Is it a Good Idea to Cook in Your Fireplace?

You’ve seen people in movies cooking over a campfire before and probably wondered, “Hey, can we do that with our fireplace?” The answer is yes, but only if you do it safely and correctly.

Here’s when it’s okay to use your fireplace for cooking, what you can make, and what foods you should skip.

Is Your Fireplace Safe to Cook In?

If your fireplace burns wood and is well-maintained, it can be safe for cooking. Before you start roasting marshmallows or searing steak, though, you need to make sure the fireplace is in good shape.

Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean it at least once a year. Creosote buildup, cracked flue tiles, or poor ventilation can make cooking unsafe and cause a chimney fire. You also need to make sure that you burn seasoned hardwood, not softwoods or treated wood, which can release toxic gases when burned.

Gas fireplaces, on the other hand, aren’t good for cooking. They’re not designed to handle drippings, food particles, or the intense heat fluctuations that come with cooking. Plus, gas fireplaces emit fumes that aren’t safe for food.

If your fireplace checks all the boxes, clean, wood-burning, and well-ventilated, then you’re ready to cook!

Use the Right Tools

If you’re serious about fireplace cooking, invest in a few simple tools:

• Fireplace grate or andirons to hold your logs and create even airflow.
• Cast iron cookware, like Dutch ovens and grill pans, works better on open flames than stainless steel.
• Long-handled tongs and fire gloves are essential for handling food safely and avoiding burns.
• A fireplace screen to protect the living room from sparks and splatter.

What You Shouldn’t Cook in the Fireplace

Some foods are best left for the kitchen. Anything with a high-fat content or that creates excessive drippings can cause a smoky mess, or worse, a chimney fire. Here’s what to avoid.

• Greasy meats like bacon, burgers, or fatty sausage.
• Foods with a lot of sugar, like glazed or marinated items that can burn quickly and produce too much smoke.
• Breaded foods that might drop crumbs or batter into the flames.
• Delicate items like fish fillets or small vegetables that can easily fall apart and drop through the grate.

Also, skip aluminum foil on the flames. It can melt or disintegrate at the high fire temperatures, leaving traces of metal in the fireplace or food. Instead, cook using cast iron or a fire-safe grill rack.

Great Foods for Fireplace Cooking

While some foods are off limits, there are plenty of options that work beautifully in the fireplace. The trick is to think simple, rustic, and hearty foods that can handle a bit of smoke and uneven heat.

Here are some of our fireplace favorites.

Roasted Meats and Kebabs

Skewer small chunks of beef, chicken, or lamb on metal skewers or put them in a cast iron skillet. Rotate occassionally to cook evenly. The smoke adds natural, wood-fired flavor similar to outdoor grilling.

Potatoes and Root Vegetables

Wrap whole potatoes, carrots, or beats in foil and bury them in the hot ashes near the coals. After 30-60 minutes, they’ll come out tnder and smoky, making them a perfect rustic side dish.

Cast Iron Chilis and Stews

Put a cast iron Dutch oven directly over the coals (or on a stand above them) and let it simmer. A hearty stew, chili, or soup makes incredible depth of flavor when cooked slowly over wood heat.

Toasted Bread or Flatbread

Use a long-handled grate to toast thick slices of bread or simple dough into flatbreads. Brush with olive oil or butter, and you’ve got an authentic fire-toasted snack.

Marshmallows and S’mores

This is a classic campfire choice that’s safe and fun, especially for the kiddos! Roast marshmallows using a long skewer and keep them over glowing coals, not open flames, to prevent burning, unless you’re one of those people.

Final Safety Tips

Cooking in the fireplace is rewarding and fun, but you must always prioritize safety. Don’t leave the fire unattended and keep a fire extinguisher and bucket of sand handy just in case. Don’t cook if the chimney hasn’t been inspected or cleaned recently and make sure there’s good airflow in the room.

Once you’re done cooking, let the fire die down naturally. Close the flue only after the embers are completely cool.

Want to Ensure Your Fireplace and Chimney are Ready for Cooking?

Contact the fireplace and chimney pros at Advanced Chimney Sweep in Georgia and South Carolina. We’re a local, family-owned business that’s proudly served customers for over two decades. Whether you need chimney cleaning, inspection, repairs, or anything else, you can trust our certified technicians. Call us today and get cooking!