Q&A for How to Put Down a Hangi

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  • Question
    Can I use bricks instead of stones?
    Community Answer
    You cannot use bricks; you can only use lumps of steel or volcanic rock.
  • Question
    Can the hangi be underground longer, say 6 hours?
    Community Answer
    Yes, a hangi can be underground for 6 hours but it might burn if you have a smaller fire than usual.
  • Question
    Should the food be wrapped in mutton cloth inside the tinfoil?
    Community Answer
    It doesn't have to be, but to be extra safe, you can. This prevents burning or bugs getting into it.
  • Question
    What type of steel can I use when putting down hangi?
    Community Answer
    Any, but stainless steel is recommended.
  • Question
    Do the top of the food baskets need to be below the ground level or can they sit above the ground and be covered by a mound of soil?
    Community Answer
    The food baskets can sit above the ground, with the soil heaped over. However, you have to keep an eye on any steam escaping and dump more soil on it to keep the steam in.
  • Question
    Why do you remove the burnt wood?
    Community Answer
    It could get into your food and contaminate anything that is in the hangi.
  • Question
    What equipment do I need for a hangi?
    Community Answer
    Shovel/s, wire baskets, mutton cloth, tin foil, Hessian sacks, steel (like railroad iron or volcanic rock). Don't use river stones as the heat splits them and they can spit up and potentially hurt someone.
  • Question
    What will happen if I don't wrap the food up?
    Kaitlyn Wislang
    Community Answer
    Dirt will fall into the food. This will contaminate the whole hangi, and you won't be able to eat it.
  • Question
    Should I wrap the meat?
    Community Answer
    You can wrap the meat if you are not using it for the same night.
  • Question
    Why does the sack or sheet have to be wet?
    Community Answer
    Steam cooks the food evenly inside and out, slowly. Burning is also reduced, due to the consistent temperature of near-boiling, and wet air. Steam also fills the entire pit more evenly, helping all the food to be cooked, rather than just the bottom foods.
  • Question
    What type of fish is good for a hangi?
    Community Answer
    King Fish with a little lemon, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 hours, and it will be the best fish you will ever eat.
  • Question
    What if I don't want to say grace?
    Community Answer
    Grace is a tradition before eating, but you don't have to say grace.
  • Question
    What will happen if the hangi explodes and what should I do?
    Community Answer
    If the hangi explodes, then make sure a fire doesn't start from the heat. Then check to see if the food is okay and after that, pour water or another cold liquid and make sure the remaining rocks are cooled. if you need to make a hangi, then you need to make sure the volcanic rocks are not cracked, or they will explode.
  • Question
    Why do I need to put the meat closer to the stones? What can I use instead of volcanic pick on the hangi?
    Community Answer
    The meat needs to be closer to the rocks because it takes longer to cook. You can use lumps of steel instead of volcanic rock if you wish.
  • Question
    Can I do a "mock hangi" in a pan?
    Community Answer
    That's only for fry up the next morning after cooking the hangi in the ground.
  • Question
    Does the hardwood become biochar through this process?
    Community Answer
    No, it does not become biochar. This is because the wood still gets oxygen and it is not processed.
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