Whether you’re cooking in the woods or in your backyard, campfire cooking is fun and tasty. It can be done with just a few simple tools and techniques, and it’s easy to adapt your favourite meals to cook over the fire.
The magic of a campfire is the warmth, the light and the smell of burning wood. It feels like being in a part of nature, and the taste of food cooked over the fire can be unforgettable.
To create the perfect campfire meal, you need to know how to set up a fire properly and how to regulate its temperature. The fire should be built in a safe, open area away from tents and buildings. It should be confined by a layer of ash and sand or soil, so it won’t spread.
Use dry seasoned firewood for the best results – stripping green wood won’t result in a clean-burning campfire. It will also be very smoky and pollute the air, which isn’t ideal for a pleasant camping experience.
Start a fire by laying down tinder such as crumpled up newspaper or dry grass, and pile thin twigs and branches on top of the tinder. These will take a few minutes to catch fire, then you can add more wood as the twigs and branches catch on fire.
Once the tinder has burned down to white coals, you can place your grill over the hot coals and prepare a meal. A grate is a good option for this as it allows you to put food directly onto the coals, but a cast iron pot or skillet is recommended as it will distribute heat better.
A Dutch oven is another great piece of equipment for campfire cooking as it can sit over the fire or be placed on a flat surface and covered with embers to create a camp oven. It’s useful for a variety of dishes, including bread and cakes.
You can also make a delicious dessert with fruit toasted on a stick over the fire. Try pineapples or apples for a sweet treat that will be sure to please everyone at your next campout.
One of the most important campfire cooking tips is to remember that heat is hot – it can reach temperatures over 600degF (320degC). Therefore, you need to move your equipment further away from the flames so that you don’t burn yourself or the food.
It’s also a good idea to keep your food cold when cooking over the fire, especially with hot dogs, sausages and other fatty foods. This will ensure that the food doesn’t become overcooked and stale, which can cause digestive problems and even death.
Don’t forget to prepare your meals in advance so that they can be eaten before the fire gets too hot or you’re unable to contain it. This will save you time and energy when cooking over the fire, which is essential for a successful camping trip!
You’ll also want to pack a couple of extra campfire cooking recipes for those times when the weather doesn’t allow you to cook over the fire. These will help you stay on track and have a delicious dinner when the sun goes down.