{"id":136,"date":"2018-06-09T22:51:54","date_gmt":"2018-06-09T22:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/?p=136"},"modified":"2021-08-19T23:16:31","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T23:16:31","slug":"how-to-use-a-dutch-oven-while-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/how-to-use-a-dutch-oven-while-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use a Dutch oven while camping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The ultimate guide on how to use a Dutch oven while camping. This comprehensive post will cover a lot of areas \u2013 bookmark it, it will come in handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"how<\/a>
How to cook with a Dutch oven outdoors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For those of you who have not experienced the magic of camp food cooking, you really are missing a treat. It is an amazing experience and my Dutch oven is a significant contributor to that magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, I\u2019ve tried many methods of cooking, from barbecues to stoves, grills to dried food. In all honesty, in terms of convenience and a great end result, nothing comes close to Dutch oven camp cooking. It is almost like you are bringing your kitchen stove with you\u2026that is how versatile these pots are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all goes into one pot. The flavor\u2019s fuse and the cooking is thorough and even. The risk of under cooked food is less and importantly, the cooking does not need to be constantly monitored. Therefore\u2026less work. The ability of the pans to retain heat is simply amazing, and even when you have finished cooking, it still keeps your food warm for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of recipes is endless and the results are simply amazing. Your food will not burn with the non-stick properties of a well-seasoned Dutch oven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add in the fact there is very little cleaning up afterwards and you have a clear winner. No scrubbing, no scraping of grills\u2026a clear win for this method of campfire cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to buy the cheapest Lodge cast iron<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What is an outdoor Dutch oven?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I could simply describe it as amazing and leave it at that\u2026I guess you want more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me start by saying, they are heavy. Very heavy. Too heavy to take back packing\u2026this is a robust piece of equipment that cannot be carried easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are made of heavy cast iron and they have a flat bottom to aid stability as well as even cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The camping Dutch oven comes with three short legs. This is to keep the oven away from the ground and allow space to place coals beneath it. They come in a number of heights so it is worth comparing different ovens depending on your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The strong wire handles are secured to the molded tangs on the side of the oven. In most cases, the handle falls to either side out of the way, however on some versions, you can rest it at 45 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a common feature on ovens, I can see why people assume they are a good idea. The reality can be quite different. They can easily become a problem too. They have a tendency to get in the way of the bail handle and there is also the issue of stability. The oven can become unstable and off balance when being lifted by the handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storage can also become an issue, however minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, if you can avoid a handle, do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lids<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may think of the lid\u2026as just a lid. In outdoor Dutch ovens they have a purpose and it is a significant one for cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot coals are placed on the lid, as well as below, to set the cooking temperature. They therefore need to be flat to keep the coals on place. Some versions offer domed lids which also have some benefits but in reality, they don\u2019t have a lip around them which means ash can fall into your food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, on the lip or the ridge, this is an important feature. It is flanged so the hot coals stay in place.  Not all lids have this so make sure this is a consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type of handle is also important. It is always better to have a handle that is a molded loop. Keep in mind that these lids get incredibly hot, you can hook these handles to remove them. This is the safest way of removing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Dutch oven lids are solid tabs with a drilled hole, they are difficult to handle and, in some ways, quite dangerous. They should be avoided where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor Dutch ovens are obviously available in a range of sizes, from the smallest 4\u201d ones to the mammoth 24\u201d versions. In most cases, the sizes in the middle of the two are adequate for most situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is always worth considering how many people you are cooking for in order to ensure you meet the needs of the camp trip. Remember, some Dutch oven recipes take a long time to make, so making it twice may not be a realistic option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n