Are you a camper who loves to cook and create new recipes, or are you someone who likes to keep it simple with easy-to-prepare foods? There’s nothing wrong with either approach. But if you’re the type of person who likes to experiment in the kitchen, you may struggle with how to go about that while camping. If you’re new to camping or have just been on a road trip without your campers kitchen before, then here is everything you need to know about the different ways of cooking whilst camping.
What is a Campervan Hob?
A campervan hob is the part of a gas or electric stove that sits above the burner. It’s the place where you can place your pan or pot. They’re often made from a non-stick material, but even so, it’s a good idea to keep to a few basic rules when using them.
- Always start with a clean hob - use a soapy sponge to wipe it down before you start cooking with it.
- You don’t need to add oil or butter to the hob, but if you want to, only use a small amount.
- Once you’re done cooking, wipe the hob down again, use a slightly damp cloth if you need it.
Camping Oven
A camping oven is a small metal box that is designed to be used on a campfire, or over a low-heat source of heat such as a grill or hot embers. Some people use them on the hob of their campervan, but this is not recommended as it can be dangerous.
The oven should be made out of aluminium or an aluminium-coated material, with an underside that is non-stick.
It’s best to use it over coals or embers, so you need to set up your fire before you start to cook.
You can use a camping oven for roasting meat and vegetables, baking bread, or making side dishes such as rice or couscous.
Grilling on a Campsite
Grilling on a campsite is a really popular way to prepare food and it’s relatively simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Always clean the grill with a scouring pad or coarse sponge before cooking - this will help to prevent the food from sticking to the grill.
Always use tongs or a spatula when turning or removing food from the grill - never use your hands.
Make sure you have enough space between your grill and the fire to prevent it from being too hot and flaming up.
If you are grilling with charcoal, make sure the coals are grey and have cooled down before you start to cook.
BBQ or BBQ Grill
There is a difference between grilling and BBQ, so make sure you choose the right one for your situation.
- A BBQ grill is round, has a lid and often has two levels for the food.
- A BBQ is rectangular and has no lid, so you need to either put a lid on the food or put it under a covered area.
- To clean the BBQ grill, use a wire brush to get rid of any food and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
- To clean the BBQ, use a scraper and then wipe it down.
Wood Burning Fire
Wood-burning fires are beautiful and romantic, but it’s important to keep safety in mind.
- If you have young children, put the fire away from where they are playing.
- If there are any flammable materials or objects nearby, put the fire further away.
- Never leave a fire unattended - this is for your safety and the safety of others around you.
- Never put poisonous plants near a fire.
Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is a large cast iron pot that you can use over a fire or on a hob. They come in different sizes, so make sure you choose one that will suit the amount of food you want to cook. Before you start cooking, scrub the inside of the pot with a scouring pad to get rid of any dust and make sure it is clean. If you are cooking on a hob, fill the pot with water and put it on the hob at a medium-high setting. If you are cooking on a fire, put the pot on the coals and make sure it has enough space to avoid burning.
Wok / Frying Pan
A frying pan is a shallow cooking pan, usually made from aluminium or stainless steel and comes in different sizes. If you are using a frying pan on a hob, fill it with oil and turn the heat to medium-high. If you are using a frying pan on a fire, put the pan on the coals and make sure there are no pieces of wood nearby. When removing the pan from the heat, do it slowly.
Conclusion
Cooking on a campsite can be enjoyable, especially when you are surrounded by nature and don’t have any noise or interruptions. It’s also a great opportunity to get creative and try new recipes. However, there are certain things to keep in mind to make sure that you stay safe and don’t start any fires.