View Full Version : Help with cooking
bushcraftsman
25-07-2009, 12:04
Does anybody know any ways of cooking burgers on an open fire?
Also, if i wanted to cook a can of beans, could I just throw it on the ashes etc, or would the can melt.
Cheers
Cooking burgers would probably be easiest done either in a wire grill as in a BBQ or in a pan...........beans can be cooked in the can provided you open it first or it may explode!
Also because a tin can has a narrow base and high sides it's the wrong shape for cooking in, you're liable to get half burning and the rest cold, and it's a bit difficult to stir a full can of beans.
But beware, often these days tin cans can have coatings on the inside which is there to help preserve the food, but may not be the best thing to cook in!
If you take one ex mill pan (the square ones) you could fry your burgers and then add the beans to heat..........easy as......and one pan is no where near as heavy as the can of beans!
Smoggy
Cooking burgers would probably be easiest done either in a wire grill as in a BBQ or in a pan...........beans can be cooked in the can provided you open it first or it may explode!
Also because a tin can has a narrow base and high sides it's the wrong shape for cooking in, you're liable to get half burning and the rest cold, and it's a bit difficult to stir a full can of beans.
But beware, often these days tin cans can have coatings on the inside which is there to help preserve the food, but may not be the best thing to cook in!
If you take one ex mill pan (the square ones) you could fry your burgers and then add the beans to heat..........easy as......and one pan is no where near as heavy as the can of beans!
Smoggy
What he said!
sandbender
25-07-2009, 12:19
Does anybody know any ways of cooking burgers on an open fire?
Also, if i wanted to cook a can of beans, could I just throw it on the ashes etc, or would the can melt.
If your trip is a short one, pre-cook the burgers before departure and then warm them up in a metal mug or pot (or eat them cold). I wouldn't throw the can into the ashes of a fire, instead bash the sides in a bit and place in a pot of water, and place the pot into the ashes, as the water boils it will heat the can evenly. When the sides of the can 'pop' out then the contents should be ready to eat and you will have some hot water left for a cuppa.
Raw meat isn't the best food to travel with especially in summer, the 'look what we found (http://www.lookwhatwefound.co.uk/)' food pouches, dried or cured meats would be a better option.
Cans aren't so great either, being heavy on both the trip out and the trip back, try taking dried beans, they are lighter to carry, better for you and you avoid any potential health issues with the can linings.
:)
bushcraftsman
25-07-2009, 14:02
Cooking burgers would probably be easiest done either in a wire grill as in a BBQ or in a pan
ok thanks, but, this is just me and a mate going camping in some local woods and we dont have any of that, is there any other way? for example with sausages (I know they are pretty basic) you can just bark a stick then put it through the sausage.
so any other ideas?
Dump the burger and take a tin of beans and sausages? Heat the can in boiling water (pierce lid first) and make a brew with the water afterwards. You could buy a small non stick frying pan from somewhere like Tesco for about £4, fry the burgers and (as said) fry off the beans in the juices.
You can still get tinned beefburgers in gravy and heat them in water.
If you don't cook much at home you need to plan your camping menu and practise before you go camping, don't just think 'that should taste OK' try it at home first and use the kit you will take on your trip.
if you want to heat the can directly in fire then heat it very slowly/gently, sticking it in middle of hot fire will just result in burnt food on the edges and cold/uncooked in the middle, heat it very very slowly so the warmth can gradually seep through to the centre of can without burning the contents, even better get a cooking pot of some sort.
if you want to cook beans in the tin in the fire put the pierced can at the edge of the fire and just rake embers up around the tin, wait until steam starts coming from the pierced hole then they will be ready to eat
If you haven't got any cooking equipment/utensils........use you're head, no not literaly! I mean think about it.........
You cook at home therefore you will have access to cooking utensils, borrow some for your trip..........
BBQ.....someone you know will have one borrow the grill....someone may even be getting a new BBQ......you may be able to get the old grill.
Opt for food that you can cook easily with the equipment you have, untill you can get your hands on the equipment you need.
Don't make hard work out of bushcraft......make what you have do!
Smoggy.
John Fenna
26-07-2009, 18:49
Greenstick grill for the burger?
Daegurth
26-07-2009, 20:11
de-bark two sticks, and stick them through the edge of the burger, just like sausages but it can't spin off. if it's not thick enough to do that, then take a long green stick and bend it in half without snapping it. put the burger on the bent part and use it as a grill. if you can make stands high enough, you could put burgers along the length of the doubled-up stick.
practice on a charcoal barbeque or garden fire at home first, if necessary.
Why not buy a disposable BBQ for a couple of quid, and when it's used take out the grill for next trip, also surely you have a small saucepan or frying pan at home, stick that in the rucsack and Bob's yer auntie's husband!
bushcraftsman
27-07-2009, 17:45
Thanks everyone, helped alot. And for the record, I wasn't just being stupid and not taking a pan from home, believe me I tried. I'm only 16 and mum wouldn't let me haha....downside to being a kid I guess...
thanks again
Potentially, you could use a rock and cook your burgers on the rock. Get your fire going, prop the rock (slate would probably be good) over the fire by placing on some stones and the allow the rock to heat up. Place your burgers on the rock and use as a hot plate.
