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Pioneering Today-Dutch Oven Cooking Over an Open Fire

Homestead-Life, Skills

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, I only link to products we use on our homestead or believe in.

If you've ever been along a camping trip and became tired of the typical hot dog and hamburger dinners, then you need to get yourself a Dutch Oven. Anything you bake at home in the oven can be cooked in a Dutch Oven.

For campfire cooking you need to make sure you buy one with legs, often referred to as a spider Dutch oven. Check out this one from our affiliate partner Amazon Lodge Logic 8-Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Camp Dutch Oven

Dutch Oven Campfire Cooking Tutorial www.MelissaKNorris.com

The pioneers did all of their cooking on an open fire. The heroine in my book is a chuck wagon cook and I love experiencing the olden day art of cooking outdoors. In fact, when we lose power, I simply pull out my Dutch oven.

When we're camping with our extended family, every Saturday night is Dutch oven cook-off competition night. Everything has to be prepared in a Dutch oven and we vote on the best dish.

To start, you need a chimney to start your coals in. Most stores carry these or here's one from our affiliate partner Amazon Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter

Light your coals and let them heat up. It doesn't take very long, about 7 minutes. You'll know they're ready to begin cooking when they look like this. We prefer ours to be about half grey, if you wait until fully grey, you lose some of the cooking time. You just want to make sure they are fully lit.

Ready to cook with

When cooking outdoors, especially at a campground, you want to put down a piece of tin foil so you don't burn the ground. Due to heat rising, you'll put less coals on the bottom, seven is perfect for most dishes.

Ready for Dutch oven

Now set your Dutch oven top of the coals. Make sure your lid is firmly in place and pile coals on top. You'll find tongs are your best friend when dealing with hot coals.

Coals going on top

It takes about twenty minutes for your cast iron to heat up to full temperature. Think of it as preheating. The more coals, the hotter the temperature, for this dish, I needed it to be about 375 degrees, so we used twenty one coals. Wind and outside temperature will affect your cooking time, luckily, we had some sunshine and only a light breeze. Always a gamble in the Pacific Northwest.

Dinner's cooking

Check your food after a half hour and if it isn't cooking fast enough, add more coals to the top. If it's too fast, simply pull some off. Caring for your cast iron properly is very important.

You'll be surprised at how good food tastes when cooked in cast iron and out doors. We ended up purchasing three Dutch ovens of different sizes so we could cook an entire meal, main dish, dessert, and appetizer.

I'll share our favorite Dutch oven recipe next week. Be sure to sign up so you don't miss out.

What's your favorite food to eat when camping? Do you enjoy cooking outdoors? What's your favorite memory of camping?

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Melissa Norris

Melissa K. Norris inspires people's faith and pioneer roots with her books, podcast, and blog. Melissa lives with her husband and two children in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. When she's not wrangling chickens and cattle, you can find her stuffing Mason jars with homegrown food and playing with flour and sugar in the kitchen.

Read more about Melissa

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Comments:

  1. Vanessa Brannan

    11 years ago

    I’ll have to share this with my husband. He loves grilling and cooking outdoors. I think he would get a real kick out of this. Plus, it would add extra cooking space when we’re eating outside– the grill isn’t big enough for a group.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      11 years ago

      Share away, Vanessa. My husband loves Dutch oven cooking. I do the food prep and he handles all the coals and baking times. Even the kids get a kick and they love to deem the winner of our competitions. 🙂

      Reply
      • Vanessa Brannan

        11 years ago

        That sounds like us when it comes to the grill. He was surprised when I handed him a plate of pineapple rings coated in cinnamon sugar the other day. It was the best thing to ever come off of our grill though– absolutely amazing. Even better with fresh mint from the garden.

        Turns out he’s been wanting a dutch oven for a while but is a little intimidated by the price. I have a feeling he’ll be buying one soon though.

