Dutch Oven Accessories for Cast Iron Cooking

It would be great when we purchase a new Dutch oven if the accessories were included. Unfortunately, they are not but because these little workhorses are exceptional cooking appliances they deserve their own Dutch oven cooking utensils and accessories to keep them in top shape.

With the perfect accessories you, in turn, will be able to care for your cast iron Dutch oven, especially while traveling as well as outdoor cooking to prepare the best meals for family and friends.

The cast-iron Dutch oven accessories you really do require for safety are a lid lifter, lid stand, long gloves, long-handled tongs, and shovel for hot coals. Others would include Dutch oven liners, scraper, wire brush, chimney starter, tripod, and carry bag.

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Dutch Oven Accessories for Cast Iron Cooking

Below you will find over 30 accessories that will help you use, travel, clean, maintain, and store your cast-iron Dutch oven.

Traveling with Your Dutch Oven

Ah! packing for camping. None of us look forward to this task. Well if you have cleaned, seasoned, and packed your camp Dutch oven away after your last camp out this is one less thing you need to consider.

Having said that I always check my cast iron before I leave for camping, especially if we are to arrive at the campsite close to mealtime.

Once it has checked out okay I repack any cookware carefully so no damage can occur.

Now let’s get your Dutch oven safely to where you will be using it.

1. Dutch Oven Carry or Tote Bag

Your camp Dutch oven will be at its best if stored permanently in a storage bag. So owning a storage/carry bag is beneficial. Both Lodge and Camp Chef provide great options for their own products. My camp oven from Lodge Manufacturing is the Lodge 6-Quart and its carry bag is a few years old and still does the job.

Make sure you look for one with a good amount of padding on the bottom. A strong zipper and carry straps are also a must. Remember you will be carrying not only your oven but other accessories as well.

There are various types available just make sure the one you purchase is large enough for your Dutch oven. If you require a deep oven bag remember to look for the “DEEP” option.

Tips for Protecting Your Dutch Oven and Its Carry Bag

1. Place the lid on the bottom of the Dutch oven and stand the oven with the legs on top of the lid. Gloves, a folding lid stand, and other accessories sit inside the oven.

You can place towels between the oven lid and the legs to stop scratching and rubbing. This way of carrying and storing also gives the oven much-needed ventilation.

2. To stop your Dutch oven from moving around inside the bag you can use a 3/4 inch piece of plywood cut to the size of your carry bag.

Center your Dutch oven on the plywood and mark out where the legs sit. Then drill 3/8 inch holes about 3/8 inches deep, then simply slip the legs into the holes.

This also stops the legs of the camp oven from tearing holes in the bottom of your carry bag.

3. Another option is to use a pizza tray at the bottom of your carry bag. They do not get damaged or splintered like plywood.

You can utilize the pizza trays for serving while camping. Sizing: order a 10-inch pizza tray for a 10-inch Dutch oven, a 12-inch pizza tray for a 12-inch Dutch oven, and so on. Great price!

Cooking with Your Dutch Oven – Safely

When using a hot Dutch oven, especially when camping and open flames, for me safety is always the first priority. To achieve this purchasing good quality Dutch oven or roaster oven with large loop handles along with tools and utensils which allow you to safely remove a hot lid and move the ovens around is the first step.

The second is to protect your own skin from an open flame and hot cast iron. This can be achieved by long leather gloves and protective clothing which could include a protective apron. Also safe footwear. How hot can a Dutch oven get?

2. Dutch Oven Lid Lifter

A lid lifter or lid holder (also known as a Dutch oven hook) is an absolute necessity because Dutch oven lids get really hot and they are really heavy.

You also need to be in control when lifting the lid because you do not want ash from your coals falling into your meal.

Using a lid lifter will give you control over any swaying.

A sturdy well-designed lid-lifter will be made from heavy-duty steel that can withstand the high temperatures it will be around. Lid lifter lengths can vary and the general sizes are anywhere from 15 inches to 22 inches.

There are various designs available but one that has a middle bar known as a “T” bar gives extra leverage when lifting the lid. {Pictured Above}

Next, to your Dutch oven, this is the most important accessory for safety reasons. So spend a little more on a sturdy option.

3. Long Gloves

These are essential so get yourself a good pair of heat-resistant gloves. A leather pair is always a great option. The gloves should be long enough to cover and protect your arms not just your hands.

You should also make sure they are thick and lined as well.

Also, remember the package on all gloves says that they are heat resistant.

So always take care that direct contact with hot cast iron does not melt the outside of the gloves.

4. BBQ or Grill Apron

When camping there is no washing of clothes. So to save your clothes using a simple apron will save the cook from overfilling the suitcase with spare clothes.

