There’s something so timeless about cooking over an open fire. It brings back memories of camping with friends and family, gathering around the campfire to tell stories. Cooking over a fire pit is not just for camping or small gatherings. You can cook food in your backyard or even on your balcony! Here are some tips for beginners that will teach you how to cook delicious foods without having to go somewhere remote and entertain your friends and family.
Safety tips for cooking over open fire
If you’re cooking food over an open fire, safety should be your number one priority. While cooking over an open fire is not as dangerous as it may seem, there are some basic safety tips to keep in mind.
1) Never cook anything inside of a tent or enclosed area. It doesn’t matter how much ventilation the tent has, the fire will still produce smoke and carbon monoxide which can overwhelm you with dangerous fumes.
2) Be sure to use dry wood only; never use wet logs. Wet logs will cause the fire to flare up high and out of control, potentially burning the food that you’re cooking on the grate.
3) Always keep a bucket of water nearby in case your cooking gets too hot and needs to be extinguished quickly. A pot full of water makes for a great extinguisher!
4) Keep all children and pets away from the fire pit at all times. This is for their own safety as well as yours!
Types of Fire Pits
There are many types of fire pits that can be used for cooking. The most common type is a traditional stone, brick, or metal pit. These pits usually range from three to six feet in diameter and they always have a grill at the bottom with a cover on top. Another option for fire pits is a portable one. These often resemble large drums or metal barrels with removable grills inside to cook on. Check out any of these options for your next backyard barbecue!
What kind of food can I cook over the fire pit?
You can cook any type of food that you would normally cook in your kitchen. Think of all the dishes your family loves, from grilled chicken to a hearty chili. Or just coffee! Throw it on the grill and get cooking!
Cooking Tips for Beginners
- The first thing to remember when cooking over an open fire is that the food should be cut into small pieces. This will help it cook faster, which is especially important if you’ve got a hungry crowd to feed!
- You should also choose your ingredients carefully. You’ll want to tailor your dish to suit the type of open fire you’re using. For example, if you’re using charcoal, the grill grates will become hot enough for searing meats and vegetables. Whereas, with wood fires, you want to cook foods that are more forgiving. So think about what types of ingredients work well with your cooking surface!
- When it comes time to put your food on the grill or skewers, make sure they are at least 12 inches away from the flame. If they are too close, they will cook too quickly and leave them undercooked in other areas.
- If possible, try to place your grill or skewers over the coals but not directly in front of them. This will help prevent charring or burning your food before it can cook all the way through.
Why cook over fire pit?
Cooking over a fire pit is not just for camping or small gatherings. You can cook food in your backyard or even on your balcony! Here are some tips for beginners that will teach you how to cook delicious foods without having to go somewhere remote.
There are several reasons why cooking over a fire pit is great. The first is that it’s less expensive than other methods of cooking, which makes it perfect for those who love outdoor cooking but don’t want to spend all their money on gas. It requires minimal tools and doesn’t require any electricity, making it easy for anyone to cook with! Cooking over an open fire pit also promotes healthier eating as you can use fresh ingredients instead of processed ones.
If you’ve been wanting an excuse to get out there and start grilling, now’s your chance! Cooking over a fire pit is a great way to bring back those family memories from the campfire and make some new ones with friends or family.
What do I need to cook over a fire pit?
The first thing you’ll need is a fire pit—this will be the cooking surface. You can buy one or make your own with bricks or stones.
Next, you’ll need to obtain some firewood for fuel. Wood is pretty self-explanatory, but if this is your first time cooking over an open fire, there are some things to keep in mind. First, make sure the wood is dry. Wet wood will smoke and won’t catch on fire easily. Second, make sure to have enough wood for however long you plan to cook—a good rule of thumb is about 1/2 hour per person for how much wood you’ll need to get started.
Third, invest in some metal tongs for handling the hot foods out of the flame and onto your plates! Metal tongs are better than using sticks that could break or plastic utensils that may melt from the heat of the flames.
If you’re looking for something specific to cook, then it’s important to know what type of meats are best cooked over an open flame before starting your fire so you have what you need on hand when it comes time to cook!
How do I cook food using a fire pit?
There are many different ways to cook food over the fire pit. You can do so by using multiple pots or pans, or you can use a spit roast.
You may have seen some people use deep fry baskets, also known as spider skimmers, to cook food over the fire pit. This is where you use a pot on top of some coals for heat and then place your food inside the basket to get fried.
It’s important to remember that whichever method you choose will depend on what type of foods you’re cooking and how much time you have available. The cooking process can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to four hours depending on the recipe.
Conclusion
Many people are choosing to cook over an open flame in their backyards or on their patios. Whether you want to do it for the ambiance or because you enjoy the challenge, cooking over fire pits is a great way to create culinary masterpieces and share your food with friends and family. Moreover, cooking over a fire pit is a rewarding and cost-effective way to have a delicious meal.
Erica Cowell
Whenever she finds time away from surfing (waves, that is!), Erica loves to write. Self proclaimed geek (and a nerd), you can find her trying out new kitchen gizoms. Chief kitchen editor at WhatRocksAndWhatSucks.com, right now Erica is based out of small but beautiful & sunny Southern California beach town where she grew up surfing. Reach her at erica@wraws.com.