Camping is all about cooking with what you have, and there’s nothing better than a cast iron skillet over an open fire. Get the campfire going and let it get hot, then coat your pan in some oil or butter.
If you’re not sure how to use a cast iron skillet over an open fire, we can help! We’ll also teach you other camping recipes that are perfect for using your new favorite piece of camping cookware.
So grab your gear and come on out to the woods with us – we want you to make these delicious recipes too!
Contents
What is a cast iron skillet?
A cast iron skillet is a frying pan that’s made from cast iron instead of steel. This means it conducts heat very evenly, which makes it great for frying food over an open fire. They’re also easy to take care of and last forever. You can even use your cast iron skillet to help start a fire – just stick it in the coals for a while, let it get red-hot, then move it out of the way while you set up camp chairs or something.
Why do people use cast iron for camping?
Many people use cast iron for camping because it’s sturdy, easy to cook with, and cooks food that tastes great. Cooking over an open fire is rewarding – you can’t beat that smoky flavor you get from food cooked this way (and if you do, let us know!). Many campers like to use cast iron pans to make the most of camp cooking, and there are tons of recipes that work well with these pans.
Can you use cast iron on an open flame?
Of course! Many campers like to use cast iron pans for camping because they’re sturdy and conduct heat very evenly, which makes them perfect for cooking over an open fire. If you don’t have a campfire going already, you can always get one started – just make sure it’s nice and hot before you start cooking.
What’s the best way to heat up a cast iron skillet over an open fire?
Many campers use a campfire to heat up their cast iron pans, but you can also use a propane stove if you have one. Just make sure your pan is nice and hot before cooking! One of our favorite ways to get a cast iron skillet really hot is to stick it in the coals of a fire for a while – this gets your pan really hot and ready to use. Just make sure you move it out of the way before you set up camp chairs or anything!
What kind of oil should I use when cooking with cast iron?
All kinds of oils work well with cast iron cooking. Olive oil, vegetable oil, and canola oils all work really well over an open fire. Some people like to use butter instead of other oils – just make sure you coat the bottom and sides of your cast iron pan before you start cooking!
What kind of food is best for cooking with a cast iron skillet?
All kinds of food work well with cast iron cooking. If you want to try a new recipe while camping, a cast iron skillet is a great choice. You can even use your skillet for breakfast – just make some pancakes or an omelet!
What other recipes are good for using a cast iron pan?
A lot of campers like to use cast iron pans while camping for recipes like hamburgers or chicken. You can also cook some veggies or other sides in your cast iron pan, too – just about anything you’d make at home is fair game when it comes to camp cooking!
Can I keep my cast iron skillet after camping?
Of course! Cast iron skillets are really sturdy and work well over a campfire, but they’re also great for cooking at home. If you want to use your cast iron pan again for a real meal after camping, you can do that! Just make sure to clean it up before you cook with it – this means scrubbing the leftover food bits off with water and soap. If you don’t do this, your pan might not turn out as well when you cook with it next time!
How do you cook with cast iron when camping?
You can cook with cast iron when camping in a lot of different ways. Cast iron pans are great for cooking over an open fire, but you can also heat them up on a camp stove if you have one. Just make sure your pan is nice and hot before you start cooking – this helps food get cooked evenly without burning to the bottom of the pan.
What is the best way to season a cast iron skillet?
The best way to season a cast iron pan is by cooking something fatty in it – like bacon, for example. If you cook your favorite breakfast in your pan every day for a few weeks, it’ll become seasoned really well. Once the pan has been used often enough, food will only stick if it’s left on there for too long or if you don’t use enough oil when cooking. You can also buy pre-seasoned cast iron pans which will come with their own nonstick coating already baked in.
Can you season cast iron over a campfire?
You can season your cast iron pan over a campfire, but you should make sure to do this before cooking with it. Many people like to warm up their pans over the fire and rub them with oil once they’re hot – this makes the pan ready to use when you need it.
What happens if you overheat a cast iron skillet?
Cast iron skillets are really sturdy and hard to damage, but you can overheat them if you heat them up too much when cooking. If this happens, the seasoning on your pan might start to break down – which means it won’t be nonstick anymore. You can fix this by scrubbing all of the rough bits off with some soap and water, but it should be avoided if possible.
What should you do if your cast iron skillet starts to rust?
There are a few different things you can do to remove rust from a cast iron pan. Some people like to scour the rust away with steel wool or a metal scrubber, while others prefer using baking soda and water. You can also use steel wool and lemon juice to get rid of the rust if you don’t have any baking soda or soap on hand!
How do you clean a cast iron pan after cooking over fire?
You should always wash your cast iron pan using some warm water and a little bit of gentle soap – this will help get all of the stuck-on food and residue off of your pan. If you don’t wash it with soap after cooking, the next meal you cook could taste like whatever was stuck to the bottom of your pan!
In summary
Cooking with cast iron skillet over open fire is a great way to make breakfast and other simple meals while camping. Just make sure your pan is seasoned well before cooking, and you should be good to go!
