First dutch oven experience

dkutz · Jul 13, 2007, 05:45 PM

We were lucky enough to have someone give us a dutch oven, so we were able to try it out this weekend. LOved it. But had a couple problems.

I made "choclate lover delight". First it was windy so the recipe took longer than listed, and I had to make more briquettes.

Then when I went to clean up, even though I lined with aluminum foil, the bottom of the pot was a gooey mess. And the foil stuck, and heated the bottom and managed to get most off but not all.

I look forward to more tries in the future, and hopefully easier results.

AustinBoston · Jul 13, 2007, 06:13 PM

Lining is an iffy thing. We've found that if the lining isn't watertight (i.e. if the foil has any holes in it), that it makes cleanup harder, not easier.

Most of the time, if it doesn't need to go in a separate pan (like a pie that really needs a pie pan), we just put it right in the oven.

Austin

griffsmom · Jul 13, 2007, 08:22 PM

I always line my DO with foil when I'm making dessert. The trick is to use non-stick foil.

dkutz · Jul 13, 2007, 10:03 PM

Quote from: griffsmomI always line my DO with foil when I'm making dessert. The trick is to use non-stick foil.

I knew i should have asked you!! Good to know I will try that next time...

griffsmom · Jul 14, 2007, 01:31 AM

Actually, the people you really want to meet are my twin brother, Old Moose, and his wife, Young Moosette, or Paula as she is otherwise known. Not only do they cook the most scrumptious gourmet dishes for our potlucks, but they have also given DO demos for our group before and are absolutely amazing when it comes to DO cooking. In fact, I have never had a bad meal out of their DOs, and what little I know about DO cooking I owe to them. Hopefully, they'll get a chance to camp with us soon and you can meet them. It's truly a treat.

dkutz · Jul 14, 2007, 11:08 AM

OH NO... YOU HAVE A TWIN!!?

:eyecrazy: Just kidding.

Sounds great. I have been in Boy Scouts all my life (Eagle scout) and have seen people use DO, but never actually used one myself until this weekend. I guess I did ok for the first time. Next time I will have to have more people with us, we had a lot left over, I actually reheated the cake and had some the next night.

Thanks!

...

oldmoose · Jul 16, 2007, 12:46 PM

Quote from: dkutzOH NO... YOU HAVE A TWIN!!? :eyecrazy: Just kidding.

Sounds great. I have been in Boy Scouts all my life (Eagle scout) and have seen people use DO, but never actually used one myself until this weekend. I guess I did ok for the first time. Next time I will have to have more people with us, we had a lot left over, I actually reheated the cake and had some the next night.

Thanks!...

Yes, but I've had a tough life. This past week we've been on staff for a youth leaders training ans I've been the DO expert. Monday night the patrols cooked a main dish, Kampers Stroganof was one Lori, and a dessert. We then did a pot luck. On Monday and Tuesday afternoon's I did an hour cooking demo. I've attached a picture of the pizza I did in an upside down Dutch ove. Used the lida as the bottom and the bottom was the top. This was in a 14" DO.

Moose

AustinBoston · Jul 16, 2007, 01:01 PM

Quote from: oldmooseI've attached a picture of the pizza I did in an upside down Dutch oven.

Can we get three? One with everything, one pepperoni, and one hamburg and feta cheese. Also, two sixpacks of 1910 rootbeer (or IBC if you don't have 1910).

You do deliver, right? :-()

Austin

griffsmom · Jul 16, 2007, 04:25 PM

Quote from: AustinBostonYou do deliver, right? :-()

Austin

Trust me, AB, it would be worth the drive for you. I know of what I speak: I'm one of the blessed who have eaten Moose and Paula's DO cooking. :sombraro:

dkutz · Jul 16, 2007, 04:39 PM

Yeah looks good. Just trying to envision pulling on and off the bottom of the DO from the top. Two pot holders?

Anyway what Rally are you attending with SCCampers, I'll sign up just for the DO cooking!

oldmoose · Jul 16, 2007, 05:26 PM

I did 2 pizza's. One the veggie as pictured and a pepperoni. I also cooked chocolate chip cookies. At the present time we are only scheduled to go to the Trick or Treat rally unless someone pops up with a 5th wheel for us to live in. Our popup is our weekend home for now and after August 31, our home at the Boy Scout camp.

Here are pictures of the cookies and my Chocoholics Cake before and after frosting.

Moose

dkutz · Jul 16, 2007, 08:24 PM

LIving at a BSA camp?? Oh my. What camp might i ask? We might cross paths at some point.

We are on the waiting list for the halloween camp, doesn't look promising. Might be worth the drive just for the FOOD!

ScouterMom · Jul 16, 2007, 09:26 PM

where did you find the cookie sheet / lifter thingy for the cookies? that's cool!

I recently tried something that worked great for me, but NOT for our young scouts - who insist on getting the DO too hot - those silicone baking pans - a 9" cake or quiche pan fits perfectly in the botoom of the DO and is totally washable and non-stick. But they absolutely can NOT go over 500 degrees! (or they crack and singe)

I'm going to get an angel-food / tube cake pan and try a cake with it......

I learned to always line the DO with foil - as I don't trust the boys' ability to clean and maintain their Dutch ovens....

I have a small one and a large one, different brands/ makes. The small one seems to have 'taken' it's seasoning coat really well; but the large one, treated the same way and at the same time, always seems to get rust spots on it and food sticks to it if I don't line it with foil. I clean and re-oil and heat it, but can't seem to get a good working finish on it. If it is exposed to humidity, it starts to either rust, or smell like rancid grease. I can't seem to get a good working finish on it.

any tips? what do you store your Dutch ovens in to keep them from humidity and dust when not being used?

laura

AustinBoston · Jul 16, 2007, 10:08 PM

Quote from: ScouterMomI have a small one and a large one, different brands/ makes. The small one seems to have 'taken' it's seasoning coat really well; but the large one, treated the same way and at the same time, always seems to get rust spots on it and food sticks to it if I don't line it with foil. I clean and re-oil and heat it, but can't seem to get a good working finish on it. If it is exposed to humidity, it starts to either rust, or smell like rancid grease. I can't seem to get a good working finish on it.

If it was new, it needed to have the wax coating removed before seasoning.

In any case, what I would do now is to scrub it with hot soapy water (I normally don't use soap, but this is an exception). Then run it through the dishwasher (without soap). Do not let it go through the dry cycle, remove it immediately.

Dry it with paper towels, and re-season it like a new oven.

Quotewhat do you store your Dutch ovens in to keep them from humidity and dust when not being used?

We keep them in breathable nylon carriers designed for Dutch ovens. We always store them with a folded paper towel between the lid and the cover so that it holds the cover slightly open. This helps it breathe and helps prevent condensation, which leads to rancid seasoning and rust.

Austin

oldmoose · Jul 17, 2007, 10:45 AM

where did you find the cookie sheet / lifter thingy for the cookies? that's cool!

We have a friend who makes them for 12" and 14" Dutch ovens as well as small DO tables. Email me privately and I'll send you his email.

We also store our oven is the carry bags, but I put the lid on the bottom and then the bottom on top of the lid. I keep a cake rack in the bottom and a rounder (wood) under the lid so I can put a hot oven on a plastic table.

We will be living at Camp Josepho which is in the Pacific Palasades. It's part of Western Los Angeles County Council.

Moose

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First dutch oven experience