Cast Iron/DO Questions

[hoppy]

We presently have very seasoned #7, #8, and #12  Lodge "bean pot" styled DO's, and a 12 fry pan.
The #7 was handed down to my DW from her grandmother.

 Our next investiment will be a large DO with the legs and raised cover lip for campfire coal cooking or tripod.
 Hope to find one at a garage sale.

[mmmbeanie]

Yeah, just look what one seemingly innocent piece of evil cast iron can lead to:

That would be our CCC weight load on or HTT when we get it.....

[Spirit Deer]

Good luck finding a used one.  It can be done, but around here they're pretty rare.  I found a #10 for $2 which was a fluke, and a #12 for $8, both Lodges .  In all the years I've been a garage saler, those are the only camp DO's I've ever seen. Oh, wait, there was an off brand one that the seller wanted $20 for and tried to convince me it was a Lodge when it clearly wasn't, but I don't count that one. 

I think cast iron must be going through a resurgence of popularity the past few years.  It used to be darn near every sale we went to, there was at least one piece of decent iron at give-away prices.  Now stuff is much harder to find and the prices are way up.  But deals can still be had if you're patient.

I would guess finding used camp ovens would be easier in places like Utah.

Try watching Craig's List or advertise for what you're looking for.  You never know what might turn up. 

[Spirit Deer]

I'm not sure what the iron weighs all told on that rack, but the two pots on the tops shelf are over forty pounds combined.  I'm sure the whole works is pretty heavy.  That was really the inspiration for the rack, because the stack of frying pans got to the point where it was so much work to lift it to get to the bottom pans, it was insane. 

Of course we don't carry it all with us.  When it's just us, we usually take the two #5's and the #6, and I suppose now that we have another #6, we'll be taking that, too.  I think the #5s are four pounds each (I weighed one after it leaped off another DO and murdered a small Corningware casserole) and I suppose the #6s are about five each, so it's not so bad.  The big stuff is only used when we're attending a rally or cooking for others. 

[HighLifeGuy]

Beerlifter was right..we have no idea what we are getting into  We just want one!  lol  OK, maybe two

We do have a 10" skillet and a griddle, though the griddle does not heat evenly.
So I guess all we need is the DO itself.  I kinda figured finding good castiron at a garage sale would be a longshot since most of it gets handed down for generations.  I have money to blow at Basspro and don't really need any more fishing gear, so I will keep looking there.  Some of the DO's on the website say 1 or 2 qt.  or 5,6,7 qt.  instead of #8 or #10 etc. It's a little confusing, but I will just look at the dimensions.  10" x 4" deep sound about right?

[Beerlifter]

OMG! A beer drinkin' fisherman just said and I quote "I really don't need no more fishin' stuff" ........Gotta be a first......Put down the skunky beer and back away!!! 

[zjrog]

We're gathering cast iron over the winter.  Bought a 10" Lodge griddle.  Haven't used it yet, but I can't pass the iron stuff when shopping now...

[HighLifeGuy]

OMG! A beer drinkin' fisherman just said and I quote "I really don't need no more fishin' stuff" ........Gotta be a first......Put down the skunky beer and back away!!! 

rotfl.....WOW! no kidding...did I really....did I just say that?   Hmmm.. I may need a check-up.
I kinda went on a spree this year(and didn't catch much)...let's see...oh yeah, I don't yet have a boat yet,  we bought the pop-up instead.

Ok, so this one(for example) would be good for the firepit? It is 10'' x 3 1/2"

and we could use the lid upside down as a griddle?

[Spirit Deer]

I would say most cast iron is NOT handed down.  It's back in style right now, but as soon as the newest non-stick junk gets some big chef's name attached to it and catches on, cast iron will fall out of fashion again and you'll see all kinds of it at yard sales.  A lot of people don't like it because it's heavy and you can't put it in a dishwasher.

