Best Camping Dutch Oven

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven

One of the best American-made camping dutch ovens around is the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven.

Made by Lodge, who has been making cast iron cookware since 1896 in South Pittsburg, Tennessee you can be sure that this camping dutch oven is of the highest quality and will last years and years of camping trips. 

The Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven comes pre-seasoned with soy-based vegetable oil and no chemicals which ensures that you get a great taste every time you cook.

This dutch oven comes with legs that allow you to put the pot right on the campfire when needed so you can cook in a true outdoor style. You can also add hot coals to the lid to create a real oven that heats from both directions to get a real oven cook.

Another great thing about this dutch oven is that you can invert the lid and use it as a griddle.

This means you don’t have to take any other cookware with you camping as you can use this Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven as a saucepan, frying pan, and oven.

The only downsides to this particular dutch oven are that it’s quite heavy at 20 lbs so it’s not for backpacking, and it can be hard to clean.

GSI Outdoors Aluminum Dutch Oven

The GSI Outdoors Aluminum Dutch Oven is a fantastic dutch oven if you’re looking for a lightweight option that you can go backpacking with.

The reason this dutch oven is so light is because instead of being made from heavy cast iron, it’s made from lightweight aluminum and weighs just 6lbs 13 ounces instead of up to 20 lbs.

This means you can easily slip this dutch oven into your backpack for when you’re hiking into your favorite campsites. Also, aluminum won’t rust and it is easier to clean than cast iron so there are a few benefits.

The aluminum is highly conductive and does give an even heat distribution, but it’s not quite as good as cast iron. Also, this dutch oven comes unseasoned so be sure to season it well at home with your chosen oil before you take it camping.

This dutch oven comes with legs so you can place it over hot coals and you can add coals to the lid to ensure a proper roasting experience.

The one thing about this dutch oven is that it’s not that big and ideal for cooking for 2-3 people. Also, make sure to get the 12-inch model as the 10 inch doesn’t come with legs.

Mighty Hand Camping Dutch Oven

If you’re looking for a more affordable camping dutch oven that is still great quality, then the Mighty Hand Camping Dutch Oven is one to take a good look at.

The Mighty Hand Camping Dutch Oven is made from cast iron meaning it’s great quality and will last, just be sure to look after it if camping near the sea as it can rust if you’re not careful.

This camping dutch oven comes pre-seasoned with soybean oil to ensure a delicious flavor and to retain the dutch oven’s non-stick qualities. 

The dutch oven comes with legs so that you can put it right over the coals of your campfire, the lid also holds hot coals for a full roasting experience.

You can also invert the lid, which also has feet, and use it as a skillet or frying pan. This means this dutch oven can do everything from bake bread and roasting chicken to making a stew or frying eggs and bacon.

The dutch oven also comes with handy extras including a lid lifter/hanger, thick gauge wire for hanging or carrying, and a notch for air circulation or inserting a food thermometer.

The one drawback to this camping dutch oven is that it’s a bit heavy at 19lbs for backpacking, so it’s more suited to car camping.

Uno Casa Cast Iron Camping Dutch Oven

The Uno Casa Cast Iron Camping Dutch Oven is another great option if you’re looking for a single piece of cookware that can pretty much cook anything in any style.

Made from quality cast iron that is pre-seasoned this dutch oven provides excellent heat distribution for even cooking whether you’re roasting, frying, or just heating up something delicious. It’s also non-stick for easy cleaning.

The dutch oven comes with extra long legs which allows you to put it over a fire and know that it’s going to be stable no matter what. You can also add hot coals to the lid for proper roasting.

The lid also has feet on the top which allows it to be inverted and be used as a frying pan/skillet.

This means you can bake bread in the oven, remove it, then heat up some baked beans in the pot while frying sausages, eggs, and bacon on the lid, creating the ultimate camping breakfast.

With this camping dutch oven you’ll also get a tote bag made from polyester and PVC to carry it around in, plus a steel lid-lifter.

Being made from cast iron, it’s a bit too heavy for backpacking and it can rust when used near the sea, so be sure to look after it.

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven

The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven is a great option if you’re looking for a cast iron dutch oven that is a little lighter than others and more affordable too.

This dutch oven is made from top-quality cast iron that provides an even heat retention and distribution. It’s also pre-seasoned for flavor using 100% natural vegetable oil which also gives it a non-stick finish for easy cleaning. 

At 12.5 lbs, this dutch oven is close to 50% lighter than other cast iron options, making it a lot more portable.

The lid can be inverted and used as a skillet, and its high sides help to ensure everything inside it stays inside even when cooking at an angle.

This dutch oven is missing a key ingredient though, legs, on both the oven and the lid. This makes it a little harder to place on hot coals and ensures stability. The lid also doesn’t have edges to hold hot coals more effectively for better roasting and braising.

Being cast iron, this camping dutch oven can also be affected by rust, just be sure to clean it well if you’re camping near the sea or estuaries.

Camp Chef Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven

If you tend to camp with large groups of friends and/or family, the Camp Chef Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven might be right the choice for you.

This camping dutch oven has a huge capacity of 12 quarts which means you can knock up a big meal for everyone in just one dutch oven.

Made from cast iron and with such a large capacity, this camping dutch oven is super heavy at 25 lbs so it’s certainly more for car camping than for backpacking.

It comes seasoned for flavor and to retain its non-stick quality, making it easier to cook and clean after you’re done.

There are legs on both the lid and the base, making it easy to make it stable over hot coals. You can also add coals to the lid for roasting and braising, plus flip the lid over to use it as a skillet.

This dutch over also comes with extras such as a lid lifter and a built-in thermometer notch. 

The one annoying thing about this camping dutch oven other than the weight is that the handle on the lid is very small.

Legend Cast Iron Dutch Oven

The Legend Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a great camping dutch oven as it brings the durability and heat distribution of cast iron but is almost 50% lighter than others.

Being lighter does mean it’s much easier to carry to your campsite but it doesn’t have that heavyweight quality of cast iron some people are looking for.

The camping dutch oven comes seasoned but you will need to continue to season it, which does take time but you also get to build your own flavor profile over time.

It also features a double handle design along with silicone heat-safe grippers which makes picking up and moving the dutch oven around very easy.

The lid works as both a skillet/frying pan, and you can invert it on the base to hold coals so you can braise/roast while out camping.

The one issue with this camping dutch oven is the lack of legs on both the base and lid. It might be hard to find a stable place to put it on the coals, so be sure to flatten them out before you put the dutch oven down on them.

GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Dutch Oven

The GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Dutch Oven is another excellent camping dutch oven if you’re looking for a lightweight option that you can take backpacking.

This camping dutch oven weighs just over 6lbs as it’s made from aluminum instead of cast iron.

It still heats well and evenly and works well as a dutch oven and it has the added bonus of not rusting so you can use it at the beach without any worries. Plus it comes with a lifetime warranty, so it’s for life.

This dutch oven also has a non-stick finish which makes both cooking and cleaning after cooking a lot easier.

You can use this dutch oven over a fire when camping thanks to the legs, as it’s easy to make sure it’s stable over hot coals. You can also put it in the oven at home.

The one thing this camping dutch oven is missing compared to others is that you can’t use the lid as a skillet. Also, be careful when carrying it by the handle, as when it’s full of liquid it can easily tip over.