Things to be aware of if you do use this method, don't use rocks taken out of a river and don't use concrete as they will go bang! Also, glassy stones such as flint are likely to explode so don't use them either!
bushcraftsman
27-07-2009, 17:55
Ok thanks a lot, never thought of that
Ok thanks a lot, never thought of that
It's something I have often thought about but have never tried also, so I might have to give it a go myself too! :D
bushcraftsman
27-07-2009, 18:38
It's something I have often thought about but have never tried also, so I might have to give it a go myself too! :D
If you do, let me know how it goes. Very interested to see how it works
If you do, let me know how it goes. Very interested to see how it works
Well, I may just give it a try over the next few days to make sure the idea will work, although i have no reason to think that it won't. I know that up on Wharnecliffe Crags there is a lot of slate that can be just picked up, but at the back of my house are the old out houses with an old slate roof falling to bits. One tile will make no difference!
I could be wrong, but I think maybe slate may split with the heat.....worth a try thought!
Smoggy...
I could be wrong, but I think maybe slate may split with the heat.....worth a try thought!
Smoggy...
Maybe so, but so long as it doesn't do that explosively I won't mind so much! In fact, I normally check one of two books when I need info on this sort of thing. The answer to this may be in Loftys' Survival Handbook so I'll take a look.
I could be wrong, but I think maybe slate may split with the heat.....worth a try thought!
Smoggy...
There is a restaurant in west Wales that serves it's food on heated slate 'plates' so the risk of exploding in fires should be minimal if they are not placed in soaking wet or freezing cold.
Using one for cooking should be the same as using a gridle or bake stone - I've cooked steak and eggs on them no problem and burgers if they are thin should cook through before the slate cools
Slate is ok to cook on as is a good flat rock. you need something at least an inch thick and if its going to split its more than likely to split if it cools to quickly
Front Room Woodlander
28-07-2009, 15:07
I cook for the family on an open fire.
I have practised this over the years both outdoors and in when the power is off.
Cooking always takes longer than conventional methods and this is no bad thing.
For the future you can poke around the charity shops and buy cooking equipment for a few pence. A small pan, pot or casserole (with a lid is better) is all you need for you and your friend to have a good meal.
If me and my pal are out for a days fishing, a hearty soup, pre made at home and carried in a freezer bag, does for us. Just warm it through in a small slow burning fire.
For longer exscursions into known territory then I carry a catapult for squirrel, pigeon and other game. This of course means you will have to learn new skills in preparing wild food. But thats the fun is it not? Being outdoors, relying on ones self and the bouniful country side. (Just dont get caught poaching)
bushcraftsman
28-07-2009, 18:00
ok cool, thanks for the help.Will try all these in the future
Front Room Woodlander
28-07-2009, 20:25
I was thinking about your original question and my own adventures at 16 years old. Most of which I'll skip and come to the point: Beanfeast. A dried mixture of processed sh , stuff and dried vegetables. Simply mix with water and simmer. The thing I remebered most about this product was the ability to stimulate the Gastro Intestinal Tract to produce huge amounts of waste gas. Normally I would advise you against using such an unwholesome product but, at the age of 16, 17, 18, the resultant gas seemed to both deter midges (on the shore of Loch Tay in the village of Killin) and warm the tent as well as provide gross humour and disgust for those camping down wind.
Just a thought.
I was thinking about your original question and my own adventures at 16 years old. Most of which I'll skip and come to the point: Beanfeast. A dried mixture of processed sh , stuff and dried vegetables. Simply mix with water and simmer. The thing I remebered most about this product was the ability to stimulate the Gastro Intestinal Tract to produce huge amounts of waste gas. Normally I would advise you against using such an unwholesome product but, at the age of 16, 17, 18, the resultant gas seemed to both deter midges (on the shore of Loch Tay in the village of Killin) and warm the tent as well as provide gross humour and disgust for those camping down wind.
Just a thought.
:lmao: :lmao: My mate takes beanfeast out with him, and its all true!
I eat like a king when in the woods. Try a simple banock mix and add choizo/salami, split in half when done and add cheese to melt through. woodland Pizza on a sat night with a fire and good company, priceless :)
John Fenna
28-07-2009, 22:53
Beanfeast is a sin against nature!
When I was in Ghana it was the staple in our rations and it made me so ill I could not eat it.
I lost 2 stone in a month (no bad thing in itself) and then was evacuated home with intestinal problems (probably due to the nasties in the water not the dreaded Beanfeast).
Disgusting stuff - almost as bad as McDougals dehydrated "food"!
To cook beans in the tin just open the can and put in the fire at the edge. Use a pot grabber (like one from a trangia set or suchlike) to lift them out and stir every now and again. As long as the tin isn't too close to the hotter part of the fire its fine.
For burgers get a grill (or back door metal mat / boot scraper grill thingy). Let the fire burn until you have a good amount of embers. Clear burning stuff from a corner of the fire big enough for your grill. Stick 2 good sized logs spaced apart so the grill can sit on top. Cook the life out of whatever meat products you like. This also works as a good, stable flat surface for pots / pans / kettles.
Does anybody know any ways of cooking burgers on an open fire?
Also, if i wanted to cook a can of beans, could I just throw it on the ashes etc, or would the can melt.
Cheers
All you need is a Train drivers breakfast pan (http://survivalinfo.co.uk/stores/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=17_25&products_id=37&zenid=qc82s56jej8a0g6sh7vhfhr6 h5) Or any metal folding shovel, good for fying bacon eggs and cooking of burgers