Campfire Cooking Done Right: Here’s How

Camping is a great way to connect with nature, savour summer days and have fun with family and friends in the great outdoors. Nothing brings people together like cooking over a crackling campfire and sharing meals and memories under the stars. Packing the right gear, tools and outdoor essentials will ensure happy campers all around.

Cooking Equipment

Great camping meals start with having the right cooking equipment in your camp kitchen. Beyond the bonfire, there are a variety of ways to cook easy campfire meals outdoors. You’ll want to choose the best heat source for your camping needs and consider factors like BTU output, burners and fuel type. Here are some options:

Cooking Fuels

Before heading out on your next camping trip, you’ll want to estimate the amount of fuel you’ll need. As a general rule, bring enough fuel to boil one litre of water per person per meal, and factor in your stove’s burn time. It’s also important to store cooking fuels safely in their original containers away from potential dangers. Depending on your cooking device, be sure to stock up on:

Open Flame Cooking

Campfire cooking brings smoky flavour and melt-in-your-mouth goodness to all your favourite foods. Everyone can join in the fireside fun of roasting foods on a stick, in a pie iron or in foil packets over a campfire grate. You can also share big-batch comfort foods made in a Dutch oven or cast iron skillet over the coals. Here are some camping food ideas to try:

Dry Camping Foods

Be sure to bring plenty of snacks to curb the munchies that don’t require refrigeration. These tasty camping foods will satisfy hungry campers any time of day:

Food Storage

If you’re packing perishables, it’s important to choose the right camping coolers and food storage containers to keep everything chilled and safe for consumption. Hard coolers can stand up to more wear and tear, while lightweight, compactable soft coolers are ideal for hiking. You should also keep all your food in the trunk of your vehicle to prevent it from attracting animals. If you’re camping without a vehicle, use paracord to wrap your food in a waterproof tarp, and hang it from a high tree branch away from your campsite. There are plenty of cooler options available including:

How to Pack a Cooler

Make sure to pack your camping cooler properly to keep perishable foods safe to eat. Here’s how:

Water Jugs

Delicious dinners around a grill or glowing fire is one of the highlights of camping. Packing the right gear for food prep, cooking and cleanup will help make those evenings memorable. It also helps ensure a safe and fun time is had by all.