Open Fire Camping Cooking: Tips for Great Around the Campfire Meals

A well-built cooking fire is different from a campfire made for warmth or ambiance. The goal is to create a steady bed of hot coals that provides even, controllable heat for cooking. Follow these steps to build a campfire that’s both safe and effective.

• Always use an established fire ring or designated fire pit whenever possible.

• If you’re camping in a developed campground, follow all posted fire regulations and check for seasonal fire restrictions before lighting a fire.

• Choose a location that is:

· At least 15 feet away from tents, trees, shrubs, and other combustible materials

· On level ground

· Protected from strong winds when possible

· Free of low-hanging branches

• Never build a fire during burn bans or in areas where open fires are prohibited.

• A successful campfire starts with properly sized fuel:

Tinder: Dry materials that ignite easily, such as wood shavings, dry grass, pine needles, birch bark, or commercial fire starters.

Kindling: Small sticks about the thickness of a pencil to a finger.

Firewood: Larger pieces of seasoned hardwood such as oak, maple, ash, or hickory.

• Avoid burning treated lumber, painted wood, plywood, driftwood from saltwater beaches, or trash, as these can release harmful chemicals.

• A simple teepee or log cabin shaped fire works well for cooking:

1. Place a small pile of tinder in the center of the fire ring.

2. Arrange kindling around the tinder, leaving space for airflow.

3. Add a few small pieces of firewood over the kindling.

4. Light the tinder from several sides.

5. Gradually add larger pieces of wood as the fire grows.

• Avoid piling on too much wood at once, which can smother the fire.

• The biggest mistake new campers make is cooking over large flames. Instead, allow the fire to burn for 30 to 45 minutes until most of the wood has turned into glowing red coals.

•  Hot coals provide:

· More even heat

· Better temperature control

· Less smoke

· Fewer flare-ups

· Reduced risk of burning food

• For longer cooking sessions, keep one side of the fire burning with fresh wood while using the mature coals on the other side for cooking. As new logs burn down, rake fresh coals into the cooking area as needed.

• Spread the coals into an even layer using a fire poker or shovel.

• Position your cookware according to the type of food you’re preparing:

· Place a steel grilling grate several inches above the coals for burgers, steaks, vegetables, or foil packet meals.

· Hold a cast iron panini press or waffle maker over medium coals, rotating occasionally for even cooking.

· Use roasting forks for hot dogs, sausages, and marshmallows, turning food slowly rather than holding it directly in flames.

• If the fire is too hot, simply move cookware farther from the center of the coals.

Unlike a kitchen stove, a campfire doesn’t have temperature knobs—but you can still control the heat.

• Lower heat by:

· Spreading coals farther apart

· Raising the cooking grate

· Moving cookware to the edge of the coal bed

• Increase heat by:

· Concentrating coals together

· Lowering the cooking surface

· Adding a few fresh coals from the active fire

• Cooking over medium heat usually produces the best results.

Keep safety your top priority whenever you’re cooking outdoors.

• Always:

· Keep a bucket of water, sand, or a fire extinguisher nearby.

· Supervise children and pets around the fire.

· Wear heat-resistant gloves when handling hot cookware.

· Use long-handled cooking tools to keep hands away from the heat.

• Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes.

• When you’re finished cooking:

1. Stop adding wood to the fire.

2. Allow remaining logs to burn down to ash.

3. Pour water over the fire and coals.

4. Stir the ashes with a shovel or stick.

5. Add more water until everything is cool to the touch.

• Never leave a fire until the ashes, coals, and surrounding fire ring are completely cold.

• Use dry, seasoned hardwoods for longer-lasting, hotter coals.
• Using damp wood makes the fire harder to start, burns off energy reducing water to steam instead of making heat, and produces unhealthy smoke

• Allow your fire to burn for 30–45 minutes until it produces a bed of glowing coals.

• Coals vs. flames provide:

· More even heat

· Better temperature control

· Less burning

• Avoid cooking directly in flames whenever possible.

• Keep a separate pile of burning wood to replenish cooking coals for meals with long cooking times

• Warm cast iron before placing on higher heat or adding food.

 This helps to:

· Prevent warping of the pan

· Prevent sticking

· Improve browning

· Cook more evenly

• A light coating of cooking oil helps food release easily. 

• In general, when cooking over an open fire use oil with a higher smoke point, such as corn, canoloa, sunflower, or avocado.

• Avoid olive oil and butter, as intense fluctuations in heat can casue them to burn and become bitter.

• For the flavor of butter without the danger of burning, try ghee. This shelf-stable product has a high smoke point and requires no refrigeration, so is great for the gourmet camper.

Campfire heat isn’t perfectly even. 

• Rotate cookware every few minutes for consistent cooking

• Never leave unattended.

• Pre-measure ingredients before leaving home. 

• Store them in reusable containers or resealable bags to reduce campsite prep time.

• Always:

  · Wear heat-resistant gloves

  · Keep water nearby

  · Use long-handled cooking tools

  · Never leave a campfire unattended 

Not all cookware performs the same over an open fire. Campfire cooking exposes pots and pans to uneven heat, hot coals, and direct flames, so choosing the right material can make cooking easier and help your cookware last longer.

• Cast iron is a longtime favorite because its thick construction absorbs and retains heat exceptionally well, making it ideal for cooking over glowing coals where temperatures naturally fluctuate. Once heated, cast iron stays hot, helping foods cook evenly and develop a beautifully browned exterior. It's perfect for everything from grilled sandwiches and waffles to steaks, burgers, breakfast favorites, and desserts.
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  With proper care, cast iron cookware can last for decades. Simply clean it after use, dry it thoroughly, and apply a light coat of cooking oil to maintain its protective seasoning.

