Cooking directly on an open fire

**jonnno** · 29-07-2009, 09:52

I like to cook meat BBQ style on an open fire. I usually use a grill over embers but it can can have variable results. I'd like some sort of system where a grill could be raised and lowered at will.

Any ideas?

**falling rain** · 29-07-2009, 10:04

Why don't you get a cake cooling wire rack?
I got one from Asda for peanuts and instead of raising and lowering the rack, control the embers of your fire. IE scrape a few out of the way if it's too fierce or add embers to boost things up a bit. A small pit or scrape by the side of your fire is useful for burning wood until it becomes embers and then you simply add more or take away from the cooking fire, using the side pit/scrape. Balance the cake cooling rack on logs with a flattened side off each log for stability. Place the flattened side of the logs face down on the earth.

**MagiKelly** · 29-07-2009, 10:11

How about this sort of thing

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=16991

**jonnno** · 29-07-2009, 10:13

Originally Posted by MagiKelly

How about this sort of thing

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=16991

I considered that but it didn't have quite a big enough cooking area. Although I'm after a solution that will also work on a Yukon Firebox and that certainly would..

**lamper** · 29-07-2009, 10:28

I use a grillput collapasable BBQ

and a small metal trowel (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/s...nut-shovel.htm)

Then I just strap a stick to the trowl and scoop out my embers whilst leaving my fire alone.

**HillBill** · 29-07-2009, 10:40

I use a cast iron griddle. The fire can be smaller and you dont need to worry about embers as it can be placed direct over any flame.

**lamper** · 29-07-2009, 10:50

Originally Posted by HillBill

I use a cast iron griddle. The fire can be smaller and you dont need to worry about embers as it can be placed direct over any flame.

Bit heavy though mate? The Grilliput is about 800g and that is heavy imo.

Backpacking light do a Ti grill, but its not cheap...

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ium_grill.html

**Bushcraftsman** · 29-07-2009, 10:52

Originally Posted by lamper

I use a grillput collapasable BBQ

and a small metal trowel (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/s...nut-shovel.htm)

Then I just strap a stick to the trowl and scoop out my embers whilst leaving my fire alone.

Wow that looks really good, how much is it? and do you have any more pictures or a link?

**HillBill** · 29-07-2009, 10:57

Originally Posted by lamper

Bit heavy though mate? The Grilliput is about 800g and that is heavy imo.

Backpacking light do a Ti grill, but its not cheap...

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ium_grill.html

Aye it is heavy. I don't lug it around with me in a rucksack though. I use it at home in the garden and when we use campsites etc, should have said

**lamper** · 29-07-2009, 11:00

Originally Posted by bushcraftsman

Wow that looks really good, how much is it? and do you have any more pictures or a link?

I got my fromt he GO Outdoors website...
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/grillipu...COREACBBGRILL1

but I recently saw some in the sale in Black (although not on the website) for £18.

If you get one, get the bowl as well. well worth it for the beach and campsite you can't have fires on...
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/grillibowl/COREACBFGRILL2

**falling rain** · 29-07-2009, 11:21

Cake cooling racks £1 at Asda. I couldn't find it on their wesite but something lke this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faringdon-25...8862783&sr=1-4
Very light and will fit in your backpack

**Bushcraftsman** · 29-07-2009, 11:33

Cool, definitely getting one!...actually, either that or the DD honey stove.....what do people think?

**lamper** · 29-07-2009, 12:42

Bushcraftsman,

They are both good for different things.

You can't cook for more than one on the honey as bbq. Hence where my grulliput comes in. If its just use, bacon, and eggs (usign a little foil) on the honey is easy

**falling rain** · 29-07-2009, 13:13

Don't forget Asda do cake cooling racks at only £1

**woof** · 29-07-2009, 18:27

I mean no disrespect to those who have, and indeed are happy with the grilliput, but i found them to be awful.

I made my own, which i think is lighter than the grilliput, not as fiddly to put together.

Bushcraftman, if you want one, you can have mine.

Rob

**falling rain** · 30-07-2009, 08:39

Originally Posted by woof

I mean no disrespect to those who have, and indeed are happy with the grilliput, but i found them to be awful.

I made my own, which i think is lighter than the grilliput, not as fiddly to put together.

Bushcraftman, if you want one, you can have mine.

