How to Cook Over a Campfire: Beginner's Guide

There's something pretty good about cooking dinner over a fire after a day out in the bush.

You've got the camp set up, the chairs are out and someone's already asking when dinner will be ready.

Then you put the pan over the flames and discover that cooking over a fire is a little different from using the stove at home.

The heat isn't always even, there's no temperature dial and moving a hot pan around takes a bit more thought.

Once you get the basics sorted, though, campfire cooking is fairly straightforward. You don't need an elaborate kitchen setup or a boot full of equipment to make a decent meal.

Here's how to get started.

How Do You Cook Over a Campfire? (Quick Answer)

The easiest way to cook over a campfire is to build a manageable fire, allow it to produce a good bed of hot coals and position your cookware over steady heat rather than large flames.

You'll need:

• A designated, permitted fire area
• Dry, suitable firewood
• A sturdy cooking surface or campfire cooking setup
• A cast iron pan, camp oven or other fire-safe cookware
• Long-handled cooking utensils
• Heat-resistant gloves suited to handling hot cooking equipment
• Water and appropriate fire safety equipment nearby

Start with something simple like sausages, bacon, eggs or a one-pan dinner.

Once you're comfortable managing the heat, you can get a little more adventurous.

1. Start with the right fire

Before you start collecting wood, check whether campfires are actually permitted where you're staying.

Fire restrictions can change depending on the season, location and weather conditions. In Australia, that means checking the local rules and any current fire bans before lighting anything.

If fires are allowed, choose an established fireplace or designated fire area where available.

Use dry, suitable firewood and build a manageable fire rather than piling on everything you've brought.

You don't need a massive bonfire to cook dinner.

In fact, a smaller, controlled fire is usually much easier to work with.

Keep the area clear of anything that could catch alight and have water available before you start.

2. Wait for the coals

One of the most common mistakes when cooking over a campfire is trying to cook everything directly over big flames.

It looks good.

It's also a fairly reliable way to burn the outside of your dinner while the middle is still raw.

For most campfire meals, a bed of hot coals gives you more consistent heat.

Let the wood burn down until you've got a decent collection of glowing embers, then position your cooking equipment over them.

You can move coals around to create hotter and cooler areas, making it easier to control how quickly your food cooks.

Keep the main fire going separately if you need more coals later.

3. Set up a stable cooking surface

Balancing a frying pan on a couple of rocks might seem like a reasonable idea until you try moving it.

A stable cooking setup makes the whole process easier.

Depending on where you're camping, that could mean a fixed campfire grill, a suitable cooking stand or a purpose-built outdoor cooking system.

The important part is making sure your cookware sits securely and won't tip when you stir, turn or remove food.

The Cooka Stove is part of the Weston Works camp cooking range and provides another option for a dedicated outdoor cooking setup. Always follow the instructions for your particular stove and fuel configuration.

If you're using a traditional open fire, choose equipment specifically designed to handle direct heat.

4. Choose cookware that can handle the heat

Not every pan in your kitchen cupboard belongs over a campfire.

Open-fire cooking exposes cookware to high temperatures, soot and uneven heat.

Cast iron is a popular choice because it retains heat well and can handle plenty of outdoor cooking when used properly.

A cast iron frying pan or camp oven can cover a surprising number of meals, from breakfast through to slow-cooked dinners.

Other cookware designed for direct-fire use can work well too.

Just check the manufacturer's instructions before putting anything over an open flame.

And leave the plastic handles at home.

5. Get your cooking utensils sorted

You don't need twenty different utensils to cook at camp.

But a few decent ones make the job much easier.

Long-handled tongs are particularly handy when you're working over hot coals. You can turn sausages, move food around the pan and handle suitable cooking tasks without putting your hands right over the heat.

The Cooka Tongs’a are a useful addition to the camp kitchen for exactly that sort of work.

A sturdy spatula, suitable knife and chopping surface will cover plenty of other jobs.

The Cooka Cut’a and other utensils in the Cooka range are worth looking at when putting together a practical camp cooking kit.

Choose equipment based on the meals you actually cook, rather than filling a storage tub with gadgets you might use once.

6. Protect your hands around hot cookware

When you're cooking over a fire, almost everything near the heat can get hot.

Pan handles, cooking racks, camp oven lids and stove components can all hold heat long after you've finished cooking.

Keep a suitable pair of heat-resistant gloves close to the cooking area.

The Cooka Heat Resistant Gloves are designed for handling hot cookware and working around camp stoves and open-fire cooking setups. They're a handy addition when you need to move a hot pan or adjust cooking equipment.

Just remember that heat-resistant doesn't mean heatproof. Follow the gloves' temperature and contact-time ratings, and use suitable tools for handling burning wood or coals.

7. Learn to control the heat

This is probably the biggest adjustment if you're used to cooking at home.

