Sunday, May 23, 2010

How to Buy a Dutch Oven

I got a post on my facebook fan page from someone asking about how to choose and buy a dutch oven.  Rather than reply there with what will be way too long of an answer for facebook, I posted this article:

The simple answer is...  Send me some money and I'll buy you one!  :-)

I guess the real title for this article should be:  "How to shop for a dutch oven, and buy one that's the best for you." There's a lot of "That depends on what you're looking for" in the answer, so let's break it down. I'm presuming, by the way, that those reading this are primarily interested in buying their first dutch oven.  If you've already got one or two, and you're looking to buy another, you'll still be looking for the same basic things, but your reasons for buying will be different, and you'll have a different result, possibly.

There are four basic variables that you'll want to consider when you're deciding which kind to buy: The type, the size, the material, and the quality.

The Type

You have two basic options here:  "Camp" dutch ovens, or "Stove" dutch ovens.  Which you choose will depend on what you're going to do with it.

A "camp" dutch oven is primarily designed for outdoor cooking using wood coals or charcoal briquettes.  It's got a lip around the perimeter of the lid that keeps the coals on the lid, and prevents ash from falling down into the food when you lift it.  It's also got legs on the bottom that lift the dutch oven up above any coals you want to put underneath.

A "stove" dutch oven is designed primarily for use indoors, in a conventional oven or on your stovetop.  It won't have the legs, because you're setting it in your oven or resting directly on your stove's burner.  It doesn't have the lip around the lid because there's no coals to be put on top.  Some of these will even be coated in colored enamels. 

It IS possible to use a camp dutch oven indoors, but it's not as convenient.  It's possible to use a stove dutch oven outdoors, but it's tricky.

The Size

Dutch ovens are primarily measured by diameter, and sometimes by quart capacity.  Common sizes are 10" and 12".  You can buy them as small as 5" or as large as 22" (which take considerable effort to lift, even without food in them). Which one you end up buying will depend largely on who you'll be cooking for.  If you're cooking for yourself, or you have a small family, you won't want one as big.  If you have a larger family, or if you're thinking you'll end up cooking for groups of friends, you'll want one bigger.

If this is your first oven, and you're just interested in experimenting a little, I'd recommend a 12" shallow oven.  This will have the capacity to feed a family of four with some leftovers, and can easily cook for a gathering of as many as 8, depending on what you're cooking.  Breads, stews, chilis, desserts, and even small roasts can easily be done in a 12" dutch oven.

Larger and smaller ovens will come in handy in more specialized situations.  For example, I use my 14" ovens to cook turkeys and larger specialty meats.  My 8" dutch oven I'll use for sides of rice or sauces.

The Material

There are two basic materials used to make dutch ovens:  Cast iron, and aluminum.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both.  Even though all of my dutch ovens are cast iron, I've seen chefs that swear by each one.

Cast iron is probably the most popular.  It's the historic choice.  It heats very evenly (if slowly), and it holds the heat very well, so your food stays warm in it, even after it's "done" cooking.  It can take a lot of heat without damage, too.  Unfortunately, it's also very heavy, and the bigger the oven, the heavier. Cast iron has to be seasoned to be used effectively, but with regular use that seasoning patina gets better and better, and it becomes non-stick.  Cast iron also lasts forever.

Aluminum dutch ovens are much lighter than cast iron, so it's often the pot of choice for campers, river runners, and backpackers that carry their gear in to their campsites.  It won't rust, so you don't need to season it.  It heats up quickly, but that also means that it cools quickly, and it's prone to developing hot spots.

Some say that cast iron-cooked food tastes better, but I've tasted delicious food from both kinds.

The Quality

The best dutch ovens I've ever seen come from three companies: Lodge, Camp Chef, and Maca. There are lots of littler brands, like Texsport and a few that are even no-name.  You can often come across dutch ovens at yard sales and antique stores.  Some dutch oven chefs I know will swear by one brand or another.  While it's true that there are some that are better made, keep in mind that our pioneer ancestors cooked successfully in dutch ovens made hundreds of years before modern companies were formed and contemporary casting procedures were invented.  I've cooked delicious meals in off-brand dutch ovens.  I prefer my lodge, but you can be successful with anything.

