Camping is one of the most exciting outdoor activities that anyone can experience. However, when it comes to cooking, it can be a bit of a challenge.
Fortunately, there is one kitchen tool that has been a game-changer for outdoor cooking: the Dutch oven for camping. Dutch ovens are versatile, sturdy, and can cook up just about anything, making a dutch oven for camping the perfect camp kitchen accessory.
As a camping enthusiast, I have had the pleasure of using Dutch ovens on countless camping trips. And let me tell you, they never disappoint. One of my most memorable camping experiences was when I used my Dutch oven to make delicious pizzas in the backcountry, and my friends were blown away.
We’d driven many miles down a logging road and I’d brought my trusty Dutch oven along with some pre-made pizza dough and toppings. After building a fire and letting the coals get hot, I placed the Dutch oven on the coals and let them heat up. Then, I placed the dough and toppings inside and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
When I took the lid off, the smell of fresh, hot pizza filled the air, and my friends were amazed. We all dug in and enjoyed the best pizza we had ever tasted. That experience convinced me that a good Dutch oven is a must-have for any camping trip!
If you’re looking to invest in a Dutch oven for your next camping trip, then you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I will be sharing my top picks for the best Dutch ovens for camping.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to the game, these camping Dutch ovens will help you create delicious meals and unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.
The best dutch oven UK for camping
- Camp Chef Deluxe Dutch Oven (Adventurer top pick)
- Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven 6-Quart
- GSI Outdoors Aluminum Dutch Oven
- Bruntmor Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
- Overmont 6 Quart All-Round Dutch Oven
Adventurer Pick – The Best Dutch Oven for Camping
We’ve picked the Camp Chef 6 Quart Deluxe Dutch Oven as the best dutch oven for camping. Though heavier than the GSI Outdoors Aluminum Dutch Oven, in most cases you’ll only be using a dutch oven when car or front country camping and so weight isn’t too much of a factor to consider.
This Dutch oven comes with some of the top reviews and, as the best-reviewed dutch oven, with a lower price point and great features such as a lid-lifter and built-in thermometer, it’s my top pick.
Plus, it’s big enough to surprise all your friends when whipping up a tasty meal at the campsite!
Camp Chef 6 Quart Deluxe Dutch Oven
- Size: 6qt
- Weight: 17lbs
Heavier than some on this list of best dutch ovens but you can’t beat that price point for a quality dutch oven!
Comparison Chart – Best Dutch Ovens Camping 2023
Below is a comparison chart with details about the best camp Dutch ovens. Before reading the Dutch oven reviews, go through this chart to better understand which is the best Dutch oven camping for your needs.
Think about how the capacity you need (skip down to the next section if you don’t know) and consider what a reasonable weight is for you.
| BRAND / NAME | CAPACITY (litres) | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Chef 6 Quart Deluxe Dutch Oven | 5.6 | 12.6 x 12.6 x 6.75 inches | 17 lbs | $$ |
| Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven | 5.6 | 13.20 x 13.10 x 7.20 inches | 19 lbs | $$ |
| GSI Outdoors Aluminum Dutch Oven | 4.7 | 13 x 12.9 x 7.6 inches | 7.5 lbs | $$$ |
| Bruntmor Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven | 4.7 | 12.63 x 12 x 5.5 inches | 14 lbs | $$ |
| Overmont Camp Dutch Oven | 5.6 | 11.02 x 11.02 x 7.48 inches | 13 lbs | $ |
| Petromax Dutch Oven | 0.56 – 2.3 | max 10.0 x 8.7 x 4.7 inches | 12.5 lbs | $ |
Best Dutch Ovens Camping 2023 – Detailed Reviews
In this section, you will find detailed reviews of my top rated Dutch ovens for camping. While all the products listed here are great for campers, the detailed reviews will help you narrow down your search to find one that’s suitable for you.
Camp Chef Dutch Oven
Easily one of the best-valued, high-quality dutch ovens for camping, the Camp Chef Dutch oven is perfect if you’re new to cooking with a dutch oven and don’t want to commit to a pricier model.
You’ll still be able to make great-tasting camping food and you’ll benefit from a lid lifter (to avoid burning yourself) and a thermometer (to avoid burning the food!). You’ll also get a little starter booklet too – what more could you need?!
Cooking for a big group? Get the 12 quart model!
- Pros: Great price, excellent reviews, neat features to help you get started
- Cons: Some say not as stable as more expensive brands
Lodge Camp Dutch Oven (6 qt)
A Lodge Dutch oven is a classic choice when it comes to choosing your dutch oven for camping.
They’re often regarded as the best cast iron dutch oven for camping in the market and they are made specifically for camping. This means they’ve been tested for extreme temperatures and rougher conditions.
This option is at the higher end when it comes to price, but if you’re looking for a dutch oven that will last you a long time without costing too much straight away, this is a great option.
One key feature of the Lodge dutch oven is that it’s shallower than most. This makes it great for baking, but harder to make a stew or roast in (unless you buy a smaller roast or make a smaller stew, of course!).
The legs are sturdy and enable this pot to be placed on uneven surfaces and the lid can also be turned upside down to be used as a griddle. I could see that coming in very handy at breakfast!
