Camp Cooking FAILS and How to Fix Them

[@leighmatthews6761]

If you don't have a fire trivet you can hammer three tent pegs into the ground amongst the coals to keep camp oven off the coals. Three are easier to get level than four, just keep tapping them until level. Great tips, thanks Harry.

[@PaulMotu]

Cool tip Leigh. Also resolves an issue I have with ‘buying’ another gadget that adds both weight and space issues to our already weighty set up. I carry tent pegs already and large ones for the unexpected winds so also using for the camp oven - “Tick” 😊. One I hadn’t even thought of myself Grrr 😡 LOL 😆

[@mikehodges6598]

Just make sure they're metal tent pegs and not plastic ones ;-)

[@Paddeltroll]

@@mikehodges6598 Aluminium Pegs can also fail...

[@mikehodges6598]

@@Paddeltroll Very true. Would need to be steel pegs, which I don't think a lot of folks use due to weight. Titanium would also work, but I don't know anyone who uses those. Of course, if you're using a cast iron dutch oven you're probably not too concerned about weight so a trivet, along with a lid rest and lid lifter should be a part of your kit IMHO.

[@pouglwaw5932]

I just use 3 rocks or 2 lengths of green wood . A few metal rods to place across them are easy to transport and are a great help for cooking smaller things. Good dutch ovens are priceless.

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

I usually have two fires going when I cook outdoors. One for cooking and the other as a source for coals. It's a heck of a lot easier to keep a steady heat by adding coals to your cooking fire rather than adding wood. And the second fire is nice just to sit around while having a cold one.

[@mudwellies1]

I am wanting to only use wood so would I start a fire and burn to coals using logs. Then my second fire would be more active with flames that I cook over and you're saying to add some coals to that?

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

@@mudwellies1 The second fire is used to make coals for the smoker. Not only does it help regulate temps it also makes for a really clean fire so you dont get the dreaded white smoke. If your wood is really dry like kiln dried wood it's not as much of an issue. If your logs aren't fully seasoned it really helps to avoid that white smoke that makes your BBQ bitter. While I use kiln dried wood I dont particularly care for the lack of flavor you get with it. You get much better flavor with logs that are just on the edge of being seasoned and they require a bit of preburn.

[@mudwellies1]

I don't have a smoker. I have a fire pit that I wanted to burn extra wood in from the acre we own and thought I should try to cook food because it has a grate on top. It's a larger fire pit so maybe Kohl's could be on one side of it rather than two fires

[@TrulyUnfortunate]

@@mudwellies1 Depends on what kind of wood it is. You wouldnt want to use pine. But any hardwood would do fine.

[@thunderingbear777]

Zone fire

[@grantwilliams1742]

I spent my youth around the Camooweal and Urandangi areas of Qld and the Northern Territory, on cattle stations and droving routes sleeping in swags on the ground and eating out of camp ovens. Thank you for your informative shows. They have not only enabled me to relive my 'glory days' of over 40 years ago but your "Tips" have brought back to mind many things that I had forgotten about this form of cooking........Good on you and keep up the good work. Grant 'Bill' Williams.

[@leescooking]

So glad I found this video. I have been trying to master the camp oven. 70% of coals on top and the space between the fire and the camp oven makes so much sense. I too, burnt my first camp oven meal. Do you also heat your camp oven up before adding your protein, i.e. roast chicken? I agree with the garlic and ginger, but when remote camping for weeks on time, I always take some as back up. So nice to find someone who cooks real meals camping. Truth be told I have so much time when I'm camping for cooking. And food tastes so much better in the outdoors. great channel.

[@Jassix-oq3zo]

Hi Harry, my husband and I are just getting into camping and love to cook good food. I have been bingeing your videos for ideas and tips and we look forward to trying them out on our camping trips. Thanks for the great, down to earth videos.

[@darrylwhicker7378]

Binge watching many videos before our camping trip. Your ‘TIPS’ just in the intro video are leagues above other videos I have watched. Great technical explanations which make sense and are easy to follow. Great stuff mate!

