How to Cook Outdoors with a Smokeless Fire Pit 

How to Cook Outdoors with a Smokeless Fire Pit 

Outdoor cooking has long been part of South Africa’s lifestyle, from family braais to relaxed evenings around the fire. With the innovation of smokeless fire pits, outdoor meals have become cleaner, easier, and more enjoyable. A smokeless fire pit not only provides heat and ambiance but also serves as a practical cooking tool when paired with the right accessories.

Helios Fire South Africa has designed a range of accessories that make it simple to cook on a smokeless fire pit, offering versatility and performance. Whether preparing a full meal on an Ember Griddle or searing over a fire pit grill, these tools allow anyone to cook outdoors efficiently without smoke or mess.

This guide explains how to cook with your smokeless fire pit, which accessories to use, and tips for getting perfect results every time.

Why Choose a Smokeless Fire Pit for Outdoor Cooking

Cleaner and More Efficient Cooking

Traditional fire pits can produce heavy smoke that affects taste and comfort. A smokeless fire pit eliminates this issue by using advanced airflow design to create a secondary combustion process. This burns off smoke before it escapes, resulting in a steady, clean flame.

This makes cooking easier, as heat is distributed more evenly. With no smoke drifting into your food or face, you can focus entirely on your meal. Helios Fire’s smokeless fire pits are engineered for efficiency, making them ideal for consistent outdoor cooking.

Consistent Heat for Perfect Results

Cooking outdoors requires reliable heat control, and smokeless fire pits excel at this. Their design ensures optimal airflow that keeps the fire stable. This means your Ember Griddle or Skillet maintains an even temperature—essential for grilling meats, roasting vegetables, or simmering sauces.

Helios Fire’s models, such as the Apollo and Eros, are designed with precision airflow technology, giving you control over temperature without needing constant adjustments.

Essential Accessories for Cooking on a Smokeless Fire Pit

The Ember Griddle: Versatile Outdoor Cooking

The Ember Griddle is one of the most versatile tools for anyone looking to cook on a smokeless fire pit. Its flat, durable surface allows you to prepare everything from breakfast to full dinners. Pancakes, steaks, vegetables, and seafood all cook evenly on its heat-retaining surface.

Helios Fire’s Ember Griddle is crafted from premium-grade steel for consistent heat distribution. It fits seamlessly onto both Apollo and Eros models, transforming your fire pit into a full outdoor kitchen. After use, it’s easy to clean—simply allow it to cool, scrape off residue, and wipe with a damp cloth.

The Ember Skillet: For Searing and Sautéing

For dishes that need deeper cooking surfaces or rich flavor, the Ember Skillet is an ideal companion. It allows you to sauté vegetables, sear meat, or even cook stews directly over your smokeless fire pit.

The skillet’s design maximizes heat retention, allowing food to cook evenly without flare-ups. Its handle and balanced structure make it easy to manage over open flames. For South African outdoor cooks who enjoy experimenting, the Ember Skillet delivers professional-level control with authentic fire-cooked flavor.

Fire Pit Grill Grate: Classic Flame Grilling

Nothing captures the essence of outdoor cooking quite like flame grilling. A fire pit grill grate is perfect for cooking meat directly over open heat, offering a slightly smoky taste with charred perfection.

Helios Fire’s grill grates are engineered for strength and balance, fitting securely on top of the fire pit rim. They are easy to position and remove, allowing you to adjust cooking height or switch between griddle and grill setups.

Ember Lid: Safety and Heat Control

While primarily a safety feature, the Ember Lid also serves a cooking function. By partially covering the fire pit, it helps regulate temperature and retain heat while food rests or finishes cooking. It also prevents sparks or ash from escaping, ensuring a clean cooking environment.

Helios Fire’s Ember Lids are made from high-quality materials that withstand heat and outdoor elements, making them essential for both cooking and post-cook safety.

Tips for Cooking on a Smokeless Fire Pit

Use the Right Wood

For consistent heat and flavor, use dry, seasoned hardwoods such as oak, acacia, or mopane. These woods burn longer and hotter, ensuring steady heat for cooking. Avoid softwoods or damp wood, as they can cause uneven temperatures.