Here are some hints to check with the quality:

First, check to see that the lid fits well.  Press down on the lip of the lid all the way around.  If you find a spot where the lid rocks back and forth, that's a sign of a poorly fitting lid.  That will let more moisture escape when you're cooking.  Again, you can still cook well in that pot, but it won't be quite as effective.

Some off-brands will use different alloys or different sources for their cast iron stock.  That can make for variations in the thickness of the pot, as well as the density of the metal.  In either case, that can make for more uneven heating and hotspots.  Unfortunately, you can't really check for that in the store.  It's one reason why you might want to go with a more respected brand.

Still, my forefathers that crossed the plains didn't have a Lodge or a Camp Chef.

Summing it All Up

Ok, so this is really a $75 answer to a $10 question.  What dutch oven should I buy?  My recommendation is that if you're wanting to get started in outdoor dutch oven cooking, get a 12" shallow Lodge or Camp Chef (these, and all other links in this article are affiliate links, by the way, and I'll get paid if you buy from them).  You'll possibly notice that almost all of the recipes in my blog use that basic size.  My two 12"ers are the workhorses of my cast iron collection.

Whatever you end up buying, now you have some knowledge to help you make a wise choice, either to get started, or to expand once you've gotten a few recipes down!


share


Mark has discovered a love of Dutch Oven Cooking. Mark also has other sites and blogs, including MarkHansenMusic.com and his MoBoy blog.


25 comments:

  1. Up until recently, I've been using all my cast iron indoors. It's beautifully seasoned inside and out after all these years. A few weeks ago I went outside and put the Dutch oven over some briquettes, and some of the seasoning on the outside surface burned completely away. The seasoning inside the oven is still perfect. Is this just what happens? It's not enough to make me give up using the oven outdoors, in fact, it was so much fun I'm going out today to buy a new, larger Lodge. I'm just wondering if this is normal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've not experienced this. The nice thing with cast iron is that it's virtually indestructible, so you can just reseason it and it will replace what flaked off.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice, descriptive article on choosing a dutch oven. I just started my own dutch oven blog, but will be talking about cooking indoors, both on the cook top and in the oven.

    My 13 year old daughter found your blog while looking for other dutch oven blogs.

    We have Le Creuset and Staub dutch ovens, definitely designed only for use inside and not in or over a camp fire!

    I am do glad to see so many other people that LOVE how good food is when cooked in cast iron.

    Changed our family's life! Seriously! We eat some GOOD FOOD, and a big part of that is that we love the cookware, and the ease of most dutch oven recipes.

    Please keep posting the good stuff like this and we'll keep coming back to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I got my first dutch oven at a local store--not one of the main brands, but it's done well for me. The next dutch oven, which came with a fry pan, griddle and a lid lifter, I got at an auction at our local church. Someone donated it and I ended up getting it. The only think I don't like is that it doesn't have any legs on it, which I prefer.

    ReplyDelete

  5. Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it msn hotmail sign in

    ReplyDelete
  6. very interesting post.this is my first time visit here.i found so mmany interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion..thanks for the post! buy facebook recommendations

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post. Buy Ads Facebook Accounts

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just made my quick step into your helpful zone and amazed with what useful deeds you have been left for us. As a new reader I was impressed much finding so many resources in this web log. For this post I would like to leave a big thanks to your facebook users for asking how to choose and buy Dutch oven. Otherwise we would miss such a thoughtful guidelines and support. I appreciate your great support and of course my warm thanks to you. BTW what's your recommendation for choosing Oven repair services. Thanks again in advance for your next update.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The rate of interest for a 5 Year Closed Variable Rate Mortgage is TD Mortgage Prime Rate -0. canada mortgage calculator The right type of commercial loan for your organization depends for the loan features you may need. canadian mortgage calculator