[@leanneanderson9300]

I'd love to see some tips that show how much fire wood you generally go through when cooking camp meals. As a family starting out with camping and love camp fire cooking we struggle to estimate the amount of wood needed. Love your videos! Love your recipes. Keep up the amazing work!

[@PaulMotu]

Hi Leanne. We raised our FIVE kids 😮 camping and I am a bit of a minimalist when it comes to my camp fire cooking so don’t like to light massive fires to dwindle down to cooking sized fires so with this in mind two tips I can offer to help you on your journey are: Light your fire on THREE good sized pieces of wood - approximately the thickness of your female upper arm around your bicep. Make your cooking fire on top of these (preferably they are a hardwood like Jarrah etc) and they will burn slower than your main fire. By the time your primary fire is ready to cook on (which in my experience can be started as soon as the main burn has passed it’s peak (you will know this from early experience as to when the fire starts to decline in ferocity and size) these will give you a lot more charcoals for a longer period of time to allow you to cook your full meal including veggies and the meat. The second tip to using this method (my minimalist method) is to also use the Camp Braai that Harry happens to also use. We used different versions in our earlier years (they just went by different names or were home made in my earliest days). These allow you to cook a lot of food (eg all your veggies or all your meat) at the same time and if you use the “turn it every 20-30 seconds” method as I do you can start cooking the meal straight after the peak fire burn period. We now have offloaded the kids and my wife and I travel and cook using the small camp braai (Harry has links to it) which I use to this day. It allows me to cook a LARGE (circa 2.0 - 2.5kg boned out chook which will definitely feed) your mob and IF you rest it circa 15 mins at the end you will NOT regret it. We can feed three adults TWO meals (so one hot dinner for three and one cold dinner another night) using a total of about 6 of the wood sizes mentioned. Three on the bottom and three as part of the primary fire stack. Turning it often (every 20 - 30 secs) is the secret ingredient to the method. Those six pieces of wood then only need the kindling and starter stuff which you will work out to get them burning. Once you’ve gotten that going just wait for the peak fire to start declining and you’ll be good to go.

[@leanneanderson9300]

Thanks guys! Both amazing tips! I've got the camp braai and planning on using it the first time next week. Very excited to give it a go.

[@matthowland3550]

Hey I know it’s a year late but my advice for wood with camping is use red oak/ red gum wood or similar hard wood, it lasts a lot longer and burns hotter. What I do is cut “biscuits” of red wood so basically big chunks of redwood cut into easily stored pieces 🤙🏼

[@drchilapastrosodrlasmacas438]

Try a Dakota fire hole

[@jamespower6950]

After many years of borrowing camp ovens and having no clue as to what I'm doing iv been lucky enough to be given one as a gift and now I'm lucky enough to have seen all your awesome TIPS . Thanks

[@greg174videos]

An outstanding collection of tips from the expert. Many thanks for the time and effort you put into your videos Harry. They are very much appreciated and enjoyed. 🎉

[@kimstrong7434]

Just about to travel off-grid and found your video. EXCELLENT !!!!!!!! I will be watching more as I prepare for the adventure. THANK YOU so much.

[@robmiller3981]

I’ve been using cast iron Dutch ovens and cooking over an open fire for years. I enjoy the challenge of controlling the fire and heat and although I’ve had some failures, I’ve had more success than fail. Thank you for the “TIPS”, I hope you all have a great Christmas and a happy new year!

[@grahamhansen8880]

Harry's bits & tips. Worth the watch. Have a great 2023. Cheers

[@wilsontopine468]

I love any TIPS when cooking over fire. My favorite thing to do when at home. Thanks for the advice

[@OutbackTrekkingGeorgeLeov]

Bloody love this Aussie legend, always has another trick in his back pocket when it comes to cooking while camping. Cheers for the "TIPS" mate

[@troyprice143]

Fantastic tips Harry! We hope you had a great Christmas and New Year mate!

[@markswanson2716]

Great TIPS mate. I love getting out and abaout with the kids in the Landy and go camping. I will definitely be trying your hacks .

[@leeobe]

A good summary of your key TIPS Harry... much appreciated. Cheers Lee

[@benjimintaylor1]

TIPS. I love this guy. I've tried his advice a number of times and he rocks! Thanks for sharing!

