Top 10 Best Dutch Ovens for Camping in 2021 (Lodge, Calphalon, and More)

Dutch ovens are multifunctional and useful cooking pots that have been in use for hundreds of years. They are heavy-bottomed with a heavy lid and can do pretty much everything; braising meat, baking bread, simmering soup, or frying chicken are some of the cooking tasks this appliance can do. 

From being a luxury utensil, it has become a staple in the kitchen. However, a Dutch oven can be used for both outdoor and indoor cooking. They are available in various sizes and capacities. While buying a Dutch oven, your demands and preferences are what matters the most. 

To help you make the right choice, we created the following list featuring the best of camping Dutch ovens out there.

Dutch ovens have become one of the essentials for those camping in groups or car camping. As mentioned earlier, you can perform a range of cooking tasks with these thick-walled and heavy-bottomed cooking pots. However, choosing a product isn't easy. But don't worry, this buying guide is for those looking for need-to-know information!

A good Dutch oven must be thick enough for proper conduction and heat distribution for even cooking. A pot made of a good material can ensure these properties. While most have the image of camping Dutch ovens as being made of cast iron, there are a couple more varieties and materials that could make your cooking experience easier.

The most common material used to make Dutch ovens is seasoned cast iron with a thick bottom. They are preferred due to their heat conductivity, heat retention, and longer life. 

They come with heavy, tight-fitting lids that can lock in moisture from the foods while cooking. Raw cast-iron needs to be seasoned and cleaned pretty well to make it last a long time, but it will be worth it with the results you’ll get.

Keep in mind that cast iron reacts with acidic foods such as tomatoes. This can cause the iron to leach out and add a metallic taste to your food. Also, if you don't dry your cast iron Dutch oven properly, it can rust. So dry it well with a towel or even over low heat. You should season it regularly to keep it in tip-top shape, too. 

Many cast-iron Dutch ovens are designed with an enamel coating that doesn't require any seasoning and is also easy to clean. The enamel coating also doesn't react with foods and won't rust easily. However, it can chip off easily. 

Also, enameled cast-iron pots can come with a light or dark interior. While dark interiors can mask any mishaps like stir marks and stains left behind by cooking, lighter ones enhance them. However, if you use your Dutch oven frequently for browning foods, go for an enameled oven with a brighter interior since it will help you to easily see what you've cooked.

It’s not uncommon to find ones made of ceramic, cast aluminum, or stainless steel. They can be lighter than cast iron and require minimal maintenance. So, if you want a lighter pot, go for stainless steel or aluminum.

Stainless steel Dutch ovens are budget-friendly and lightweight. They can only give average cooking results since they do not retain heat that well. Moreover, most stainless steel products are raw and don't have a nonstick coating, so they can be hard to clean. 

Aluminum Dutch ovens are usually made with a nonstick surface and are easy to clean. However, the nonstick coating might wear off over time. Also, sharp utensils can scratch the nonstick surface. So avoid using them and opt for wooden or silicone utensils instead. 

Whether you're cooking over a campfire, coals, or a portable burner, you'll need a Dutch oven that's compatible with it. Here are some things to keep in mind as you browse product descriptions.

Not all Dutch ovens have the same shape. Some are tall and narrow, whereas some are short and wide. The shallow, short pots are ideal for reducing sauces and searing pieces of meat and poultry.

If you are using a camping stove for cooking, choose a Dutch oven that is a good match for the camp stove burner. For a bigger burner, a wider pot makes sense. 

However, if it comes with a small burner, go for a Dutch oven with a narrow base for better heat distribution. And if you're using hot coals for heating up, the shape shouldn’t be a concern. 

If you're cooking with charcoal briquettes you should select a Dutch oven with strong legs that can elevate it off the ground and keep it steady at the same time without letting it topple. The legs also allow the air to circulate between the Dutch oven and the coals for even heat distribution. 

