Cooking on a campfire grill is one of the most enjoyable experiences of camping. Contrary to popular belief cooking on a campfire grill doesn’t have to follow the scout motto when cooking on a fire, some raw some burnt and some just right. The scents of wood smoke and food cooking over a open fire are one of the finest experiences of camping. Becoming mesmerized by the warm glow of the coals and the flickering of the flames when we watch the fire in the evening. Are just parts of the romantic beauty of the whole camping experience. Campfires may not always be allowed, so be sure to check with the campground manager or the local forest service about any possible restrictions. Here are some tips to get the most out of your campfire grill cooking experience.

1.      Always build fire in designated areas such as fire rings, stoves or fireplaces and never leave one unattended.

2.      Have a fire extinguisher or some water available if needed. A spray bottle with water is a nice thing to have to control flare up while cooking.

3.      Maintain a debris-free area around the fire. You don’t want to trip on something and fall into the fire. Also this helps prevent a fire from spreading if a hot coal or ash escapes.

4.      Start the fire small using small pieces of wood and build it up gradually with larger ones. Let the fire burn down to a coal bed before starting to cook. Build the fire up after you are done cooking to enjoy the romance of the flames well into the night.

5.      I like using a pair of leather welding gloves when cooking on a campfire grill over a fire. As well a a quality set of barbeque grill utensils. This allows you to stay away from the heat and protects you in the event of a flare up from the grease coming out of you’re soon to be meal.

6.      Bring in your firewood if at all possible. If you have to collect it only use dead wood lying on the ground. Never tear branches off of live trees or bushes

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7.      Any wood will make some sort of a coal bed for cooking. The rule for a good bed of coals is the harder the wood the better the coal bed will be. Don’t expect perfection the first time experiment and see what works best for you.

8.      Extinguish all fires until they are cold out. This can be done by pouring water on them and stirring the ashes. Make sure the ashes are cool to the touch before leaving your campsite.

9.      Pack out your trash this includes anything you put into the fire that was not reduced to ash. Leave your fire pit clean for the next camper.

By following these rules and the posted rules where you camp. Hopefully you will have a fun filled campout without a runaway fire or someone getting burnt. As always have fun and leave your campsite better then you found it. If we all do this our campsite will be enjoyable for all for years to come.