by Keith44 » Sun May 15, 2016 9:20 pm
In keeping with my self sufficient mind set, I haven't bought charcoal or propane for the grill for a few years now. Since I'm cutting firewood for the fireplace in the house and the wood stove in the barn it only made sense to add a bit more to cook with. Considering that commercial charcoal is made from various hardwoods (the same stuff we heat with) but then adds binders (glue for a lack of a better example) and accelerants and charges crazy prices for small bags of the stuff. Instead of using that stuff (Oh and I gave up starter fluid more than 20 years ago, can't stand the taste it imparts to food) I just pick out some Oak, Hickory and Cherry, make kindling sized pieces and some larger chunks and set them aside for cooking.
Building a fire sometimes, just for the practice, I use my flint and steel. Other times I use either a couple of matches or if I'm feeling lazy I just grab the propane torch. Outside of ignition source the fire is laid about the same way every time. A couple double hands full of the smallest driest sticks I can find ( I keep a mineral feed bucket full on hand) form a base layer, then kindling sized pieces are placed in a loose pyramid shape over the sticks, leaving room for a burning grass bundle to start the fire (flint and steel) or a loose wad of newspaper (match lit method). Then add larger pieces as the smaller stuff catches fire and starts to burn.
I thought of making this post a little late in the process, but tonight's steaks were cooked over a wood fire lit with a flint and steel.
Ready to spread it out a bit and put the grates in place...then close up the grill and let it come up to temp.
So that's how I do it, hopefully I've inspired some to learn primitive ways of cooking, and perhaps even fire starting.
In keeping with my self sufficient mind set, I haven't bought charcoal or propane for the grill for a few years now. Since I'm cutting firewood for the fireplace in the house and the wood stove in the barn it only made sense to add a bit more to cook with. Considering that commercial charcoal is made from various hardwoods (the same stuff we heat with) but then adds binders (glue for a lack of a better example) and accelerants and charges crazy prices for small bags of the stuff. Instead of using that stuff (Oh and I gave up starter fluid more than 20 years ago, can't stand the taste it imparts to food) I just pick out some Oak, Hickory and Cherry, make kindling sized pieces and some larger chunks and set them aside for cooking.
Building a fire sometimes, just for the practice, I use my flint and steel. Other times I use either a couple of matches or if I'm feeling lazy I just grab the propane torch. Outside of ignition source the fire is laid about the same way every time. A couple double hands full of the smallest driest sticks I can find ( I keep a mineral feed bucket full on hand) form a base layer, then kindling sized pieces are placed in a loose pyramid shape over the sticks, leaving room for a burning grass bundle to start the fire (flint and steel) or a loose wad of newspaper (match lit method). Then add larger pieces as the smaller stuff catches fire and starts to burn.
I thought of making this post a little late in the process, but tonight's steaks were cooked over a wood fire lit with a flint and steel.
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13227086_1424886797536929_2256933005778619092_n.jpg?oh=1cb1c1a5206106c0d8b35600fb0327b2&oe=57DD6B3F[/img]
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13179391_1424886847536924_5456761140615277642_n.jpg?oh=d4237e0b91faf5a7f448aa2b5f47fa1a&oe=57A59CC0[/img]
Ready to spread it out a bit and put the grates in place...then close up the grill and let it come up to temp.
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13256402_1424886914203584_2149608028306650452_n.jpg?oh=04ee30dc56f057ce3d94e37bf8c38762&oe=57D893ED[/img]
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13164492_1424886907536918_992398764748004115_n.jpg?oh=5c33619cfa5047bc8904d1a3784ecd82&oe=57DD69F0[/img]
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13165955_1424886884203587_2559571454394353919_n.jpg?oh=4369401115426f9a8d7d65b13f312273&oe=579EB667[/img]
[img]https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13230271_1424886940870248_7241099061060519544_n.jpg?oh=056cd244db7393a7d907fa2272dfd6a5&oe=57E59798[/img]
So that's how I do it, hopefully I've inspired some to learn primitive ways of cooking, and perhaps even fire starting.
