Dutch Oven Cooking Essentials

by Dave Donovan

Dutch ovens have been around since the 1600s, but because of the luxuries of modern appliances, not many Americans have enjoyed this basic, grass-roots cooking method. Many don’t even know what a Dutch oven is.

A Dutch oven is a cast-iron cooking pot that has a tight-fitting lid. It’s used for cooking foods outside on a fire, placed either directly on the logs or coals or situated above them. The great thing about Dutch ovens is that they can cook food using a variety of techniques, including frying, boiling, baking and roasting.

If you’re interested in trying out this age-old cooking technique, you’re not alone. Dutch oven cooking has recently become popular once again. But cooking food in this manner can take some getting used to, demanding more of a watchful eye by the cook.

Here are a few essential tips to help your initial foray into Dutch oven cooking result in tasty dishes and the building of a new tradition.

Watch your Dutch oven carefully during the cooking process. If you notice steam escaping from the lid, then it is getting too hot. This type of oven is designed to steam the food inside; if the steam is escaping then in most cases either to top or bottom of the food will be burned.
Lift the lid to check on the food from time to time. It can be easy for your Dutch oven to have a hot spot where the food is cooking faster in one spot than another.
To prevent hot spots, rotate your Dutch oven every 15 minutes. Here’s how: Rotate the body of the oven 90 degrees one way and rotate the lid 90 degrees the opposite way.
If you want a breakfast of eggs or pancakes, use the lid of the Dutch oven as the frying pan by placing it upside down in the fire.

Dutch Oven Cooking Tips

How to Simmer – This technique is perfect for stews, soups and chili. Keep 2/3 of the briquettes under the oven and use the remaining 1/3 to cover the lid for even cooking.

How to Bake – This technique is for baking breads, pies, cakes and more. Leave 1/3 of the briquettes under the oven and place the remaining 2/3 to cover the lid.

How to Roast – If you’re cooking meats, poultry, veggies or casseroles, distribute half of the coals on top and the other half below the oven.

Essential Tools for Dutch Oven Cooking

Like cooking inside with your oven, having the right tools makes cooking with your Dutch oven easier and more enjoyable. Here are some essential tools to include in your Dutch oven cooking arsenal.

Heavy-duty, well insulated leather gloves
Wooden utensils (do not use plastic or metal)
Long-handled tongs for moving charcoal briquettes if necessary
Lid lifting tool
A whisk broom for removing the ashes from the top of the lid prior to serving the food