open fire cooking

Here at Warrior Garden, open fire cooking is the art of preparing food in a primal fashion directly over flame or embers. Preferably using wood but charcoal or natural fuel also work to create high heat and a smoky flavour that no modern appliance can replicate.

At its simplest, a firepit and grill are enough. For more ambitious setups, wood-fired ovens, tripods, and cast iron pans give versatility for roasting, baking, searing, and slow cooking.

Cooking over fire creates unique flavour, strengthens outdoor skills, and turns meals into a social ritual. It also connects us to traditional methods of food preparation that emphasise patience and craft.

Yes but fire in all its forms requires vigilance and respect. Start simple with a firepit or grill. Always use dry hardwood, manage the flames carefully, and cook over glowing embers rather than uncontrolled flame. Many of our products are designed with beginners in mind.

Hardwoods like oak, ash, and beech burn hot and long, creating clean embers ideal for cooking. Softwoods should be avoided as they burn too fast and can produce resinous smoke. Avoid all treated timbers as they contain nasty chemicals that will contaminate your food.

Clean with hot water and a stiff brush, dry thoroughly, and lightly oil the surface to protect the seasoning. Never soak cast iron, put it in a dishwasher or hand wash with soap. With care, it will last a lifetime. Take a look at our own cast and spun iron specific resources

Yes. Wood fired ovens and firepits are built for outdoor use, and with covers they withstand British weather and with shelters they can be used whenever the fancy takes you. Many Warrior Garden customers cook outside all year, even in winter and we strongly encourage it to really get in touch with the spirit of our ancestors!

Definitely. Using responsibly sourced wood and durable equipment reduces reliance on disposable fuels and short-lived appliances. Wood fired cooking encourages slower and purposeful meals which means less chance of food waste.

Because it embodies resilience, tradition and the shared ritual of food around flame. It connects modern warriors to ancestral skills while bringing people together in the present. We consider it to be a form of therapy and a simple but effective way of calming the mind whilst feeding the soul. Not to mention the fact that no food cooked any other way even comes close to the flavour that open flames provide. Check out our Field guide entry 003: Fire, the first tool

Different styles and cultures are our passion and we're forever looking to expand our collections. From wood-fired pizza ovens by Clementi & Igneus, to hand-forged fire pits and tripods from The Firepit Co. to the unique cast iron Chapas and pans from Netherton Foundry our range covers every style from searing to baking, roasting to simmering. Why not check out our Warrior's Feast blog for some ancestral and modern open fire cooking inspiration

Always cook over glowing embers rather than uncontrolled flames, keep water or sand nearby, and never leave a live fire unattended. Use dry hardwood only as it burns clean and safe. Warrior Garden's collection of carefully curated equipment is designed for stability and durability outdoors.