Cook over hot coals with this versatile, virtually indestructible cast iron cookpot.
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A camping Dutch oven is a versatile, durable piece of outdoor cookware for car camping and outdoor meals you want to cook over coals or a fire—particularly dishes that require a big vessel, like stews, pot roasts, lasagna, or even fresh bread.
Typically made with heavy-duty, seasoned cast iron, a Dutch oven is a covered pot for cooking food. Those made for camping are made to sit over hot coals or embers, and can also be suspended over flames. If you want to bake with your Dutch oven, you can place it on hot coals, then cover it with hot coals to mimic the oven you have in your kitchen at home.
Cast iron Dutch ovens hold heat well, cook evenly, and foods cooked in them have a distinct flavor profile. I’ve used Dutch ovens on camping trips in all four seasons, both on group trips and solo outings. The combination of sitting around hot campfire coals while dinner cooks in a cast iron pot adds a cozy, homey element to nights outdoors—plus the food is delicious.
My go-to camping Dutch oven meal is a one-pot chili mac, which I make by sautéing onion and green pepper in oil in the hot Dutch oven, then browning ground beef or vegan substitute, and adding a few cans of beans, water, and a chili seasoning packet. With 10 minutes to go on the meat, I throw in a box of noodles, add water if needed, and top it with cheese when it’s done.
If you take care of your Dutch oven like you would any cast iron cooking implement, it’ll last a lifetime of campfire meals. Read on for our recommendations, including the camping Dutch oven I use for my own adventures.
Dutch ovens come in a variety of sizes, usually listed as capacity by quart, so consider your standard group size when shopping. You should get a four-quart Dutch oven for one person, or for side dishes or desserts. Two people will be set with a six-quart, and if you have a bigger group, eight to twelve quarts is a great option.
While an eight-quart Dutch oven might sound big, remember it’s just two gallons, so if you’re feeding a group or planning a big trip, you might want something bigger. Keep in mind these are heavy items, and while most people won’t be packing them into the backcountry, a good size cast iron Dutch oven can add 20 pounds to your camping cook setup. We’ve also listed the diameter of each model in case it impacts your packing efforts.
Traditional camping Dutch ovens are made of cast iron, but there are some great aluminum options out there. Aluminum Dutch ovens are treated to be nonstick, and while you won’t get the same heat distribution as cast iron, they’re much lighter.
Cast iron heats more slowly, retains heat better, and can cook more evenly, so it’s often better for braising and baking, but they do require more care in cleaning and seasoning than aluminum. Durability is usually a non-issue with both materials, as Dutch ovens are built to last many years with correct care that ensures rust prevention and a good cooking surface.
Home-specific Dutch ovens (think of the lovely, brightly colored Le Creuset) are also made of cast iron, but are often sealed in enamel for easier cleaning. These are not made for open flame or live coals, as the enamel can be damaged by that kind of direct heat.
Camping Dutch ovens should be un-enameled, a.k.a., plain old cast iron. But don’t fret about buying two—you can use your camping Dutch oven indoors as long as the dimensions work on your stovetop.
By design, camping Dutch ovens look and perform pretty much the same as one another. Aside from slight variations in lid and handle design, the biggest difference is dimensions and capacity. We chose well-known, reliable brands with high-quality materials, including models that come in different capacities for varying needs and group sizes, as well as favorites we’ve cooked with ourselves. We opted for seasoned cast iron since it’s easier to start cooking with, but you’ll have to continue to treat and season your cast iron yourself as you use it.
Eight quarts is a versatile capacity, and though this model is larger than the lightweight GSI model in liquid capacity, it has a smaller footprint so it takes up less space in a camping bin. The depth helps keep soups and stews from burning, and it comes pre-seasoned with Lodge’s proprietary vegetable oil blend, baked into the surface at their facility.
Lodge is one of the most trusted brands in cast iron, and this has a beautiful finish, a lifetime guarantee, and a flanged lid that fits deeply and securely into the top of the pot to trap heat. I’ve used this model for countless camping meals myself and can attest to its durability and ease of use—it is heavy, though.
Use the large 14-inch lid as a skillet or griddle, or set it firmly on this large Dutch oven for effective baking, frying, or steaming in the pot. This comes with a lid lifter to protect your fingers when removing the lid, as well as a bail to safely move the pot from fire to table.
The generous flange around the edge of the lid makes this great for baking, as you can place hot coals around the top for baking and all-around heat. Like Lodge, Camp Chef has a proprietary seasoning technique on all of their cast iron, giving you a ready-to-cook surface as soon as this is in your hands. The 12-quart size is great for soups, stews, and group meals, and it’s deep enough for frying.
Weighing significantly less than similar models, this lightweight cast iron option performs just as well as the full-weight models, making it a great choice for campers who want the performance of cast iron but are wary of adding too much weight to their car camping kit.
This model has easy-to-grab top and side handles for transporting tippy liquids, and has a corrosion-resistant finish. The inside is smoothly polished and easy to clean, and it comes with a trivet for outdoor cooking, but performs well on a stovetop or in an oven thanks to the wider bottom.
With a smaller capacity but versatile shape, this two-piece cook set from Lodge includes a classic combo of pot and a frying pan, which slot into each other to make a Dutch oven.
This is a great option for campers who want a deeper frying pan than the lids on other camping Dutch ovens, but also want the option of a lidded pot. The pot comes with a long handle that can be maneuvered like a frying pan. Use this for frying, skillet cooking, or baking over coals.
The size makes it compact and great for one or two people who want to cook multiple parts of a meal in one go.
Best for campers on a budget, this is a great alternative to the pricier models from sporting goods stores. This five-quart cast iron is great for one or two people, though on the lower-capacity side for full meals for two or more.
It comes pre-seasoned and the stainless steel handle makes it easy and safe to transport. The lid fits fairly snugly but does shift more than more expensive brands, but it cooks evenly, and with good care, it will last as long as the higher-end name brands.
Weighing just over six pounds, this is a lightweight, durable alternative to the classic cast iron models. This is rust-resistant and comes with a corrosion-resistant finish, and distributes heat well despite not being made of the burlier cast iron.
GSI Outdoors makes these in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes, and like much of its cookware, the two sizes nest together for convenience. The larger size comes with fixed legs to help it stay stable over hot coals, and the handle makes for easy carrying. This is also a great option for keeping in your kitchen—it cooks evenly and quickly on a stovetop or in the oven.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
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