Dutch Oven Cooking

[bugsbunny]

Hi Indy,

What size dutch oven are you using in the volcano?

[bugsbunny]

Hi Maggie,

We also have an Interstate. I was wondering what size DO you have and where you store it in the Interstate? We have a rear sofa model.
Thanks, Kate

[Lily&Me]

Hi Kate!

I have two....a 12" and an 8".

The 12" rides in its bag in the rear, curbside, lower compartment, along wih a cast iron griddle we picked up along the way and a couple of round pans that ride inside the DO and are handy for a coffeecake, etc.

If you want to do bread, I have would get the deep model, as it gives more headspace and generates less aggravation to keep your loaf from burning.


Maggi

[bugsbunny]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for your reply.
What sorts of things do you cook in each of them?

Thanks, Kate

[Lily&Me]

Our Interstate has everything but an oven, so we bought the DO's so that I could bake on our road trips of 6-14 weeks.

I have used the little one for an occasional mini-cobbler, strata, bread pudding, apple brown betty, etc., and on the last trip a loaf of DO bread using just 1 1/2 cups of flour. Took awhile to get that one right, but it allows for homemade bread in a quantity that can easily be consumed within a few days. Now that it's just me, and without real freezer space when traveling, I needed somethng smaller.

I have done cobblers, monkey bread, biscuits, cornbread, scones, 3 cup loaves of bread, etc., in the 12", also have done cowboy baked beans for rallies, which have gone over well.

I use one of the parchment liners for the latter, also for cobblers and monkey bread which otherwise infuse the cast iron with cinnamon.....that transfers to the next item you bake.

Anything you bake at home, that will fit in your DO, will cook up beautifully. It is a leap of faith......you just have to trust that if it works for others, it will work for you.




Maggie

[indy]

I use the 10" - 8" and 6" stacking or alone with the volcano and also I bought the two sided grittel made for it hash browns and eggs and bacon, yum
Camp breakfast the best!

[Lily&Me]

I stacked mine for the first time on this past trip, bread loaves in each.

A little more multi-tasking than I want to do on a regular day, but it was fun to try.


Maggie

[indy]

The "Volcano" in action!

[Lily&Me]

Yum.


Maggie

[Airtandem]

Indy; are those portable solar panels I see in the background? If so, where did you get them and what size?
mike

[Photobum]

I just ordered a Volcano....

[sams]

indy good to meet you at Air Midwest in Branson last week. Did not know you were a Volcano Dutch Oven Master. Volcano's are great - we will have to compare notes next time we meet up.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Photobum

I just ordered a Volcano....

Of course you did.

I think they are very cool, but I could not carry one in the Interstate.

Not unless I left Lily behind, and a Volcano would be a sorry replacement for my sweet companion.

Have thought about getting one for the patio of the little house. Would be a good size for occasional grilling, also for using the charcoal DO's at home.

Maybe next spring.


Maggie

[Foiled Again]

A trip to an actual Camping World store at this time of year might be VERY productive for finding a Volcano at a deep discount. My sister found one on sale for $35. Of course after Nov 1, in Ohio, no one is thinking of grilling so the camping world was unloading lots of stuff.


As for cast iron, the two best places to buy are (a) a thrift store or (b) a hardware store - preferably one out in the country that is affiliated with Ace or TrueValue rather than one of the big box. Some WalMarts do sell Lodge in limited sizes.

If you buy from a thrift store, look for a lid that fits well and robust legs, not the tiny skinny ones. Also check for obvious flaws (fissures) as they will grow bacteria. Anything I picked up in a thrift store would be scoured completely and re-seasoned carefully.

Paula

[Lily&Me]

WalMart carries some basic Lodge items, and is where we bought our first DO, the 12".


Maggie

[Bluestar99]

Amazon has several pieces on sale plus FREE freight. The 12 deep is only 50.00 right now. That is a great price.

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L12DCO3-...+12+dutch+oven

[Hittenstiehl]

A 2 skillet set @ costco would 10.5 and 12 inch with silicone handle holders $36.99.

[bugsbunny]

Cracker Barrell sells Lodge too. I have bought a couple of pieces there in the last year.

Kate

[Lily&Me]

Skillets are good.

Multipurpose, can be used on your stove or over a fire.


Maggie

[indy]

Yes they are solar.
Each one is 100 watts.
I got them from Amizon, the brand is "Renogy" @ $149.00 each.
This was the first trip out boondocking with them and wow I am so pleased with them, we are recharged by 10am. And they actually charge during a rain storm!
I made the frame for tilting as needed.