I refer in my “easiest bread ever for camping and home” to a camping, or outdoor, Dutch oven. I’ll talk today about how indoor and outdoor Dutch ovens differ from each other in appearance and use. First, I’d like to sing the praises of cooking equipment that looks like it belongs in a shop inJ.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley rather than in a modern kitchen.
I am a big fan of cast iron because of its durability and health benefits. My oldest piece of cast iron is probably my 1883 frying pan from Cleveland Stove Company, although I have a few unlabeled pieces that I suspect may be older. Well kept for a century and a quarter, the cast iron delivers the same great service for me as it did for my great-great grandparents. Cast iron has never been implicated in any adverse health conditions (unlike aluminum, plastics, etc.). It even delivers an iron boost to you as you cook in it and foods absorb small amounts. For these reasons, I believe cast iron is a frugal, healthy choice.
Cast iron comes in many sizes and shapes, including today’s subject, Dutch ovens. Dutch ovens are pots with nipped handles and specialized lids. I’m picturing two Dutch ovens here. The one on the left is a typical Dutch oven for use inside. The one on the right is for use with charcoal, although you could use it inside in a standard oven or on a gas stovetop.
Let’s look at how the indoor and outdoor versions differ. First look at the bottoms. 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.
Let’s move on to the lids. The indoor Dutch oven lid is domedon top. It also has spikesthat are supposed to transfer juices back into roasts, basting the meat.
The outdoor Dutch oven lid has a raised rim on a relatively flat top. This construction allows you to pile coals on the top as well as the bottom, letting you create a standard oven effect wherever you can collect coals from a fire or burn charcoal. The underside of the lid is flat too, so you can flip it over and use it as a griddle.
Both of the Dutch ovens pictured here are from my favorite cast iron manufacturer,Lodge in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and both are the same size: 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. Lodge calls them 2-quart Dutch ovens, but you should only plan on filling half way for breads and cakes that rise. These 8-inch Dutch ovens are ideal for today’s family, holding easily two chicken quarters with fixings, a good number of servings of soup or stew, a small loaf ofmy variation of easy-fix yeast bread, etc.(I’ll talk in future blogs about recipes for home and camp.)
Thanks to combining two households of Dutch oven lovers, two competitors in Dutch oven contests (and a few wins), and a general appreciation of Dutch ovens, my family has a variety of Dutch ovens in size, shape, and construction material. Today I’ll stick to talking about cast iron. Lodge’s largest Dutch oven holds 12 quarts and is 16 inches in diameter. Lodge’s smallest, pictured here next to one of the 8-inch ovens, is 5 inches. It’s cute, but beyond that I’d say you can live without it.
Next we have a Dutch oven from (shhhhhhh) China, shown on the right. Something tells me J.K. had this kind of Dutch oven in mind when she wrote aboutPercy Weasley’s obsession with inferior, imported, thin-bottomed cauldrons. This Chinese-manufactured Dutch oven has skimpy legs and thin walls. I’ve used it successfully, but you really have to watch it to make sure it does not burn. Can you figure out if it’s for indoor or camping use? Yep, camping.
Do you have questions about cast iron or Dutch ovens? Post here and I’ll answer what I can.
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FAQs
Unlike a home Dutch oven, which has a flat bottom and sealed in enamel, a camping Dutch oven is made entirely from cast iron, has support legs on the bottom, and comes with a flat flanged lid. Coals or embers can be placed underneath and on top of the lid, allowing you to heat from both sides.
What is the difference between a Dutch oven and a camping Dutch oven? ›
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.
What is the meaning of Dutch oven? ›
The Dutch Oven (also known as the French Oven or Cocotte) is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid that can be used for a number of recipes. The Dutch oven is commonly referred to as the original multi-cooker, and serves many uses, including braising, baking, sautéing, searing, and boiling.
What is a cast iron Dutch oven? ›
A Dutch oven is a thick-walled, lidded pot.
This type of sturdy cooking vessel has been used for centuries to slow-cook soups, stews, sauces, and breads. Dutch ovens come in cast iron, enameled, aluminum, and ceramic varieties. Traditionally, though, they're made with seasoned cast iron.
What is the point of a Dutch oven? ›
A Dutch oven is, in essence, a big pot with a lid designed to let very little steam escape. (This is useful when you're braising or stewing something and don't want a lot of evaporation.)
What is the heck is a Dutch oven? ›
At its core, a Dutch oven is a casserole dish with thick, high walls and a tight-fitting lid. The heavy lid is crucial to lock in moisture, as it results in more flavorful food. They are often used to cook such dishes as roasts, stews, and casseroles, but the sky really is the limit.
Can Dutch Ovens go on the stove? ›
Traditional cast-iron dutch ovens are sturdy and durable. They should be seasoned before they are used and should only be cleaned with hot water. Just like their enameled counterparts, traditional cast-iron dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop or in the oven.
Why do Americans call it a Dutch oven? ›
In 1707 he obtained a patent for the process of casting iron in sand, which derived from the Dutch process. Thus, the term "Dutch oven" has endured for over 300 years, since at least 1710.
What does it mean when someone says they will Dutch oven you? ›
What Is “Dutch Oven” Slang For? Dutch oven is a slang term for farting in bed and pulling the covers over your partner's head, sealing in the stench of your gas. This gassy gag is named after an actual cooking device called a Dutch oven: a large metal pot that traps heat (and smells) under its lid.
Do I really need a cast iron Dutch oven? ›
“A cast-iron Dutch oven will give you better results than an Instant Pot any day,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. In fact, this one pot can replace your slow cooker, stock pot, pasta pot, loaf pan, and deep fryer.
Explore versatile alternatives to Dutch ovens for your cooking needs: stock pots, casserole dishes, slow cookers, roasting pans, cast iron skillets, and clay pots. Adjust cooking techniques and monitor closely when using substitutes.
Is a Dutch oven worth it for camping? ›
The answer is simple – whatever is cooked in it tastes fantastic, and it cooks just about everything. The Dutch oven is also called a camp oven, outdoor oven, kitchen oven, and bean pot.
What can you cook in a Dutch oven camping? ›
Think: simmering soups, steaming rice, boiling water for pasta, etc. Sear, pan-fry, sautee: A camping Dutch oven is also a great stand-in for a cast-iron skillet. Anything that can be cooked in a cast-iron skillet can be done in a Dutch oven too, like searing steaks, browning chicken thighs, sauteing vegetables, etc.
Can you use a camp dutch oven indoors? ›
The legs keep the pot up and over the hot coals below, while the rimmed lid holds hot coals above. A smooth bottomed Dutch oven with domed lid is designed for indoor use or you can place it on the cooking rack of a gas or charcoal grill.
How does a camp oven work? ›
A convex (or is that concave) lid on the top has a central hole. Once the gas is lit creates a flow of hot air around the sides of the camp oven, down onto the camp oven lid, then up and out the top. It even protects the gas burner and camp oven from the wind so your meals cook evenly every time.
Cast iron comes in many sizes and shapes, including today’s subject, Dutch ovens. Dutch ovens are pots with nipped handles and specialized lids. I’m picturing two Dutch ovens here. The one on the left is a typical Dutch oven for use inside. The one on the right is for use with charcoal, although you could use it inside in a standard oven or on a gas stovetop.
on top. It also has spikes
that are supposed to transfer juices back into roasts, basting the meat.
This construction allows you to pile coals on the top as well as the bottom, letting you create a standard oven effect wherever you can collect coals from a fire or burn charcoal. The underside of the lid is flat too, so you can flip it over and use it as a griddle.
It’s cute, but beyond that I’d say you can live without it.
has skimpy legs and thin walls. I’ve used it successfully, but you really have to watch it to make sure it does not burn. Can you figure out if it’s for indoor or camping use? Yep, camping.