Cooking over an open flame is a great campfire tradition, so enjoy.
One of the most popular things to do when sitting around a fire pit is cooking marshmallows. Whether you’re making a gooey and delicious s’more or plan on eating the marshmallow by itself, it’s the perfect treat to enjoy with your friends and family around the fire.
Propane fire pits are rising in popularity because they don’t leave you smelling like smoke, and they take less prep work to get the fire going. When you think of roasting marshmallows, you probably think of a traditional, wood-burning fire pit.
You don’t need to sacrifice roasting marshmallows if you have a propane fire pit because these modern fire pits can still roast a mean marshmallow.
Roasting Marshmallows on a Propane Fire Pit
Marshmallows roasted over a fire pit will not change their taste or smell. The propane has no scent. It has a nasty chemical smell enhancer called ethanethiol that you can smell in case of a leak.
Ethanethiol burns off with the propane and doesn’t transfer onto food. The only danger your marshmallows face is the fire and any debris in the fire pit.
Debris will accumulate in your pit over time. Just from sitting outside, the wind will blow unwanted debris into the unit, which will burn stick to your food. Particles that fall into the pit can stick to the food you cook.
Roast over a clean fire pit.
A well-maintained fire pit is the first step to a safe and good-tasting marshmallow.
It would be best if you cleaned your fire pit regularly to remove soot, dirt, and bits of burned food.
Instead of lava rock, fire glass can be used in a fire pit, making it easier to clean.
Clean the ashes and replace burned-up wood with fresh fuel if you burn it in your fire pit.
When roasting marshmallows, practice safe cooking techniques.
Be aware of what is happening around your pit when cooking food. It is essential to keep an eye on a lit pit and establish rules to keep everyone safe.
Always supervise children around the fire.
When young children are roasting their food, an adult should be present. Kids should roast marshmallows without burning them.
It is best not to let large pieces of food fall into the pit. Have you tried to clean a charred blob of marshmallow from a fire pit?
It is challenging to get that stuff off.
Aoocan Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Smores Sticks for Fire Pit
Try roasting food with two-pronged skewers.
A two-pronged skewer will make it easier to hold on to the food. Your marshmallows will not slip on the skewer when you turn them.
Do not cook food in a pit where plastic and trash have been burned. You should only use your pit for food and use other ways to dispose of waste.
Preventative Maintenance
Keep the pit covered to keep leaves and dirt from falling in when it’s not in use.
A fire pit with a lid or cover is a good choice. If you have a pit without a lid, a tarp or garbage bag can keep debris out.
The pit should be under a patio cover or away from trees where debris is less likely to fall in.
Planning will make your fire pit experiences more enjoyable.
Propane v. Wood Fire
When adding a patio or backyard fire pit, you may find yourself trying to decide between a propane or wood fire pit. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, which one is better will ultimately come down to your preference.
The design of each fire pit tends to be different. Woodfire pits are typically made of stone and have walls that you’ll place the wood inside.
Propane fire pits are easier to ignite and keep the fire going. They provide a continuous fuel stream, whereas you’ll have to add wood and fuel to a wood-burning fire pit to keep it going.
Propane is safer to cook over than wood fires for a few reasons:
- You can turn off a propane fire pit.
- Propane is adjustable, allowing you to control the heat level.
- Unlike propane, smoke from a wood fire produces particles that can stick to food.
Are Propane Fire Pits Safe?
Propane is safe to use in almost all aspects when done correctly. It is safe to use as your outdoor fire pit.
If you have concerns about its safety because it is a gas and you won’t know if it’s leaking, propane has an additive that you will smell if the gas begins to leak.
Regardless of your age, you’ll want to be cautious when around a fire, even a propane fire that is generally safe. If you’re sitting around the fire with children, you’ll want to watch them make sure they don’t get too close.
Keeping an eye on the little ones is especially true when they’re roasting their marshmallows. You can use a long stick or skewer to keep them further away from the heat while still roasting the marshmallows themselves.
Aoocan Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Smores Sticks for Fire Pit
Is it safe to roast marshmallows over a propane fire pit?
Propane produces no harmful substances when burned, so food cooked over it is safe to eat. While propane itself is safe to use for marshmallow roasting, other factors can affect the taste and quality of your marshmallows.
Safe Cooking While Roasting Marshmallows
It’s perfectly safe to cook using propane gas, including roasting marshmallows. Many people are wary about roasting marshmallows over a propane fire because they’re worried it will alter the perfect marshmallow taste.
Propane is popular cooking fuel, so you don’t need to worry about the taste of your roasted marshmallows changing.
The only thing that will alter the taste of your marshmallow is if anything has fallen into the pit. If you have burnt food or other debris, your food may take on the smell or taste of those items.
Another way a propane fire pit may alter the taste of your marshmallow is if you leave your marshmallow on the fire for too long. Doing this will cause it to burn and ultimately give it a charred taste. However, that can happen with wood fire pits too.
How Do You Roast Marshmallows on a Propane Fire Pit?
Roasting a marshmallow on a propane flame is generally the same as on a wood-burning fire pit or in a fireplace. Once you have your propane fire pit going, you’ll need a sturdy stick or skewer to pierce your marshmallow.
To make the best quality marshmallow, you’ll need a little bit of patience. You’re going to want to heat the marshmallow over the flames while rotating the skewer frequently.
Turning the stick allows the marshmallow to heat evenly rather than getting charred on one side and still being white on the other.
