The Complete Buyers Guide To Campfire Cooking Gear

Nothing beats the satisfaction of cooking a meal over an open fire after a long day of exploring Australia’s incredible landscapes. Whether you’re watching the sunset at Uluru, camped beside a pristine beach in Western Australia, or settled in for the night at a remote bush camp, campfire cooking connects you to the landscape in a way that gas cooktops simply can’t match.

The right gear makes all the difference between a memorable campfire feast and a frustrating smoke-filled disaster. You’ll need equipment that can handle the heat, withstand the elements, and pack down efficiently for months on the road. From cast iron Dutch ovens that create perfect roasts to lightweight grills that fold flat in your storage box, the options are vast and varied.

This guide covers everything you need to create amazing meals over coals, from basic cooking implements to specialised accessories that’ll have you cooking like a camp chef. We’ve tested gear across desert camps, coastal sites, and mountain retreats to find what actually works for Big Lap travellers.

Cast Iron Dutch Ovens

Dutch ovens are the kings of campfire cooking. These heavy-duty pots with tight-fitting lids create an oven-like environment using coals above and below, perfect for roasts, bread, stews, and even desserts. The thermal mass of cast iron provides even heat distribution that’s impossible to achieve with lightweight alternatives.

The 12-inch size handles meals for 4-6 people comfortably, while 10-inch models work well for couples or smaller groups. Look for models with legs that elevate the pot above coals and a flanged lid that holds coals on top. Pre-seasoned options like the Lodge models ~$180 save you the initial seasoning process, though they cost more than raw cast iron alternatives.

Weight is the main consideration for Big Lappers. A quality 12-inch Dutch oven weighs 6-8kg, which adds up quickly when you’re watching payload. However, the versatility makes them worthwhile for extended trips. You can roast whole chickens, bake bread, make stews, and even cook pizza with the right technique.

Portable Camp Grills

Grills give you direct control over cooking temperature and work perfectly for steaks, sausages, vegetables, and fish. The best camp grills balance cooking surface area with packability, and most importantly, they need adjustable height to manage heat zones effectively.

The Snow Peak Large Grill Bridge ~$320 represents the premium end of camp grilling. Its stainless steel construction resists rust in coastal environments, and the adjustable legs let you fine-tune height over coals. The large cooking surface handles family meals, though the price reflects the Japanese build quality.

For budget-conscious travellers, simple folding grills from camping stores work adequately. Look for models with chrome-plated cooking grates that clean easily and won’t rust as quickly as plain steel. The Companion Folding Camp Grill ~$45 offers decent value with a 40cm x 30cm cooking area that folds to briefcase dimensions.

Adjustable height matters more than you might think. High positions work for searing and quick cooking, while lower settings provide gentle heat for larger cuts that need thorough cooking. Some grills offer swing-away designs that let you add wood or adjust coals without removing food.

Essential Campfire Cookware

Beyond Dutch ovens and grills, you’ll need pots, pans, and utensils designed for open fire cooking. Cast iron skillets, enamel cookware, and stainless steel pots each offer different advantages depending on what you’re cooking and how much weight you can carry.

Cast iron skillets excel at searing steaks and cooking anything that benefits from high, even heat. A 12-inch Lodge skillet costs around $85 and will outlast your caravan if properly maintained. The main drawbacks are weight (2.3kg) and the need for careful cleaning and oiling to prevent rust.

Enamel cookware offers a good compromise between performance and practicality. Falcon Enamel billies ~$65 for a set clean easily, don’t require seasoning, and stack efficiently. The enamel can chip with rough handling, but quality pieces last for years of camping.

Stainless steel pots work well for boiling water, making pasta, or cooking rice. They’re practically indestructible and clean easily, though they don’t distribute heat as evenly as cast iron. The MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot ~$45 offers good value with a non-stick interior and folding handles.

Tripods and Cooking Stands

Cooking tripods and stands give you precise height control and stable platforms for heavy cookware. They’re particularly useful for Dutch ovens, large pots, and situations where you need to cook multiple items simultaneously over the same fire.

The Ozpig Tripod ~$165 represents serious campfire cooking equipment. Its powder-coated steel construction handles heavy loads, and the adjustable chain system lets you raise or lower cookware with millimetre precision. The legs telescope for compact storage, though it still requires significant storage space.

Simpler swing-arm stands offer good functionality at lower cost and weight. The Companion Campfire Cooking Stand ~$85 provides a stable platform with swing-away arm that lets you move pots on and off the fire easily.

For travellers who want maximum flexibility, modular systems like the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp ~$280 work over campfires, gas burners, or standalone. The interchangeable cooking surfaces include griddles, grills, and pot supports, though the complexity and cost suit dedicated camp cooks rather than occasional fire users.

Fire Management Tools

Managing coals and maintaining proper cooking temperatures requires the right tools. Long-handled implements keep you safe from heat and flames, while coal rakes and shovels give you precise control over your cooking environment.

A coal rake lets you spread coals for even heat or pile them for intense cooking zones. The Companion Coal Rake ~$25 offers good build quality with a 90cm handle that keeps you well away from heat. Look for models with welded construction rather than bolted connections that can loosen with use.

Heat-resistant gloves protect your hands when working close to fires. Leather welding gloves work well and cost around $20, though purpose-made barbecue gloves offer better dexterity. The Weber Premium Barbecue Gloves ~$35 handle temperatures up to 280°C and allow enough finger movement for detailed work.

Cooking Accessories

The right accessories transform basic campfire cooking into gourmet outdoor dining. From pizza stones that create wood-fired pizza to coffee percolators that brew perfect camp coffee, these extras add variety and sophistication to your campfire meals.

Pizza stones designed for campfire use create restaurant-quality results over coals. The Lodge Cast Iron Pizza Stone ~$55 fits inside 12-inch Dutch ovens or works directly over a grill grate. The cast iron construction distributes heat evenly and develops seasoning that improves with use.

Coffee percolators bring the ritual of camp coffee to your campfire. The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Percolator ~$65 brews 8 cups of coffee over coals or gas flames. The stainless steel construction won’t rust and the clear glass top lets you monitor brewing strength.

Dutch oven liner bags simplify cleanup for messy dishes like chilli or curry. These food-grade bags withstand high temperatures and prevent food from sticking to cast iron surfaces. While some purists prefer cooking directly on seasoned iron, liners save significant cleaning time on extended trips.

Rib racks elevate meat above direct heat for slow, even cooking. The Weber Rib Rack ~$35 holds multiple racks vertically for maximum capacity and works in large Dutch ovens or over grill grates.

Safety Equipment

Campfire cooking involves open flames, hot surfaces, and potentially dangerous situations. Proper safety equipment protects you from burns, controls fire spread, and ensures you can handle emergencies confidently.

Fire extinguishers and fire blankets provide essential protection when cooking over open flames. A 1kg dry powder extinguisher handles most campfire emergencies, while fire blankets smother grease fires that water can’t control. Store both in easily accessible locations near your cooking area.

Burn dressings like Burnshield Hydrogel Dressings ~$15 provide immediate cooling relief for burns. The hydrogel continues cooling for hours and won’t stick to skin like conventional bandages. Include several in your first aid kit specifically for campfire cooking incidents.

Heat-resistant surfaces protect tables and benches from hot cookware. Silicone trivets withstand high temperatures and pack flat, while thick wooden boards provide traditional charm with good heat protection. The Lodge Silicone Trivet Set ~$25 includes two sizes that handle most cookware.