[@kadenbrock6298]

All these tips are really great as a beginner fire cooker cheers for the help Harry!

[@03.paulbell]

Great TIPS for cooking Harry,always look forward to your videos,I take a little Weber type of cooker with a smoke box inside,always have fellow campers enquiring about the smell of smoke at camp site,

[@WorknHolidayz]

Love the TIPs mate my family and I are head off round aus this year and are keen to try a few of your recipes!

[@jackmit1584]

Heading out to use my camp oven for the first time this weekend. Thanks for so many helpful TIPS!

[@paulsutton2645]

Thanks for the tips Harry. Especially for the cracked pepper and fresh garlic

[@Rockisland1955]

Harry, this is the first video of yours I've watched. Great "TIPS", seriously I really enjoyed the content! I'll definitely be using some of these in my next offroad adventure.

[@combatwing]

Good TIPS, especially the amount of coals for under the camp oven. And I will be looking at getting a Fire trivet, didn't even know there was one. Thanks

[@tichelleberg1402]

Thank you for the TIPS. Love seeing how other folks use their Dutch oven!

[@revstringbean]

Some great tips here. I'm off to explore your play lists to learn as much as I can about camp oven cooking.

[@EvanKevins]

Loving the "TIPS" - especially the fire trivet. I tried this over NY with great success cooking a crowd pleasing curried cauliflower bechamel pie.

[@THEDIRT4WDcomau]

Hi Harry, Some awesome "Tips" thanks so much for sharing, been camping fro many years but you always learn something new, love cooking on the campfire there's nothing quite like it. Thanks Anita

[@tonyhill3182]

Camp fire cooking is an art. You have made it so much easier. Thanks for the Tips

[@charleshain4623]

Hi Harry, just watched Saturday Arvo’s with you joining them in the Victorian High Country. Now subscribed and have started watching your channel. TIPS - your cookbook would be great to have on trips

[@DamoLawrie]

Top TIPS Harry. Love to cook on the camp fire, especially mid winter in the Flinders Ranges

[@joshmoody3493]

Thanks for the great 'TIPS' Harry.. might have to have a look for a fire trivet i reckon

[@adjato1666]

Thanks for the tips, will absolutely try some out for the next campfire cooking.

[@Tweder6370]

TIPS, I really liked your tips. I am glad I found your channel. Keep the content flowing.

[@dschil0318]

All the good tips! Thanks Harry. I love the tip about getting the fire going early…..a well made and settled in fire is the best 🤙 cheers

[@paulbattley5285]

Thanks for the ‘tips’ mate. Especially liked the part on heat control, I can never seem to get that right

[@drtom5936]

I just found your chanel and enjoy what your are showing. Even at my age you can learn new tips. Thankyou

[@JaminHGrilla]

I appreciate the tips. Too many people settle for ultra basic camp meals for the sake of simplicity and speed. A little bit of extra time creates such a better version of what would have been a basic meal.

[@bradfox3427]

Learnt so many more cooking TIPS from this vid. definitely going to be putting these to use to impress the boys on next camping trip!

[@davelowe7182]

Great “TIPS”, one of my own is a hand held temperature gun to confirm the temp of the camp oven, especially when baking bread. Appreciate all your clips. Cheers

[@rodneyfaulkner7453]

Wow so good to have come across your youtube - I am not a regular camper - but for my work in Exploration we are in remote camps for many weeks - totally looking forward to using your "Tips" On next regional camp -

[@rosswade4627]

Been camping for years and love dutch oven cooking! Awesome TIP about keeping the bottom of the oven off of the coals!

[@GlennAston]

Great list of tips for a late 50's guy who has just started 4wd'ing and camping for the first time since scout and cadet days - its a long way from ration packs and farmhouse stew.

[@adamthompson1347]

Some great "Tips" there mate, solid advice! Really enjoyed the video, definitely will be checking out the rest of the catalogue. Keep up the great vids. Cheers.

[@bengrant3431]

Thanks for the great Tips! Especially the camp oven, learn something new every day.

