To try to answer your question
Jason, You might consider how many your
going to feed most of the time, as a serious first thought?
First paragraph tries to answer your question. The rest is fluff and not
a need to know for your first choice in iron:
Here are some rules of thumb that might help in your decision making
Dutch ovens come in a variety of sizes. The array of sizes makes them ideal
for different cooking tasks and for different-sized groups. The smallest
commonly available is the two-quart size (about eight inches). If you plan to
cook for up to two people, this size works well. It’s also a good choice for
side dishes and many dessert recipes. A four-quart oven (ten inches) will
accommodate recipes for two to six people. It’s a good size for beans, rolls,
and desserts, too. The six-quart size (twelve inches) can cook main dishes
for up to fourteen people. An eight-quart oven (fourteen inches) will allow
you to cook for a group of twenty, and if you want to feed a large crowd,
choose a fourteen-quart (sixteen inch) oven. Most consider the ten or twelve
inch ovens a good starter oven for a family campout. The larger ovens are
very heavy and difficult to handle. Most ovens come in a short and a deep
variation, and most choose the deep.
Transport & Storage should have some thought:
Then there is the packing aspect. Will you use soft sided bags or boxes or
just let the dusty ovens set in the bed of your truck?
Some of my observations & afflictions
I started out with a 10" & 2 - 5"ers ... I have a 12" now and a chicken fryer
cobo- lid top skillet, as well as grill and round top grill.
Once the Iron starts coming into the house .... it is like water finding a way
into an opening. Some here know better than me.... the affliction iron has
on kitchen storage space .... let alone traveling in a tiny trailer.
Be very aware that ebay prices for waffle irons have gone uP because the
affliction here on this forum has pushed prices uP on the bidding to a fever
pitch. It may have abated but know that Iron heads are always scanning
ebay fur their next find.
The link in the sticky section above
Members advise Manuals, Products, Tools & Iron for Cooks
has more information~
by jasoncpg » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:45 pm 
