Southern Cast Iron – September 2019

As k th e Expert

WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED FOR

COOKING IN CAST IRON OVER

A LIVE FIRE?

Q

:

A:

While it may seem intimidating to cook a full meal over an open fl ame, all

you need alongside your trusty cast iron are a few basic household tools.

Armed with the right equipment and a little information, you’ll have a hot,

deliciously smoky meal to serve your family and friends this fall.

We’ve found that a fi repit with an adjustable grill grate (available at big-box hardware stores

for less than $100) works great, but all our live-fi re recipes can be cooked over in-ground

fi repits as well. The key component is being able to elevate the food about a foot above the

fl ames. This can also be done by elevating a grill grate with rocks, cement blocks, or resting it

on the sides of the pit. Just be sure your setup is secure.

PiCkInG tHe RiGhT CaSt-IrOn CoOkWaRe

Cast iron’s versatility shines when using it over fi re. Almost any form of seasoned cast iron

can work with this cooking method, though skillets and Dutch ovens are the most useful.

We do not recommend using enameled cast iron, as the changing heat and direct fl ame can

damage or discolor the enamel coating. The seasoning should be refreshed on both the inside

and outside of each cast-iron piece once cleaned after cooking over fi re.

TeMpErAtUrE GuIdE fOr BaKiNg wItH CoAlS

A classic cast-iron Dutch oven, which is also called a camp oven , has a fl at lid with a rim

and small legs on the bottom. This allows coals to be placed on top of and under the pot,

creating a miniature oven. The following chart is a guide for using coals to mimic modern oven

temperatures.

Environmental factors such as air temperature, humidity, altitude, and wind can aff ect

the amount of heat generated by the coals. Have extra coals ready in your pit as

needed for replenishment.

DUTCH OVEN SIZE

10 inches TOP

BOTTOM

12 inches TOP

BOTTOM

14 inches TOP

N BOTTOM

um

be

r^ o

f^ C

oa

ls^

to

U

se

3250

13

6

16

7

20

10

3500

14

7

17

8

21

11

3750

16

7

18

9

22

12

4000

17

8

19

10

24

12

4250

18

9

21

10

25

13