Fire cooking is quickly becoming the latest trend in the food community. It’s a unique way to bring flavor and texture to dishes that can’t be achieved with conventional cooking methods. From adding smoky flavors to slow-cooked meats and vegetables, this cooking method is as delicious as it is easy.
So what is fire cooking? It’s an ancient form of outdoor cooking that utilizes direct heat from an open flame.
This heat source can come from wood, charcoal, or gas grills, which cook food faster than most other methods. The intense heat allows for quick searing and caramelization, ensuring your meals are cooked perfectly every time! Fire-cooked dishes are also packed with flavor thanks to the smoke created by the open flame, resulting in deliciously tender and succulent meals every time.
Benefits of Fire Cooking
Live-fire cooking is the latest trend for a good reason. This old tradition has multiple benefits, making it an outstanding choice for outdoor and indoor cooks.
Many chefs have found that certain types of food can be cooked over an open fire in ways that cannot be replicated on a stovetop or grill. In addition to imparting smoky flavor, open fires also provide charring flavors and textures that are impossible to create otherwise.
“But is that it..?”
Hell no! Let me show you the rest:
- Flavor enhancement by burning wood, charcoal, or other fuel.
- Increased flavor complexity through charring and spicing foods.
- Faster cooking time due to increased heat from the fire.
- More even cooking through radiant and convective heat transfer.
- Ability to cook foods in ways that cannot be replicated using other methods.
- Healthier food. Live-fire cooking cooks food faster, allowing certain nutrients and antioxidants to stay in the food.
- Live-fire cooking is considerably cheap and easy!
Types of Fire Cooking
There are many different types of fire cooking, each with its distinct flavors and techniques. So what are the types of fire cooking? Let’s find out!
Wood-Fired Grills
Wood-fired grills provide an authentic experience for both amateur and professional cooks alike. They offer a great way to cook over a live fire without using high-tech gadgets or chemical additives.
The basics of wood-fired grilling are relatively easy – first, you select your desired fuel (hardwood charcoal, fruit woods, lump charcoal, etc.), then you build your fire in a single layer on one side of the grill grate. Once your fire is burning hot, move the embers around with tongs or a shovel as needed for even heat distribution.
Smoking
Food is smoked to preserve, brown, or flavor it using different cooking methods. Using this method, food is kept and cooked for an extended period. The essential elements of smoking are layers of hardwood plus a rack raised above the hardwood flame.
Direct Grilling
Direct grilling involves using a hot fire — charcoal or gas — directly beneath your food while it cooks. This quick and easy method produces an incredibly delicious meal that can be enjoyed by your entire family.
Direct grilling requires keeping a close watch over the heat source, so it’s best for experienced grillers who know how to adjust their flame for optimal cooking results. Grilled foods cook quickly at high temperatures, so having the right tools will ensure you get perfectly cooked meats, vegetables, and other items every time.
Invest in a good set of long-handled tongs, spatulas, and other utensils explicitly designed for the grill to keep your distance from the scorching flames.
Indirect Grilling
Indirect grilling is a great way for novice cooks to start their journey into live-fire cooking, as it requires less direct heat than other methods. With indirect grilling, the food is placed away from the heat source to cook at a more moderate temperature.
This helps prevent burning while still providing that distinct smoky flavor that characterizes live-fire cooking. It’s also easy to control temperatures when using indirect grilling, ensuring your food is cooked perfectly every time without any worries of undercooking or overcooking.
Plus, indirect grilling allows you to create various dishes like chicken thighs and vegetables in one go! So why not give it a try?
What Equipment Do You Need?
Several items are needed to create a successful meal, from grills and smokers to wood pellets. A grill or smoker is necessary for slow-cooking food over an open flame.
Charcoal, wood chips, or pellets will provide more flavor, and smoke than gas grills alone can offer. Tools like tongs, spatulas, basting brushes, skewers, and thermometers are also crucial for getting the best results from your food. Safety gloves should also be used when handling hot surfaces or working with fire pits or fireplaces.
Tips on Getting Started
This cooking style uses an open flame to create flavorful dishes with a smoky, charred flavor that has been taking the culinary world by storm. Here are five tips for mastering this art form to get you started on your live-fire journey.
- Safety should always be your top priority when using fire outdoors. Make sure you have all necessary safety items, such as a fire extinguisher and safety gloves, before starting any live-fire cookout.
- Determine what type of fire you want to use for the cookout. There are several types of fires you can choose from, including a traditional grill with charcoal briquettes or wood chunks or a more advanced fire such as a pit fire or a fire in an outdoor oven.
- Choose your fuel wisely; while charcoal may be easier to use in some cases, hardwood is what will give you those unmistakable smokey notes that make live-fire cooking so delicious.
- There are several types of fires you can choose from, including a traditional grill with charcoal briquettes or wood chunks or a more advanced fire such as a pit fire or a fire in an outdoor oven. Set up the fire according to your needs.
- If you are cooking on a grill, light the charcoal or wood and let it burn for several minutes before adding your food. If you have a fire pit with raised edges, start the fire there and add nutrition to it once it has been lit.
8 Cheeky Recipes to Try!
If you’re ready to try it, here are some recipes that will help get you started on your live-fire cooking journey. From sizzling steaks to smoky vegetables, these recipes will tantalize your taste buds and impress your friends and family. You could make something special for date night or host a backyard barbecue with mouthwatering dishes cooked over an open flame!
- Garlic Teriyaki Steak Bites
- Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
- Cheesy Onion Smash Burgers
- Spanish Garlic Shrimp
- Hanging Tomahawk Steak with Garlic Butter Lobster
- Green Chili Salmon Pinwheels
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon with Garlic Shrimp
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Alfredo
Conclusion: Embrace the Trend
Live-fire cooking has taken the culinary world by storm over the last few years, and there’s no sign of slowing down. From grilling to open-flame roasting, live-fire cooking techniques provide a unique flavor experience. With its increased popularity, live-fire cooking is here to stay and should be embraced as an essential part of any cook’s repertoire.
Cooking with fire can be intimidating for some, as it requires careful control of the flame and temperature to produce great results.
However, once you get the hang of it, live-fire cooking can become a skill that will help you create delicious meals like a professional chef. Many tips and tricks are available online or through courses that can guide mastering live-fire cooking techniques.
