Michelle Brandenburg
Extension Educator
Youth Development/4-H
SDSU Cooperative Extension
Campfire Cooking
 Offers a healthy alternative to
“regular” campfire foods
 Can be adjusted to cook at home
 Nutritious
 Reasonably Inexpensive
Objectives
The students will:
 Identify Various Ways to
Cook at a Campfire
 Learn About Nutrition
 Demonstrate Safe and
Accurate Cooking Skills
 Learn About Food Safety
 Learn About Campfire Safety
 Have Fun!
Cooking Options
 On Coals
 Over Fire
 In Stock Pot
 In Dutch Oven
 On Griddle/Skillet
Nutrition
 Offer better alternatives to “regular”
camping foods
 Meet the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations
 Provide healthy after school
snack options
Nutritional Choices
Vegetables
Fruits
Cooking Skills
 Washing fruits and vegetables
 Correct measurements for dry and
liquid ingredients
 Knife techniques and safety
 Use caution when cooking with heat
 Cleanup is everyone’s responsibility
Hand Washing Basics
1.
2.
Water
Soap
4.
3.
Time
Paper Towel
Amount of Time
One Meal
vs.
All Day
Pack Safely
 Use a cooler
 Pack foods in frozen state if hiking
or backpacking
 Skip mayonnaise and other
very perishable foods
Keep Clean
Remember to pack the following:
 Disposable wipes
 Hand sanitizer
 Biodegradable soap
Keep Cold Food Cold
The following items need to be kept below 40°F:
 Meat
 Eggs
 Poultry
 Leftovers
 Fish
 Salads
 Dairy
 Cut fruit
Cook Food Thoroughly
 Ground Beef
160°F
 Steaks, roasts, chops 145°F
 Pork
160°F
 Poultry breasts
170°F
 Poultry
180°F
Avoid Cross Contamination
 Place raw meats in separate sealed
containers
 Do not use the same platter or utensils for
raw and cooked protein
 Do not use the same cutting board for raw
meat and other foods
 Wash hands with soap after working
with raw meats and eggs
Supplies for
Building Campfires
 Wood/charcoal
 Kindling
 Matches
 Lighter fluid
Fire Safety Tips
 Only put lighter fluid on unlit charcoal
 Have items at hand in case an unwanted
fire occurs
•Water
•Shovel
 Only start fires in open, outdoor areas
 Do not start fires in grassy or wooded areas
 Do not start fires in dry areas
 Completely extinguish all campfires
Fire Basics
 Log cabin structure
 Strip wood
 Stir coals to distribute heat
 Allow air movement
 Be careful of tall grasses
 Do not use aluminum, plastic or glass
as kindling
Fun
 All
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recipesreceived
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 Flexible
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 Enjoy cooking
 Enjoy cooking
Helpful Tips
 Use precooked meatballs and ham
 Pre-measure and precut items
 Wet, cold soil makes it difficult to
start fires
 A team project
•1 person to watch the fire
•1 person to watch the preparation and
safety
•Other helpers if possible to assist in
preparation
More Helpful Tips
 Inquire about food allergies and
religious requirements
 Laminate recipes used in making foods
but hand out copies at the end
 Use disposable containers when possible
 Adjust foods so they can cook faster
if time is an issue