The apron pictured above comes with a towel loop and tool pouches. It is adjustable so anyone can wear them.

A new apron or one you already have, just remember to pack it so you won’t be sorry.

5. Silicone Hot Handle Holder

Cast iron handle covers place one more barrier between you and the heat of the oven, pan, or skillet.

But beware make sure they fit your cast iron correctly. Holders that do not fit the pan or its handles will slip and move when being handled and moved around heat sources.

Find the best cast iron handle covers here.

6. Light up Your Campfire

Carrying on with the safety aspect of Dutch oven cooking and campfire cooking we love to use ultra-bright LED Lanterns while cooking at night.

These lanterns are so inexpensive, compact, lightweight, bright, and battery-operated so they can be used at the campsite throughout the night. Must have!

Enough time to turn out the lights after the meal clean-up.

Let’s Get Set Up for Camp Cooking

7. 55 Gallon Drum Cover

You might be thinking “I don’t want to carry around that huge lid”.

Well, let me tell you how this lid makes using your Dutch oven a little easier.

It creates a barrier between the ground and your Dutch oven. If the ground is wet your coals may not light. The lid with the holes drilled through it allows the heat to circulate, so as well as the lid heating up with the coals you also have airflow.

The gallon cover lid keeps all the ashes and coals in one place, so clean-up is easier.

A galvanized steel drum cover can easily be converted and used as an outdoor cooktop. {Instructions to convert are outlined below}

You may have an old drum cover you can convert or if you need to purchase one they are not expensive.

How to Convert a 55 Gallon Drum Cover into an Outdoor Cooktop

Using your Dutch oven as a measure in the center of the drum cover lid drill 18 – 20 1/4 inch holes around the circumference of the oven approximately 2 inches apart.

This provides air if you place your lid on top of small rocks or slightly larger rocks spaced out so the lid balances safely on them.

Benefits of the 55-Gallon Drum Cover

• Wet ground stops coals from working effectively even not allow you to light them at all
• Save money on coal because you will use less
• Maintains heat and helps control heat
• Clean-up is easier
• No need for a tripod or cooking table
• The price is right – under $20.00

Other Ground Barrier Options to Consider

If you are not a regular camp cooker the 55-gallon drum cover may be a little too much. Using cookie sheets and disposable foil liners works just as well. You may even have something already set up so no purchase is required.

8. Dutch Oven Stand or  Dutch Oven Trivets

Ever wondered what a Dutch oven trivet is? These stands or trivets are inexpensive but are extremely handy when camp cooking.

1. Keeps Dutch oven lids clean and off the ground, ashes, and dirt.

2. By inverting the lid and placing the stand in the coals the stand then provides an extra cooking surface for grilling and more.

3. Stands are also available that can be inserted inside the Dutch oven to keep food from sticking and scorching to the bottom of the oven.

Make sure you find one that is made of heavy-duty steel that can be used in the campfire.

As well as the fixed models there are some available that fold up if room when packing for camping is tight.

Read more about trivets in my article “what is a Dutch oven trivet”

9. Fire and Cook Stand

These cooking stands are a great alternative if you want to get your Dutch oven up out of the ashes and not play with a tripod.

This particular stand also holds a griddle for frying. There are rings to hold kindling and can be used vertically and horizontally. It provides great airflow and less bending down over the open fire pit.

10. Dutch Oven Tri-Pods or Dutch Oven Hanger

Tripods can be used for cooking and keeping dishes warm.

These tripod stands come complete with chains that are adjustable.  Higher for lower heat and for keeping dishes warm and down low to heat them up for cooking.

Other cooking appliances like skillets and grills and also be used in combination with the tripod to cook or keep warm on the tripod.

Another sometimes forgotten feature of a tripod is the convenience of not bending over. This allows you to stand while cooking saving knees, hands, and backs.

Tripods are fun to use and the laden Dutch oven will stabilize the tripod. As always do remember safety first these tripods can sway.

When choosing a tripod the sturdier the better and it must suit your oven’s size and fully laden weight.

As with other cooking accessories outlined in this guide you should purchase equipment made from solid steel which can tolerate high heat, temperatures, and flames.

Tripods carry be awkward to transport so you may want to consider purchasing a carry bag for them if one is not included.

11. Dutch Oven Table

Tables are great to use if bending over is an issue. But do take into consideration the weight of the fully laden oven when moving it around. It could be a lot easier for you to use your oven closer to the ground.

Another feature of a cooking table is that you can use more than one pot, griddle, or pan as there is room on the table. Also the side and back of the table protect the pots, griddle, or pans from the wind and weather.

