It’s officially summer and the warm weather has finally arrived!
Now it’s time to kick back, have fun, and enjoy the outdoor cooking season! There are various outdoor cooking techniques that you can incorporate into your cooking as well as several different utensils readily available on the market that will make your summertime cooking even more enjoyable. In this article, we will discuss our favourite cooking techniques and utensils best suited for outdoor cooking.
OUTDOOR COOKING TECHNIQUES:
1. CAMPFIRES:
Cooking with a campfire, in our opinion, is a life skill that everyone should have. To set up your campfire, choose dry, hardwood that will quickly burn. For safety reasons, choose a spot for the fire that is far enough away from bushes and trees with low hanging branches. Place some fire starter twigs, kindling (newspaper works great) and wood in a pile surrounded by reasonably even-sized stones. You can then light the kindling with a match or lighter.
Using the campfire flames, you can adjust your cooking techniques to cater to your dish. For example, you can suspend your pot or kettle using a tripod, hold your food directly above the fire with a skewer, or cook directly on the fire’s hot coals using cast iron cookware like skillets and dutch ovens. Each method will provide a slightly different cooking experience and flavour.
Cooking with a campfire, in our opinion, is a life skill that everyone should have. To set up your campfire, choose dry, hardwood that will quickly burn. For safety reasons, choose a spot for the fire that is far enough away from bushes and trees with low hanging branches. Place some fire starter twigs, kindling (newspaper works great) and wood in a pile surrounded by reasonably even-sized stones. You can then light the kindling with a match or lighter.
Using the campfire flames, you can adjust your cooking techniques to cater to your dish. For example, you can suspend your pot or kettle using a tripod, hold your food directly above the fire with a skewer, or cook directly on the fire’s hot coals using cast iron cookware like skillets and dutch ovens. Each method will provide a slightly different cooking experience and flavour.
2. FIRE PITS:
A fire pit is most commonly used in peoples backyards. It can be powered using charcoal, wood, or propane. Propane pits usually emit less heat than wood-burning fire pits.
When lighting a charcoal or hardwood pit, you place some sand at the bottom of the pit to reduce the intensity of the heat. You can then place a natural fire starter at the bottom of the pit, arrange your wood or charcoal on top of it and start the fire using a match or lighter.
A fire pit can be used in several ways; you can cook with a pot attached to a tripod over the fire pit, you can use skewers, you can use a grill rack, or you can use a spit to rotisserie meat or vegetables. Do not forget to keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher close by.
3. BBQ & GRILLING:
This name Barbeque is often used interchangeably with grilling although both techniques are different. Barbequing involves cooking foods slowly for a long period of time using low indirect heat. It is commonly used to tenderize tough meats like ribs, pork chops and chicken. Grilling, on the other hand, involves cooking foods at a high temperature using direct heat for a short period of time. It is commonly used for cooking vegetables, fresh steak and seafood. That being said, both techniques will give your food a rich, smoky flavour. It is important to keep the heat regulated in order to prevent the food from getting burned on the outside while it’s undercooked on the inside. Using a meat thermometer will allow you to monitor the temperature of your meat to ensure it is cooked exactly how to like it.
OUTDOOR COOKING UTENSILS
1. BARBECUE FORKS:
A barbecue fork is a long, two-pronged fork used to lift and turn food while cooking. It is commonly made of stainless steel with a wooden handle. The wooden handles are usually long enough to protect the user from the heat, however, it should still be used with caution as meat can lose liquid when it is punctured.
2. BARBECUE SKEWERS:
A skewer is a thin piece of metal or wood used to hold pieces of food together. Metal skewers are often made from stainless steel. Wooden skewers, on the other hand, are usually made from bamboo and need to be soaked in water for close to 30 minutes prior to use to prevent them from burning on the heat. Skewers are used while grilling or roasting meat, fish, or other vegetables.
3. BARBECUE THERMOMETERS:
A barbeque thermometer is used to measure the internal temperature of the meat you are preparing to determine if it is cooked through. The thermometer consists of a pin or probe and a display screen. The pin or probe is inserted into the food, and the temperature is displayed on the screen.
4. BARBECUE TONGS:
A good barbecue tong is essential for grilling. It should have a long arm, soft-touch handles that provide a comfortable grip, and flat rounded ends that offer a secure grip on a variety of food.
5. BARBECUE TURNERS:
Barbecue turners, commonly referred to as “spatulas”, are used to turn, move, and flip food on the grill. They should have a long handle with a flat, rectangular blade at the end. When purchasing a barbecue turner, make sure that the blade is flat and large enough to slip under and securely hold your food when adjusting it.
6. BASTING BRUSHES:
Basting brushes are cooking utensils used to spread butter, oil or glaze on food. The ideal basting brush for grilling should have a long handle, be heat resistant, hold large amounts of liquid, and be able to evenly distribute it. Basting brushes can be made with natural bristles, plastic or nylon fibers, or silicone bristles.
7. BARBECUE TOOL SETS:
If you’re new to barbeqing, it might be a good idea to purchase a barbeque tool set. A basic set usually contains a spatula, basting brush, tongs and skewers. More expensive sets may also provide a meat thermometer, grill brush, grill brush heads, grill mat, corn holders, and a lighter. Depending on what you enjoy cooking, choose a set that will provide you with the utensils you need to properly prepare your meal.
At Unique Restaurant Supplies, we have a wide variety of summer cooking essentials that will help satisfy all of your outdoor cooking needs. Browse our online store today or contact us to learn more.
