Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Just made my first DO meal this evening. 10 inch oven, nice and deep, of a no brand origin. Had to season it this morning, in anticipation of cooking. Whole fresh (as one can get at a grocery store) 5 pound chicken bought on sale at Krogers came home this morning. Smallest they had on sale. Had to wing it( LOL pun intended) because we don't normally keep lemons, fresh shallots, fresh thyme and such things at our house. At age 53 I have never in my life cooked a whole chicken. Removed the giblet bag, rinsed the bird with cold water. Sprayed with canola oil, and salted/peppered liberally inside and out.Sprinkled powdered garlic and cilantro over it, stuffed a quartered onion in the cavity, and poured some broth around it I made from the giblets. Poured in around it too a bag of baby carrots. Fired up the coals (yes, with a chimney) and got things cooking. Don't laugh, but I have to have help lifting the DO to do anything with it because I had back surgery and have a 10 pound lifting limit. I am in a back brace most of the time, and walk with a cane because my right leg sometimes quits. As a last minute thing, I opened a can of biscuits and arranged them around the chicken while I still had hot coals on the top. Either Penny and I or our 4 dogs will eat well tonight, depending on how it turns out.
Folks this is a huge huge meal for two people. Too much really. And with me unable to lift much, it is not as much fun as I think it could be with a smaller oven. But when I look at the Lodge website, or Cabela's or Gander Mountain, Target or Walmart all I see in a smaller version is only 3 or so inches deep. I can't fit a 3 pound bird or a roast in the shallower depth oven. Am I missing a brand I should search out? I must have the lip around the lid so I can be as versatile as necessary. Suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Don

Lodge makes an 8in and 6.5in oven, the 6.5 is really too small. For my wife and I, I use the 8 and 10. They make (or used to) both in a deep and regular.

Thank you. I looked over their site but do not see an 8 inch deep oven. I guess I missed out . Don

Here ya go:
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-Pre-S ... gy_k_img_b

We have the lodge 8 inch. Most meals it is just a little bit too much, but its right in the ball park

Go for it. I think I got it at cabela's a few years ago, They are harder to find, but a good addition

John & Mona

Thanks to all of you. I was expecting to be able to find a DO about two or three quart size, but deeper than the 3 inches on the Lodge 2 quart. I was thinking I could have trouble cooking a whole chicken due to the depth. Would a small beef roast fit in the 2 quart Lodge DO with a few carrots and potatoes? Thanks. Don

I have always thought the 12 inch dutch ovens were too big even for a family. I use the 8 inch from Lodge for solo camping and when my wife comes along. Instead of a whole chicken just throw in a couple of breasts and cut way back on the veggies. I will admit it is fun to load that baby up with food. Take recipes for four and cut them in half. Good side is no waste, bad side no leftovers. Enjoy

Lodge makes a 10" deep but they do not show them on their website. Someone told me they are made mostly for export. I found mine on Ebay. But a friend got his a couple years ago at Bass Pro.

We have a 10" deep Lodge DO also. We found it at a older hardware store in Galveston County. The box was dusty and we really did not need another DO but the price was good. It has come in handy and easier to take camping than the 12" DO. If you come across one, I would get it.

When you say "dutch oven for two" this is what I think.



Each bird is about five lbs. This picture was taken after searing in olive oil but before baking (covered of course) at 250 degrees for 80 minutes then turning the oven off and left it in the oven for another 30 minutes. Sprinkled on/around the bird are chopped onions and celery, a sprig of rosemary from the backyard, garlic, bay leaves, and salt and pepper. I sorta followed this recipe. http://www.food.com/recipe/french-chicken-in-a-pot-americas-test-kitchen-349883

Now I'm hungry.

I cook for two often in a 12 inch DO, and even have used it for just myself. You don't have to fill it up all the time. In fact, a homemade deep crust sourdough pizza from a 12" oven is absolutely perfect for two. Iron plays well with small amounts of food as long as you don't get carried away with the heat. I have quite an assortment of sizes at my disposal (from 6" to 16"), but I find myself using the regular 12" probably 9 out of 10 times.

I'm afraid that I don't have any pictures, but I have used tiny souffle ramekins in the DO to keep individual biscuits/rolls, veggie sides, or even a baked apple separated from a small roast and potatoes for a one-pot multi-course dinner. If you try this, you'll be thankful for the extra space that a 12" provides. Pick recipes that need the similar temperatures and cooking times and experiment. If you could put it in the same oven at home, it will work in a DO.

I use a Lodge 8" all the time for the two of us. I find it nearly perfect. If the 8" isn't big enough, there better be neighbors to invite to dinner!

If you experiment a bit you will find that your camp oven lid will often fit a favorite skillet for smaller portions.

I have a 10" spider skillet I dearly love to cook in. I place almost all of the heat on the lid and cook from the top down. Leaving only 6-8 of the 20 + brickettes on the bottom.






This breakfast cassarole fed 8 of us !

We have an 8 inch and it is great for two. I have cooked a roast in it. For a chicken, you can always cut the chicken to sort of butterfly it and allow it to lay a little flatter in the pot.

Bob you have convinced me that I want to try your breakfast cassarole. Of course now I will need to find me a small dutch oven. 2 qts sounds about the right size. Ebay here I come.