12. Whisk Broom

Also known as Dutch oven lid whisks these straw brooms are used to remove coal ash both on the lid of your oven as well as underneath.

When the coals have deteriorated, broken down, and are no longer hot you use the broom to sweep these ashes away and place new coals either on top or underneath your Dutch oven or both.

Ensure you purchase a straw bristle broom and not plastic or other synthetic bristles as these will melt.

13. Fireplace Shovel

Shovels make it easier to move the hot coals around the campfire. Tongs will usually just break up the coals because they are brittle.

A long-handled shovel should be used for safety a fireplace shovel is a great option.

The one pictured is the one we use from our fireplace tool set at home.

Let’s Get This Camp Fire Started

14. Chimney Charcoal Starter

Charcoal starters are designed to preheat briquettes quickly. Easy as placing newspaper at the bottom of the starter layer your briquettes are then hot enough to use in 15 minutes.

Then repeat the process if you are required to cook with your Dutch oven for more than 45 minutes.

These starters also negate the need for lighter fluid.

15. Charcoal Briquettes

I like these ones because there is nothing added just hardwood. No chemicals or nasty fillers, also a waterproof ziplock bag to keep the wood dry, and a handle to carry the bag.

16. Outdoor Propane Gas Cooker

Having a gas cooker as a backup or an additional quick and easy-to-use extra heat outlet would definitely be advantageous. You will also be able to use it at home in your backyard or on your patio.

This model is extremely well made and is a top seller. High-pressure propane gas cooker have awesome customer reviews at Amazon.

17. Cooking Thermometer

A little bit of a luxury I know but if you want your meat to perfection every time for around $60 a thermometer such as this would be worth every cent.

This one comes with a preset temperature setting for easy use and is made from food-grade stainless steel. It can also withstand temperatures up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit.

In our house, we could not live without our meat thermometer. Our family has two rare meat eaters and two well-done meat eaters it literally saves a lot of arguments as we all get what we want.

Dutch Oven Cooking Utensils

18. All-Purpose Chef Set

The real advantage of traveling with a set like this is that the utensils are all wrapped up in a tough carry bag.

You need the tools anyway. Maybe a gift at some point for the avid camp chef.

19. Long Handled Spoons

These are must-have long-handled wooden spoons that are gentle on your oven as well as help protect your skin from burns.

The one pictured above is a bamboo option and a couple of the features are:

• 100% Bamboo which is FDA approved
• 100% Chemical free
• Bamboo is very strong – stronger than wooden spoons
• Bamboo is moisture and bacteria resistant
• Will not swell or crack
• Clean in warm soapy water
• 22 inches long

20. Tongs – Regular and Long Handled

Long-handled tongs are a little awkward to use but are needed around hot campfires and very hot cast iron ovens.

Using them to gently move the hot coals on your Dutch oven as well as underneath it will keep your hands and arms scorch-proof.

I like wood and bamboo in between the hot metal and my skin, these Grillhogs are the ones I use. {Wish they still looked that good though!}

21. Dutch Oven Liners

These liners can be made from parchment paper as well as foil and really is a personal choice as to whether you use them at all.

Consider before purchasing what you will be preparing in your oven. If preparing stews, casseroles, and soups you will want to use the foil type of liner.

This is because the parchment paper could tear when stirring and you will have that mess to clean up anyway.

The parchment paper liners are great when baking bread, biscuits, or desserts as they prevent sticking.

As the name suggests they are designed for ease of clean up and their disposable convenience.

They are available in all shapes and sizes to make sure you get the right size for your oven.

22. Cooking Oil

Cooking oils are not all the same. Dutch ovens operate at their very best when using a good quality cooking oil that can burn at a high burning point.

When choosing oil I always look for organic and naturally refined with genetic modifications. At the moment I am using Pure Grapeseed Oil for cooking and seasoning my cast iron.

I have researched various oils and their benefits for you and this article will certainly assist you in choosing the correct oil for your needs. Check out the best oil for seasoning cast iron

23. Deep Fryer Basket

Camping is the only time I utilize my Dutch oven as a deep fryer so the deep fryer basket for me is a must.

Available in various sizes and the only time I enjoy fat splattering everywhere is because I do not have to clean that mess up.

You might want to consider an inexpensive splatter screen for safety.

24. Splatter Screen

If you are going to fry food in a Dutch oven you will need a splatter screen, especially at home in the kitchen.

Imagine how hot the oil in the cast iron pot gets when you add french fries or donuts and we all know what bacon does…

Considerations before purchasing:-

• Safe heatproof handle
• The folding handle is great for camping – takes up less space
• Large 13-inch – to use on all your cooking pans and skillets

25. Sharp Knives

I have added these knives for a bit of fun the colors are great and the knives are sharp. The landscape images are beautiful and you will not lose them while outdoors.