- Pros – High-quality, trusted brand; one of the best when it comes to cast iron dutch ovens for camping. The lid can be used as a griddle
- Cons – The heaviest on the list, the shallow shape may limit some people
GSI Outdoors Aluminium Dutch Oven
This aluminium Dutch oven is made from highly conductive aluminium. That means it heats up quickly and won’t ever rust which cast iron can.
If you’re doing some winter camping or backpacking but still want to cook on a dutch oven the super low weight of this dutch oven (7.5lbs) means it’s much easier to take with you than the other options. It’s the best lightweight dutch oven by miles and would be a great option if you’re looking for a backpacking dutch oven.
- Pros – Super lightweight
- Cons – Easier to burn food when cooking with aluminium vs cast iron, more expensive
Bruntmor Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
Bruntmor makes dutch ovens for both home and camping use; just make sure to get the pre-seasoned black version for camping as this can handle a campfire! This oven comes with a dome-shaped lid which means it’s great for roasts and meat recipes and, as an added bonus, the lid itself can then be used as another cooking utensil when you don’t need a lid on the oven.
- Pros – Reliable brand, good price, comes in different colours
- Cons – Does not come with legs, no handle
Overmont Dutch Oven (6 qt)
Overmont refers to this camp dutch oven as the Lifetime Pot since it can easily last you a lifetime. And, given it’s not even one of the most expensive on the list, that’s a great deal!
This brand is known for its quality when it comes to cast iron and this particular model comes with legs on both the pot and the lid adding to stability while you cook.
You can also use the stainless steel wire attached to the lid to hang the pot over the campfire.
- Pros – Great value for money and quality product
- Cons – Some have had issues with being sent a smaller size than ordered
Petromax dutch oven
If you’re an avid camper or enjoy cooking outdoors, the Petromax Dutch Oven is a must-have item in your kitchen or camping gear.
With its durable cast iron material, this versatile pot can handle anything from soups and stews to meat dishes, casseroles, and even cakes while you’re out in the backcountry.
The Petromax Dutch Oven’s special design features, such as the sturdy handle, three feet for stability, and thermometer hole for temperature checking, make it a safe and practical choice for outdoor cooking. Its pre-treated seasoned finish means that there’s no need for initial seasoning, making it ready to use right out of the box with just a quick rinse.
What to know about the best dutch ovens for camping
If you’ve stumbled across this post and aren’t familiar with Dutch ovens, here’s what you should know and why they’re a great addition to your camping gear.
What is a Dutch oven?
A Dutch oven is a cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. You’ve maybe used them in your home kitchen to cook soups, bread, and other tasty meals. It’s the same as for camping, only the camping Dutch ovens are usually made out of even more robust materials or have been ‘pre-seasoned’ to help them cope with higher temperatures.
You can use a Dutch oven to cook pretty much anything that you cook in a regular oven. It can also be used for roasts, soups, stews, and pot meals.
What are Dutch ovens used for?
Dutch ovens are extremely versatile. You can use them for simmering, pan-frying, baking, braising, and more. At home, I use mine to bake my sourdough and while out camping it’s great if you’d rather cook over a campfire than a stove. Plus, it gives you more flexibility to cook bread and stews while out in the backcountry when you buy the best camping dutch oven.
What are some popular brands of Dutch ovens?
While you’re maybe familiar with Le Creuset Dutch ovens or Staub Dutch ovens, these aren’t suitable for camping. For camping, look for Dutch oven brands such as Lodge, Bruntmore, Camp Chef, and Overmont (the ones in this post!). These are the best dutch oven for campfire pots you’ll find.
What feature to look for in a Dutch oven?
Some Dutch ovens come with the following features, but not all. If yours doesn’t you may want to consider getting these separately.
Thermometer – check the temperature when cooking
Dutch Oven tripod – used to hang a Dutch oven over a campfire
Dutch oven lid lifter – helps lift the heavy lid of a Dutch oven
Heat resistant gloves – to help prevent burns!
Dutch oven liners – not essential but can help keep the interior cleaner and prevent rust
You can also find Dutch Oven toolkits (like this Campmaid dutch oven kit) that include most of these things in one pack.
What size Dutch oven?
Dutch ovens come in a range of sizes. When buying one, consider the group size you usually camp in and then get one that will accommodate that. In general, you can use the following guidelines when deciding what size Dutch oven to buy:
8-inch / 2-quart: 2 to 4 people
10-inch / 4-quart: 5 to 7 people
12-inch / 6-quart 6 to 10 people
14-inch / 10-quart 12 to 20 people
Final thoughts on the best dutch oven for camping UK & US
A dutch oven is a versatile piece of camping gear that allows you to have an oven while out in the backcountry. With a dutch oven for camping, you can cook bread, pizzas, desserts and pretty much anything else you’d cook in an oven normally.
My pick for the best dutch oven for camping is either the Petromax Dutch Oven or the Camp Chef Deluxe Dutch Oven.
Now, all you need to do is build up a repertoire of dutch oven camping recipes and you’ll be cooking up a storm on your next camping trip that’ll rouse even the heaviest sleeper out of their tent.
Last Updated on June 2, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.