How to Cook while Camping?
follow along @getawayonwheels on TikTok and Instagram for moreποΈπ©·
follow along @getawayonwheels on TikTok and Instagram for moreποΈπ©·
One of the most underrated parts of any camping trip is the food. There is something about cooking and eating outdoors that makes every meal taste better than it has any right to. In this episode we are covering two ways to cook on coal and one camping beverage hack that I will never stop recommending.
Before you can cook on coal you need to know what to look for. Once your campfire has been burning for a while and the flames start to die down, you will begin to see glowing red embers in place of the wood. That is your coal and that is your signal that it is ready to cook with. There are no flames at this point, just that deep red glow radiating heat. It is actually more consistent and controllable for cooking than an open flame which is what makes it so ideal.
This is one of my favorite camping cooking experiences and the results are absolutely worth the patience it requires.
Load up your skewer with whatever meat/tofu/vegetables you love. Once your coal is ready place your skewer over it, close enough for the heat to reach your food but without letting the skewer actually touch the coal. The vegetables will slowly cook from the heat radiating up and what you get is the most incredible smoky flavor that you simply cannot replicate at home. It is a slow process so embrace it β sit back, enjoy the warmth of the fire, and let your food do its thing.
If your campfire pit has a grill or even if you have brought a small portable grill with you, place it directly over your coal and you have yourself a fully functional outdoor cooking surface. The coal heat rises and cooks whatever you place on the grill just as effectively as any stovetop. We use ours to flip bread but you can cook vegetables, eggs, or anything else your meal calls for. It is simple, efficient, and requires very little effort once your coal is ready.
Here is a camping hack I genuinely cannot stop recommending. When packing for a camping trip most people think about carrying milk or creamer for their morning coffee or tea. The problem is that milk is liquid, takes up space, and is perishable. The solution is milk powder.
Milk powder is lightweight, completely non-perishable, and takes up barely any space in your bag. When you are ready for your morning coffee, simply add your instant coffee, hot water straight from your camping stove, milk powder, and sweetener of your choice. The result is a rich, creamy, and genuinely satisfying cup of coffee that honestly surprised me the first time I tried it. If you are a tea drinker the same approach works just as well.
A few important things to keep in mind when cooking at your campsite.
Always use proper tongs when working with coal. Coal retains heat for a long time and gets extremely hot, having the right tools keeps you safe and makes the whole process much easier. Kitchen tongs work in a pinch but camping tongs with longer handles give you a safer distance from the heat.
Never throw food waste around your campsite. Leftover food scraps attract animals and in some campgrounds that means bears. If you are camping in bear country make sure all your food is stored in the bear boxes provided at your campground when not in use. As long as your food is securely locked away you have nothing to worry about.
Every campground has its own rules around dishwashing and waste disposal. Some allow you to wash dishes directly at your campsite while others require you to use a designated dishwashing station. Check with your campground when you arrive and make sure you follow their guidelines. Keeping your campsite clean is not just good practice β it is important for your safety and for the experience of your fellow campers.
This guide is part of the Camping For Beginners series by Getaway On Wheels. Follow along on TikTok and Instagram at @getawayonwheels for new episodes and more camping tips ποΈπ©·