Here is how to cook over a fire pit without burnt outsides and raw middles: build a hardwood fire, let it burn down to glowing coals, set a sturdy cooking grate over the heat, and control temperature by moving food (or the grate) rather than by adding more wood. Cook over coals, not tall flames, and use a meat thermometer instead of guessing. Below is the full method for a wood burning fire pit, the grates and tools that make it easier, and the safety rules from fire pit makers and wildfire experts. If you have a propane or natural gas fire pit, read cooking on a gas fire pit instead; the answer there is very different.
Before you light: rules and setup
- Check local burn rules. Ohio Flame’s safety precautions tell owners to follow local burning codes and contact the fire department for details.
- Pick the spot. The same page says to keep the pit at least 10 ft from walls and buildings, on a hard, level, non flammable surface such as concrete or stone, not on a wood or composite deck, and away from overhanging trees.
- No accelerants. Never use gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid or alcohol to light or relight the fire. Besides the danger, you do not want those fumes in your food.
- Use dry hardwood. Seasoned hardwood burns hotter and cleaner than softwood or green wood and makes better coals.
- Stage your tools first. Long tongs, heat resistant gloves, a thermometer, a sheet pan for raw and cooked food, and a bucket of water or a hose.
How to cook over a fire pit, step by step
- Build a fire shaped for cooking. Smokey Bear’s campfire safety guide lists the teepee and lean-to lays as the best methods for cooking, and the crisscross and log cabin lays for long lasting fires. A teepee catches fast and collapses into an even bed of coals.
- Lift the fire off the ash. A log grate keeps burning wood and embers above the ash so air reaches the coals. The Ohioflame Round Log Grate comes in 14, 18, 22 and 26 in. diameters for 20 to 48 in. fire pits.
- Wait for coals. Let the flames die down until the wood has broken into glowing coals with a coat of gray ash. This is the step most people rush. Tall flames scorch food and coat it in soot.
- Make two heat zones. Rake most of the coals to one side for searing and leave a thinner layer on the other side for gentle cooking. Move food between zones instead of fighting the fire.
- Set and preheat the grate. Let the grate heat for a few minutes, then oil it lightly so food releases.
- Cook, then check doneness with a thermometer. Fire heat is uneven, so color is a poor guide. Use an instant read thermometer and the USDA’s safe minimum internal temperature chart for meat, poultry and fish.
- Feed the fire carefully. If you need more heat for a long cook, add a split or two to the hot side and let them burn down before cooking over them. Ohio Flame warns not to overload the pit and says if any part of the fire pit glows red, it is overloaded.
Fire pit cooking grate options we carry
A grate turns a fire pit into a wood fired grill. The key differences are fit, height adjustment and surface. All prices are our current listed prices; variable products are listed from their lowest option.
| Grate | How it fits | Listed details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohioflame MARS Steel Cook Grate | Sits in the MARS adapter ring on Patriot and Liberty pits | 3/16 in. thick steel, 1/2 in. openings, season like cast iron, made in USA | $224.94 |
| Ohioflame MARS Steel Wok Grate | MARS ring | Removable 12 in. center to seat a wok or round pan | $244.94 |
| Ohioflame MARS Fire Pit System | Adapter ring for 24, 30 and 36 in. Patriot and Liberty pits | Swap between fire pit, cook surface and table top | $234.94 |
| StarBBQ Outpost Dual Griller | STARBBQ 24 in. bases, or standalone in brick pits and over open fires | Two round racks that swivel and adjust in height; 304 stainless posts | $475.00 |
| StarBBQ Diamond Grid Grate Insert | STARBBQ 24 in. bases, or standalone | Expanded metal mesh keeps small food from falling through; dual handles | $97.00 |
| YardCraft Urban Fire Rectangle Grate | YardCraft Urban Fire collection | Stainless steel with handles to slide it toward or away from the heat | $59.00 |
Fixed grate vs adjustable height
A fixed grate like the MARS cook grate sits at one height, so you control heat by spreading or piling coals and by moving food across the surface. A swivel, height adjustable grate like the StarBBQ Outpost lets you raise food away from the heat or swing it off the fire entirely, which is handy for thick cuts and for keeping food warm. If you already own an Ohio Flame pit, the MARS ring is the clean fit; our Ohioflame fire pit review covers the Patriot and Liberty sizes it matches.
Seasoning a steel grate
Ohio Flame ships its MARS cook and wok grates shot blasted and ready to season with canola or flax oil, like a cast iron skillet. The listing warns that, as with cast iron, they need seasoning and care or rust will set in. After cooking, scrape the grate while warm, then wipe on a thin coat of oil once it cools.
Tools that make fire pit cooking easier
- Long tongs and a poker. The Ohioflame Fire Tools Package pairs a 34 in. poker with 30 in. campfire tongs for moving logs and coals. These are heavy duty, hand forged tools (Ohio Flame notes its tongs weigh about 10 lb), so they are for the fire, not for flipping burgers. Use regular grill tongs for food.
- Cast iron. A skillet or Dutch oven on the grate gives you a steady surface for eggs, vegetables and cornbread.
- A thermometer. The single most useful tool for food safety over live fire.
- Heat resistant gloves. Ohio Flame recommends gloves or hot pads when handling fire pit accessories.
What to cook over a fire pit
Start with foods that forgive uneven heat and cook quickly:
- Skewers and kebabs, cut into even pieces.
- Burgers, sausages and thin steaks on the grate.
- Foil packets of vegetables or fish set right on the coals’ cooler edge.
- Stir fry in a wok on the MARS wok grate.
- Classic s’mores and hot dogs on roasting sticks, held over coals rather than flames.
Picking a wood fire pit for cooking
For regular cooking, a heavy steel pit with a wide bowl gives you room for two heat zones. The Ohioflame Liberty Fire Pit comes in 24 to 48 in. diameters with bowl depths from 7.5 to 14 in., and the Ohioflame Patriot Fire Pit comes in the same diameters; both are listed as American made from 3/16 or 1/4 in. steel with a rain drain. Browse all models on our Ohioflame brand page, and see our fire pit buying guide for sizing and materials.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook directly on a fire pit?
Yes, with a wood burning pit and a proper cooking grate. Cook over coals rather than flames, and use a grate designed to fit your pit so it sits securely.
What is the best wood for fire pit cooking?
Dry, seasoned hardwood. It burns down to long lasting coals with less smoke than softwood or green wood. Never cook over treated lumber, painted wood or trash.
How long should the fire burn before cooking?
Until the flames have died down and the wood has become glowing coals covered in gray ash. The time varies with wood and fire size, so watch the fire rather than the clock.
How do I put the fire out after cooking?
Smokey Bear’s method is drown, stir, drown and feel until everything is cool to the back of your hand. Our how to extinguish a fire pit guide explains the options for steel pits.
Need help matching a cooking grate to your fire pit? Call The Everything Depot at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and returns follow our return and refund policy.
