Am thinking of investing in one of these - anticipate our first camping trip at Easter will be a cold one and being able to cook a hearty stew over coals sounds very appealing! Has anyone got one and if so do you find it easy to use/worth the investment? Is the tripod essential? Cooking ideas also appreciated!
Love cooking over the campfire but would say yes you need to have a tripod - they get hot really quickly and you will end up cremating the bottom of everything without one
wouldnt be without my dutch ovens now, one of the best bits of camping kit I have invested in, care for them properly and they will last forever too.
Nothing beats roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings whilst watching other campers drool as they walk past.
Got a 4.5 litre and the tripod is a essential piece of kit, when you open it out of the package, ensure that you season it first. The objective is to bake onto the surface of the oven a coating of oil, which becomes like lacquer. The seasoning does several things. First, it prevents the metal from rusting, second, it creates a non-stick surface making clean up easier, and third, it adds a delicious subtle flavor.
why do people keep saying a tripod is essential ? One of the ideas of a Dutch Oven is the fact you cook in the fire . On and Under the hot coals that's the reason many have feet and a deep rim on the lid ! you don't need a huge fire just charcoal briquettes . i know the idea of a log fire appeals but its not all ways available but you can still use your dutch oven .
Regards a tripod if your at all DIY minded you can make one for £10 to £15 pounds . Buy 3 temporary steel fence stakes from tool hire tool shop .a 4inch D loop shackle . Two foot of chain(1 inch links) a hook or bend a 6 inch nail to shape and small steel karibena .
the fence stakes have a U or Y at the top . Close the Us in to a loops then undo the Dshackle. Place an end of the chain on the D then place the loops of the stakes in the shackle thread the bolt for the D shackle tighten . Now you have a tripod and chain in the centre place the hook on the end then use the karibena to adjust the length
I made a tripod out of 3 old tent poles - cost me about £5 for the bolts and chain
The eye bolts just sit in the poles, the weight at the centre keeps it stable
Still think using one is a better option, would be a pretty crap fire with just a few briquettes, that you have to keep topping up. A lot easier to regulate cooking with charcoal though
Cool Val. I had fence stakes so made used of them and all the other bits mentioned so kinda cost nothing . I know the rough price because I've been asked so many times .
Thanks for all your replies - I am sold! I absolutely cannot wait for Easter - booked a site that allows camp fires specifically to try out my new oven!
On the advice of a lovely person on this forum (soz can't remember who) i bought a stainless steel pot stand to use as a trivet from poundstretchers for £3, but so far only used in kitchen oven.
But I know if i used it on campsite I wouldn't have to go and hunt my kids down for dinner as the delicious smell would make them come lol
------------- I'm working class, I do what I have to do, to get by.
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Topic: Dutch Ovens
