The Proper Tools (First and Foremost)

One of the things that gets drilled into Scouts during every leadership training and level is this idea that we are learning how to use new tools and once we have that knowledge, putting those tools in a toolbox. It’s an idea that I have sort of latched onto and used during the numerous trainings and other activities I have led, both inside and outside of Scouting.

That’s kind of out there though, but what is real is that you should always approach every job with the appropriate tools to do the job quickly and effectively. So that’s our topic for the day, the first tool (cue the music from “Tool Time”) of outdoor cooking. Now this is just the beginning of the tools, and I will expand upon it in the future.

The first and most important tool in the outdoor chefs arsenal is the Dutch Oven. The Dutch Oven that I use in known as a Camping or Chuckwagon Dutch Oven. It has three legs to allow the oven to sit stably on even rocky surfaces. Furthermore it has a wire handle that can be used (CAREFUL: It can get hot!) to quickly and easily move the oven on and off the fire. Lastly, the lid has a lip on it that allows you to place coals on the top to provide a more even heat and better mimic a traditional oven.

A Dutch Oven Cooking Away

Now, where exactly can you get a quality Dutch Oven? There are a lot of different ones out there, but from my experience at camp there can be only one winner. Lodge Cast Iron Cookware has no rival, none at all. Lodge makes a lot of different cookware and is a great resource for your kitchen. Some will baulk when they see the price of a medium sized Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven. However, purchasing a Dutch Oven is an investment. Many of the ovens we have at camp (all Lodge) are more than 30 years old. These ovens will last forever. Moreover, one of the old problems with cast iron was that you had to season it. That meant you had to cook all sorts of things in it before it was truly “ready.” Of course, however, Lodge has you covered. They developed and patented a system and are proud to offer a pre-seasoned Dutch Oven of the highest quality.

The other really, really cool thing about these camping Dutch Ovens is that you can take that cast iron lid, flip it over and use it as a griddle. While cooking the other day, we had a bit of bacon (mmmmm bacon) left over (quite possibly intentionally). Jimmy decided to cook that bacon using the above described method. I can tell you that it was really, really good.

A very cool alternate use of the Dutch Oven Lid

The Dutch Oven then my friends, is the first and most important tool in any outdoor chef’s toolbox. Look forward to more on the tools necessary to be successful as a chef in the great outdoors. See some great shots below to see the Lodge Logic Camp 10 inch Dutch Oven in action!

Checking out the Bacon-Wrapped Chicken (check out the hook and read about it in my next post)

MMMMMM.... Bacon....