How do I know when the fire is ready to cook on?

Depending on weather conditions and the fire itself, a new campfire can take 30 to 45 minutes to burn down to a prime condition. Simply remember the phrase “low flames are for boiling and coals are for broiling”. Some campers set aside coal from the fire on the side of the pit and use this for roasting items (often in aluminum foil) versus open-flame broiling.