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Hi

Am thinking of investing in one of these - anticipate our first camping trip at Easter will be a cold one and being able to cook a hearty stew over coals sounds very appealing! Has anyone got one and if so do you find it easy to use/worth the investment? Is the tripod essential? Cooking ideas also appreciated!

thanks!

Hi, I have got a 4.5 & 6 litre

Love cooking over the campfire but would say yes you need to have a tripod - they get hot really quickly and you will end up cremating the bottom of everything without one

See this link:-

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=265172&SearchPagePosition=1&search=dutch+oven&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Topic&forum=6&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Got a 4.5 litre and the tripod is a essential piece of kit, when you open it out of the package, ensure that you season it first. The objective is to bake onto the surface of the oven a coating of oil, which becomes like lacquer. The seasoning does several things. First, it prevents the metal from rusting, second, it creates a non-stick surface making clean up easier, and third, it adds a delicious subtle flavor. 

Happy camping

Ronnie Sunshine's if you don't want to faff about or Ebay if you are prepared to be patient. You will eventually get one at the right price

Tripod? Yes, it's far more variable than a trivet

why do people keep saying a tripod is essential ? One of the ideas of a Dutch Oven is the fact you cook in the fire . On and Under the hot coals that's the reason many have feet and a deep rim on the lid ! you don't need a huge fire just charcoal briquettes . i know the idea of a log fire appeals but its not all ways available but you can still use your dutch oven .

Regards a tripod if your at all DIY minded you can make one for £10 to £15 pounds . Buy 3 temporary steel fence stakes from tool hire tool shop .a 4inch D loop shackle . Two foot of chain(1 inch links) a hook or bend a 6 inch nail to shape and small steel karibena .

the fence stakes have a U or Y at the top . Close the Us in to a loops then undo the Dshackle. Place an end of the chain on the D then place the loops of the stakes in the shackle thread the bolt for the D shackle tighten . Now you have a tripod and chain in the centre place the hook on the end then use the karibena to adjust the length  

no welding . just a hammer vise and spanner

Rob

I made a tripod out of 3 old tent poles - cost me about £5 for the bolts and chain

The eye bolts just sit in the poles, the weight at the centre keeps it stable

Still think using one is a better option, would be a pretty crap fire with just a few briquettes, that you have to keep topping up.  A lot easier to regulate cooking with charcoal though

Hi All,

I have had a Dutch Oven for years with varying success. Any tips on recipes and techniques for using without burning very gratefully received.

Nick

Quote: Originally posted by trenchn on 14/3/2012

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Hi All,

I have had a Dutch Oven for years with varying success. Any tips on recipes and techniques for using without burning very gratefully received.

Nick

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less coals

high on the tripod

get a pan trivet for solid items and line with foil, then put the joint/bread etc on top of the trivet

stir it a lot and keepan eye on it!