Dutch Oven Guide
DUTCH OVEN GUIDE
All Topics
General: What is a Dutch Oven?
Background, Origin & Material
Advantages: What makes the Dutch Oven so popular?
About the versatility of the cast-iron pot
Which Dutch Oven manufacturers are recommended?
What to look for when buying
What shouldn't be missing in a good Dutch Oven set?
Chimney starter, lid lifter, gloves & more
The best charcoal for the Dutch Oven.
Briquettes for consistently high temperatures
How many briquettes do I need for the right temperature?
About the number and distribution of barbecue briquettes
What can be prepared in a Dutch Oven?
Not only classic stews can be conjured up in a Dutch Oven
Dutch Oven Recipes
Dishes for beginners & great Dutch Oven recipe ideas
Rustic preparation and slowing down from everyday life
If you listen closely, you can hear the clatter of wagon hooves, the creaking of wood, and see the black, cast-iron pots hanging from the wagon. That's certainly how it looked when the original form of the Dutch Oven was first used. A robust, iron cooking vessel for preparing food over an open fire.
And if we're honest, nothing has changed. Except that we've replaced the wagon with fancy campervans and transport the Dutch Oven in them. The cast-iron pot is still universally popular and is currently experiencing a true renaissance despite high-tech alternatives. Cooking outdoors over an open fire awakens primal instincts and slows down the ever-accelerating pace of everyday life.
1. WHAT IS A DUTCH OVEN?
A Dutch Oven is a three-legged pot made of cast iron, with a tightly closing lid and a raised rim to place coals on. This allows the Dutch Oven to be heated from below and above with embers. Additionally, the pot usually has a hook so it can be hung over or next to the fire. A Dutch Oven can be used for roasting, stewing, and baking and is almost indestructible. A good "Dopf" will last for many generations with proper care and use.
The first mentions of Dutch Ovens, also called Camp Ovens or Chuck Wagon Ovens, date back to the 18th century when Dutch and German immigrants settled in the USA. The image with the wagons fits quite well.
In South Africa, people also cooked over an open fire in a cast-iron cooking vessel called a "Potjie." The "Potjie" almost resembles Harry Potter's cauldron. The "Potjie" was, as the name suggests, brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers.
Inspired by his stay in Holland, Abraham Darby I manufactured his version of the Dutch Oven in his native England at the beginning of the 18th century. However, these were not pots and not made of iron, but of metal and served as ovens. Heated by the indirect heat of a campfire, food was prepared here. Here, too, there was already the option of placing glowing coals on top. But an original Dutch Oven is made of cast iron.
2. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A DUTCH OVEN?
The multifunctionality and indestructibility are two essential advantages of a Dutch Oven. However, such a pot is not lightweight and often weighs several kilograms. The thick material is also the next advantage: the Dutch Oven stores the supplied heat incredibly well and ensures even distribution.
The weight also has the advantage that the lid and pot close very tightly, and this closed unit allows little heat to escape from the pot. A small handle on the lid allows it to be safely removed during operation with a tool (lid lifter) without burns.
Dutch Ovens are available in all possible sizes and now also in various shapes. From dessert size to catering for a crowd, there is something for every use. Round is probably the most popular shape, but oval and rectangular bread pan shapes are also available today. Another not insignificant advantage is that Dutch Ovens of different sizes can be stacked inside each other, saving a lot of space.
Use the fire pot as a pan: Inverted lid
If you turn the lid over, you can use it excellently as a pan due to its shape and fry optimally in it, because the lid of the pot is provided with three legs and a raised rim on the lid.
The stable handles on the pot are shaped so that the Dutch Oven can be hung over or next to a fire pit, even with the lid on. This is particularly advantageous for dishes that have a long cooking time.
What makes "Dopfen" so popular?
The popularity of Dutch Ovens can partly be attributed to their appearance, as they are a real eye-catcher. Furthermore, handling real fire will never go out of style. Moreover, a real sense of touch is required when it comes to distributing the coal, achieving the optimal temperature, and cooking time. In the end, you'll be even happier when something turns out perfectly as planned.
