ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR OUTDOOR COOKING
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE PERFECT OUTDOOR MEAL WITH SMITHS CONSUMER PRODUCTS
BY: ROY HEILMAN
Outdoor enthusiasts know one thing to be true anywhere, anytime: nothing tastes better than after it’s cooked over a fire. From morning coffee to midnight snacks, a bed of coals in the woods makes it better than our stoves at home ever could. Fortunately, whether in hunting camp, a picnic spot, drive-in campsite, or a far-flung shore, there are only a few tools needed for making those culinary dreams come true.
VERSATILE GEAR FOR THE WIN
Because there is often limited room for gear on our outdoor adventures, one key attribute is versatility. Items that can perform multiple tasks are invaluable, because gear capacity and weight are often at a premium.
TRIPOD GRILLS
A great example of versatility is tripod grills [like those made by Coleman or Coghlan’s]. They can be used for direct grilling of foods, or to suspend cookware like kettles and pans over the fire. The circular grate is suspended between three legs, which also makes it self- leveling. It can also be raised and lowered according to the fire’s condition and cooking needs. Need more heat? Lower it down nearer the coals. Want to let things simmer or simply keep warm? Raise it up again.
FILLET KNIVES
Despite their name, fillet knives can be exceptionally versatile. In addition to making whole fish into smaller, boneless parts, they can be used to prepare other meats. Like de-boning pork chops or trimming fat or sinew from cuts of beef or venison. Flexible, nimble blades carve easily around bones and cartilage. Their thin profiles are also excellent for slicing vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms. This is especially true for many delicate wild mushrooms, like maitake, morels, and chicken of the woods.
A great all-around choice is the Mr. Crappie 6-inch Flex Folding Fillet knife. In addition to all these features, it folds in half, which means it can easily fit into a bag, pack, or tackle box for any adventure.
PACKABILITY IS A PLUS
As with the Mr. Crappie fillet knife, a hallmark of other essential outdoor cooking tools is a small (and often lightweight) size. In addition to packing as few things as possible, we often need them to fit into the least amount of space possible. The following items fit the bill, and earn bonus points for high performance.
EDGESPORT CAMP CLEAVER
No matter what we cook, it is nearly impossible to avoid bringing a knife. The Edgesport Camp Cleaver is meant to go anywhere it’s needed. With its 4-inch blade and overall length less than 8 inches, there are few knives that will fit better into any packing list. In addition to meats, it does a great job chopping vegetables like onions and potatoes.
It may do general kitchen duties well, but the Edgesport Camp Cleaver is also exceptionally strong with its full-tang construction. It can take on tough jobs like removing heads from fish before smoking or grilling. Since it comes with a snap-close sheath, this cleaver can be packed safely with other gear.
FIRE WIRE FLEXIBLE GRILLING SKEWERS
When folks say, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”, it’s usually not a compliment. In the case of Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewers , it is. And at a reasonable $12 MSRP, Fire Wire skewers offer outdoor chefs a lot in a product that tucks neatly out of the way.
These aren’t your grandma’s bamboo skewers. For one thing, Fire Wire is made from stainless steel, which means they won’t burn if they are placed over a hot spot in the fire. Another thing that sets them apart from ordinary skewers is that they are long (30 inches) and flexible. This allows them to be arranged wherever may be convenient on the grill, like around or between steaks. They could also be loaded with food ahead of time, then kept in a plastic bag (perhaps with a marinade) until it’s grilling time.
After cooking, unloading them couldn’t be easier. Simply hold Fire Wire by the loop and slide the food down and off the other end into a serving bowl. No more worrying about burnt skewers or wayward splinters.
SMITH'S KNIFE SHARPENERS
Just as knives are requisite camp kitchen tools, so are knife sharpeners. The more you use a knife, the closer it gets to needing a touch-up. Most will need honing, which is done with a “fine” sharpening stone or tool. Some more badly worn will need “coarse” treatment as well. The Edge Grip Select 2-Stage Sharpener can do either job in just a few moments. It is made to brace against the corner of a counter, table, or other stable surface, and its rubber grip will ensure steady performance. At 4.5 inches in length, it is small enough to take on any outing, and ensure blades are always up to any task.
If you would like to learn more about Smith's Consumer Products and their essential tools, contact Dena Vick, dena@kingeiderpr.com
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dena Vick
dena@kingeiderpr.com
501-749-4575
Ricky Dukes
rdukes@smithsproducts.com
501-865-4227
ABOUT SMITH'S CONSUMER PRODUCTS:
Smith’s Consumer Products is an Arkansas-based company that traces its history to 1886. Smith’s produces the broadest line of knife and scissors sharpeners available, ranging from simple, fixed angle pull-through sharpeners for consumers that want quick and easy sharpening to sophisticated Precision Kits designed for the knife sharpening enthusiast. Our offering includes both manual and electrical sharpeners that incorporate many different abrasive materials, including diamond, carbide, ceramic, bonded synthetic abrasives, and of course, natural Arkansas stones. The Edge Experts at Smith’s Consumer Products also design and manufacture a wide range of tools for outdoor enthusiasts as well as knives for everyday carry, tactical, shop, kitchen, hunting, and fishing needs.