwing their ciggies through the car windows!!!

 

[Just smiffy]

So your one of those that get the councils banning Motorhomes?

I deliberately park in disabled bays too….

 

[jumar]

Not really that strange - fires are fairly rare - but also in no way proof that these rules are something you should ignore. Fires are rare but the massive and awful consequence of an error means breaking the French etc BBQ rules is still selfish.

Fires are less of an occurrence due to work to physically prevent, make folk aware or rules and regulations.
Since retiring as a front line Fire Officer, I have as an individual had to assist in bringing under control Fires on Campsites on 3 separate occasions.

1, A leaking Camping gas cylinder being used in a Trailer Tent...Coniston UK Total loss.

2.An Incident which destroyed a Static caravan where it's owner received severe burns to his upper body, cause unknown.
Villajoyosa España .Total loss.

3. The MH next to us experienced an unfortunate fire caused by a faulty connection on a Picnic stove..had it not been for the screams from the young daughter of the occupants this could have developed further..Galicia España

These are three campsite incidents that I personally witnessed... I'm sure statistics would show that they aren't as rare as you might think.
BBQs are associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages this in itself can be bad chemistry...but that's how it is...

 

[Norrimac]

Our reason to get a 240v Bluetti type power pack is that we don’t like cooking inside our campervan. We generally set up a table outside and use a hob and Remoska and prepare the food.

We generally visit France, Spain and Portugal.

Is it generally acceptable to cook and prepare food outside when ‘wild’ camping in aires etc.

Dunno about 'etiquette' but in most parts of Spain, the use of outdoor BBQs (even itzy bitzy ones) or any kind of naked flame device is strictly forbidden (by law) during the summer months.

If the Fuzz sees you BBQing, you'll almost certainly get an on-the-spot fine.

Some years back, a Spanish neighbour ignored this and inadvertently started a massive forest fire that burned for nearly a week.

It was tracked back to him and he was fined some 40,000€ euros.

Just sayin'.
Norm.

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[gus-lopez]

if it's not prohibited then it's allowed in my mind, j

That is thinking. In Europe if therevis no rule regulation or law ALLOWING it specifically then it is not allowed/legal.

What about in hotter weather?

What part of 'not allowed' is giving trouble? Weather has nothing to do with it.

that has set the table on fire?

How did it happen?

Use an oversize pan . It is quite easy .
Best one I've seen was the single burner stove with the small cylinder that attaches horizontally.
Muppet man thought he could use a paella pan on it to cook.
Didn't take long for the cylinder to explode fortunately the cook and others were elsewhere

 

[Jon Stewart]

That is thinking. In Europe if therevis no rule regulation or law ALLOWING it specifically then it is not allowed/legal.

What part of 'not allowed' is giving trouble? Weather has nothing to do with it.


Use an oversize pan . It is quite easy .
Best one I've seen was the single burner stove with the small cylinder that attaches horizontally.
Muppet man thought he could use a paella pan on it to cook.
Didn't take long for the cylinder to explode fortunately the cook and others were elsewhere

There's always one idiot.

 

[jumar]

That is thinking. In Europe if therevis no rule regulation or law ALLOWING it specifically then it is not allowed/legal.

What part of 'not allowed' is giving trouble? Weather has nothing to do with it.


Use an oversize pan . It is quite easy .
Best one I've seen was the single burner stove with the small cylinder that attaches horizontally.
Muppet man thought he could use a paella pan on it to cook.
Didn't take long for the cylinder to explode fortunately the cook and others were elsewhere

This style of cooker you refer to Richard, banned in many Australian States, years ago, for the very reason you have quoted.. convenient but not idiot proof...and most items have to be made idiot proof for obvious reasons..

 

[Rog NotJane]

I'm sure statistics would show that they aren't as rare as you might think.

I’m on your side, I think they just feel rare if someone personally hasn’t encountered one. It’s down to a definition of “rare”

 

[eddie]

Didn't take long for the cylinder to explode fortunately the cook and others were elsewhere

"Fortunately?"

That means that they still endanger the rest of us!

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[Rog NotJane]

MisterB said:
if it's not prohibited then it's allowed in my mind, j

That is thinking. In Europe if therevis no rule regulation or law ALLOWING it specifically then it is not allowed/legal.

What part of 'not allowed' is giving trouble? Weather has nothing to do with it.

It's also not true. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse to break it definitely in the UK, I'd be pretty sure in every country. Similarly, I don't think there is any burden on the state to educate everyone in every law. But, maybe MisterB has an encyclopaedic knowledge of every country's laws.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Do you do all your cooking inside the van?

Yes, no problem.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I’m not about BBQs. Just cooking. I don’t want to be at 40 degrees c, and then start cooking inside.

That's what air conditioning is for.

 

[yodeli]

Ignorance of the law

In France it is "Nul n'est sensé ignorer la loi"

 

[MisterB]

Funny, in all the times I've used my Cadac cook 2 (designed to sit on a table) on a table, I've never set the table on fire.

Is there anybody out there with Cadac cook 2 (or other similar types) that has set the table on fire?

How did it happen?

I suspect it wasn't the table, but the table covering or discarded packaging, which may then have spread to the table or items in the table.

Of course it might also have been a faulty Cadac - we had one where the whole assemble came apart, which was eventually replaced free of charge by Cadac without them accepting responsibility, where it could quite easily have ignited anything in close proximity, luckily i was able to disconnect it from the gas supply within seconds ...

Cadacs response was that it must have shaken loose during travelling, my response was it is supposed to be 'travelled with' - that's the whole purpose of them. I also understand it wasn't just us that this happened to. It wasn't a Cadac cook though just a standard Cadac

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