Preheat Your Accessories

Before placing food on the Ember Griddle, Skillet, or Grill, allow the surface to preheat for several minutes. A properly heated surface prevents sticking and ensures even searing, locking in flavor and moisture.

Manage Heat Zones

When cooking larger meals, position food strategically around the fire pit. The center produces the highest heat, while the edges are suitable for slow cooking or keeping food warm. The smokeless design keeps heat consistent, allowing easy temperature control.

Keep Fire Tools Handy

Helios Fire’s fire pit tools are designed to help manage wood, adjust airflow, and move accessories safely. Keeping tools close ensures safety and precision while cooking over open flames.

Clean After Each Use

Once your fire pit cools, clean accessories with warm water and a soft brush. Wipe away ash or soot, and store in a dry place. Regular care ensures your cooking surfaces stay in excellent condition.

Outdoor Cooking Ideas with Your Smokeless Fire Pit

Quick Breakfast on the Ember Griddle

Start the day outdoors with fried eggs, bacon, and toast cooked directly on your Ember Griddle. The even surface ensures perfect results every time.

Flame-Grilled Meats and Vegetables

Use the grill grate for juicy steaks, chicken, or corn on the cob. The natural flame imparts a light smoky flavor without overwhelming the food.

One-Pan Meals in the Ember Skillet

Prepare stir-fries, curries, or pasta dishes using the Ember Skillet. The deep walls and even heat retention allow complex meals to be cooked over the fire pit with ease.

Warm Desserts and Sides

Try roasting marshmallows, grilling fruit, or heating bread on the Ember Griddle for a creative finishing touch to outdoor dining.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cook on Smokeless Fire Pit

Can I cook directly on a smokeless fire pit?

Yes, you can cook directly on a smokeless fire pit using compatible accessories such as griddles, skillets, or grill grates. These tools allow you to prepare various dishes safely while maintaining a smokeless flame. Helios Fire’s cooking accessories are specifically designed to fit their fire pits, ensuring heat efficiency and consistent results. Always preheat the surface and use proper tools for handling food over open flames.

What accessories do I need to start cooking outdoors?

The most important accessories are the Ember Griddle, Ember Skillet, and Fire Pit Grill Grate. Together, they cover all major cooking styles—from searing and frying to grilling. You may also use an Ember Lid for heat control and safety. Helios Fire South Africa offers accessories designed for perfect compatibility with its smokeless fire pits, ensuring durability and performance.

Is food cooked on a smokeless fire pit safe?

Absolutely. Food cooked on a smokeless fire pit is safe as long as you use appropriate cooking surfaces and avoid burning treated or painted wood. The smokeless design produces a clean flame that prevents excessive smoke exposure. Helios Fire’s griddles and skillets are made from food-safe materials that ensure a hygienic cooking experience every time.

How do I control the temperature when cooking on a smokeless fire pit?

Temperature control comes down to managing wood placement and airflow. Use larger logs for steady, long-lasting heat and smaller pieces for quick temperature increases. Accessories like the Ember Lid can also trap heat for baking or roasting. Both the Apollo and Eros fire pits from Helios Fire feature optimized airflow systems that naturally balance heat distribution across the cooking surface.

Can I use the smokeless fire pit for baking or slow cooking?

Yes, you can bake or slow-cook meals using accessories like the Ember Skillet or by covering dishes with the Ember Lid to trap heat. Smokeless fire pits retain warmth efficiently, making them suitable for stews, bread, and other slow-cooked dishes. Helios Fire’s design ensures consistent combustion, allowing you to achieve even cooking without smoke interference.

Shop Cooking Accessories and Start Your Smokeless Braai

Cooking outdoors has never been more convenient or enjoyable. With a Helios Fire smokeless fire pit, you can transform your backyard into a versatile cooking and entertainment space. Accessories such as the Ember Griddle, Skillet, and Grill open up endless possibilities for outdoor dining.

Each product is built for South African conditions—durable, efficient, and beautifully crafted to enhance every outdoor experience.

Shop cooking accessories and start your smokeless braai with Helios Fire South Africa, and enjoy the flavor, warmth, and simplicity of real fire-cooked meals without the smoke.