Outdoor meal, what to choose for cooking on a bonfire?
Cooking over a campfire adds a special touch to outdoor expeditions. It is not only a practical way to prepare a warm meal during an expedition, but also a chance to have a new culinary experience in a natural setting.
In this article you will find out which dishes take to the bonfire. We will first focus on which ones to take with you on hiking and other expeditions where the weight of your equipment is important. Then, we will discuss which cooking accessories to choose when you can afford to take heavier items because, for example, you plan to travel by car. We will present different types of kettles, pans and pots. Whether you are an advanced amateur campfire cook or just starting out, our article will help you choose the right cookware to prepare delicious dishes during your outdoor adventures.
Going on a 'light' trip - what compact cookware to take with you?
Hiking with backpack involve the need to select the right tourist tableware, because every gram matters. It is obvious that then we cannot afford heavy cooking accessories, which not only take up valuable space in the backpack, but also burden us. In such situations, we often take with us, for example: freeze-dried food, the preparation of which is quick and convenient, and in addition, such food weighs little. However, not everyone likes the taste of this type of food, and sometimes we just want to diversify our diet. In such situations, a fire or a fire is a help camping stove and traditional tourist vessels, such as the tourist pot or canteen.
However, how to choose cooking utensils so that they do not burden us excessively during the trip? And what else is worth considering when choosing them? Below we list the most important features to consider when choosing camping utensils for your hike:
- Weight of dishes - by choosing dishes made of light materials, such as aluminum, we avoid additional burden on the backpack. This makes their transport easier and more convenient, which is especially important during longer hikes. This type of material works great in combination with a camping stove.
- Resistance to mechanical damage - during the trip, the dishes may be exposed to shocks and impacts, so it is worth investing in products with a solid structure that will ensure long-term durability and effective protection against damage.
- Easy to clean – time is precious, especially during outdoor trips. The ease of cleaning dishes saves time and energy that can be spent on other activities.
- Compactness - it's a good idea to choose dishes that are foldable because they take up less space in your backpack and are easier to store.
For "light" trips, it is best to choose compact, low-weight vessels. We especially recommend canteens. There are many materials, sizes, shapes and colors to choose from. These are vessels that are perfect for backpacking.
Cooking on a fire while camping - what utensils are worth taking with you?
When hiking, where every gram in the backpack counts, the lightness of tourist utensils is crucial. However, when cooking outside the home, where the weight of the cookware is not important, e.g. when we travel mainly by car, we can opt for heavier cookware. In this case, we do not have to limit ourselves and we can choose, for example, cast iron cauldrons, pots or heavy frying pans. We will describe each of them below.
Which pot to cook on a campfire should you choose?
A popular type of pots for a fire are those made of cast iron. Cast iron is very durable and resistant to mechanical damage. They are also characterized by even temperature distribution. Moreover, cast iron does not emit any harmful substances and does not react with food. Moreover, cast iron pots do not affect the taste of prepared dishes. With proper care, they can serve for many years. However, like any kitchen utensils, they also have their disadvantages. First of all, such pots are heavy, which may cause excessive burden on our equipment during the expedition. However, this does not matter much when traveling by car.
Stainless steel pots are also a popular choice because they are durable and can therefore be used for a long time, just like cast iron pots. These types of pots do not give dishes a metallic taste and are lighter than their cast iron counterparts. Steel pots heat up slower, but lose heat slowly.
There are also anodized aluminum pots available on the market, which are safer to use than regular aluminum pots. However, it is recommended not to prepare very salty or acidic dishes in this type of dishes. Aluminum conducts heat very well, so the cooking and heating time is short.
Be sure to choose pots that suit your cooking style. Also consider weight, durability and ease of cleaning. It is also important to adjust the size of the pot to the number of people you will be cooking for.
Which fire pan should you choose?
Finding the right pan for campfire cooking can be difficult due to the variety of models available on the market. The most important rule, however, is to choose a pan that is durable, resistant to high temperatures and easy to clean. The most popular materials used to make campfire pans are cast iron, aluminum and stainless steel.
The classic choice is a frying pan made of cast iron, which has very good thermal properties. It distributes heat perfectly, so there are no areas on the surface of the pan that are too hot or too cold. This solution ensures even preparation of all the ingredients of the dish. These types of pans are extremely durable and serve for many years. However, you must remember that cast iron is used to make heavy cookware. This type of frying pan can weigh up to over 3 kg.
If you want lower weight, a lighter alternative to cast iron is stainless steel. Pans made of this material are corrosion-resistant and easy to clean. Unfortunately, they do not distribute heat as evenly as cast iron, so you need to remember to stir the prepared dish. It is also worth considering steel pans with a thick bottom, which accumulate heat better.
Aluminum pans are another popular option because they are very lightweight. Aluminum conducts heat well, so it ensures even cooking of food. We highly recommend models made from anodized aluminum due to its food safety benefits. Unfortunately, aluminum pans are more susceptible to scratches and less resistant to damage than cast iron or stainless steel.
When considering which pan to choose for a campfire, it is worth paying attention not only to the material from which it is made, but also to other important issues. First of all, the pan should be equipped with comfortable handles. This is important because it makes it much easier to hold and carry the pan. Additionally, it is a good idea to check whether the handles are protected, e.g. with rubber covers that protect against burning your hands while cooking.
It is also worth paying attention to whether the pan has foldable handles. This design not only saves space in the kitchen, but is also practical during transport.
Which cauldron should you choose for a bonfire?
There are various types of cauldrons available on the market, but we especially recommend those made of steel and cast iron. In both cases, they can be covered with enamel. One of the most frequently chosen types of cauldrons are cast iron, due to the many advantages of this material. Cast iron conducts heat very well, which means that food cooked in such a cauldron is heated evenly and cooks faster.
When choosing a cauldron for a fire, you should take into account the number of people eating the meal. The rule "how many people - so many liters" may prove helpful. For example, if we are making a fire for 4 people and we want to choose a cauldron, it is best to choose one with a capacity of 4 liters - 1 liter per person.
You should also decide whether you need a standing or hanging cauldron. Freestanding cauldrons that are tightly closed are suitable for preparing, for example, casseroles. Hanging cauldrons, on the other hand, are suitable for cooking one-pot meals. By hanging the cauldron over the fire, we can adjust its height and heat intensity, which allows us to control the cooking process.
What dishes can be prepared over a campfire?
Roasting sausages and potatoes over a fire is a classic choice for many of us. However, it is worth remembering that cooking over a campfire can be much more creative. All you need to do is equip yourself with the appropriate tourist accessories that we mentioned earlier and enrich your menu.
Cooking one-pot meals is a great idea. This saves time and reduces the number of dishes to wash. One-pot meals involve stewing, frying or cooking individual products in one pot. You can use various ingredients such as vegetables, meat and spices to create tasty and filling dishes. Adding rice to such a dish can also enhance the flavor and provide an additional portion of carbohydrates. Examples of campfire dishes include: risotto, goulash, curry, chili con carne and paella.
Offer of accessories for cooking on a campfire at MILITARY.PL
The MILITARY.PL offer includes all the necessary accessories and utensils for cooking on a campfire. We have various types of dishes made of durable materials, which is particularly important during outdoor expeditions. Our product range includes, among others: cauldrons, pots, canteens and frying pans, which are irreplaceable when cooking while camping, camping or other field trips.
Our products include brands such as: Badger Outdoor, Helikon, Kawmet and Mil-Tec.
