How Does Cooking Over A Campfire Work?

Before heading out into the woods, all campers should know how cooking over a campfire works. True campers, would say that a trip to a fast food restaurant during a camping trip is a big no-no. So, if a hamburger and a side of fries are out of the question, how do you make cooking over a campfire work for you? It's actually very simple. There are multiple ways to use your campfire for cooking food. Anything that can be made at home on a stove, can also be made outdoors on a campfire, the key is in the tools.

Campfire cooking with a tripod or a grill Knowing what type of campfire ring you will have before purchasing any equipment, is a must. If you are going to be staying at a campground, chances are you will have some sort of high sided fire ring. When cooking over this type of fire ring, a cheap grill will work perfectly. A grill is just a flat group of metal bars, that is put across the top of the fire ring.  If you are planning on roughing it in a state park there may be no fire ring. If this is the case, you will need to have a tripod. A tripod is basically a grill supported by three sides. A tripod suspends the grill over a campfire. Cooking on either of these pieces of camping equipment is the same. It should be treated as if it is the burner of your gas stove at home. Placing a pot on top of the gill, will allow you to boil water, warm up soup or even peculate coffee the same way you would at home on a stove. Campfire cooking with a grill or tripod is just like cooking at your own home, don't make it harder than it is.

Cooking on  a campfire with a cast iron pot When you are packing light for your camping trip, a cast iron pot may be the only tool you really need. Cast iron pots are able to be placed directly on the coals of a campfire. Using this method, allows a camper to cook foods such as soups, stews, or even bake bread. Place the cast iron pot over red hot coals, then add in whatever your dinner choice is for the evening. Place the cover on the pot and allow your food to cook. Bread can be made in the same way. Place prepared dough in the cast iron pot, cover tightly and allow it to bake, as if it was in an oven. The smell of food cooking in the cast iron pot is a smell sent straight from heaven.

Fun tools for campfire cooking If you have been to the camping aisle at a sporting good store lately then surely you have seen the vast array of campfire cooking tools. Pie irons and roasting sticks have become staples in cooking over a campfire. A pie-iron can be used to make mountain pies or mountain pizzas. Both are made by buttering two pieces of bread and placing sauce and cheese or pie filling between the bread. The bread is then placed between two pieces of iron that enclosed the bread. Placing the pie iron over the open flame of a campfire allows the bread to toast and the filling to become warm. When finished a camper has a pocket pie ready for dinner or desert. A roasting stick is just a fancy tree branch. This is used to toast marshmallows or roast hot dogs when you don't feel like hunting the woods for the perfect stick.

It is easy to make campfire cooking work for you. Make sure you have the best tools for your environment. Never take big or bulky cooking items if you will be hiking to your camping spot. Have all of your recipes and ingredients prepared before you go. The more prepared you are for cooking over your campfire, will directly affect how good of a campfire chef you will turn out to be.