🔥 Best Methods for Open Fire Cooking
Different meals call for different fire techniques. Here are a few of the most popular and effective:
1. Direct Grilling (Over Coals)
Great for: Burgers, sausages, skewers, and corn on the cob.
Let the flames die down until you’ve got glowing embers. Set a grill rack over the top, and you’ve got a perfect cooking zone.
2. Skillet or Cast Iron Cooking
Great for: Eggs, pancakes, stews, and bacon.
Place a cast iron pan directly on a grill rack or on flat stones near the coals. Cast iron holds heat beautifully and gives food that lovely fire-kissed flavour.
3. Foil Packet Cooking
Great for: Fish, root veggies, chicken, or even fruit desserts.
Wrap your ingredients in foil, seal tightly, and nestle in the coals. You’ll get tender, juicy results with minimal mess.
4. Stick Roasting
Great for: Marshmallows, hot dogs, or even skewered dough (try “campfire twists”).
It doesn’t get simpler than this — just make sure your sticks are long and sturdy enough to keep hands clear of the flame.
5. Dutch Oven Cooking
Great for: Soups, chillies, breads, cobblers.
A camp classic. Place your Dutch oven directly on the coals with a few coals on the lid for even heat from above and below.
🍳 Easiest (and Tastiest) Foods to Cook on an Open Fire
Cooking outside doesn’t have to be complicated — in fact, it’s best when it’s not. Here are some delicious, fool-proof ideas:
🧺 Easy and Quick
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Grilled cheese sandwiches
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Foil packet potatoes with herbs and butter
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Halloumi and veggie skewers
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Campfire quesadillas
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Hot dogs or veggie sausages on a stick
🍲 Hearty and Filling
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Cast iron chilli or stew
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Pasta cooked in a pot over the fire
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Dutch oven chicken with lemon and garlic
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Flatbreads or bannock cooked in a pan
🍬 Sweet Treats
✅ Open Fire Cooking Safety Tips
Fire is fun — but it demands respect. Keep your cookouts safe with these must-know tips:
🔥 Fire Safety Basics
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Use a designated fire pit or dig a safe fire circle in the ground, clear of dry grass and debris.
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Keep water nearby — a bucket, bottle, or even wet sand to control flare-ups or extinguish the fire when you’re done.
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Never leave the fire unattended — even for a minute.
🧯 Cooking Safety
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Use long-handled utensils and heat-resistant gloves.
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Make sure your grill or cookware is stable — uneven surfaces can lead to spills and burns.
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Don’t overload foil packets or pans — keep them manageable and safe to lift.
👣 After Cooking
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Let the fire die down naturally, and always stir the ashes and douse with water until completely cool.
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Leave no trace: Pack out all food scraps, wrappers, and rubbish.
🌲 The Joy of Cooking Outdoors
Open fire cooking isn’t just about food — it’s about slowing down, being present, and enjoying your surroundings. It’s storytelling by the flames, laughter between bites, and waking up to the smell of smoke in your jumper with a smile on your face.
So whether it’s a summer campout, a winter bonfire dinner, or just an evening in your own garden — light the fire, bring the basics, and enjoy cooking the way it was meant to be.
