Cooking over a campfire is one of the most relaxing things that you can do on your next camping trip. It can be a great way to bond with your friends and family, as well as help you get a better understanding of nature. But there are a few important tips that you need to know before you start cooking over the fire.
Build a Consistent Hot Coals – You need to create an even layer of hot coals underneath your cooking surface before you begin any food prep. If you do not, your meal will not cook evenly and it will not be as flavorful.
Start by using kindling and small sized logs to build your fire. This will help you keep the size of the fire under control, which is a huge advantage to cooking over a campfire.
Ideally, you want to have a 2-zone approach to your campfire cooking: a holding area for the fuel you plan to use and a cooking zone with hot ashed-over coals. Once the kindling and smaller fuel burn down, add larger fuel, working through graded sizes of firewood as you go.
Maintain a Clean Fire – The best way to ensure your fire stays as clean as possible is to keep it in a dry, flat area and out of the wind. This will prevent it from causing any smoke or dirt to blow into your cooking area, and it will also prevent splatters of food or coals on your cooking surface.
Keep a supply of fresh wood on hand at all times to replenish your fire if it dies down or becomes too weak for any kind of food preparation. This will make the fire more stable, which is essential for your safety and the safety of those around you.
Be Patient – As we discussed, it takes time to develop a good foundation of heat for your cooking. It is easy to be impatient and start cooking before your fire is fully ablaze, but the more time you spend waiting for your fire to become consistently hot, the better your food will taste.
When you do start cooking, don’t put anything directly over the flames if you can avoid it. The intense heat can char the exterior of your meat or cook dishes unevenly, which can be unpleasant and unsafe.
Always watch your cooking to shift and stir the embers to keep your food heated up to the proper temperature. Using metal utensils and fire resistant gloves are essential to staying safe while you are cooking.
Aluminum Foil – A double-wrap of foil is an excellent tool for putting food over your campfire without getting it covered in ash or wood particles. It is a cheap and handy piece of equipment that is easy to carry with you on your camping trips and is a great way to keep your campfire clean.
Aside from a pot, you will need a variety of other items to complete your campfire cooking experience. These will depend on the type of food you plan to prepare and the utensils that you will be using.