Most people prefer their marshmallows, not burnt, so you’re going for the perfect golden brown color throughout the marshmallow. It’s essential not to stick your skewer with the marshmallow into the fire directly because that’s how they catch fire and burn.
The process may take a little bit of time, but if you’re going for the perfect golden brown marshmallow, it’s worth the wait.
What Are the Best Marshmallow Roasting Sticks for Gas Fire Pits?
We all have our favorite way of roasting the marshmallows, but I think using these Marshmallow Roasting Sticks is the best way.
Roasting sticks have been in use to roast marshmallows since the early 1900s. They are perfect for cooking over an open fire or taking camping and allow you to cook many at the same time. These days, they come in a variety of materials, including stainless steel and wood. The most popular ones are made from metal because they are durable and can withstand high temperatures.
These Marshmallow Roasting Sticks are straightforward to use – place them on a campfire, fire pit, or grill and enjoy your sweet treat! They’re also durable, being stainless steel. Plus, they come in three different colors, so you can choose whichever suits your mood on any given day.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks are the perfect tool for the ideal smores. They allow you to roast marshmallows and hold them in place while providing a safe and convenient way of serving and eating your smores.
Can roasted marshmallows be messy?
Is It Messy?
The simple answer is yes.
Now, they don’t have to be, but the potential is there. When marshmallows melt, they can drip into your fire pit or onto the sides.
If this happens, it’s not the end of the world. It can be challenging to scrub marshmallows off of the fire pit, but don’t leave the residue if this happens. You’ll want to thoroughly clean the propane fire pit once it’s off and before you use it again.
One way you can potentially prevent marshmallows from dripping or falling into your fire pit is to use two skewers or a two-prong skewer.
Can You Roast Marshmallows Over Lava Rock?
If you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing gas fire pit to add to your backyard, adding lava rock to the pit is a great idea. Adding lava rock to your propane fire pit doesn’t change whether you can roast marshmallows over it or not.
You can still roast marshmallows over lava rock. Remember, marshmallows can be messy. Because of this, you’ll want to do your best to avoid dropping anything onto the lava stone or gas fire pit flame.
Can You Roast Hotdogs Over a Propane Fire Pit?
Since propane is a gas commonly used for grills, you can use your propane fire pit to roast a hotdog. The process is pretty similar to cooking a marshmallow. First, you’ll get your fire going, and then add a hotdog to a skewer.
You’ll roast the hotdog over the burner until the hotdog gets browned all over. As with a roasted marshmallow, you don’t want to stick the hotdog directly into the fires. It’s better to roast them above the flames to avoid burning.
Great On The Go Portable Fire Pits
Maybe all this talk about roasting marshmallows has got you interested in a portable fire pit. If so, the Outland Fire Bowl is an excellent option.
Not only is it a very affordable option, but its compact design and easy setup are ideal for camping and activities away from home.
This unit is a CSA-certified propane fire pit which allows it to go many places. A wood campfire is not permitted. This smokeless and spark-free fire pit has many loyal buyers who pretty much swear by it.
When you buy the Outland Fire Bowl, you get:
- A Firebowl 823 fire pit
- A ten-foot-long propane hose and regulator
- A propane tank stabilizer ring
- 4.4lb of natural lava rocks to add life to the flame
The Outland Firebowl 823 also has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Smoke-free – you will not come away smelling of smoke
- Spark-free – allowed to be used in many fire ban areas, including parks and recreation areas
- 19 inches in diameter – provides room for 6-8 people to sit around it
- 11 inches in height – gets it off the ground, so there is no scorched grass or surface
- 22 pounds – makes it easy to carry
- Compact and portable design
- No tools required for setup
- Perfect starter pit for all home designs and lifestyles
Cons
- Limited size – can’t roast as many marshmallows
- It doesn’t come with a carrying case – you can buy that as an addon
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, roasting marshmallows over your propane fire pit is safe, convenient, and fun. It has health and safety advantages over traditional wood fires, with no carbon and unburned chemicals.
Choose the fire pit that’s best for you, properly maintain it, and stay mindful of food safety practices. You will enjoy many evenings eating warm golden marshmallows while basking in the glow of your propane fire.
F.A.Q.s
What is the difference between propane and natural gas?
The propane (LPG) or natural gas used with gas fire pits is the same on barbecue grills; there isn’t a particular gas explicitly used for fire pits.
What are the origins of marshmallows?
Origins of marshmallows go back to the days of ancient Egypt – back then, the treat was only for the rich and famous and contained sap from the root of the marshmallow plant. Modern marshmallows are water, sugar, gelatin, corn syrup, and air.
Aoocan Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Smores Sticks for Fire Pit
Ever wonder where s’mores came started?
One story is:
The original recipe for s’mores was published in 1927 in “Boys’ Life” magazine. The recipe called for six graham crackers, two squares of chocolate, two marshmallows, put on sticks or skewers, and then roasted over a campfire.
Some say the inspiration for roasting marshmallows over a campfire was from an ancient Chinese tale of a traveler who stopped at an inn and mentioned wanting something to roast over the fire. The innkeepers thought he wanted some meat to cook, but soon they realized he wanted to roast marshmallows.
Others believe that smores came about during World War I when soldiers were looking for new ways to make food with minimal resources. One theory is that they saw the Girl Scouts selling their famous cookies and thought it would be easy to make cookies by putting them on sticks creating a delicious treat.