Rob

As a cheap alternative Asda are currently knocking out cake cooling racks......................... for about £1 I think

**lamper** · 30-07-2009, 10:28

Originally Posted by falling rain

As a cheap alternative Asda are currently knocking out cake cooling racks......................... for about £1 I think

You sure you're not head of Asda's Cake rack business development department?

**lamper** · 30-07-2009, 10:41

Just found this page >>>

http://www.touring-gear.com/eshop.ph...104/index.html

Has a good rounded selection what we have discussed and some others.

Take a look at there light weight grills - (http://www.touring-gear.com/eshop.ph...ht-grills.html)

**jonnno** · 30-07-2009, 10:48

Originally Posted by lamper

Just found this page >>>

http://www.touring-gear.com/eshop.ph...104/index.html

Has a good rounded selection what we have discussed and some others.

Take a look at there light weight grills - (http://www.touring-gear.com/eshop.ph...ht-grills.html)

They look awesome. However I think with our collective bushcraft nounce we should be able to fashion a suitable alternative from an Asda wire bun tray that can be raised and lowered.

**Cap'n Badger** · 30-07-2009, 10:54

Ye has t' watch yer fire ain't t' fierce wi' those grillput thingys.......Ifin they gets t' hot...the grill bars bend in the heat.......just an obsurvation from past uses.

**lamper** · 30-07-2009, 11:16

Originally Posted by jonnno

They look awesome. However I think with our collective bushcraft nounce we should be able to fashion a suitable alternative from an Asda wire bun tray that can be raised and lowered.

I really want a Ti version, can only find one though and it £50!

**wildman695** · 30-07-2009, 11:34

not wishing to knock the BBQ enthusiasts but anything cooked over an open fire is carconogenic and should be kept to a minimum for you healths sake, But then I guess the outdoors life is generally unhealthy in any case, living in the damp air surrounded by draughs, insects, fungi, hard beds and questionable water. Why do we do it?

**lamper** · 30-07-2009, 11:42

Originally Posted by wildman695

not wishing to knock the BBQ enthusiasts but anything cooked over an open fire is carconogenic and should be kept to a minimum for you healths sake, But then I guess the outdoors life is generally unhealthy in any case, living in the damp air surrounded by draughs, insects, fungi, hard beds and questionable water. Why do we do it?

It was good enough for a few thousand years before sanitation and modern build techniques!

I'd much rather have fresh game over a fire than meat from the supermarket on a hob!

**jonnno** · 30-07-2009, 11:53

Originally Posted by lamper

It was good enough for a few thousand years before sanitation and modern build techniques!

I'd much rather have fresh game over a fire than meat from the supermarket on a hob!

Much as I love the fresh air I don't half miss my nice, comfy throne when there's a turtle in the departure lounge!!

**John Fenna** · 30-07-2009, 13:13

[QUOTE=wildman695;566683]not wishing to knock the BBQ enthusiasts but anything cooked over an open fire is carconogenic QUOTE]

I read this as I had a smoke after my sunbed session and I got scared.....not!

**gregorach** · 30-07-2009, 14:20

Originally Posted by wildman695

not wishing to knock the BBQ enthusiasts but anything cooked over an open fire is carconogenic and should be kept to a minimum for you healths sake, But then I guess the outdoors life is generally unhealthy in any case, living in the damp air surrounded by draughs, insects, fungi, hard beds and questionable water. Why do we do it?

Open fires themselves are carcinogenic. Of course, you only really run a significantly elevated risk if you spend your entire life cooking over an open fire in an enclosed space every single day.

**hanzo** · 13-08-2009, 05:47

Cooking meat directly on a bed of hot coals is less likely to burn the meat than with a grill. It works great and you don't have to lug a grill with you.

**WolfCrafter** · 25-01-2010, 01:34

Hope this solves the problem of adjustable heat! (prototype!)
http://wolfcrafter.blogspot.com/

**Miyagi** · 25-01-2010, 11:40

Originally Posted by jonnno

Much as I love the fresh air I don't half miss my nice, comfy throne when there's a turtle in the departure lounge!!

We used to call that a Mersey Trout.

**Gill** · 25-01-2010, 13:06

Originally Posted by jonnno

Much as I love the fresh air I don't half miss my nice, comfy throne when there's a turtle in the departure lounge!!

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