Autumn in Michigan is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The days are warm but not too hot, the nights are cool but not freezing, and the turning trees are absolutely brilliant. It’s no wonder we want to spend all of our time outdoors.
This weekend, while you’re huddled around your campfire, consider using one of these innovative camping gadgets to help you prepare food over that warm open flame.
BBQ Grill Mat
Turn your grilling surface into the perfect skillet. These lightweight, non-stick mats are great for cooking pancakes, chicken, bacon, or anything else you can think of. If you’re using a public grill that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in a while, these mats are a perfect solution for keeping your food safe. Grill Mats come in a variety of sizes and with different features so do your research beforehand and pick the right mats to fit your needs. Browse the huge selection on Amazon.
Open-fire Popcorn Popper
Popcorn is a crowd-pleaser for all ages, and having the ability to make it over the campfire is a real win-win. A simple Google search will pull up hundreds of options in a variety of sizes and price points. Find one that is lightweight so the kids can help prepare the salty snack. (And once you do, dress it up. Here are a few recipes worth trying.)
Mystical Fire
Wow your neighbors with a bright campfire display. Sprinkle a packet of Mystical Fire into the campfire – after you’ve finished roasting s’mores for the night – and behold the vibrant colors! Visit Mystical Fire’s website to see the show for yourself.
Roccbox Portable Stone Bake Oven
This is by the far the most expensive gadget on the list, but also one you may find you can’t do without. A delicious homemade pizza fully cooked in 90 seconds? Sign us up! And you’re not limited to just cooking pizza in this stone oven – BBQ, veggies, fish, the possibilities are endless! Check out the website to learn how it works. As with everything else on this list, there are a lot of options on the market, so do your research before you buy.
Campfire Tripod
Whether you’re attaching a grill grate or a cast iron pot, you’ll love this tripod. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and takes all the legwork out of outdoor cooking. Simply throw your food in the pot or on the grate and let the fire do the work – you’ll want to stir or flip your food occasionally for even cooking.
Mosquito Repellant Bracelet
Keep those pesky mosquitos at bay with these subtle bracelets. They have a porous band that slowly releases repellant so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of spray bottles or lotions. As an added bonus, you won’t have to smell like bug spray for a whole day. They can be great for older kids, but follow the instructions on the label as they are generally not recommended for infants and toddlers.
S’mores Grill Rack
Achieving that perfect golden-brown marshmallow just got easier with this nifty s’mores rack. Simply place the marshmallows on the skewers and turn frequently for even cooking. While the marshmallows are roasting away, place the graham crackers and chocolate squares on the center rack. The chocolate will be perfectly melted by the time the marshmallows are ready to go. And best of all, you can cook many at a time.