Fire Pit Cooking?

[Chingyul]

I was looking to pick up a cheap portable fire pit/pan for the backyard.
It would mostly be for a simple backyard fire, but I wouldn't mind doing some cooking from time to time with some sort of grate.
Was looking through at Can Tire today and most of them state that it's not to be used as a cooking appliance.
Anyone know why that is? Is there actually a health concern?

That said, debating if I get one of these cheapies, or maybe build one of these block/paver ones.

[calgarygeologist]

Shouldn't be used for cooking probably because they are made from cheap steel that uses alloys that could be harmful. The surface coating, paint or otherwise, could be harmful as well.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Chingyul

I was looking to pick up a cheap portable fire pit/pan for the backyard.
It would mostly be for a simple backyard fire, but I wouldn't mind doing some cooking from time to time with some sort of grate.
Was looking through at Can Tire today and most of them state that it's not to be used as a cooking appliance.
Anyone know why that is? Is there actually a health concern?

That said, debating if I get one of these cheapies, or maybe build one of these block/paver ones.

You just want to make sure the material used is food safe and suitable for prolonged exposure to high heat.

You'll want to go with stainless/carbon steel or cast iron that hasn't been coated or plated or galvanized.

My suggestion is to actually get a stainless steel grate but get a big wide carbon steel pan for the actual cooking. It's a pain in the ass when food slips partially through the grate or rolls away, and with a seasoned carbon steel pan you'll be dealing with things sticking far less than you will on a traditional grate.

[afc wimbledon]

Depending on the size you can just grab an old oven rack and use that, bit Trailor Park Boys but it will work and be free

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Depending on the size you can just grab an old oven rack and use that, bit Trailor Park Boys but it will work and be free

this is what we use at the camp. I got some heavy duty tin foil and I lay that over top if I don't want things to slip through. This is a "just for now" solution. I'm looking to buy some cast iron flat top griddles/grills.

[GGG]

I'd suspect it's more due to the lack of drip pans. So any fat that builds up on the bottom of the grill will eventually light on fire, overheat the burners and cause an uncontrollable flame

[stang]

Man homemade burgers cooked over a fire are so delicious! Yum

[bc-chris]

you could always grab a grille made for a weber smoker - they are what come in the smokers and what i use to smoke stuff on

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1000833731.html?eid=PS_GOOGLE_HD+%7C+PLAs_Shoppi ng+%7C+All+Products_All+Products_aud-285174652682la-305700263950&gclid=CjwKEAjwpJ_JBRC3tYai4Ky09zQSJAC 5r7rukeTctK6KV9VtgfBrF1V52DAsGW1vJYtb8MfWRBJ55hoCW mrw_wcB

[Since1984]

You also can grab one of these bad boys at Army and Navy

[Chingyul]

Guessing I wasn't quite clear.
I was going to grab a food safe grill (campers village has a large one for 25)

What I mean was the fire pit says (not to be used as a cooking implement) . That I don't get.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by Chingyul

Guessing I wasn't quite clear.
I was going to grab a food safe grill (campers village has a large one for 25)

What I mean was the fire pit says (not to be used as a cooking implement) . That I don't get.

Because the fire pit is just that, a fire pit, not a material approved to cook food over. They are made for sitting around, not cooking on. The stuff coming off some cheap fire pit is no good on your burgers, steaks, etc...

[stang]

make a rock one.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Chingyul

Guessing I wasn't quite clear.
I was going to grab a food safe grill (campers village has a large one for 25)

What I mean was the fire pit says (not to be used as a cooking implement) . That I don't get.

Why not just get a charcoal BBQ then?

[stang]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Why not just get a charcoal BBQ then?

There's nothing quite like cooking over and actual fire. Especially if you're burning some good wood.

I'll take a pic of our fire pit its rock walls, and we have a cook grate.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by stang

There's nothing quite like cooking over and actual fire. Especially if you're burning some good wood.

I'll take a pic of our fire pit its rock walls, and we have a cook grate.

So use wood instead of charcoal, seems simple enough.

[stang]

Still not the same. I don't know. Just satisfying.

Plus no one has ever sat around a BBQ and drank beers

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by stang

Still not the same. I don't know. Just satisfying.

Plus no one has ever sat around a BBQ and drank beers

Clearly you don't have a smoker.

[stang]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Clearly you don't have a smoker.

Nope. I do need one.

[DoubleF]

I think what OP is saying is this:

- He is getting a portable fire pit
- Pit says not to be used as a cooking appliance
- He is wondering if there's some reason that he shouldn't cook over a portable fire pit (ie: Chemicals), or if it's a bylaw thing or if it's just an ass covering statement for liability reasons by the company

I was reading this site:

http://www.firepit-and-grilling-guru...-fire-pit.html

It seems there are many options where you can indeed cook on a movable or portable pit. If a unit says not to cook on it, I'd consider looking for one that you can cook with or at least doesn't have that type of warning.