Can You Grill A Steak In Your Fireplace?

Unconventional Thanksgiving in a Wood Burning Fireplace

As Thanksgiving approached, many were planning traditional turkey dinners or perhaps experimenting with new recipes. However, one content creator, Realtor Tony Ranaudo, took a unique and daring approach to the holiday feast, attempting to grill a steak in his wood burning fireplace. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of this unconventional Thanksgiving adventure, exploring the challenges, tools used and the ultimate success of this fireplace barbecue experiment.

Embracing Curiosity: Grill A Steak in a Fireplace

The story begins with curious human, Tony Ranaudo, a city kid from New Jersey, facing the challenge of not being able to have a barbecue on his second-floor patio due to fire hazard regulations. Instead of sticking to conventional methods, he decides to embrace his curiosity and attempt the seemingly impossible act of grilling a steak over an open flame in his fireplace. Safety precautions aside, can it be done? Only one to find out.

Building the Grill: Red Bricks and Grill Grate

This Fireplace experience must begin with a suitable cooking environment. Manly cooking always requires innovation so Tony starts by building a grill inside the fireplace. First he builds a foundation using red bricks. The process involves arranging four bricks, vertically positioned, in a square figuration and then placing the grill grate on top which will allow for sufficient distance between the steak and the hot coals below. Tony highlights the importance of building a hot coal bed as a crucial element for successful fireplace cooking. To cook a piece of meat, it’s all about the heat.

Firewood: Best Woods for Grilling a Steak

What is the best type of firewood for open flame cooking? Tony says avoid using softwoods like pine or spruce, as they contain resin that can produce unpleasant flavors and may even be harmful. Also, make sure the wood is free of chemicals or additives. For the grilling process on an open fire, hardwoods are generally considered the best choice due to their density and ability to produce long-lasting, consistent heat. Flavor is also something to consider, as certain types of wood will add amazing flavor to the meat. Some popular hardwoods for grilling a steak include:

• Oak: Burns hot and slow, providing a steady heat source.
• Hickory: Imparts a strong and smoky flavor to the food.
• Maple: Produces a sweet flavor and burns well.
• Apple: Adds a mild, fruity flavor to the food.
• Cherry: Offers a mild and slightly sweet smoke.

Tools of the Trade: From Axe to the Purple Beast

Having not done this before, I wasn’t sure which tools I needed however, the tools I used in this adventure reflect a blend of practicality and creativity. From the standard saw and axe for cutting firewood in a small apartment to the flashlight ensuring the flue is open, each tool plays a crucial role. Now the multi-tool, an industry standard for all things survival, serves its purpose in creating a feather stick. The ignition source, which I aptly named the “purple beast,” is what ultimately brings the fire to life.

Thrill of the Fire: A City Kid’s First Shot at Survival

Nothing is more manly than gathering the wood, building a tinder bundle and lighting a fire. Allow me to share the excitement of venturing into survival skills territory. Drawing inspiration from survival shows on Cable and YouTube, I can clearly discuss the contrast between my city lifestyle and the survivalist experience. When that fire came to life, I literally took a vision quest from my apartments living room to the high mountains of the Sierra’s. The crackling sounds of the burning wood and smoky smell just carried me into another world. The satisfaction was overwhelming.

Now, how did I build and finally start the fire? I had to employ a set of tools, including a saw and an axe to cut and finally split the firewood. I’m in a second floor apartment so keeping the noise to a minimum was tough. I then used the multi tool to create the feather stick. However, it was the tinder bundle that was the star of the show, apparently an essential step in fire starting. I swept up pine needles from my balcony and created a little bundle but I still needed a fire starter. Yet another lesson from YouTube survival channels came into play. I used a mixture of 100% petroleum jelly and a cotton ball. This thing was outstanding. Needless to say, I put it all together, sparked up the purple beast and fire was created. What a moment.

Flavorful Experimentation: Hickory Chips

Despite not being a barbecue enthusiast, nor having any experience with outdoor cooking, I decided to introduce hickory chips into the grilling process, pondering on whether it will enhance the flavor of the meat or not. I had read that Hickory Chips would add flavor to the meat so I thought, why not, I’ll give it a shot. Allow me to express to you my surprise in one word, WOW!! Understand I did not flavor the meat with sauces, herbs or spices. I took the steak out of its package and put it on the fire. The first bite told the story, it was amazing, so good and I could taste the hickory clear as day. I recommend it to anyone considering open flame fireplace cooking.

Flames to Feast: Grilling the New York Strip Steak

As the fire reached a temperature that I believed to be appropriate for cooking, the pivotal moment has arrived. I grab the New York Strip steak, complete with the bone and carefully place it on the fireplace grill grate. I felt assured when I instantly heard the sizzling sounds. The flames were coming up to and around the edges of the steak, not sure that was a good sign but in the end, it created a crispiness to be enjoyed. I flipped the steak four times in total and I believe I cooked it for about 15 minutes. The steak was medium to medium rare just the way I like it. I took the first bite on camera and then grabbed my sweet potatoes from the oven and had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. Followed by pumpkin pie and a coffee.

The Glory is in the Process

As with all things in life, the glory is in the process. I could have easily broiled the steak in the oven and created a meal fit for a king. Taking the time to create the grill inside the fireplace, cut the wood, build the fire and cook the steak became more of a personal accomplishment than just a meal. I was truly rewarded by my extra effort and innovation.

Thanksgiving Wishes

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video or read my blog. This is Realtor Tony Ranaudo in Las Vegas Nevada wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones, family and friends. Live, Laugh, Love

FAQ’s

Can you Cook Meat in a fireplace?

Yes you can and the steak was amazing, however, the actual question is should you? LOL Safety is of utmost importance. My fireplace is pretty small so I took precautions, a box of baking soda in case of a fire, keeping my fireplace screen closed while cooking and most importantly I never took my eyes off the fireplace during the process. It was a fun and tasty experiment.

What is the Best Steak to Cook on an Open Fire?

Opinions on this differ a bit, many say Ribeye Filet on the bone, which sounds amazing! When I cooked my steak in the fireplace, I grilled a New York Strip with the bone in. It was possibly the best steak I’ve ever cooked but I’m not a chef so the bar is pretty low LOL What I want to try next is grilling a Tomahawk Steak with a Salt and Garlic Rub, now that’s manly cooking.

Can you use a Fireplace as a Grill?

Yes, I’ve done it and had great success but you must be cautious when cooking in your woodburning fireplace. Do not attempt in a gas fireplace. The size of the fireplace is important, smaller fireplaces can be more challenging so approach with caution. I used red bricks and a grill grate to build a cooking area inside my fireplace. Keep the flames low and the fireplace screen closed.