[@brendanward9358]

I couldn’t agree more with jus about everyone of the fire tips. Growing up in the Great NorthWest, and living coastal… we just love being able to cook in nature. Thnx

[@matthewshaw3865]

Love these videos from our small family over-landing. BTW love the “TIPS” too.

[@marksiegmann582]

These TIPS are great! I've let my son's do most of the cooking at our family camping trip because they know how to do it. It's time I learn myself.

[@1978alliecat]

Thanks for the great TIPS we've learnt something new that we will definitely use on our next camping trip.

[@tobybowden9930]

Thanks for the tips... I love cooking on the camp fire and have been since I was just a kid but have a few things I'm going to try. Thanks alot...

[@MrMishamish]

thanks for the great tips, especially the camp oven ones. I have the exact same oven as you but still learning to use it!

[@Draracle]

Thanks for the all TIPS. I'll be using many of these next time I head out and start bringing fresh garlic and ginger with me

[@lenpage5164]

Thanks for the Tips, Harry. I'll try them next camp-fire season.

[@coreywayne2757]

Great “TIPS” , will try the fire trivet. Actually makes a lot of sense. Been having a bit of trouble with that one

[@FatManWhoGrills]

Very nice trivet, I might have to try to make that. He did give me a turn at first, talking about oven 'hate.'

[@momentsbymagnus]

Thank you for the "TIPS" will adopt a few of those. Would love to get your book, signed would be even better of course.

[@gazza750]

Great TIPS as always. I personally have given up on open fire cooking as so many places do not allow a fire anymore. 2 burner stove for cooking and a jetboil for a cuppa is my goto setup now

[@darksidemachining]

Add a thin layer of water to the cold pan with bacon. As the water heats up and evaporates, the fat will render more efficiently leaving behind perfectly crisp bacon. Pasta can be soaked for a couple hours in just enough water to cover it. After soaking, place it in a pan with heated up spaghetti sauce and mix well. It will be indistinguishable from the traditional method and yet it saves on using the large amount of water and fuel (which might be in short supply when camping) to boil it in the traditional method.

[@stellaholloway6729]

Thank you for the idea !

[@Al1978Newman]

Such awesome Tips here Harry. I can't wait for you to do a Tassie Culinary Expedition!! You've done the cape, now come down south. #OnwardAndUpward #KeepDoingWhatYoureDoing

[@Senkomaniac]

Great and simple TIPS that will definately come in handy. Thanks.

[@flowstateofmind]

Awesome to see so much enthusiasm around camp cooking. Will definitely follow these tips

[@russellwoollett4860]

Harry your cooking shows are awesome. You Even let me merge on the narrows bridge a few weeks ago. Didn’t realize it was you mate until I noticed the orange spots!! Thanks for that . Traffic was terrible 😮

[@billnuttall7281]

i love it when you give us TIPS love watching you on you tube thanks mate

[@Beetlesgonefishin]

Well as noob to camp cooking I need all the TIPS I can get and these ones are just the start , I'll be watching!

[@dannyduggan5309]

Great tips looking forward to cooking better meals on my next trip. Thanks

[@jimgreenwood5360]

Your tips are truly the camp oven cardinal rules. They are based on acquired knowledge. I cooked a large pork roast for Christmas in a Hill Billy spun steel Camp oven that I bought more than 30 years ago. Added a jar of Apple sauce, rosemary, red vein sorrel, fennel leaves, garlic, dried apricots and sultanas, a dash of apple cider vinegar, water and some rice bran oil. As you suggest loaded the lid with charcoal and placed a small amount of charcoal underneath. The camp oven juice made a yummy fruity gravy when run through the ninja. It was fantastic.

[@brett9139]

TIPS... very helpful....TIPS! Great channel, I really enjoy your videos, and I now enjoy the camp cook up more than ever before. 👍

[@joels.80]

Thanks for all the great "Tips". Hope to get your book and learn to be a better campfire cook. Take care.

[@coptotermes]

Some great TIPS there! Thanks for sharing.

[@Wklambert]

Those fire trivets and grids... I have to get me some of them. They look like they pack down really well. They would be a game-changer for my camp meals...

[@earthb67]

That was a great video. Very informative. I know I am very late to the party, but there were some great TIPS in there for all camp fire cooks!