• Carbon steel is another excellent option, offering similar durability with less weight and faster heating. 

• Stainless steel is tough, easy to maintain, and works well for boiling water, soups, and one-pot meals, though it doesn't distribute heat as evenly as cast iron or carbon steel. Look for food grade 304 (18/8) and above stainless steel--avoid budget options made with lower grade material.

• Aluminum is lightweight and popular with backpackers, but thin aluminum cookware can develop hot spots over a campfire and may warp if exposed to very high heat.

• Long-handled cooking tools allow you to safely prepare food while keeping your hands comfortably away from the heat. Long-handled roasting forks, sandwich irons, and specialty cookers make it easy to roast marshmallows, cook hot dogs and sausages, toast sandwiches, or prepare campfire desserts without getting too close to the fire.

• Avoid using cookware with nonstick coatings or plastic, rubber, or wooden handles directly over an open fire, as high temperatures can damage these materials.

Whatever cookware you choose, look for sturdy construction, heat-resistant handles, and designs intended for outdoor cooking. With the right equipment and a good bed of glowing coals, cooking over a campfire is an enjoyable way to prepare everything from simple snacks to hearty meals.

Whether you’re making breakfast over glowing coals, grilling lunch by the lake, or ending the evening with classic s’mores, our campfire cooking tools help you prepare delicious meals wherever your adventures take you.

From cast iron panini presses and waffle makers to roasting forks, hot dog cookers, s’mores makers, and sturdy grilling grates, you’ll have everything you need to create memorable meals around the fire.

Long roasting forks are among the most versatile campfire tools available, and much safer than foraged sticks.  

Use them for:

· Marshmallows

· Hot dogs

· Sausages

· Meatballs

· Corn dogs

· Pineapple chunks

· Vegetables

The long handles help keep hands safely away from the fire while allowing everyone to cook their own food.

Transform almost any fire ring or fire pit into an outdoor grill. Simply place the steel grilling grate over glowing coals and cook almost anything.

• Lower heat: 8 to 12 inches above coals; for slow roasting, vegetables and fish

• Medium heat:  6 to 8 inches over the coals; for chicken and thicker cuts of meat that need time to cook through

• High heat (for searing proteins): 4 to 6 inches above; for steaks & burgers

Great Foods to Grill over a Fire

· Steaks

· Burgers

· Chicken

· Pork chops

· Fish

· Corn

· Bell peppers

· Potatoes

· Foil packet meals

Campfire Foil Packet Dinner

• Ingredients

· Cubed Potatoes

· Smoked sausage

· Cubed bell peppers

· Sliced onion

· Olive oil

· Garlic powder

· Salt

· Pepper

• Wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil.

• Cook on the grilling grate over medium coals for 20–30 minutes, turning occasionally.

Cooking for families, especially those with younger children, is easier with the 4-Up Hotdog Roaster. Instead of cooking one hot dog at a time, roast four evenly over the campfire. It also allows cooking without piercing the meat, keeping the meat juicier.

It also works well for:

· Bratwurst

· Italian sausage

· Polish sausage

· Smoked sausage

· Veggie dogs

Top roasted hot dogs with chili, shredded cheddar, diced onions, Jalapeños, and mustard and serve with potato chips or campfire baked beans.

No camping trip feels complete without gooey s’mores, and these are the easiest ever! The S’mores Maker helps evenly toast marshmallows without burning while melting chocolate for consistently delicious desserts. 

Just assemble your s'mores "sandwich" and place in the cavities in the grid--up to three simultaneously. Hold above the coals until the graham cracker is lightly toasted, the marshmallow begins to soften and the chocolate is melted. Then enjoy and do it again!

Try different candy bars or add fruit:

· Peanut butter cup s’mores

· Caramel chocolate s’mores

· Cookies & cream s’mores

· Double chocolate s'mores: use chocolate graham crackers

· Black & White s'mores: use chocolate graham crackers and white chocolate

· Banana Nutella s’mores: wrap in foil first, or use hazelnut chocolate for Nutella flavor

· Strawberry chocolate s’mores

Below: Make sure your materials are dry to prevent excessive smoke. Exhaled air contains about 16% oxygen, so blowing gently at the base of flames can aid ignition, and also remove the buildup of ash from established fires to keep it burning longer.

Below: Collect your tinder, kindling, and firewood ahead of time, and keep extra nearby to reinvigorate your fire as necessary.

Below: Whether you're building a fire at your campsite or in your backyard firepit, a "teepee" arrangement of wood allows for good air circulation to keep your fire burning. Continue to place pieces of wood in the same shape and don't pack tightly or pile on too much at once.

Below: Example of a log cabin shaped fire, which allows plenty of air circulation for good burning. 

Below: Using two fires allows fresh coals to be easily raked or moved into your cooking fire, especially helpful for meals with longer cooking times.

Below:  This is ideal: no flames, just glowing hot coals

Below: A "back-up" fire near your main cooking fire allows for replenishment of hot coals when needed

Below: Cast iron cookware is excellent for cooking over an open fire, as it heats evenly and retains heat longer.

Below: Long-handled metal cooking tools should have heat proof handles. A carry bag is a convenient extra!

Below: Long handled metal cooking forks are safer and more sanitary than foraged sticks.

Below: A steel grilling grate allows plenty of cooking room over a campfire or firepit.

Below: Foil packet meals are easily prepared over a campfire.