Dutch Oven Cooking
Tips And Reviews.

Do you want to try Dutch oven cooking but you're not sure how to judge good cookware? Maybe you're wondering if aluminum camp Dutch ovens are better than cast iron, or what's best for a beginner? This information will help get you started.

Dutch oven cooking is a great way to relax around the campfire. Where else can you sit and relax to the sounds of a crackling fire as you enjoy the spicy smell of chili bubbling away in the pot. I'm starting to get hungry just thinking about it... ;-)

Outdoor Dutch oven cooking can be done a few different ways.

Ovens can be suspended over the fire by placing them on a grate or by hanging them from a tripod. Some can also be placed in the fire among the coals. Just be aware that if you set a flat-bottomed oven directly on top of the coals it will quickly extinguish the embers underneath it because they won't be able to get enough air.

If you have a flat-bottomed cast iron oven that you want to nestle among the coals, find two pieces of wood about the same size and use them to straddle the fire. Just make sure that it's stable or you might spill your dinner.

The camp Dutch ovens that come with legs are easier to position above the coals as long as the legs are long enough. The surface underneath the coals should be flat and stable to prevent the oven from shifting as the fire burns down. If you're looking to place your oven in the fire, you'll want to get one with legs and a lid with a lip. The lip keeps the coals on top of the lid which can speed cooking.

Cast iron or aluminum?

If you ask someone to think about Dutch oven cooking, most will probably picture a cast iron pot with a lid. But some are actually made from aluminum. They both have advantages and disadvantages....

Aluminum requires less maintenance, doesn't rust, and is a lot lighter. You can also wash aluminum with soap and water, but using detergent on seasoned cast iron isn't a good idea because it will remove the seasoning and invite rust.

Aluminum heats quickly but can also spot heat and burn food more easily.

Aluminum also melts at a lower temperature than cast iron. Per Wikipedia, aluminum melts at about 1,220 °F (660 °C) where cast iron can endure temperatures up to about 2,100 °F (1,150 °C). That's a big difference! Some hot burning campfires could actually damage aluminum. If you decide to go with aluminum for Dutch oven cooking, at the very least avoid placing it directly on the coals.

As long as I don't have to carry it in a backpack or as hiking equipment I'll usually choose cast iron because of the way it cooks. Also, once it's seasoned properly and a little oil is added cast iron is more resistant to sticking than aluminum. Although cast iron requires a little bit of maintenance (seasoning helps with this) as I've mentioned, there's a good reason it's so widely used.

As with most camping gear, make sure to get a good quality Dutch oven as cheap versions might disappoint you. Look for an oven that's symmetrical and that maintains a consistent wall thickness. Ovens that are out-of-round, lids with gaps and sides that waver scream low quality.

The oven should also be cast as one complete piece because it's stronger. Cast iron is brittle in comparison to other metals. Avoid ovens with thin metal at high stress areas like handles, bail attachments and legs because they will break if they're exposed to too much stress. Riveted handles may look nice but they can cause problems. Instead go with handles that are cast as one integral part of the oven.

Also make sure that the wire loop (bail) can move freely with the top on. Wire loops that bind can be a hassle to use. Also, lid handles that form an arch are easier to grasp than lids that require pinch strength to lift the top off the kettle.

If you're looking to do some Dutch oven cooking you can't get much better than these...

REI, a store I definitely recommend because of their excellent customer service, has both versions below as well as some other gear.

Lodge makes some of the best cast iron cookware you can find. If you're new to Dutch oven cooking, it might be a good idea to make your first oven a 12-incher because most recipes are geared toward that size. Both of the recommendations below have a lid that can be flipped over to use as a griddle.

The 10 inch Lodge Logic Dutch Oven is a nice cast iron oven that holds 4 quarts. Notice that it has a nice thick wire bail that attaches to thick ears that are cast into the oven. The lid is also designed to hold coals on top and the loop handle and legs top it all off. Oh, and as a bonus Lodge has pre-seasoned it so it's ready to go. Both of these ovens are designed to last a lifetime with a little maintenance.

I hope this Dutch oven cooking information helps make your next trip better. :-)