I've always figured garage saling is about like going fishing.  Some days you get your limit, and others you get skunked, and you never know beforehand which it will be.  I never thought I'd ever find Lodge DOs at sales either, but they're living in my kitchen now so I know it's possible.  However, if I really wanted one I wouldn't wait long to buy one new because the odds aren't great of finding one, at least where I live.

Pot sizes in camp ovens correspond to the approximate diameters, usually.  So a #10 would be about ten inches in diameter, a #12 twelve inches, etc.  It's different with frying pans and kitchen DOs, though.  A #10 holds about four quarts.

The lids can be used as a griddle in theory, but it's slightly concave so your eggs and pancakes will want to run towards the center.  But they'll taste the same.    You can fry things in the pot, too, but it can be a little more difficult to get a spatula under things due to the higher sides.

I just bought a 10" griddle about a month ago for fifty cents.  It's a Griswold.  I just love it when sellers don't know what they have. 

One way to help determine a good size for your family is to consider the size of the pans you use at home.  If you don't use large pots at home, you most likely won't need a big one at camp, either.

Here's a supper we enjoyed on one trip, using the #5 (pear crisp), #6 (cheesy potatoes), and #8 (crabby chicken).

[HighLifeGuy]

Thanks Rae!  I'll keep checking Amazon,  right now, the lodge #10 DO costs $8 more( [:O]more than Basspro? it must be slightly larger/deeper) , but the combo cooker is $10 less. I don't need one right away, so maybe I will save some $

 There is a basspro shop just 10 minutes away, I will also look at the store but that can be dangerous for my wallet       OOOOOOHh,  I just now remembered that I want one of those "no-gravity" chairs, and a new rod, and ooohhhh I like this reel, and and and....see what I mean?

[Spirit Deer]

Those zero gravity chairs are soooooo comfy!

Amazon is a good place for me to buy because there is nowhere locally here.  If you have someplace nearby, that's a consideration for you.

If a pot is deeper, it will usually have a 'D' following the model number, as in #10D (D for deep)  A deep pot is only slightly deeper than a regular one.  You can compare measurements and capacities at the Lodge website to get a better idea of what's available.  Also check out Camp Chef as well.  Camp Chef has recently added anodized aluminum DOs to their line, which are nice because they don't require seasoning and are so much lighter weight.

[99lakewood]

GO to Chuck Wagon Supply .Com its got some good tips on dutch oven cooking care and use. I do a lot of camp cooking so I have 8"-16" ovens each has certain uses. A good 10 or 12 inch will do the average person. I like Lodge bot Lodge is very proud of there product line. Camp Chief also makes a good D/O. I also have a cheep 10" one from Harbor Fright it dose good too, but I had so season it my self. Hope ya get one soon but be careful Cowboy Cooking can be addictive and we now have 50+ pieces of cast iron some close to 200 years old!  

[HighLifeGuy]

Thanks for the tips. Addictive? You think?  lol...look at spirit deers photos. We haven't even bought one yet and DW is talking about building a pit into the back patio to cook over.

We camp on the Lewis and Clark trail along the Missouri river alot and it is fun to think about all the great meals they used to eat. I imagine some delicious breads and deserts.  And bison stew was probably pretty popular

[Spirit Deer]

Doubtful they ate anything very fancy, and I'm sure they owed a great debt to the native people they encountered along the way who no doubt showed them what wild foods were edible.

There are books available with Lewis and Clark-era recipes.

You can also cook in a DO on a table, which would be more convenient than a fire pit, or you can use a grill to hold the DO or cook in the house in a fireplace.  Personally, I don't see the point, but whatever floats your boat.

[Grouchyolman]

Wait to get one, Have never cooked with DO, I'l try to find one at a yard sale or get one from a friend before putting 50.00 into one can't belive the price on these things. Been lookingon Ebay , etc . Last 12 in on wenr for $130.00. WOW. And years ago saw old folks using for flower pots. What a waste.