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Writer's pictureSoo Hammond

Campfire Cooking: How to look after your Cast Iron Cookware.

Updated: Sep 17


Are you planning a camping trip and want to experience the fun of cooking over a campfire?


Cast iron cookware is the perfect choice for campfire cooking its durable, heat-resistant, and can produce amazing flavours. At Top of the Woods in Pembrokeshire Wales, all our glamping accommodation have firepits / BBQs for you to experiment with outdoor campfire cooking.

Campfire cooking in the glamping Pioneer Camps at Top of the Woods in Pembrokeshire Wales
Have you ever tried campfire cooking? have a go at Top of the Woods in Pembrokeshire Wales

Our glamping Pioneer Camps are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience authentic outdoor camp cooking like the pioneer adventurers of old! There is a fully self-catered outdoor camp kitchen with a gas stoves, firepit & a BBQ that include cast-iron cook wear.


Plus a super comfy and spacious camping lodge with a wood burner real beds with luxourious bedding. Your glamping holiday adventure where your family and friends can discover their frontier spirits without any of the hardship!


Luxury glamping in the Pioneer Camps include a firepit & BBQ area fully self catering outdoor camp kitchen and a lodge
The Pioneer Camps include a firepit/BBQ area fully self catering outdoor camp kitchen and a lodge .

In the pioneer camp kitchen, there is cast iron Dutch oven great for making campfire stews or curries. A frying pan, for cooking the perfect breakfast fry ups or making campfire pancakes it can also be used to bake simple bread over the campfire to go with your stew. There is a grill/skillet for BBQing those tasty burgers and sausages and a smaller cast iron pan for heating up what you need as accompaniments.


Welsh Crempog (Welsh pancakes) cooked over a campfire in the glamping Pioneer Camps
Welsh Crempog (Welsh pancakes) cooked over a campfire in the glamping Pioneer Camps

Cast iron cookware is brilliant to cook with over an open campfire fire, its robust and manage heat to get the best cooking flavours.


Welsh Cawl cooked over an open fire in a Dutch Oven at the glamping Pioneer Camps
Welsh Cawl cooked over an openpfire in a Dutch Oven at the Pioneer Camps

Why Cast Iron?

  • Robust: Cast iron cookware is built to last. It can withstand hot temperatures and rough conditions, so you do not have to worry about damaging then when cooking over a campfire.

  • Flavour: Cooking with cast iron can enhance the flavour of your food. The iron can react with acidic ingredients, adding a unique taste and with the smoky wood flavour from the campfire it makes everything super tasty!

  • Versatility: Cast iron can be used for a variety of cooking tasks, from frying to baking.


To get the best out of your cast iron there is a couple of tricks you need to know. Cast iron cookware functions best when it is “seasoned,” which seals the surface to make it almost totally non-stick and your food does not stick to the pan.  Remember a well-cared for Dutch oven becomes a sleek, black, smooth, and shiny non-stick multi-purpose cooking implement, which can last a lifetime if looked after properly and is one of the best pieces of cooking equipment to take with you on any camping holiday adventure.

Check out our step-by-step guide to getting started with your cast iron pans. 


Our bushcraft expert John Fenna says:

"It’s so easy to do, they even let the men wash up :-)"



Getting Started with Cast Iron


  1. Cleaning: Before using your cast iron cookware, clean it with hot water and a chain mail mitt. (this is supplied in your cooking kit - yes, I mean chain mail as in medieval armour!) Avoid using soap or detergent.

  2. Seasoning: Seasoning your cast iron cookware is essential for preventing food from sticking. To season, apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the inside of the pan with kitchen paper and heat it over an open fire/ gas stove until it starts to gently smoke, there should be no oil pooled oil in the bottom of the pan. The pan should look a shiny and glossy on the inside where you have spread the oil with the paper.

  3. Cooking: Once it is gently smoking the oil will be sealing the pan i.e. “seasoned” and ready to use for frying, baking & BBQing. Remember never leave any hot pan unattended or near open fires especially around children or dogs.

 

Tips for Cooking with Cast Iron


  • Heat Control: Cast iron heats up slowly and retains heat well. Adjust the heat accordingly to prevent burning.

  • Protection: Always handle the cast iron pans with the fire gloves provided in the outdoor camp kitchen! Not just with a tea towel.

  • Care: After use, clean your cast iron cookware with hot water and a stiff brush. Avoid using harsh detergents or scouring pads.

 

Book your stay at Top of the Woods Pioneer Camping today and experience the ultimate glamping and outdoor cooking adventure, in Pembrokeshire Wales!




 

 Top of the Woods Provides the Best Eco Luxury Glamping & Camping Holidays in Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay in Wales, UK. Sustainable Staycations. Beaches. Nature. Woodlands. Dog Friendly.

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