If you love spending hot grill summer evenings by whirling flames, upgrade your firepit from simply toasting marshmallows to grilling meals! Cook just about anything over a campfire and turn your backyard pit into an ultimate cookout.
Safety First
Evolving your firepit into a grilling station? Remember to prioritize safety right from the start by choosing the appropriate spot in your yard.
- Determine a safer place to locate the pit away from low-hanging trees, structural overhangs, vegetation & grasses, wooden fences, or anything in your yard that might be flammable. Keep your outdoors safely covered with bench covers, firepit covers, grill covers to avoid any mishappening.
- Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby to put off the blazing fire in case of emergency.
- Ensure your hair is tied up and sleeves rolled up while roasting or grilling.
- Always use long sticks and fire-safe tools for barbecuing. Make sure to avoid using plastic.
Prefer Clean Fuel
Magazines, junk mail, and scraps of construction materials like plywood or old decking release toxic fumes when burned. Always opt for the combination of smokeless coal and properly seasoned firewood to avoid your food tasting like the burnt advertising mailers.
As the coal provides the heat and the logs infuse the flavors, there are multiple alternatives like almond wood, cherry wood, hickory, and mosquito to customize the aromatic flavor of your choice.
Turn Your Firepit into a Grill
Whether you have a traditional stone ring fire pit, a fire bowl, or a raised backyard pit, you can easily turn them into functional grilling units in no time. Here are different ways you can roast and grill in the roaring blaze:
- Grill Grate: There’s no denying how crucial the grill grate is to sizzle some steaks and grill hamburgers while enjoying the company of your folk around the firepit. Just place the grate over the fire pit and you have a functional grilling unit by your side. A simple grill grate of cast iron is perfect for raised pits, stone-built outs, and in-ground pits.
- Grill table: When looking for a stackable grilling grate excellent for roasting at high temperatures, a grill table is what you need. Perfect for placing skillets, camping coffee pots, and dutch ovens – all at once, you can take time off as a host to enjoy the social scene of the evening.
- Skewers: If you are wondering what all can be skewered over the firepit, the possibilities are endless. From roasting veggies, and shrimps to a variety of hot dogs, kielbasa, and kebabs, there’s nothing nostalgic as roasting on skewers.
- Tripod: Perfect for putting over most fire pits including in-ground and raised pits, the tripod features sturdy legs, a chain, and an S hook to hold heavy cooking pots with ease. You can just hang a camping dutch oven on the tripod and let the bubbling stew and soups simmer over the fire pit, while you enjoy the evening with your friends.
Keep Cozy And Carry On
A firepit is a focal point for gatherings with friends and loved ones over an evening of wine, charcuterie, and good times. To set the mood for a summer evening add a soft glow owithf twinkling string lights. Throw some extra pillows and cushions for that extra warmth and comfort.
Clear Away Ash
To keep your firepit functional for years to come, regular cleaning after use is a must. Since old charcoal, burnt wood, ash, dust, and juices, create a build-up that can stain or damage your pit over time so clear away ash or soot after every cookout. Remember to pull off fire pit covers and bench covers to protect your furniture. The last thing you want is for your cookout to coat your outdoor living area with smoky residue or ash.
Spring for a Few Accessories
Cooking over an open fire, arm yourself with a few essential accessories such as skewers, tongs, a grill rack, a heat-resistant pot, and even aluminum foil for a pleasurable grilling experience. For both safety and convenience, look for long-handled cooking utensils and fire tending tools.
Ward Off Mosquitoes & Bugs
To avoid mosquitoes bugging your guests while they enjoy the best cookout on the block, just burn sage bundles in your fire pit. This will not only ward off mosquitoes but will leave your outdoor living space with a pleasant aroma. The smoke of the burning sage acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
Try a Myriad Recipes in Fire Blaze
Whether it is marinated chicken breasts, juicy burgers, or roasted corn, you can grill anything in a fire pit as you would cook on a grill. Just lay a grate down or grab some foil to perfect the summer evening fun. Here are some recipes to get going:
Campfire Hash
In a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, cook and stir 1 large chopped onion in oil. Add 2 cloves of garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add 4 chopped boiled potatoes.
Cook the potatoes for about 20 minutes and add 1 pound of smoked kielbasa. Cook until the meat and potatoes are tender and browned for about 10-15 minutes. Add some chiles and 1 can of drained whole corn kernels. Heat for some time before you serve the delicious treat.
Pot S’more
After prepping up your grill or campfire for low heat, line a cast-iron dutch oven with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Take a package of crushed graham crackers and mix it with 1/2 cup melted butter.
After spreading the mixture at the bottom of the pan, pour 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. Sprinkle some choco chips and top with marshmallows. As you cover the Dutch oven properly, cover it with embers. Cook until marshmallows begin to melt for about 15 minutes. Once done, take out the foil to enjoy the gooey treat.
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