![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/ray.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBefore I give you some details on why you should invest in a cast iron Dutch oven, on what aspects to consider and everything else that is relevant\u2026I will tell you what I think the best Dutch ovens for camping are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have selected a variety of sizes and features so there will be something here to suit most peoples needs. I have not included the prices as they change all the time but click the link and they will send you to Amazon which gives you the best price online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My recommendations for the best Dutch ovens for camping in 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven – 12 Inch\/8 Quart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Dutch Oven<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven L10CO3, 4-Quart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven 17L12CO3, 6 Quart <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven L8DD3, 5-Quart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n AmazonBasics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven – 6-Quart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Camp Chef Deluxe 9 1\/3-Quart Dutch Oven<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Texsport Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Legs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven L8CO3, 2-Quart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Summary – <\/strong>Check the following;<\/p>\n The first thing I consider when looking at cast iron Dutch ovens\u2026or skillets for that matter\u2026where is it made. The reason I say this is the difference in the quality of the actual cast iron. The US has better quality of cast iron it uses and it is specifically made for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some foreign made goods are form cast iron that has been melted down from automotive blocks\u2026see where I am going with this. It comes down to quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good cast iron reduces the chance it will crack or warp and it will heat evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are looking at your cast iron Dutch oven, make sure it is not pitted. Take a real close look at it to make sure there are no cracks or blemishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An important place to look for this is where the base meets the sides\u2026both inside and out. This is a real vulnerable spot so pay attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With pre-seasoned cast iron, this can be a little difficult to see, but shine a cell phone torch on it and you should be able to have a good look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check that the Dutch oven sits flat on a surface. The flatness of the base is crucial to it heating efficiently and evenly. If it is warped, it can create hot spots which may ruin some of your food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing to look at is the thickness of the walls. You want your food to cook evenly so you need the heat to be delivered evenly. Is the thickness of the walls uniform? In most cases they are because of modern manufacturing but mistakes can be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first things I check is the lid and how well it sits on the body of the Dutch oven. Make sure it is not too tight but not too lose neither. One way to do this is to spin the lid whilst on the vessel. It should spin round freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure the Dutch oven you select has a lip on the lid\u2026most do except some of the smaller ones. They are a design necessity to stop charcoal slipping off the lid. It is safer this way too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The handles are the next place to check, making sure there are no obvious issues around the construction. Remember a fault here could potentially be very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an important question that only you can really answer but I can give you some guidance. The biggest question is the number of people you will be cooking for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The worst scenario is when you are cooking outside and the Dutch oven is too small. This means that people get less portion sizes or you have to repeat the dish again. This is problematic as some of these dishes are slow cooked for hours. You definitely don\u2019t want hungry campers too\u2026not great for the atmosphere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, I have been asked this question numerous times. My answer is always the same. I always have two Dutch ovens that are 12 inches, one regular and one deep. These are relatively large compared to the array of sizes available but I work on the basis that I want leftovers\u2026why have to cook when you don\u2019t need to. Cook more than you need and it gives you options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though I am cooking for a couple of people, I still use a larger Dutch oven\u2026it just makes sense to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I do however base this on the fact that I drive to my camp sites. I am not really carrying them very far. If you do need to carry them, it changes everything\u2026they are heavy, sometimes very heavy. Consider very carefully the size if you need to carry them far, it could be a mistake to buy a larger one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some general sizing recommendations which may guide your decision\u2026but as always, consider your own needs depending on what you cook and portion sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Seasoned-Cast-Iron-Deep-Camp-Dutch-Oven-12-Inch-8-Quart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"GSI](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/GSI-Outdoors-Hard-Anodized-Dutch-Oven.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Camp-Dutch-Oven-L10CO3-4-Quart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Camp-Dutch-Oven-17L12CO3-6-quart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-L8DD3-Cast-Iron-Double-Dutch-Oven-5-Quart-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"AmazonBasics](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/AmazonBasics-Pre-Seasoned-Cast-Iron-Camp-Dutch-Oven-6-Quart-.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t![\"Camp](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Camp-Chef-Deluxe-9-1-3-Quart-Dutch-Oven.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t![\"Texsport](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Texsport-Cast-Iron-Dutch-Oven-with-Legs.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Cast-Iron-Camp-Dutch-Oven-L8CO3-2-Qt.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat to look for when you\u2019re buying new cast iron Dutch oven<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What Size Dutch Oven Should I Buy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Camp-Dutch-Oven-Lid-Lifter.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"US](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Fire-safety-gloves.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-5TP2-Tall-Boy-Tripod.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Lodge](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lodge-Camp-Dutch-Oven-Lid-Stand.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Camp](\"http:\/\/www.dutchovenscookware.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Camp-Chef-Dutch-Oven-Stand.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n