COALCREST
Around the fire Choose a fire pit with space, smoke and neighbours in mind.
By the Coalcrest team · Checked 2026-10-25
Think about the space around a fire as carefully as the fire itself. Check the surface, clearances, fuel instructions and the effect of smoke on neighbours.
Start with a guide Put the plan on paper Use your own recipe's cooking range and work backwards from serving time, or scale your dough in grams.
Open the cook planner ↗ Cook safely Cook to temperature, not time: these timings are estimates. Use a probe thermometer and follow the Food Standards Agency's guidance linked here, which differs for whole cuts, minced and rolled meat, poultry and pork. Keep raw and cooked food apart and chill leftovers quickly.
Read the FSA cooking guidance ↗ Keep the fire outdoors Never use a BBQ, smoker or pizza oven indoors, in a tent, garage or under a closed gazebo: they give off carbon monoxide, which can kill. Keep children and pets away, check gas connections, keep water or a fire blanket nearby, and let ashes cool fully before disposal.
Carbon monoxide guidance from HSE ↗