How to be a camping chef

Cooking over an open fire is one of the best parts of camping. Fresh air and good food is a formula for great family fun.

Two zone cooking
There are two areas that campfire cooks can use. The first is above the flames on a grate and the second is right at the base of the campfire in the embers. The best camping bosses will use both areas to create their outdoor party.

food storage
One challenge campers face is how to keep food from spoiling during extended camping trips. The best option for weekend trips is a cooler full of ice packs. Store the cooler in a shady place and try to limit the number of times you open and close the cooler. Be sure to keep the cooler out of the reach of animals when you spend time outdoors.

protein
Burgers: Burgers are a classic campfire food. The patties should be cooked for 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The burgers must be cooked on the grill over the fire. It’s always best to cook burgers to USDA recommended temperatures. Avoid flipping the burgers unnecessarily as this releases the juices that contribute to the flavor. To add flavor, consider adding garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to ground beef.

Hot Dogs: Hot dogs are the easy, inexpensive protein. Cut along one side of hot dog to allow room for expansion while hot dog cooks. Place the dogs on the grill and let them cook for 10 minutes. Turn occasionally to cook evenly. For a real treat, toast the buns over an open fire.

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Corn: Lightly season and butter corn, then place on grill. Turn the corn every few minutes. Corn requires a longer cooking time than most proteins, so it’s best to put the corn on while you prepare the other dishes for dinner. The corn is done when it has turned a little darker than when it started.

Potatoes: Make a campfire baked potato by placing a foil-wrapped potato on the coals. Be sure to use a fork to poke holes in the potato. To create a treat, apply a little olive oil to the skin of the potatoes, then lightly salt and pepper. Potatoes take a long time to cook and it is best to add them to the coals and then prepare the other dishes for dinner.