How to Make the Perfect Steak Over a Fire

Hot dogs and marshmallows are always a staple of camping, but when you’re a big glamper, you’re likely packing something more along the lines of steak. And nothing is worse than a burnt-to-a-crisp steak on a campfire. Luckily, we know just the right steps to making the perfect steak over a fire. Check ‘em out here.

The Cut Matters

First things first, you need a steak that is going to cook well on a hot flame. A thin steak will likely fry too quick, so you need something around the 2-inch thick mark. A nice full-bone rib eye is perfect for the occasion as the bone will absorb some of the heat for even cooking.

Avoid Salting

Did you know that salt will suck out moisture from your steak and dry it out? Avoid seasoning until you put it on the grill.

Bring a Grate

A small grate is needed to put the steaks on overtop of the campfire. This will ensure even heat is distributed. Also, don’t forget to bring long tongs so you don’t burn your hands.

Design the Fire

To cook the perfect steak, you’ll need to design a fire that will produce a nice sized flame and even heat. And when it comes to wood selection, hardwoods make better fires for cooking so if you can find maple or oak in the area this will do the trick. The wood also needs to be dry as wet wood gives off steam. To build a fire, we recommend creating a trench fire that places the logs close together and lets oxygen build up between. You’ll also want your rack to sit about 2 inches over the top; this will allow the heat and flame to rise without burning it to bits. Last but not least, we recommend using a Qwick Wick fire starter to get it lighted fast and evenly and to stay lit the whole time.

Sear the Steak on High Heat

Find the area of the fire that offers high heat. Sear the steak for a few minutes on each side. This will help produce that mouth-watering steak flavour.

Move to Low Heat

Before you fry the steak too long, move it over to the cooler section of the campfire. If you have a thermometer, frequently check it until the steak reaches the desired temperature.

Let it Sit

Give the steak anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes to rest. This will allow the fats and steak juices to mix giving it the perfect flavour.

And that folks, is how you get the perfect steak during your camping trip. But as we said, the cut matters and so does the firestarter. Having your fire go out halfway through cooking your steak will only ruin it. Don’t run that risk and get Qwick Wick to keep your fire going the whole time!