Caravan Food: 10 firepit and barbecue recommendations (and a recipe)

Deep down we’ve all got a hunter-gatherer within us, so awaken those primal instincts with some friendly fire and cook delicious caravan food!

Words by Clare Kelly

There’s something hypnotic about watching flickering flames, and even more so when you’re away on tour with friends and family.

What could be simpler than making a fire? Given, your van’s kitchen is probably pretty good, but there’s a magic to be had when you’re cooking outside or just sat around a fire pit toasting marshmallows and enjoying a drink. Here are our fire pit and barbecue recommendations for summer 2019.

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EazyBBQ

This nifty little barbecue makes it dead simple to cook outside and it’s eco-friendly, too. We loved the raised grill, which is ideal for cooking up the catch of the day. Pairing with the pre-packed charcoal box minimises waste and mess and best of all, you’ll only need one match to get the whole thing blazing.

Price £8.99 (for the barbecue), £6.99 (for the lighters)

W eazybbq.com/en/

Of course, before you start calling on your inner caveman (or woman), you’ll need to check the fire and barbecue policy at your chosen campsite to avoid getting into trouble. If you’re not sure, just call and ask.

Ooni Koda Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven

Want quality pizzas that would make a pizzeria blush? Try the Ooni Koda.

This beautifully designed bit of kit will be enjoyed for years and needs no assembly. Once fired up, you can expect top pizzas in 60 seconds. You will be extremely popular on your chosen campsites this year...

Price £244.99

W uk.ooni.com

Thank You For Smoking

If you’re looking for some new and innovative barbecue recipes, this is the outdoor griller's bible. We love the sound of Ginger Garlic Chicken! Despite what you might think, there’s plenty of recipes for vegetarians, too, if anyone in your group is not a meat-eater.

Price £22.50

W amazon.co.uk

Robens Wayne Grill

This lightweight folding grill takes up almost no space or payload weight in the van and is a doddle to use. Made from stainless steel, it’s ideal for garden or campsite pitch.

Price £32.99

W robens.de/en-gb

Outwell Cazal Fire Pit Bowl

Outwell has been making quality camping kit for years and it knows what caravanners are looking for. This fire pit bowl folds up for easy storage and includes a tool for opening it up. Should you wish, there’s a cooking grate for quick grilling. Personally, we just love it for the sheer joy of fire gazing.

Price £37.33

W primaleisure.com

Personalised Apron

We all know someone that thinks they are the barbecue king or queen, so this personalised apron will be well-received and make them feel the part. There are three choices of print colour, and you can be as nice or as naughty as you like with the message.

Price £28

W notonthehighstreet.com

Robens Fire Gloves

These gloves are the real deal, and we challenge you not to feel like a pro when you pop them on. Made of tough leather, they will keep your hands safe when you’re dealing with open fires or hot cast iron.

Price £12.99

W campingworld.co.uk

Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Barbecue

Created by Heston Blumenthal, this barbecue has the professional seal of approval, and we think it looks pretty cute! It’s available in four colours and incorporates a bamboo chopping board, so you can do your prep outside, too. The chrome handles stay cool, so no chance of burning yourself.

Price £149

W fireplaceproducts.co.uk

Dancook 9000 fire pit

This classy firepit is stylish, durable and lightweight. The thick stainless-steel ‘bowl’ is beautifully crafted and the stainless griddle can be left off if you’re not cooking. It has space for a good-sized fire, and, once taken apart, will easily fit in the ’van. Perfect for ’van-side evenings with friends.

Price £159.99

W robertdyas.co.uk

Flamers Firelighters

Firelighting is so much easier with Flamers firelighters.

These little bundles of incendiary joy contain natural wood shavings and fully-refined paraffin wax. They come in packs of 24, 30, 50 or 200. They are natural, odourless, easy to light and have a long burn time.

Price from £3.94 for 24

W certainlywood.co.uk

In the interests of safety, it’s always wise to have a fire blanket and small fire extinguisher with you when you’re away. You’ll find a good selection of fire-safety items at towsure.com

IMPRESS YOUR FELLOW CAMPERS WITH THIS TOP RECIPE

Avery Island Wings

Prep time 10 minutes plus overnight
Cooking time 15 mins
Serves 6

Ingredients

● 240ml soy sauce

● 120ml Dijon mustard

● 120ml water

● 2 60ml bottles Tabasco Sauce

● 1 large whole bulb of garlic peeled & chopped

● 2 tsp peeled and chopped fresh ginger

● 2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

● 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme

● 2 tsp chopped fresh sage

● 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary

● 18 whole, large chicken wings or 24 small wings

Steps

1. Whisk the soy sauce, mustard, water, Tabasco Sauce, garlic, ginger, and herbs together in a bowl. Reserve 120ml of the marinade to be used for basting and sauce.
2. Add the chicken wings and the remaining marinade to a zip lock bag, seal and turn the bag a couple of times to make sure the wings are well marinated. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Fire up your grill. Remove the chicken wings from the marinade, then discard this marinade.
4. Grill the wings over medium-low coals, turning often, until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Cook the wings slowly, so they cook thoroughly before the glaze burns.
5. While grilling, heat the reserved marinade in a saucepan and use some of it to baste the wings a few times while cooking.
6. Cut into one of the wings to make sure no pink remains near the bone, then remove the wings from the grill and serve.

Find more great barbecue recipes at tabasco.com/recipe