Dutch Oven Cooking Tips

If you are cooking over a campfire and using coals to heat your oven, then a 12 or 14 inch cast iron Dutch oven with a flat top is the best option. You will be able to put coals on the top and bottom. If you are placing the Dutch oven in a standard oven, then a ceramic coated Dutch oven may work better, but almost any will work. Keep reading below to learn about the number of coals you will need.

Also see our Camping Cookbook

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Here are some different types of Dutch ovens:

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Best for campfire cooking

Ceramic Coated Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Works well in an oven

Aluminum Dutch Oven

A lightweight option

2-in-1 Dutch Oven

Lid works as a pan too

How many coals (charcoal briquettes) do I need?

The number of coals, also known as charcoal briquettes, you need to get the right temperature depends on many factors. This is the fun part. You will need to add or remove coals and move them around to control the temperature. Here are some of the factors that will come into play:

• Air temperature
• Shade/sun
• Size of Dutch oven
• Amount of food in the oven
• Whether the cover is on or off. You will want it off for frying and on for baking or roasting.
• Type of Dutch oven. Use fewer with an aluminum Dutch oven.
• How hot the coals are

Here's a chart showing the typical number of coals you will need on the top and bottom of a cast iron Dutch oven. Use fewer with an aluminum Dutch oven.