Campfire cooking is a great way to spend time with friends and family outdoors. It’s also a fun activity for children, and there are many recipes that you can make in your campfire cookware!
Using the right equipment and methods for the food you want to cook is important. This can make the difference between a good meal and a disaster! It can also make sure you don’t burn your limbs or have a mess to clean up later.
One of the most important things you need for campfire cooking is a high-sided cast iron skillet or frying pan. These are perfect for cooking over glowing embers, and are also easy to clean up afterward.
You’ll also need a pair of sturdy and close-toed shoes that can take the heat and a pair of heavy duty gloves for your hands to avoid burns. You can also bring a pot lifter with you that will help you move your metal utensils safely around the fire.
It’s also important to choose the right type of wood for your fire. A dry and dead wood like oak, cherry or apple will burn well and give you a good bed of coals for your food to cook over.
The more coals you have, the faster your food will cook. So be sure to add more wood as you go along, until the fire is hot enough for you to start grilling or searing your food.
To know when the fire is hot enough to cook, place your hand above the coals and watch them change from dark black to gray-white. This “white hot” sweet spot is where the flames are at their hottest.
This is a great trick to gauge when your campfire is at the perfect temperature for cooking, and will save you from having to throw logs on too often to keep your grill going! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to use the 4 x 4 rule.
Adding more wood before you start cooking is another great tip for keeping your food from getting too charred, and it’s something that can easily be done in advance of your camping trip. Simply cut some larger logs down the middle and then divide them into quarters to ensure they’re ready for the fire before you start cooking.
Once you’re ready to cook, stoke the fire to create a bed of embers, then move the coals over the top of the embers. This will allow the heat to circulate better and ensure your food cooks evenly.
You can even get the most out of your campfire by wrapping your food in aluminum foil and putting it directly on the grill or in the coals. This will not only save space in your backpack, but it will also make cleanup a breeze.
If you’re bringing some grilled meats, such as these chicken breasts or steaks, you can wrap them in foil for the perfect campfire dinner. Alternatively, you can use a grilling rack to keep your food from dripping onto the coals.