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Old 07-18-2013, 08:53 AM   #1
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Best size, shape of dutch oven? Better brands?

I'm thinking of getting a dutch oven, mainly for baking. What size/shape works best? Some of them seem rather shallow, at least when I read the dimensions online. Any favorite brands? (I know in an old thread someone mentioned Lodge.)

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Old 07-18-2013, 09:17 AM   #2
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I don't think there's a "best size" for a dutch oven. A lot depends on what you're cooking and for whom. For pot lucks I like to use a 12" standard. For a large piece of meat I use a 12" deep. I go down from there all the way to a 5". (10", 8", 6", 5").
For two people even an 8" is large.
Brands. I don't remember what the 5" is, I think Champ Chef. Everything else is Lodge.
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Old 07-18-2013, 10:28 AM   #3
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If you only had one, which one would you pick? I'm thinking 10 inch.
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Old 07-18-2013, 10:29 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer View Post
If you only had one, which one would you pick? I'm thinking 10 inch.
Probably the 8". But I wouldn't really be able to make a dutch oven dish for any potlucks.
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Old 07-18-2013, 10:51 AM   #5
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I am not an expert, but I'll share my experiences. I got involved with a group like boy scouts and 2 of the leaders were long time dutch oven users. They had even written a book and presented at conferences. They made two suggestions to me when I said I was interested. First, get a Lodge. Second, start with a bigger one (10" or 12" deep) because it would be more flexible when you just own one. As someone noted, it obviously depends on what you use it for, but it has worked well for us.

Our family has really enjoyed it. Here are a couple of hints. We cook either with coals from a fire or sometimes with charcoal if that is not available. We often line the inside with the wide high strength tin foil because it is much easier to clean up that way .

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!
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Old 07-18-2013, 11:01 AM   #6
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A lot of pots sold as Dutch ovens, aren't really. They are just large, heavy pots, and the lids are dome shaped.
A proper Dutch oven has a concave lid to hold coals.
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Old 07-18-2013, 11:20 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo View Post
A lot of pots sold as Dutch ovens, aren't really. They are just large, heavy pots, and the lids are dome shaped.
A proper Dutch oven has a concave lid to hold coals.

Good point and very important. Pictures attached.

Bad dutch oven:

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Good dutch oven:

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Old 07-18-2013, 11:27 AM   #8
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I have found the larger sizes to be very flexible, but here is some recommendations from lodge if you find it useful.
Click image for larger version

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Also here is a comparison of the sizes.

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Old 07-18-2013, 11:33 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by ericw View Post
Good point and very important. Pictures attached.

Bad dutch oven:
Attachment 62086

Good dutch oven:
Attachment 62087

Bad??? NOPE. That's a kitchen dutch oven.
Good?? NOPE. That's a camp dutch oven.

Different usages.
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Old 07-18-2013, 11:41 AM   #10
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I stand corrected.
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Old 07-18-2013, 12:04 PM   #11
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Bobby, I was surprised to see one in our Walmart the other day, a Lodge at a great price. I'd check with them first as these things can get very pricey. They are also heavy as I am sure you know. I have an antique one I got for free as it was coated with brown rust...I cleaned it up first in the fire, then washed and seasoned it.
But mainly only use it in fall and winter, for soups, biscuits and cakes.
*Note* for anyone who is conscious of weight and wants to bake, you can use any large deep pot with a lid on an open fire. Just put three rocks in the bottom of pot and drop a cake pan down inside add your dough or cake mix, put on lid set on fire or grate and WALLAH! I love the taste of cake made this way! Enjoy whatever you do choose. I am accepting open invitations for dinner ...
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Old 07-18-2013, 02:13 PM   #12
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Hmm, well, lots to think about. I still need to get a cookset so I'd like something that could sit inside the Dutch oven for travel, so I guess that's first. Then I can see how big the Dutch oven needs to be. I also should measure the storage space I have for it.

I know about the flat lids for camping- I want one I can use with charcoal.
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Old 11-03-2013, 04:04 PM   #13
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How about baking on top of the gas range? Could we use a deep DO ?
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Old 11-03-2013, 04:21 PM   #14
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I know I put this info somewhere else, but I ended up with a 5 quart Lodge- 10 inches wide but 5 inches tall, with a cookset that fits inside. Amazon.com: Coghlan's Non-Stick Carbon Steel Family Cookset,: Sports & Outdoors
Works great and stores easily under the sink in the Campster.
Bill, I think you could cook on a gas stove with a Dutch oven, but that's a lot of gas to burn inside your trailer over a period of time - since Dutch oven cooking is slow. Okay if you have good ventilation, I guess.
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Old 11-03-2013, 05:09 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by troutboomer View Post
How about baking on top of the gas range? Could we use a deep DO ?

The problem with that is getting heat to lid. When using briquets there's twice as many on the lid as there is under the DO. It work like any other pot on the top of a stove, but NOT like a DO.
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Old 11-05-2013, 10:33 PM   #16
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You can purchase the camp lid separately

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer View Post
I know about the flat lids for camping- I want one I can use with charcoal.
Hi, Bobbie.

The dutch oven I bought (Lodge) came with a dome lid. However, I was able to also purchase the camp lid for it. Each is good for what it's designed for, and I don't regret having the choice.

Of course, YMMV.
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Old 11-06-2013, 09:01 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Mary F View Post
Hi, Bobbie.

The dutch oven I bought (Lodge) came with a dome lid. However, I was able to also purchase the camp lid for it. Each is good for what it's designed for, and I don't regret having the choice.

Of course, YMMV.
Already bought- flat lid, used, cooked in, success! (This is an old post someone brought back to life which I updated above with info about my purchase.) I haven't seen the camp lids for sale separately but that's good to know in case I find an old Dutch oven with the dome lid. But I don't think I'd carry a second one, anyway, and the one I have fits perfectly.


The one I bought wasn't listed by Lodge anymore.
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Old 11-06-2013, 09:04 AM   #18
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Click image for larger version

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Old 11-06-2013, 10:16 AM   #19
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Sucks, no smell attachment for those rolls.
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:56 AM   #20
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Looking good Bobbie. I can almost smell them.
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