This “Element of Surprise” is, of course, not to be underestimated. The pot often only reveals its secret after opening the lid, and then provides real moments of surprise (literally).
A very special Outdoor Cooking Experience
A cooking device that originally hung over the fire or stood on glowing coals is an adventure for many (sub)urban dwellers and simultaneously evokes incredulous astonishment. It's an oven, stew pot, and pan all in one, with relatively uncomplicated handling and little effort.
Outdoor cooking in general is becoming increasingly popular in our hectic times, and a Dutch Oven is indispensable. Whether in the garden, camping, or on a desert expedition. One returns to the essentials. Stress has no place here. Everything takes its time. Back to the Roots.
3. WHICH DUTCH OVEN MANUFACTURERS ARE RECOMMENDED?
The decision has been made, you've read this far and the thought is ripening: You need a Dutch Oven!
Next question, where do you get one? The internet spits out countless offers. We advise caution! Always remember, if you buy cheap, you buy twice. There are renowned manufacturers who understand their craft and whose addresses can be passed on with a clear conscience. Here, everything is right, from the offer and quality, to advice and service.
Another note on seasoning: Let's remember that the material is cast iron. Dutch Ovens, if bought from a specialist retailer, are ready for use. This means the manufacturer has already pre-treated and seasoned the fire pot and its surface. Seasoning gives the Dutch Oven its distinctive black color and forms an oily protective layer on the surface, also known as patina.
PETROMAX
A young team and successful company from Magdeburg, managed with a lot of passion, quality awareness, and expertise. The brand has existed for over 100 years and emerged from the invention of a high-power lamp (Max Graetz), which was operated with petroleum. Revitalized, internationally known, and used worldwide, Petromax dedicates itself to everything related to outdoor cooking and camping.
The advantage here is certainly that the company is based in Germany and sells its products itself. The product range is very extensive and remarkable, especially since the products are often coordinated with each other. You can find Petromax products in numerous grill, outdoor, and camping shops, as well as online.
CAMP CHEF
Founded in 1990 based on the idea of bringing "outdoor cooking" closer to people and simplifying it. Located in Cache Valley, Utah, USA, amidst the picturesque Bear River. Camp Chef offers a wide selection of equipment for anyone who prefers to cook outdoors. Here too, you can get everything an outdoor enthusiast could wish for, but not everything is available in Germany.
Lodge Cast Iron
Also a company from the USA, founded in 1867 in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. An adventurous world traveler who eventually settled in South Pittsburg and founded the Blacklock company. After a fire and rebuilding, he renamed his company "Lodge Manufacturing Company." Today, the company is still the oldest, family-run Cast Iron cookware factory in the USA.
It is particularly noteworthy that the lids of the Dutch Ovens are constantly being redesigned, and with them, charitable projects are supported. Large events such as the Olympic Games and National Parks are also immortalized on the lids.
Lodge stands out for its very good quality, but is more expensive due to higher transport costs and import duties. The cast-iron treasures and other equipment can be found in almost all larger grill and outdoor shops.
What to look for when buying
Buying a Dutch Oven is like buying shoes. It has to fit you! It's more than just a tool.
I would always buy from a local dealer! Support your local dealer!
Good quality pays off with a Dutch Oven! It would be very disappointing if your new Dutch Oven suddenly started to rust, or worse, if it cracked or even broke when handling hot coals and high temperatures! This doesn't happen with high-quality fire pots. The lifespan is very long due to the robust material, with proper care and use. Therefore, it is worth spending a little more money.
What shape and size is right?
What are your plans? Depending on what and how much you want to prepare with the Dutch Oven, various sizes and shapes are available. The following list gives you a rough overview.
A note on sizes: these are often given in inches. One inch corresponds to 2.54 cm.
Sizes and Usage
The information refers to Petromax Dutch Ovens.
|
SIZE AND SHAPE |
CAPACITY IN LITERS |
SERVES ... PEOPLE |
|---|---|---|
|
Pot: 1.6 l |
1-3 people |
|
|
Round FT6 |
Pot: 5.5 l |
4-8 people |
|
Round FT9 |
Pot: 7.5 l |
8-14 people |
|
Loaf pan |
2.4 l |
1-3 people |
|
Loaf pan k4 |
5.5 l |
3-6 people |
SPECIAL SHAPES
The information refers to Petromax Dutch Ovens.
|
SHAPES |
SIZE |
PERFECT FOR ... |
|---|---|---|
|
Poultry roaster |
Diameter: 30 cm |
whole chicken or duck |
|
Sandwich iron |
For sandwiches 11 x 11 cm |
Sandwiches |
|
Waffle iron |
For 2 waffles 9 x 11 cm |
Waffles |
|
Bundt cake tin gf1 |
23.8 x 16.3 x 23.8 cm |
Cakes, gratins or breads |
|
Muffin tin mf6 |
27 x 4.5 x 27 cm |
6 sweet or savory muffins |
|
Burger iron |
for 2 burger patties: 12 cm |
Burger patties |
|
Petromax Poffertjes pan |
1.6 x 32 x 30 cm |
Dutch Poffertjes |
4. THE RIGHT DUTCH OVEN ACCESSORIES
From my own experience, I can say that you can vary and work very well with 2-3 Dutch ovens of different sizes. Loaf pans are a very nice addition. Like classic Dutch ovens, these are also made of cast iron and have a lid. Their rectangular shape makes them perfect for lasagna, cakes, and breads.
The use of a lid lifter is essential for safe handling. It allows the lid of the Dutch oven to be lifted effortlessly, even if there is glowing charcoal on it. We advise against using makeshift tools. These are usually unsafe and the risk of injury is high!
What shouldn't be missing from a good set?
Gloves are equally important. Here, care should be taken to ensure that they are suitable for use on the grill and hot appliances. Nowadays, so-called grill gloves must be certified accordingly. Nevertheless, you should always be careful when buying online, as there are still many scammers who want to make quick money and don't care about health.
The best place to get proper tools and gloves is at your local specialty store. Household oven mitts do not offer the same protection and comfort as real grill gloves. Accordingly, we advise you not to cut corners! Good grill gloves are very well insulated, have good grip and a good fit.
The use of a chimney starter for the coals proves to be very useful. This allows for quick pre-glowing without the use of chemicals. Especially for camping and outdoor fans, hanging devices (tripods, fire bridges) are interesting. These offer the possibility to place the Dutch Oven safely and directly over a campfire.
Wind-protected stable tables are a very helpful accessory. This way, the Dutch Oven is at a comfortable working height and protected from cold wind.
For cleaning, you should not use dish soap, as this will remove the patina and make the Dutch Oven very susceptible to rust. Cleaning tools specially developed for the Dutch Oven, such as brushes and ring scrubbers (resembling chainmail), as well as special food-safe care pastes that prevent rust and food from sticking to all cast iron cookware, are better suited. Believe me, it's worth paying attention to the manufacturer's recommendations.
EFFICIENT DUTCH OVEN WITH KOKOKO FROM MCBRIKETT
Due to the constant and high temperatures of the coconut briquettes, you need 30% – 50% fewer briquettes for preparing your Dutch Oven dishes.
Order coconut charcoal5. THE BEST CHARCOAL FOR THE DUTCH OVEN?
For the Dutch Oven, two points are particularly important for charcoal:
High temperatures and constant heat
Therefore, you should use good charcoal that is sustainable and provides long-lasting and good heat due to its calorific value. The quality should also be right, because the success of your Dutch Oven dishes depends on how reliable the charcoal is.
Campfire charcoal, charcoal or grill briquettes?
When we think of outdoor cooking and camping, we immediately envision a blazing campfire. It's not only the most romantic, but also the most original. Campfire charcoal comes closest to its true purpose. However, we can't always light a campfire for using the Dutch Oven. Especially not in allotment gardens, on terraces, or generally in residential areas.
So we resort to charcoal, or grill briquettes, which are the easiest for us to get. Every hardware store, every gas station carries both briquettes and charcoal. That's not too bad to start with.
Differences in grill briquettes
Unfortunately, not all briquettes are created equal. Very often, you get inferior goods that ignite poorly, smoke excessively, stink, and don't provide the desired heat and burning time. Additionally, there are many black sheep who clear entire forests for charcoal production. Even worse is when tropical woods are involved and ecosystems are destroyed in the process.
Buy cheap, buy twice!
Good and relaxed work with the Dutch Oven stands and falls with the charcoal used. Unfortunately, charcoal from discount stores does not offer good comfort, and you are constantly busy checking and refilling. Often, such charcoals do not provide enough heat or the appropriate burning time.
The result is very often a veeery long cooking time or disappointing results. Honestly, nothing is worse than hungry guests and a half-cooked dish!
Advantages of coconut grill briquettes
HIGH EFFICIENCY: 30 – 50% FEWER BRIQUETTES ARE NEEDED
BURNING TIME UP TO 8 HOURS
TEMPERATURES UP TO 800°C
SMOKE-FREE & ODORLESS
LOW ASH CONTENT
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THROUGH UPCYCLING
PREMIUM GRILL BRIQUETTES MADE FROM COCONUT CHARCOAL
KOKOKO EGGS 8 KG
Ignition time: 25 – 30 min.
Direct burn time: 3 – 4 hrs.
Indirect burn time: 5 – 6 hrs.
Peak temperature: 800°C
KOKOKO CUBES 8 KG
Ignition time: 20 – 30 min.
Direct burn time: 3 – 4 hrs.
Indirect burn time: 5 – 6 hrs.
Peak temperature: 750°C
DUTCH OVEN TEST SET
Test package consisting of a total of 6 kg premium coconut briquettes ideal for Dutch Ovens:
3 kg KOKOKO CUBES
3 kg KOKOKO EGGS
6. HOW MANY BRIQUETTES DO I NEED FOR THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE?
Distribution of briquettes in the Dutch Oven
The stated number of briquettes varies depending on the type of preparation and the outside temperature.
Since different dishes require different heat distribution, the distribution of grill briquettes on the lid and bottom of the Dutch Oven naturally also varies. For stewing, for example, even heat is required. Breads and cakes in the Dutch Oven, on the other hand, need more heat from below.
You should distribute the grill briquettes as evenly as possible and preferably arrange them in a circle. We have listed the rough guidelines for how you should distribute the briquettes here:
Different temperatures are required depending on the type of dishes. The distribution of the briquettes on the bottom and lid also determines where the heat comes from.
Due to the constant and high temperatures of the coconut briquettes, you need 20% – 30% fewer briquettes for preparing your Dutch Oven dishes.
Of course, weather conditions also influence the number of briquettes needed.
Depending on the size of the pot and the desired cooking temperature in the Dutch Oven, you will need different numbers of briquettes. You can use the following list as a guideline.
With our KOKOKO EGGS, you need 30% fewer briquettes for stewing. For baking, only half are needed – compared to conventional grill briquettes.
7. WHAT CAN I PREPARE WITH A DUTCH OVEN?
Stewed dishes in the Dutch Oven
Stews are extremely popular. Soups of all varieties are easy to make. Chili con carne, braised meat, goulash, stuffed peppers, roulades, layered meat, in short, everything you would normally cook in a pot is also possible in the Dutch Oven. Just with a pinch more adventure.
Side dishes from the Dutch Oven
Classics like potato gratin with a delicious crispy crust, Mac'n'Cheese, all kinds of vegetables, red cabbage, sauerkraut, all types of cabbage – the possibilities are almost endless.
Sweet and Savory
Since the Dutch Oven can be used like an oven, desserts, cakes, breads, and casseroles can also be prepared excellently. These include lasagna, cheesecake, fruit crumbles, brownies, sourdough bread, etc. The list is endless and the taste is exquisite!
8. DUTCH OVEN RECIPES
Pork
Beef
Poultry
Vegetarian
Menus
Dessert
Side Dishes
