You should have a read of G W Sears' (Nessmuk) Woodcraft and Camping, great book with a nice chapter on camp cookery. Plus its a free download in the articles section 
A fire to cook on.
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Elen Sentier
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
You should have a read of G W Sears' (Nessmuk) Woodcraft and Camping, great book with a nice chapter on camp cookery. Plus its a free download in the articles section
A good picture of a Hunters Fire and fire rack!
I don't like a fire 'on top' of the ground. Maybe it's exAustralian paranoia.
Anyway, my preferred cooking fire is done in a rectangular pit, 2-4" deep. Dig it with a stick, doesn't need to be perfect. Build a fire in half the pit, starting with a base of 1-2" sticks. Let that burn down quite a bit.
Now rake the still burning sticks over to the other half of the rectangle. Add a bit of wood to keep it going.
You should have a bed of glowing coals in the first half. Cook over this. If it starts to get a bit low, well, switch the fire round again.
When you've finished with the fire, put out with water then bury with the soil you dug out.
Anyway, my preferred cooking fire is done in a rectangular pit, 2-4" deep. Dig it with a stick, doesn't need to be perfect. Build a fire in half the pit, starting with a base of 1-2" sticks. Let that burn down quite a bit.
Now rake the still burning sticks over to the other half of the rectangle. Add a bit of wood to keep it going.
You should have a bed of glowing coals in the first half. Cook over this. If it starts to get a bit low, well, switch the fire round again.
When you've finished with the fire, put out with water then bury with the soil you dug out.
Fire side of things has been pretty well covered as for food I tend to do one pot stews.
Depending on space and weight considerations I will either take fresh veg/meat or dehydrate it at home which helps a lot.
I try to pack so I have minimal rubbish at the end of the trip so I tend not to have cans and packets to dispose of.
Bread mixes are also great and can be done in a billy with care or in a pan - if your that way inclined you can make a paddle shaped bread board like uncle ray. I tried this once it took the best part of a day for me to be happy with it but got a nice, if flat and slightly scorched, loaf of bread at the end of it.
Bacon draped over a stick above embers is also one of my favourite ways to start a day and there no washing up.
Hamster
Depending on space and weight considerations I will either take fresh veg/meat or dehydrate it at home which helps a lot.
I try to pack so I have minimal rubbish at the end of the trip so I tend not to have cans and packets to dispose of.
Bread mixes are also great and can be done in a billy with care or in a pan - if your that way inclined you can make a paddle shaped bread board like uncle ray. I tried this once it took the best part of a day for me to be happy with it but got a nice, if flat and slightly scorched, loaf of bread at the end of it.
Bacon draped over a stick above embers is also one of my favourite ways to start a day and there no washing up.
Hamster
I had a read of that book/article, some really great info on the fire and cooking side of things.
I went out last night with a mate and we stayed in a wood which in our half was 70% silver Birch. With plenty of dry small deadfall everywhere.
I made a nice small efficient fire and made a brew, it then turned to embers and I cooked my rice. This morning I made a brew and cooked sausages on sticks.
Thanks to everyone who posted, it really has made a difference and made me look at things differently.
I was also surprised at how much easier a fire lights when you start it on a bed of 1 1/2" sticks. And once it does get going it left me with some good embers.
I'll experiment a bit more next time.
I went out last night with a mate and we stayed in a wood which in our half was 70% silver Birch. With plenty of dry small deadfall everywhere.
I made a nice small efficient fire and made a brew, it then turned to embers and I cooked my rice. This morning I made a brew and cooked sausages on sticks.
Thanks to everyone who posted, it really has made a difference and made me look at things differently.
I was also surprised at how much easier a fire lights when you start it on a bed of 1 1/2" sticks. And once it does get going it left me with some good embers.
I'll experiment a bit more next time.
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