Going Camping? Bring a Campfire Dutch Oven And These Delicious Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to cook in a Dutch oven while camping? ›

Sear: Made of cast iron, which is great for high-heat cooking because it transfers heat evenly, a Dutch oven can be used like a skillet for searing steaks, chops and chicken. Steam: With a tight-fitting lid, a Dutch oven is ideal for steaming rice, vegetables or even lobster tails.

The indoor Dutch oven has no legs. You can easily use it on a stove top or in a standard household oven. Now look at the outdoor Dutch oven. It has legs that are designed to keep it just above coals, preventing direct contact with the heat and permitting oxygen to get to the coals.

Their ability to distribute heat evenly and the fact that they can bake, fry, simmer, or even roast means they top the list of tools that are worth considering packing in your kitchen kit. We can't imagine going on a long camping trip without them!

Enameled cast–iron has a smooth, non-porous surface and can go from the stovetop, to the oven straight to the table. They should not be subjected to extremely high temperatures, so avoid using your enameled cast-iron dutch oven on a grill or in a campfire.

Dutch ovens are multi-taskers by nature. Their broad base offers plenty of space for browning, and they're deep enough to hold a family's worth of soup. The original Dutch ovens (also known as cocottes) were made with plain cast iron, but most these days are coated with enamel.

The most important aspect of selecting a Dutch oven for camping is its size. A too-small Dutch oven may not accommodate everyone in your group, while a larger one may be inefficient at cooking and difficult to transport. Remember that cast iron is heavy! Cast iron Dutch ovens can weigh upwards of 30+ pounds.

Casserole dishes can serve as effective alternatives to Dutch ovens in the kitchen, offering similar functionality and versatility for cooking a variety of dishes. They provide even heat distribution and retention, making them suitable for slow-cooking meals such as stews, soups, and braised meats.

Dutch Oven: Advantages and Disadvantages

However, this cookware can be heavy to lift and move around. It requires regular seasoning or maintenance to prevent rusting or chipping. It may also react with acidic foods such as tomatoes or vinegar and alter their taste or colour.

The seasoning process works best when the cast iron is hot so heat your camp oven up on campfire coals, in an oven or hooded BBQ. Make sure it is extremely hot. While the pot is still hot, add cooking oil (vegetable oil is fine). Carefully swish the oil around to coat the entire pot.

Yes, you can cook pizza on a campfire.

Do you put coals on top of a Dutch oven? ›

To get an even cook you'll need to place briquettes around both the top and bottom of your dutch oven. The placement of briquettes is key. Place them on both the outer rim of the lid and directly underneath the dutch oven in the form of a circle.

A cast iron Dutch oven, especially if it is one that is designed for use in a camp fire (stump legs to raise it above the coals and a lid with a rim to hold coals on the lid) is a multi-use cooking tool that can practically be your whole kitchen kit.

Whether it's a holiday or a typical weekday, this cookware will have your meals making the grade and then some. No matter the style or size, any Dutch oven will open up endless recipe opportunities. Create beautifully braised meat, pot roasts, hearty beef stew, healing chicken soup, or the creamiest mac and cheese.

At Camp Chef there are four universal sizes which are typically labeled on your dutch oven-10-inch, 12-inch, 14-inch, or 16-inch. Bear in mind that weather, cooking methods, food, and even elevation can play largely in how many briquettes it takes to heat your dutch oven.