If you’ve ever been camping, you’ve no doubt experienced the joy and satisfaction of campfire cooking. If you’re considering a trip to the woods, there are many things you can do on a campfire, from roasting marshmallows to cooking a meal in a foil packet. Fortunately, these recipes can be made using readily available ingredients and require no cooking skills! Read on for some great tips on cooking with a campfire.
If you’re camping in a state park, grills and designated campfire rings may be available, but a traditional campfire is a great way to cook. If you’re planning to cook over an open fire, be sure to bring a long stick or skewer to turn the food often. While this technique has its advantages, it is not the most convenient. Cooking over hot coals has more even heat and reduces the chance of burning dinner.
One of the main challenges of cooking over a campfire is the lack of heat and electricity. Proper preparation is key, as any misstep could result in burnt food or undercooked food. You’ll want to learn how to generate heat and what kind of fire to use for certain foods. You’ll also want to practice cooking over a campfire before you leave for your trip. You’ll need to practice before you go on your trip so that you’ll be ready for any eventuality.
One of the most popular methods of campfire cooking involves spearing food on skewers. This is truly caveman stuff! Make sure to use metal skewers; wooden skewers will catch fire, so make sure you wear gloves. For added safety, you can use a pie iron, which is a small iron mold with a long handle. And, if you want to get really fancy, try using a pie iron for baking.
Depending on the food you’re preparing, a campfire cooking kit may be just what you need. Choose items that suit individual needs and your group. A fish over a fire grill is a great option for an individual camper, and you can also use a Dutch oven to cook chili or stew. Depending on the type of meat you’re cooking, the Over-Fire Grill is an essential addition to your cooking kit.
While it’s important to have the right tools, you should prepare a healthy bed of glowing embers before you begin. This means feeding the fire regularly and ensuring that it’s ready to cook on. If you want to be more environmentally conscious, use biodegradable soap. If you don’t feel comfortable using biodegradable soap, you can also use a reusable cloth to wipe your hands after using the fire. When it’s time to cook, be sure to bring a water cooler and a fire starter kit.
A good rule of thumb is to bring more firewood than you need. For a campfire to be successful, you need two to five bundles of firewood per day. A small bundle of firewood can burn for about an hour. For slow cooking, you can use a campfire to slow cook foods. For grilled foods, you should use more firewood than you need to cook them. Also, use dry wood as it’s easier to light than green wood.