Written by: Katelyn Marnoch

There is something so exciting and truly human about the experience of cooking food over an open fire. The heat of the flames, the smell of the wood and char, the sizzling sounds of drippings dancing over the hot coals, it all hearkens back to a simpler time, and really connects you to nature and the food you are about to eat.

Cooking over a fire pit or bbq is a very sensory experience, you have to be careful not to burn yourself, but you also can’t help but be mesmerized by the flames. The grill marks on a juicy steak or fresh cob of corn you just can’t get with cooking on a stove. The smoky flavour imparted in the food, and the freedom of eating outside under the stars transforms even the humblest of meals into a mouthwatering feast for the soul.

A good campfire meal after a day of adventuring is really what summer is all about, everyone sitting around the picnic table together, warming their feet over the fire, and enjoying a hearty meal. If you can relate to these classic camping memories or have been itching to try it out for the first time, we’ve got you covered on everything you need to know to make a campfire meal you won’t forget!

There are really only 2 key things to remember when cooking outdoors: Fire Safety and packing the Right Equipment.

When building a fire to cook on make sure it is in a safe location, and that you build it up and let it burn off first, so that you are cooking over hot coals rather than high unpredictable flames. Most campgrounds will have a designated campfire pit for you, but it is helpful to inquire if a grill is on site. If it does, this is an added bonus and less materials you need to bring with you. However, you can still cook over the fire itself without a grill as long as you follow the coal method or have something like a cast-iron tripod.

How the coal method works is you build up your fire to your preference, we use either the tepee style or the log home style for stacking the wood. Once the initial flames have burned off (give yourself an hour before you want to start cooking) and the wood is now hot coals and charred, the tepee style will leave you with hot coals in the centre, while the log home style gives you hot coals around with an empty centre in the middle. Both are great for cooking it really just depends on what you prefer!

Cooking over the coals reduces the chances of getting burnt by strong flames, and less smoke in the eyes, while giving you a higher and more stable cooking temperature. Always make sure to keep a bucket of water nearby for safety and never use cookware or utensils that are made with plastic.

This leads us into why having the right equipment makes cooking over a campfire such a fun and easy style to master. For anyone who has ever felt intimidated by all the fancy kitchen appliances, gadgets, and odd looking utensils, fear not, campfire cooking is all about creating delicious meals often in just one pot or pan. Easy to make and easy to clean!

For cooking over the fire a cast iron skillet is a must-have! Built to withstand flames, high heat and any type of food you want to make, cast iron skillets are your ideal pan for cooking outdoors. They won’t warp, blacken or melt and you can cook everything in them from breakfast, to quality cut steaks and even delicious pan baked bread.

Other must-have cooking equipment:

• BBQ utensil set, metal clad: these are perfect because the long handles protect you from the heat while being able to grab, flip, poke and marinate to your hearts content!

• Camping stove: if you are travelling light, don’t have a cast iron skillet or want to have extra cooking power, camping stoves provide excellent versatility. Just don’t forget the fuel.

• Camp safe pot for boiling water and cooking food. You will use this for making coffee, soup, chili, heating water for dishes, the list goes on! A pot and pan are you cookware essentials.

• Aluminum foil; perfect for cooking food over or in the fire (seriously!), its reusable, light and easy to clean up.

• Sharp knife for slicing and dicing. Chefs tip: a dull knife will cause more injuries than a sharp knife.

• Collapsible water jug or bag.

• Light weight plates, utensils, cups, and bowls.

• Tupperware for storing left overs, prepped food items, and keeping things dry like matches, tea bags and coffee grinds. Its reusable, washable and more environmentally friendly than sandwich bags.

• Cooler or large size, sturdy freezer bags for storing perishable items on ice.

• Matches, store in a water & damp proof container, or a lighter. We prefer matches as you get less singed fingers when getting up close to light kindling and camp stoves. (Optional: fire starters).

The golden rule to remember when packing for a camping trip is to pack according to your style; less is best unless you are car camping or RV camping. At the end of the day if you have a pot, a spoon, a knife & fire you can make a damn good meal that’s tasty and healthy. Campfire cooking is about simplicity, flavour, and enjoying the bounty of the great outdoors!