[@PaulHumberstone]

Thanks Harry, some easy to follow tips, I'd love to know what type of wood you use for coals for camp oven cooking?

[@chrismesser329]

Morning Harry Just found your channel. Some great TIPS in there. I will definitely be use some on my next outdoor cook. Thank you Just subbed

[@alo5319]

I tip my hat to you. There are so many simple tips in this video it's amazing. Cheers

[@michaelmacwilliam3370]

Great tips, thanks. What’s your coffee situation look like? Jetboil and an aeropress?

[@kentcartner1612]

Doing this my whole life and thought I was pretty good at it. Learnt a few new things. Cheers. Subscribed

[@petewalker5972]

Thanks for the ‘tips’ in your video bacon was a good tip cooking from a cold pan

[@russellmarker3673]

I have just got given some trivets for my camp ovens, thanks for your Tips on Cooking and heat. I’ll better do some practice before going away.

[@alltheboosted]

Thankyou so informative and yes i did the same first time using camp over burnt the whole meal.... Cheers

[@christianmeisner5574]

Thanks for your tips. i'm on my way to get a real dutch oven fan and now, i hope so, i get a better one.

[@bretthoneyman1280]

Tips! I love camp cooking. Great channel to watch. Thanks mate.

[@davidsammut335]

When I'm camping roughing it I throw it in ,cook ,put in mouth ,n eat ,,you do have some great points thanks for sharing esp the carcigen tips n a couple of other ones ,thankyou👍

[@PaulMotu]

Some great “Tips” there mate! The spacer for the camp oven answers an issue I always had when I saw camp oven cooking being done but one worth mentioning re the rice cooking is wash it, wash it then wash it again GENTLY. Getting rid of all the starch and then prevents it becoming sticky and gluggy BUT if you break the rice by washing it aggressively you will release more starch from the broken grains and therefore will reintroduce stickiness and glugginess again! Great “Tips” thanks mate!

[@winifredchevalier8537]

Tips is the code word. First time watching. Enjoyable. Thanks.

[@CraterBeSilly]

Great "Tips"! I actually took notes. First time watching your channel. I will subscribe and watch other videos.

[@syc008]

Thanks for some awesome tips. Familiar with some from general barbecuing, bu these were genuinely useful. Cheers mate.

[@richardjohnson4052]

I kayak camp, living out of my boat. How do I carry garlic? In an air-tight container or a breathable bag? Wrap it in parchment paper or just let it rattle around?

[@deanwoodbridge6851]

Some cool tips H. thank you. I think I need a trivet. My coals constantly go out.

[@stevematalone2512]

Season greetings and happy new year. Look forward to more great episodes and Tips in the new year

[@MataH1]

So happy to hear someone saying these garlic and ginger jars, as well as powdered pepper, taste rubbish!!! These condiments are so easy to keep and to use, why go for processed! However, no need to salt your water when cooking pasta. The taste of salt fades out unless you add a lot, so it is a better idea to salt your pasta when cooked. Excellent and useful video, thanks!

[@williemasonjohnson]

Awesome tips my man; well said….. It’s all about learning and having fun, that’s my enjoyment! Cheers

[@markroffey5258]

Always interesting to watch and learn new TIPS. Thanks again and have a great New year.

[@Lugnut_93]

Thanks for all the great "Tips" . Appreciate the good cooking advice. Nice channel.

[@jemkara9560]

Awesome “Tips”, especially about the heat distribution. I need to get a trivet…..can’t count how many times I’ve either burnt or under cooked a meal in my camp oven

[@sovereignaussie8627]

Great tips to finish off the year of 2023. Happy new years. Cheers mate 🤪

[@peterribolli8300]

Great tips , I'm keen to give the Dutch oven a run. ( just randomly found your site on utube, excellent. ) Cheers.

[@harryv6752]

From one Harry to another Harry, great tricks n tips. Thanks!

[@Sly_Sarge]

Great tips for not just camping/outdoor cooking but things that could be done in the kitchen as well that often get overlooked!

[@gudgengrebe]

Thanks for doing this. I learned a lot. Makes a nice change from some of the videos you come across!