Tarps and Fires (with a twist.)

[Scott Free]

This is more of a "would this work" post.

Lot's of us seem to rely on tarps and a reflecting fire for protection and warmth. My thought is this: Suppose you used a clear plastic sheet over the front and sides of the tarp leaving enough gaps for ventilation. Would radiant heat pass through the clear plastic (as it does through glass?) It seems you could build a very warm shelter if this would work. Even if this would work, you'd probably need a very clear plastic, which I'm not sure exists in a durable enough form. Dry cleaner bags are clear but far too fragile. I can't think of anything that might work--assuming it would work at all. So--does radiant heat pass through plastic as it does through glass? If so, where to find something clear enough and durable enough to be practical?

 

[RescueRiley]

ALot of folks use a thick opaqueish type of platic sheeting to make green houses..might want to check with a local florist... or maybe a plant nursery they might have a few yards to donate for experimenting. interesting idea...

 

[kgd]

Most of the heat coming off the fire is actually transferred by convection of hot air masses. Your plastic sheet will block this by diverting the hot air flow around the structure. Radiant heat will pass through, but this is a much smaller component of the heat generated by the fire.

 

[stitchawl]

The "SunShower" portable hot water shower seems to work this way.
One side of it is clear plastic/vinyl and the other side black. Fill it with water and set it in the sun for a few hours to heat up the water. I've used one for years when traveling to less developed remote dive venues where there is no hot water for showers and found that if I left it all day it would get TOO hot! Seems to me that it should work the way suggest.

One problem might be the weight of the plastic... To make it sturdy enough to last more than one evening you might have to go with clear mylar.

Stitchawl