    ReplyDelete
  10. Excellent help you extended here for the readers and fan-followers. Buying oven or any home appliance is not an easy job as you have to make a good preparation and online research to find the perfect one. I think this post made some light regarding the issue. Just one thing I would be happy to learn is that what to do when Oven won't heat?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. pre-Rolls for sale

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for your thoughts. Travelers can apply online for their Turkish visa. e Visa of Turkey can get online via Turkish visa.By the time your application is complete, this new system has made visa processing easy and cost-effective for tourism and business travel in Turkey.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great help has been dropped here for the home kitchen and food lovers. The tips and guidelines you mentioned for buying Dutch Oven was truly helpful. Though my browsing aim was to reveal some reviews about dishwasher repair service in Vancouver, I was completely happy to have me into your helpful world.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I read your article , your content is well and I like it Thank you For this.Buy Verified PayPal Account

    ReplyDelete
  15. Excellent Blog! I would like to thank for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I really like your writing style, wonderful information, thank you for posting. Quality content is what always gets the visitors coming.Buy Facebook Ads Accounts

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fillers Botulinumsaesthetics is the one right shop or medical store for you if you need for different kinds of pharmaceutical products and medicine.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Prime Meds Supply we’re building an improved approach to healthcare we trust people deserve access to care that works for them

    ReplyDelete
  18. Welcome to the future! Financing made easy with Prof. Mrs. DOROTHY LOAN INVESTMENTS

    Hello, Have you been looking for financing options for your new business plans, Are you seeking for a loan to expand your existing business, Do you find yourself in a bit of trouble with unpaid bills and you don’t know which way to go or where to turn to? Have you been turned down by your banks? MRS. DOROTHY JEAN INVESTMENTS says YES when your banks say NO. Contact us as we offer financial services at a low and affordable interest rate of 2% for long and short term loans. Interested applicants should contact us for further loan acquisition procedures via profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com

    We invest in all profitable projects with cryptocurrencies. I'm here to share an amazing life changing opportunity with you. its called Bitcoin / Forex trading options, Are you interested in earning a consistent income through binary/forex trade? or crypto currency trading. An investment of $100 or $200 can get you a return of $2,840 in 7 days of trading and you get to do this from the comfort of your home/work. It goes on and on The higher the investment, the higher the profits. Your investment is safe and secured and payouts assured 100%. if you wish to know more about investing in Cryptocurrency and earn daily, weekly OR Monthly in trading on bitcoin or any cryptocurrency and want a successful trade without losing Contact MRS.DOROTHY JEAN INVESTMENTS profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com

    categories of investment

    Cryptocurrency
    Loan Offer
    Mining Plan
    Business Finance Plan
    Binary option Trade Plan
    Forex trade Plan
    Stocks market Trade Plan
    Return on investment (ROI) Plan
    Gold and Silver Trade Plan
    Oil and Gas Trade Plan
    Diamond Trade Plan
    Agriculture Trade Plan
    Real Estate Trade Plan

    YOURS IN SERVICE
    Mrs. Dorothy Pilkenton Jean
    Financial Advisor on Bank Instruments,
    Private Banking and Client Services
    Email Address: profdorothyinvestments@gmail.com
    Operation: We provide Financial Service Such As Bank Instrument
    From AA Rate Banks, Cash Loan,BG,SBLC,BOND,PPP,MTN,TRADING,FUNDING MONETIZING etc.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. Marijuana Tenerife

    ReplyDelete

  20. Nice blog this is very inspiring and informative material thanks for sharing us.. Three minutes. What can you do in three minutes, Oil and egg answering email counsel, 100. Enjoy a cup of coffee, or get your Turkey visa for your upcoming trip to Turkey. Surprised. Huh?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Buy Google Negative Reviews is one kind of SEO strategy of succeed your business. We provide negative google reviews, but it’s our random service.
    Buy Negative Google Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  22. Buy GitHub Accounts
    24 hour service access/ Reply/Contact
    Email: usaseoit@gmail.com
    Skype: UsaSeoit
    Telegram: UsaSeoit
    WhatsApp:+1 (661) 624-6774
    Buy GitHub Accounts

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails