Best Cast Iron Dutch Oven for Camping in 2024

With so many options available to us today it is not surprising to be asked the common question what the best cast-iron Dutch oven is for camping?

Lodge 6-quart Dutch oven as it feeds a family of 4, allowing for seconds or leftovers. The best classic Dutch oven goes to the Lodge with a wire handle for hanging on a tripod over the campfire. The best open-fire camping Dutch oven with legs goes to the Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch oven.

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How to Choose a Good Dutch Oven

The best way to choose a Dutch oven is by following this quick reference for the best camping Dutch oven:

Cast Iron Quality: choose a good quality new cast iron Dutch oven with a smooth surface. The better the unpitted surface is the easier it is to season and maintain the natural nonstick patina.

Right Size: identify the number of people you intend to feed. The best size Dutch oven for camping would be a 12-inch 6-quart if you are feeding a small family. It is not too large for packing and carrying outdoors.

Shape: A camp oven with a flat lid that can be used as a skillet or inverted for cooking biscuits or scones while your favorite recipe is cooking in the pot is a great option for practicality. Another is the Dutch oven with a domed lid for stews, casseroles, oats, and soups.

Construction: The cast iron should be thick and not pitted or cracked so it can withstand extreme temperatures. Ensure the legs are sturdy, and the handles and bails are safely integrated with the oven and lid. There is a tight-fitting lid for optimum heat retention.

Choose carefully as a cast iron oven made from high-quality cast iron can be used in the home kitchen as well and will last a long time.

Best Cast Iron Dutch Ovens for Camping

You need to bear in mind the features you need in a seasoned cast-iron Dutch oven. To satisfy your cooking requirements while camping. Read on past my top 3 picks of camp Dutch ovens to read more about choosing a Dutch oven.

Features:

• Quality
• Size
• Shape
• Weight

Here are my Top 3 picks you will notice that they are all Lodge Cast Iron. Lodge, an American company, has been making cast-iron cookware in the USA for years. They are a trusted brand for seasoned cast-iron products.

1. Lodge L8DD3 Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven

This one comes in at number one due to the fact that it is a double Dutch oven. Therefore while camping you have the fantastic option of using the lid to fry bacon and eggs at the same time as cooking oats in the Dutch oven.

Quick Feature Review of the Lodge L8DD3

• 5 quart pre-seasoned
• made from cast iron material
• flat bottom
• the flat lid doubles as a 10.25-inch skillet or frying pan
• integrated side loop handles on the base and lid
• feeds 4-6 hungry campers

This oven is more than a regular Dutch oven. It can be used on all cooking surfaces including grills, camp stoves, and campfires as well as a conventional oven. It is the perfect size for a family.

After the family enjoys a camping meal of campfire nachos, or pork chops and mash they always enjoy my Dutch Oven Brownies which can also be made in this seasoned double Dutch oven or my enameled Dutch Oven at home.

2. Lodge L8DO3 Cast Iron Dutch oven

This Lodge Dutch oven comes in at number two due to the fact that it has a stainless steel wire bail handle. Making this Dutch oven an extremely safe option to use in oven flame fires – like camping.

Quick Feature Review of the Lodge L8DO3

• nice compact 5-quart in size, also available in a 7-quart and a 9-quart size for larger families
• a tight-fitting domed lid to lock in flavor, moisture, and nutrition
• sports a coil handle for easy lifting
• bare cast iron build
• pre-seasoned
• with Lodge’s own brand of vegetable oil seasoning for non-stick cooking

Like all Lodge seasoned cast iron cookware, this iron pot can withstand high temperatures. The heat source application to this outdoor Dutch oven is a little limited compared to a flat-based oven. The legs make it difficult to use in a kitchen safely and should be limited to outdoor use over charcoal briquettes.

3. Lodge 6-Quart L12CO3 Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven

This is a high-quality Dutch oven designed for outdoor cooking, once you own one of these Dutch ovens you will never look at another for your camping needs.

Quick Feature Review of the Lodge L12CO3

• large 6-quart size for a large family
• high quality cast iron
• pre-seasoned in the factory
• cast iron flanged lid inverts, for the top of the lid griddle use
• legs for stability while cooking
• able to withstand extremely high heat

This Dutch oven also is available in 1-quart, 2-quart, and 4-quart sizes for those who want an extra oven or a smaller oven. It is made in the U.S.A., and last but not least a lifetime warranty.

The heat source application to this outdoor Dutch oven is a little limited compared to a flat-based oven. The legs make it difficult to use in a kitchen safely and should be limited to outdoor use over charcoal briquettes. Best to stick to enameled Dutch ovens in a kitchen setting where possible to avoid damaging cooking surfaces and appliances.

Must read before buying an Overmont camp Dutch Oven or another campfire Dutch Oven “WHY DO DUTCH OVENS HAVE LEGS”.

Other good Dutch ovens to consider are the Camp Chef Classic Dutch Oven, which offers a built-in thermometer notch, and the Overmont Dutch Oven. These popular brands offer different sizes to suit large families or large groups for camp Dutch oven cooking and both can be a bit heavy.

Read more about enamel coating and Le Creuset Dutch ovens

What is a Cast Iron Dutch Oven?

Dutch ovens have been around for hundreds of years, you were more likely to see these ovens used outdoors more frequently than inside a kitchen.

If you are new to Dutch ovens or camp cooking, you might think what is so great about a Dutch oven?

Well apart from the many benefits of cooking in a Dutch oven. When camping, you can do all your cooking in one cooking pot.

Saving you time so you can enjoy and relax on your camping trip…

So modern-day cast-iron Dutch ovens are a must for any camping trip especially if you have many hungry mouths to feed.

Read about the differences in cast iron Dutch ovens in my article cast iron vs enameled cast iron.

Dutch Oven Meals

Dutch ovens can be used for any meal of the day while camping. For example, after breakfast, you can prepare lunch and let it slow cook.

The same goes for dinner time you can prepare your meal after lunch and your meal will be ready at dinner time and be staying warm until it is time to serve.

Camping is the perfect time to fry in a Dutch oven. You can fry in a Dutch oven you say – absolutely. In fact, outdoors is the best time to have a fry up due to the splatter that will occur when you heat up that oil and insert your food to be fried.

Please take this into consideration when selecting a Dutch oven. You will need a deep Dutch oven for deep frying.

Dutch Oven Quality

With this in mind, you should consider purchasing a good quality cast-iron Dutch oven made from superior materials. Heat distribution in iron ovens like the great value Texsport Dutch oven stops hot spots. The only way to achieve this is a product made from the best material available.

Then with care and maintenance, it could last you a lifetime and beyond. As well as using your oven for camping you should be using it in the kitchen at home. This would cement a sound investment.

Dutch Oven Size

Because cast-iron Dutch ovens are heavy the number of people who need to be fed on the camping trip will determine whether a small or larger Dutch oven is required.

Dutch Oven Durability

When looking for a Dutch oven for camping durability is the number one feature I look at. This is why I choose a cast-iron Dutch oven for camping.

For open-flame cooking choosing a thick-walled Dutch oven that is 3/8 inches thick and can withstand heat sources in excess of 400 to 500 degrees, Fahrenheit will do the job.

Dutch Oven Accessories for Camping

We will also look at a couple of must-have good quality accessories that will assist you in using your Cast Iron Dutch oven safely while camping.

The next feature which needs to be addressed is SAFETY! If your cast iron Dutch oven is potentially heated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit you need to be able to carry the Dutch oven safely. The best feature of this is a built-in metal handle.

Cast-Iron Lid Lifter

An accessory that will assist in safely lifting the lid of your Dutch oven, as well as rotating and lifting the Dutch oven is the Lodge Camp Dutch oven lid lifter.

It is made of a heavy-duty steel 9mm bar stock with a high-temperature black finish. It measures 15 inches long with a ‘T’ bar for moving hot coals around and has a heat-diffusing spiral handle with a hanging loop on the end.

This lid lifter has been specifically designed to fit all Lodge cast iron Dutch ovens. But you would be able to use it with any cast-iron Dutch oven that has a built-in metal handle.

Dutch Oven Tripod

A separate accessory that is very helpful is a Dutch oven tripod that holds your Dutch oven over the fire and not in it. These tripods allow you to safely add firewood to your campfire without the need to constantly be picking up the heavy hot oven to do so.

The tripods are used by lowering or raising the Dutch oven using the chain which hangs down from the middle of the tripod. You raise the oven higher for lower heat requirements.

Then you can lower the oven closer to the coals or flames so you can heat your Dutch oven to higher temperatures. With this in mind, you must make sure you purchase a tripod that will hold somewhere between 35 and 50 pounds.

A stable tripod should come with legs that are in one piece as they are solid metal.

Maintaining A Cast Iron Dutch Oven While Camping

When caring for your Dutch oven while camping you should use a soft cloth to gently clean the cooking surface after the oven has cooled slightly.

You can boil some water in the Dutch oven to assist in removing baked-on food inside the oven.

To avoid rusting you should not submerge your Dutch oven in water.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your cast iron Dutch oven and a good quality cast iron Dutch oven will last a lifetime of camping and more…

The last feature that needs to be addressed is re-seasoning. I always season my new Dutch ovens before first use, even though they may come pre-seasoned from the factory. Cast iron cleaners and conditioners can also be purchased to assist with maintaining iron.

Seasoning your cast iron is easy!

First heat up the oven until it starts to smoke.

Secondly, rub the oil of your choice onto the cooking surface, in fact, it is recommended that you rub oil on the outside of the Dutch oven and the outside of the lid.

Thirdly, allow the oven to cool and dry. When the oven is dry wipe off any excess oil so it does not go rancid on the cast iron. Excess oil can also cause cast iron to rust.

I season my Dutch ovens before and after every use, this small task gives me peace of mind knowing I am prolonging my Dutch oven’s life by giving them the proper care.

Hikers – Aluminum Dutch Ovens for Camping

It should be kept in mind that cast-iron Dutch ovens are heavy! So if hiking is involved the weight of these comfort food makers needs to be at the forefront of your mind.

Aluminum versions of the original cast-iron Dutch oven are available like the GSI Dutch oven, for those who may need a Dutch oven to be a little lighter.

Lightweight Dutch oven camping Aluminum Dutch ovens are made using a manufacturing method to hard-anodize the walls, which provides a non-stick coating, therefore, no need for seasoning.

If a lightweight Dutch oven for camping is required you should check out the GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Dutch Oven this Aluminum option is available at Amazon.

What Size Dutch Oven Should I Buy for Camping?

The top pick Dutch oven is a 12-inch oven with 4.5-inch high walls that holds 6 quarts and will feed up to 6 people comfortably. This size Dutch oven will carry out all your camp cooking needs.

Use this equation when choosing a Dutch oven size that is right for your needs…

1 quart per person plus 2 quarts for large eaters or guests.

Family of 4 = 6-quarts

Dutch Oven Sizes

{Remember with serving sizes you should consider the portion size and the dish being prepared. Stews, casseroles, and soups will feed more people than a roast.} See a full article about Dutch oven sizes including a chart.

Camp Dutch Oven Size Chart

Diameter	Depth	Capacity	Servings
8 inch	3.5 inch	2-quart	1- 2
10 inch	4 inch	4-quart	2-4
12 inch	4.6 inch	6-quart	4-5
14 inch	5.5 inch	8-quart	6-8
16 inch	5 inch	10-quart	8-10
18 inch	5.5 inch	12-quart	10-12
20 inch	6 inch	14-quart	12-14

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven Sizes

Here is a concise resource with all the sizes of Lodge cast iron including camp Dutch oven sizes.

Click here if you have landed on this page and already know you would like to purchase a cast-iron Dutch Oven at Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to choose a Dutch oven for camping?

Because Dutch ovens are so heavy if you choose cast iron. You need to consider the size, if you are hiking you do not want to be carrying a large Dutch oven. This changes though if you are able to drive up to a campsite and unpack your camping gear.

A good choice is the Lodge L8DD3 Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven – a double Dutch oven. This Dutch oven is perfect for camping because the lid is perfect for inverting and using it as an extra cooking surface.

Check out this article about what you should consider when choosing a Dutch oven. Just go here.

How do you use a Dutch oven while camping?

Camp Dutch ovens require either hot briquettes underneath or on the lid of the oven to heat it up. Or you can sit or hang an oven over a campfire.

You also need the correct tools, utensils, and accessories to use the camp Dutch oven safely. Clean the oven with a scourer and water after each meal, dry thoroughly, and lightly season if required.

You can see a piece of in-depth information here about how to use Dutch ovens while camping.

How do you pack cast iron for camping?

A great accessory for the transport and storage of your Dutch oven while camping is a good-quality polypropylene storage bag. The one I like you can see here. 

Some Dutch ovens come with their own storage bag, these bags save everything around the Dutch oven from becoming greasy when packed up to go home. If your Dutch oven didn’t come with one it would be wise to purchase one before a camping trip.

Best Dutch oven size for a family of 4?

A 5-quart or 6-quart for larger serves or leftovers.

What size Dutch oven for a whole chicken?

It depends on the size of the chicken, but I would say a 7-quart would also give you plenty of room for vegetables.

You will find the answers to all of these questions and more when you check out my article Dutch oven size chart. You will also find out that the most popular Dutch oven size that people are purchasing is the (7.5-quart).

If you need extra assistance regarding the features to look for in a cast-iron Dutch oven go over and check out my review of the 3 things to consider when buying a Dutch oven.

What are the best Dutch oven recipes for camping?

See 30 of my absolute favorite Dutch oven recipes at Country Living…

Then, for something really naughty while enjoying relaxation and the campfire cooking

Final Thoughts – Best Cast Iron Dutch Oven for Camping

So, what type and size of Dutch oven will you purchase for camping?

If you purchase a great quality Dutch oven that is durable, versatile, designed for open flames, as well as very high heat capacity you can’t go wrong.

With the correct care and maintenance, instructions will be provided by the manufacturer, you are sure to have a very special piece of cookware that will last you a lifetime.

Also, stay safe and purchase the correct accessories to use while cooking outdoors. Enjoy your choice of a cast iron Dutch oven, and prepare yourself for many feasts while out in the fresh air camping.

It is a great time to relax and really enjoy preparing and cooking hearty nutritious meals with family and friends.

Check out the large range of cast iron Dutch ovens at Amazon.

Want to check out the latest information about Dutch ovens and their brands? See them here at the best Dutch ovens available in 2024.

Recommended Reading

Head on over and check out my complete reviews of the top 3 best cast-iron Dutch ovens for Camping.

Lodge L8DD3 Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven – double Dutch oven

Lodge L8DO3 Cast Iron Dutch oven

Lodge 6-Quart L12CO3 Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!