        Reply
        • Melissa Norris

          11 years ago

          They seem pricey at first, but it’s worth it to buy the more expensive model, the cast iron is better quality and if seasoned and cared for properly, they’ll last a lifetime. I try to remember this, a dinner out can be $60, but a Dutch oven will provide meals forever at that price. 🙂

          The pineapple and sugar sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing!

          Reply
  2. How to cook with a Dutch Oven over an open fire | Melissa K. Norris | Camping Tips

    11 years ago

    […] the original here: How to cook with a Dutch Oven over an open fire | Melissa K. Norris ← The Campsite Barbecue: 5 Perfect Burgers Inspired Camping Summer Camp for Kids and […]

    Reply
  3. Momma Mindy

    11 years ago

    I love how realistic you are, practicing what you are writing about and writing what you practiced.

    Looking forward to the recipes!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      11 years ago

      Thanks, Mindy! From a momma like you, I treasure that compliment.

      I’m excited to share the recipes too, except now I’m hungry…. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Chicken Vegetable Dutch Oven Recipe for over an open fire | Melissa K. Norris

    11 years ago

    […] home or out camping. Here’s my recipe from our Saturday night Dutch oven cooking competition. (tutorial on how to cook with a Dutch Oven over an open fire) It was a tie in case you’re wondering who won. Ready to […]

    Reply
  5. Diane Alford

    11 years ago

    There was a book by Dian Thomas that I got the ideas.Anyway.i made chicken and dumplings,Stacked enchiladas,and the best was from scratch pineapple upside down cake.
    The food tasted so wonderful .The campground was surprised what was made.and smelled so good too.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      11 years ago

      I love the idea of enchiladas, Diane. I’ve done blackberries and dumplings last summer and it was really good. I think my homemade rolls impressed everyone the most. It’s hard to imagine baking bread when you’re camping. I’ll have to check out the book!

      Reply
  6. Bibi

    10 years ago

    Can’t wait to read the recipes!

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      10 years ago

      I can’t wait to have your try them! Thanks for coming.

      Reply
  7. Tom

    10 years ago

    Why do you post something as cooking over an open fire and then show how to cook with charcoal? Very irritating.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      9 years ago

      Tom,
      That’s the terminology used in Dutch oven cooking. It is an open fire, it’s not contained in anything. You can use wood coals if you prefer, but the technique and the terminology is the same. You can’t cook over a huge open bonfire flame with a Dutch oven as the temperature isn’t consistent and too hot.

      Reply
  8. Podcast Off Grid Cooking with Dutch OvensMelissa K. Norris

    9 years ago

    […] How to cook with a Dutch Oven outdoors with an open fire […]

    Reply
  9. 11 Ways to Cook Off-Grid Without PowerMelissa K. Norris

    9 years ago

    […] bill, and I swear, food tastes better when cooked outside. Whatever the case, here’s Dutch Oven Cooking Over an Open Fire  with full on pictures and a round-up of some fun Dutch Oven Recipes and tips […]

    Reply
  10. Outdoor Cooking - Homestead Lady

    9 years ago

    […] you want to learn to cook over an open flame but prefer to start learning with charcoal, Melissa K Norris and MomPrepares both have good articles that can help you out.  I prefer to learn the hard way […]

    Reply
  11. 25+ Cast Iron & Dutch Oven Recipes

    9 years ago

    […] How to Cook with a Dutch Oven on an Open Fire […]

    Reply
  12. Dan

    7 years ago

    Hi Melissa

    Always used the camp ovens and the bedourie oven when out in the bush. Best cook book i ever got was outback cooking in the camp oven by Jack Absalom

    Reply
  13. Geno Sekinger

    6 years ago

    We are first time full time RVers and have experienced our first real outdoor RVing in Yellowstone National Park. Lover the cast iron skillet but want more, types of pans, recipes, care & use tips. Suggestions?

    Reply
  14. Lisa james

    5 years ago

    Awsome , helpful tips . Can’t wait to see more.

    Reply

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