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Food

Cook on a hot rock

A flat, dry rock in the coals is a griddle for fish, meat, and bannock.

Food 20 min practice

Outdoor Life — Cook Food on a Rock

Warning: Wet or river rocks trap steam and can explode in a fire.

Step-by-step

  1. Pick a flat, dry rock from well above the waterline — never from a stream or lakeshore.

  2. Bury it in the fire's coals for 20 minutes so it heats evenly.

  3. Brush off ash. Test with a drop of water — it should sizzle and skip.

  4. Lay fish or meat directly on the rock; flip once when the underside releases cleanly.

Warning: Wet or river rocks trap steam and can explode in a fire.

Related outdoor skills

Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.