Can you cook on a fire pit? Chefs reveal 4 ways to cook more than s'mores

As the weather gets colder, many of us will be turning to a trusty fire pit to keep us cozy on chilly fall nights. A fire pit is a great way to use your garden even as the temperatures begin to drop, providing rustic warmth that can keep a gathering going long into the evening.

The best fire pits are also versatile because you can use them to cook. However, you don't have to stick to tried-and-tested campfire food like s'mores or marshmallows on sticks.

I spoke to a chef and a grilling expert about how to cook on a fire pit, and they gave me four simple methods. With these techniques, the humble fire pit can rival even the best grill.

1. Cook using a grill grate

The best way to cook over a fire pit is to use a grill grate. With a grill grate, you can cook anything you can usually cook on a grill. It's exactly the same process as grilling, so you can make burgers, hot dogs, and anything else you like to grill.

Grilling expert Kita Roberts says 'To use a grilling grate on a fire pit, measure the fire pit and purchase a grilling grate that will cover the available surface from edge to edge.' These are easy to find on Amazon or in camping stores. You can also use a campfire grill like this from BBQ Guys, but this can be a little limited if you want to cook for a lot of people.

The most important thing is to make sure the grill grate is above the fire, not directly on top of it. If your grill grate is on top of the fire, your food will get sooty and taste like ash.

Most fire pit grates have legs or spokes to keep them above the fire, but you don't need this. Kita suggests 'If your fire pit doesn't have a lip that is tall enough to hold the grate above the heat, consider using cinderblocks stacked on either side to hold the grate over the heat.'

With that sorted, the process is the same as cooking on a grill. Chef Rich Parente says 'Let the grill grates preheat before cooking, make sure they’re clean, season with a bit of oil and you’re ready to go.'

Kita Roberts

Kita is an expert in all things grilling, and runs 'Girl Carnivore', a recipe and meat news website.

2. Pans and skillets

You are not just limited to grilling on a fire pit. You can use pans, skillets, and woks to cook things that would otherwise fall through the gaps in a grill grate.

Chef Rich Parente says 'A pan can go right on top of the grill grate, the same way it would on a regular stovetop.' You don't need to do anything fancy, just place it over the top of the grill grate.

Kita told me that this gives you great control: 'You can move the pan from side to side to control the temperature a little easier.' This is especially great for making steak - you can pan-sear it in garlic or rosemary butter, making for a juicier steak than if you just grill it over the fire.

The only thing to bear in mind is that you should use a cast-iron skillet or pan. This is because the coating on nonstick pans can break down at high heat. Not only will this break your pan, but it's toxic and could cause health problems. That's why Kita says 'I only recommend heavy-duty cast iron for cooking over an open fire if you need to use pots and pans.' Cast iron is much more durable. Plus, you can get them really hot for cooking meat. Kita says 'You can lay them right over the coals and let them get hot for high-heat searing.'

3. Dutch oven

You don't even need a grill grate. It takes a little more effort, but another great way to cook on a fire pit is with a Dutch oven. There's a couple of ways you can do this. The first is just like the other methods above. Rich Parente 'You can use a pot or Dutch oven with a fire pit the same way you would use a pan.'

However, you have another option. You can suspend the pot over the fire to cook with it. Rich says 'If the pot can hang, then you can also buy a tripod or build one with sticks so it can sit over the open fire and boil away.' You can find cheap tripods on Amazon.

If you don't want the hassle of a camping tripod, you have another option. Kita says you can 'Nestle your Dutch oven on the side of the fire and rotate it occasionally to avoid burning as comforting dishes like chili or beans cook inside.'

If you need a Dutch oven, our tests show that Le Creuset or Staub Dutch ovens are best but the Our Place Perfect Pot is an acceptable alternative on a budget.

4. Wrap food items in foil

Finally, for a simple method that doesn't need any new equipment, just use foil. It doesn't get easier than this - just wrap whatever you're cooking in several tight layers of foil and put it straight in the fire.

It takes a little trial and error because you can't monitor the food as it cooks, but it's a simple way to bake salmon or potatoes. It's not as versatile as other methods, but it tastes just as good.

FAQs

What should I use as fuel in my fire pit?

If you're going to cook in your fire pit, make sure you use food-safe wood. Firewood expert Leroy Hite says 'I recommend a high-end hardwood firewood. Hickory wood is great for a bolder flavor and does well with steaks and other red meat. Pecan and cherry woods are more subtle and impart a sweet, slightly nutty flavor to proteins and work well with pork and chicken.'

The fact that you can cook on a fire pit is one of things that makes it more versatile than a patio heater. However, cooking over an open fire isn't always the safest. Chef Parente has a great tip - you can use leather welding gloves or grill gloves so that you can grab hot foil out of the fire.