A knife for every type of cut you will required camping:-

• Paring
• Utility
• Santoku
• Slicer
• Bread
• Chef

Keeping Your Dutch Oven Clean

We all know we should be using hot water, elbow grease, and quick-drying methods to keep our cast iron in great shape.

But when we are camping meal preparation, hot open flames, food splatter, scorching, sticking, and then the clean up can be trying. Especially when all we want to do is relax after our hearty meal.

I say don’t be so hard on yourself maybe once in a while using one or two of the cleaning accessories available to make life a little easier isn’t so bad.

It is very beneficial after the last oven-prepared meal that you clean and or season your Dutch oven before putting it away.

It is a good feeling to get home and not have to pull the oven out to clean it up and reseason it.

Let’s check out a couple of options below!

26. Chainmail cast iron scrubber

Clean your cast iron with a chain scrubber that will not scratch or damage the iron. It keeps the natural oil flavors that have built up over time to remain in tack.

Without adding unnatural oils or chemical cleaners to its surface it will surely add some unwanted flavors.

This scrubber can also be used when applying seasoning oil to your iron and further you can use it to apply cast iron conditioner.

These scrubbers washed in soapy water then rinsed in hot water while camping and left out to dry will not retain any bacteria, mold, or other nasties that like to live in sponges and scourers.

When at home they can be placed in the dishwasher for cleaning and sanitizing.

27. Bristle Brush

If you want to clean your cast iron the way it is meant to clean chemicals you will need a tough scrubbing brush to remove any food left on your iron after cooking.

You can also combine the use of them with other cleaners for faster cleaning.

28. Lodge Pan Scrapers

Pan scrapers are designed to get food that has dried onto cookware off. But you can certainly use these soon after cooking in conjunction with a bristle brush to remove stuck-on food particles.

29. Cast Iron Soap – Scrub – Oil

If you do not use your cast iron regularly you might want to invest in a kit like this so you clean season and condition your iron before storing it away again.

When choosing a kit make sure you find one with refined oil. Not one that has added cleaning-enhancing chemicals.

Don’t forget to check out my guide on cleaning your Dutch oven after cooking. Go here for all the tips for cleaning your oven while camping.

30. Cast Iron Care Kit

The scrubbers and seasoning oil in this care kit will do the job.

Dutch Oven Recipes

There will probably be no cell phone reception to access smartphone applications where you are heading.

So the old-fashioned cookbook may need to be packed.

31. Dutch Oven Cookbooks

If you do not have one here are a couple I use all the time The Camp Dutch Oven Cookbook, 101 Things to do with a Dutch Oven, and for cooking in my kitchen The Dutch Oven Cookbook.

5-Ingredient Recipe Cookbook for me is the Number 1 choice when camping. The fewer ingredients to be stored when camping is a real bonus.

What you can expect from this Cookbook is:

• Instructions on getting started
• As well as conversion tables
• Breakfast ideas
• Chilies, Soups, and Stews
• Main Dishes
• Sides and Snacks
• Bread and Rolls
• Desserts

This book covers everything a beginner needs to start preparing mouth-watering food in their new Dutch oven.

The recipes include mountain man breakfast, jalapeno cheese bread, S’mores, and brownies – 101 recipes in fact.

Something for everyone in this book as well as useful information to assist you with all your food preparation needs for Dutch ovens in your kitchen.

Related read my article “The Best Dutch Oven Cookbooks”

To Finish – Dutch Oven Accessories for Cast Iron Cooking

Cast iron Dutch ovens have been used to prepare food for hundreds of years the world over. This is the main reason these pots are so revered among campers.

Accessories especially when camping can take up space and is just more stuff that we have to care for, clean, and carry around.

The accessories you really do require are those that allow you to prepare the meal safely.

Starting off with the essential Dutch oven tools and utensils is the best way to go and adding other accessories as required.

Recommended Reading

I have spent many hours preparing articles for those wanting to enter the Dutch oven world of preparing meals as well as for those with experience.

Want to provide the most up-to-date information you can digest quickly in an easy-to-read format?

The links below go to a couple of my most popular articles that could help you too. The first is for choosing the right camp Dutch oven for you and the second is for using your new Dutch oven while camping.

Check them out and cruise around my site for a lot more information that will help you enjoy this way of preparing great food for you and your family.

See my top 3 picks of Dutch ovens (including Lodge Dutch ovens) for camping.

This one is all about using Dutch ovens while camping.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks