Camp cooking question

[polkadotsuitcase]

In the past, we've hauled along our big Coleman grill to cook on at the campsite. But now I'm trying to make things a little easier (that thing is huge) and I don't want to get another gas-powered stove or anything similar.

I'm interested in hearing experiences/input/preferences on either of these methods for cooking over the fire:

Either a grill grate that sits over the fire, like this type: http://*******.com/y8nquae

...or a tripod that hangs over the fire, ala: http://*******.com/y8dftlp

We use our trusty Dutch oven and pie irons over the fire, but for things like burgers and chicken and such, I'd like something to use to grill.

I'm wondering if:

* is it problematic to have the grill grate too close to the fire/unable to move up and down?

* with the tripod, is it a pain to have your dinner swinging from a chain over the fire, even if it can be raised and lowered? Is it hard to, say, flip burgers when the thing's dangling there?

I'd love to hear some voices of experience! Thanks!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Well, those links really worked out well. Sorry! Trying again:

Grill grate:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...4_325000000_325009000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

Tripod:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...4_325000000_325009000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

[crzy4dsny]

I use a 55 gallon drum that I cut down to a height of about 2 feet. I also use the drum for camp fires. Weber sells a cooking grate that fits perfectly just inside the barrel. The grate is 22.5 inches and was about $14. You just need to drill 4 holes opposite each other,about 1 inch down from the top of the barrel. Put a medium size bolt and nut thru each hole that will stick out about 1 inch into the barrel. These bolts will hold the cooking grate in place. With out the bolts the grate will just fall down onto the barrel. When you are done cooking you just throw your wood in and you have an instant camp fire. For a special touch drill mickey head air holes around the bottom of the drum about 2 inches from the bottom. It looks cool at night.

 

[disney4dan]

In the past, we've hauled along our big Coleman grill to cook on at the campsite. But now I'm trying to make things a little easier (that thing is huge) and I don't want to get another gas-powered stove or anything similar.

I'm interested in hearing experiences/input/preferences on either of these methods for cooking over the fire:

Either a grill grate that sits over the fire, like this type: http://*******.com/y8nquae

...or a tripod that hangs over the fire, ala: http://*******.com/y8dftlp

We use our trusty Dutch oven and pie irons over the fire, but for things like burgers and chicken and such, I'd like something to use to grill.

I'm wondering if:

* is it problematic to have the grill grate too close to the fire/unable to move up and down?

* with the tripod, is it a pain to have your dinner swinging from a chain over the fire, even if it can be raised and lowered? Is it hard to, say, flip burgers when the thing's dangling there?

I'd love to hear some voices of experience! Thanks!

We used to use something similar to the grill grate over the fire, but the real cooking is done on the coals. Lots of burnt items in the frying pan when done over the open flame. Could be our lack of experience or sobriety when cooking that way when younger, but I have nightmares of hamburger fat or bacon grease removing my facial hair. Solved that pesky shaving problem, but not very pretty.

PS - we love cooking with the Dutch oven now, takes a good 2 to 3 hours sometimes, but if we are not going anywhere for the day it's really relaxing to tend the coals for the roast. They also make a really good micro-Weber charcoal grill that is very portable and table-top model. The Weber one works great; the cheap imitation we bought did not because there were no vent holes at the bottom to direct air up through the coals.

 

[Angie2B]

I think waiting for the charcoal to get to the cooking stage or building a fire and waiting for it to coal over would be a huge hassel. Especially while at WDW. I know you said you didn't want to mess with another gas grill, but cooking over fire seems to take a LOOOOONG time. I just didn't know if you had considered that aspect of it.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I use a 55 gallon drum that I cut down to a height of about 2 feet. I also use the drum for camp fires. Weber sells a cooking grate that fits perfectly just inside the barrel. The grate is 22.5 inches and was about $14. You just need to drill 4 holes opposite each other,about 1 inch down from the top of the barrel. Put a medium size bolt and nut thru each hole that will stick out about 1 inch into the barrel. These bolts will hold the cooking grate in place. With out the bolts the grate will just fall down onto the barrel. When you are done cooking you just throw your wood in and you have an instant camp fire. For a special touch drill mickey head air holes around the bottom of the drum about 2 inches from the bottom. It looks cool at night.

Wow, sounds creative! Love the idea of the Mickey head air holes. Isn't that kind of heavy/bulky to transport, though?

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Could be our lack of experience or sobriety when cooking that way when younger, but I have nightmares of hamburger fat or bacon grease removing my facial hair. Solved that pesky shaving problem, but not very pretty.

They also make a really good micro-Weber charcoal grill that is very portable and table-top model. The Weber one works great; the cheap imitation we bought did not because there were no vent holes at the bottom to direct air up through the coals.

Fortunately for my hubby, I'm not too endowed with facial hair, but that's fair warning not to hover too long over flames!

Maybe skipping the fire altogether and going with the tabletop grill is the way to go. Hmmm. I'm just adverse to too much equipment -- the whole "less is more" theory, which is why I was thinking just a grate over the fire/coals.

Thanks for the input!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I think waiting for the charcoal to get to the cooking stage or building a fire and waiting for it to coal over would be a huge hassel. Especially while at WDW. I know you said you didn't want to mess with another gas grill, but cooking over fire seems to take a LOOOOONG time. I just didn't know if you had considered that aspect of it.

Good point! I remember trying to boil water over the fire at a campground in Ocracoke while mosquitos were devouring us alive. I think we finally gave up, gnawed through some partially-cooked pasta, and dove into the tent.

I guess I was thinking more about other campgrounds than the Fort, though. We don't have an enclosed fire pit to bring to WDW, and open fires are taboo.

Thanks!

 

[crzy4dsny]

Wow, sounds creative! Love the idea of the Mickey head air holes. Isn't that kind of heavy/bulky to transport, though?

It's not too bad. I have a pick up truck. I usually put something inside of it for the trip like wood for the fire or bags of charcoal. I have also put it inside of my suv for longer trips when we only take one car. I just put it inside of a big heavy duty garbage bag. We dont have a trailer we tent camp. If you have a trailer it should fit inside one your storage compartments. Most of our local campgrounds don't have fire pits. You have to bring your own. You can use this for both. I still bring my coleman 2 burner stove for other things like breakfast or quick cooking.