Campfire cooking typically is usually done by Dutch oven. These ovens are generally cast iron with tight fitting lids and they make excellent vessels for cooking over the campfire. Campers usually use charcoal briquettes with Dutch ovens to get the best results. With a few easy modifications, you can turn any regular recipe into a campfire recipe.
Converting Cooking Times
- Measure your Dutch oven by diameter. You will need to know the diameter of your Dutch oven to determine how many briquettes you need for your campfire to make it reach a certain heat.
- Subtract three from the measurement of the diameter. This is the number of charcoal briquettes you will need to place on the campfire under the Dutch oven for it to reach 325 degrees on the inside.Add three to the diameter to get the number of briquettes that you should place on top of the oven for it to reach 325 degrees inside.
- Add two briquettes for every 25 degrees you wish to raise the temperature. You should add one to the top of the oven and one to the bottom for each 25 degree increment.
- Take away one briquette from the top and bottom of the oven to subtract 25 degrees from the temperature.
- Heat the Dutch oven with wood if there are no charcoal briquettes available. Use hardwoods such as oak or maple. Start the fire at least 45 minutes before it is time to start cooking. Place your Dutch oven over the fire and use a shovel to place twice as many wood coals on the top of the oven as there are on the bottom.
- Cook dishes for the traditional length of time for the dish, even though you are cooking on a campfire. It is difficult to determine the temperature of an Dutch oven when using wood as a heat source, so check your food regularly to determine if it's done.
Seasoning a Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens are often seasoned before they are used. To season a Dutch oven, grease the oven with shortening and bake it at 300 degrees in a conventional oven for one hour. This will give the oven a nice flavor and get it prepared for use.
There are plenty of campfire cooking recipes online that can be used for cooking in Dutch ovens. A short internet search will provide dozens of delicious recipes that your whole family will enjoy. It's easy to cook around the campfire with a dutch oven a few tasty and easy campfire recipes.
Jennifer Brister - I am a freelance writer currently located in Northeast Louisiana. My interests include music, love and theoretical physics. I have been ...
Join the Conversation