If you use charcoal briquettes for cooking, look for a rimmed lid to hold the briquettes on top. This will allow for more even heating to help you bake breads, biscuits, or even cakes in a Dutch oven! If you need more interior space, choose a Dutch oven with a domed lid. 

Check the reviews to see if the lid is tight-fitting. A well-fitted lid will allow the heat to surround the food for even cooking. Also, consider using a lid lifter, especially while lifting cast-iron pan lids, to keep you safe while cooking. 

How many people are you cooking for? Is this a nice, hot meal at the end of a long hike? Size does matter, especially when it comes to heavy-duty gear like Dutch ovens.

A good camping Dutch oven must be deep and big enough to feed hungry campers, but it can also take up space in your backpack or car trunk. Consider the number of people you normally camp with. This helps you to choose a Dutch oven by size.

Dutch ovens are commonly available in sizes from two quarts to 10 quarts. Bigger sizes are also available for commercial needs. Usually, a two-quart oven is ideal for one or two people, while a four to five-quart oven can serve up to four people. 

But remember that the bigger the size, the heavier the pot. Cast iron pots are heavy even without any food inside them. A heavier pot can make transferring it from the stove or fire to the serving area difficult. 

While cooking at home, handles might not make a significant difference to some. While camping, you will need to transfer the pot from the heat as soon as the cooking is done.

Side handles are made of metal or cast iron and can get really hot while cooking. So you might want to consider purchasing a pair of silicone handle covers to protect your hands from getting burned. 

Dutch ovens with a loop handle on the lid make transferring easy. You can hang the oven on a tripod over a campfire if it comes with a bail handle. 

A Dutch oven is versatile and can be used for slow cooking, baking, and roasting. However, it's not easy to cook with charcoal briquettes since, depending on the cooking method, you'll have to distribute the briquettes differently. 

• For roasting, heat needs to come from both the bottom and the top equally. So place the briquettes equally under the oven and on the lid. 
• For baking, you'll need more heat from the top rather than from the bottom. As a rule of thumb, place one-third of the briquettes under the oven and two-thirds on the lid.
• For stewing and simmering, most of the heat should come from the bottom. So briquettes should be placed on the lid and under the oven at a one to three ratio, having more underneath the oven. 
• If you want to use the lid as a griddle or skillet, simply flip it over! 

When you're outdoors, it can be hard to know what to cook. You'll definitely need to prep your recipes. To get you started, here's a simple, classic chili recipe from Jim Cyr, adapted from Food Network, that you can adjust based on your tastes!

Ingredients:

• 1 large red onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 8 ounces Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• One 4-ounce can tomato paste
• One 12-ounce bottle beer
• 32-ounces diced tomatoes
• One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• Butter

Directions:

1. Throw the butter and vegetables into the cast iron pot and place over the fire for about 10 - 15 minutes.
2. Take the pot off of the fire and add the sausage and beef. Stir to break up the big chunks of meat. 
3. Add in the spices, stir, cover, then put the pot over the coals and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
4. Take the pot off the fire and add in beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and the can of beer, then stir it all together. 
5. Place it back on the fire and let sit for about 2 hours.

You have the perfect cookware and the tent to set out on a camping trip. We have some recommendations for cooking a perfect meal and a comfortable stay! 

A good Dutch oven will be a good investment no matter how often you camp in a year. Cast-iron cookware is ideal because it can withstand intense heat from hot coals and campfires. A good-quality Dutch oven made of other materials makes sense if you're cooking on a propane gas stove or a grill. 

By now, you know that these pans are highly versatile and can cook a variety of meals while outdoors or at home. For more fun, use your fireplace or woodstove for cooking your favorite meals using the Dutch oven next winter! That's one good way to save fuel and time while keeping yourself warm and ready to savor a tasty meal.

Author: Biji Ravindran

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There's nothing like a hot cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. And while camping, you can still be able to brew your morning coffee with this portable coffee maker, recommended by travel blogger Kathryn Hickl. It's easy to clean and small enough to fit in your backpack!