dutch oven tips

[perdidochas]

On 6/12/2018 at 9:58 AM, 69RoadRunner said:

Charcoal with lighter fluid in it seems to require more briquettes than the charcoal without.

You can buy pre-formed parchment paper at REI and I'm sure Amazon.

IMHO, charcoal with lighter fluid should be avoided. You can light charcoal just as fast with a charcoal chimney, and with less noxious fumes. 

Wal-Mart sells Dutch oven liners in their outdoor section. 

[mashmaster]

2 hours ago, perdidochas said:

IMHO, charcoal with lighter fluid should be avoided. You can light charcoal just as fast with a charcoal chimney, and with less noxious fumes. 

Wal-Mart sells Dutch oven liners in their outdoor section. 

Yes say no to lighter fluid.  Newspaper works great, the stove even better.

I just make my liners, very easy to do.

[SubSM]

I learned from the team teaching IOLS up here about using metal pans (I found mine at tractor supply 'Beren's 3 gal') for holding the dutch oven while cooking. It keeps the mess to a minimum and makes clean up of the coals/ash much easier. I also use the CampChef lid lifter that has the trigger pull on it. https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-DOLL14-14-Inch-Lifter/dp/B003Z8YQAY/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=camp+chef+lid&qid=1565286864&s=gateway&sr=8-7 it's much easier to hold the lid and dump the coals/ash of the top.

I also use a Crisbee stick to coat my dutch ovens after cleaning. It comes in a deodorant sized stick and works well. I found it on Amazon. And I can't say enough about using chainmail, it works.

 

Mike

 

[Saltface]

I second the use of metal pans. One chicken feed pan on top another (bottom to bottom) will insulate your coals from the cold wet ground.

Any idea what the ingredients are in a Crisbee stick?

[cgail]

According to the listing:  Crisbee is a proprietary cast iron seasoning blend of Soybean Oil, Beeswax, and Palm Oil. 

[mrkstvns]

22 hours ago, Saltface said:

I second the use of metal pans. One chicken feed pan on top another (bottom to bottom) will insulate your coals from the cold wet ground.

It's also a good way to implement a Leave No Trace philosophy in your unit.  Building a fire on these metal pans won't scorch the ground and makes it easier to truly "leave no trace" that you ever camped at the site.