There's no knob to turn when the pan gets too hot.

Instead, you control the heat by changing the distance between the food and the coals, adjusting the amount of fuel underneath or moving the cookware to a cooler section.

For example, if you're cooking sausages and they're browning too quickly, move the pan further from the hottest coals.

If you're using a camp oven for a slow-cooked meal, you'll generally want gentler, more consistent heat.

Keep an eye on your food, especially when you're learning. Campfire temperatures can change surprisingly quickly.

8. Start with a meal that's hard to stuff up

Your first attempt at campfire cooking probably isn't the time for a complicated roast with six different sides.

Start with something familiar.

Bacon and eggs are a good option because they're quick and you can see how the pan responds to the heat.

Sausages, burgers, toasted sandwiches and simple one-pan meals are also good places to start.

Once you're comfortable, try a camp oven stew, a steak over the coals or a proper breakfast for everyone.

Whatever you're cooking, make sure meat and other high-risk foods reach safe internal temperatures. A food thermometer is useful, especially when the heat is uneven.

9. Have a backup cooking option

Anyone who's camped in Australia for long enough knows the weather doesn't always cooperate.

Sometimes it's raining.

Sometimes the wind picks up.

Sometimes you arrive to find that fires aren't permitted.

Having another suitable way to cook gives you more flexibility.

The Cooka Stove is an option for a dedicated camp cooking setup, while the Cooka Burn'a is a compact alcohol-fuelled stove. The Firebox G2 offers a folding stove setup with multiple compatible fuel options, depending on its configuration.

The Cooka Wind Stop'a can also help shield a compatible stove flame from wind.

Check the relevant fire restrictions before using any stove or burner. A gas or alcohol stove isn't automatically permitted during a fire ban, and wind protection must be used according to the stove manufacturer's instructions to avoid overheating.

10. Clean up properly when you're finished

Dinner might be over, but the camp kitchen still needs sorting.

Let cookware cool enough to handle safely before cleaning it. Wipe away excess grease and food, wash everything properly and dry it before packing it away.

The Cooka Wash'a is a compact option for washing cookware and utensils around camp.

If you're using cast iron, follow its cleaning and seasoning requirements to help prevent rust.

Keep food scraps and washing water out of waterways, and follow the campsite's waste disposal rules.

Most importantly, make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended or going to bed. Use water, stir the ashes and check that everything is cold. Never leave hot coals smouldering overnight.

What campfire cooking gear is actually worth packing?

You can spend a fair bit of money filling a camp kitchen with equipment.

But for most weekend trips, a fairly simple setup will cover the meals you're likely to cook.

Here's what we'd concentrate on.

The important thing is choosing gear that works for the way you camp.

If you mainly head away for a couple of nights, you probably don't need the same setup as someone travelling for weeks at a time.

The Cooka camp cooking range at Weston Works covers the basics without needing to fill the entire back of the ute with kitchen equipment.

FAQs

Can you cook directly over campfire flames?

You can cook certain foods over flames using suitable equipment, but hot coals generally provide steadier heat for frying pans, camp ovens and many other meals. Large flames can burn food quickly and make temperatures harder to control.

What is the easiest food to cook over a campfire?

Sausages, bacon, eggs, burgers and simple one-pan meals are good starting points. They're familiar foods that don't require a complicated cooking setup.

What cookware is best for campfire cooking?

Cast iron pans and camp ovens are popular because they retain heat well and are suitable for many open-fire cooking methods. Other cookware can also work, provided the manufacturer confirms it's safe for direct-fire use.

Do you need special gloves for campfire cooking?

Suitable heat-resistant gloves are recommended when handling hot cookware and cooking equipment. Always check their protection ratings and limitations before use.

Can you use a camping stove during a total fire ban?

It depends on the state, local restrictions, appliance type and conditions. Some equipment may be prohibited even when it uses gas or liquid fuel. Always check the current rules for your location before lighting a fire or operating a stove.

How do you stop food burning over a campfire?

Cook over steady coals where possible, control the distance between the cookware and the heat, and move food to cooler areas when necessary. Avoid putting everything directly over large flames.

What Cooka products are useful for campfire cooking?

Cooka Tongs'a, Heat Resistant Gloves, Cut'a, Chop'a and Spatula can all be useful around a camp kitchen. The Cooka Stove and other compatible cooking systems offer additional options depending on the conditions and your preferred setup.

Final Word

Cooking over a campfire takes a little practice.

You'll probably burn a sausage or two while you're working out how much heat you've got.

Most of us have.

Start with a manageable fire, wait for some decent coals and use cookware that's actually designed for the job.

Keep your utensils close, protect your hands and give yourself enough time to cook without rushing.

Once you've got the hang of it, a good meal around camp becomes one of the better parts of heading away.

And if you can cook dinner without setting fire to the sausages, you're already doing pretty well.