What size Dutch oven or potjie to be the only cast iron in a solo camp?

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Bark-eater

Bark-eater

40 Cal
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I'm getting my kitchen gear together for next year. I'm going to try and limit self to one cast item, some sort of lidded Dutch oven or A Potjie, which is an old style cauldron with legs. Its just going to be me cooking for my self, so I'm figured about 1 gallon Potjie would be a good size. Of course they don't come in 1 gallon. Sizes go from 3/4 gallon directly to 1 1/2 gallons. And then if I look at the "chart" a 2 gallon pot is only 3 pounds heavier. Which for whatever reason seems so much more of an "efficient" use of cast iron. The chart is copied from Lemans non electric.

So I'm wondering what size would be practical for feeding just my self, and what size iron pots where the most common in the 18th century?
Thanks, Woody

"
Sizes:

  • 3 Qt: 8", 12 lb
  • 1.5 Gal: 91⁄2", 17 lb
  • 2 Gal: 101⁄2", 20 lb
  • 3.5 Gal: Total height - 17", Pot height - 14", 37 lb
  • 4.75 Gal: Total height - 17", Pot height - 15" 46 lb
  • 9 Gal: Total height - 19", Pot height - 16", Lid height - 3", 72 lb
  • 14.75 Gal: Total height - 22", Pot height - 18", 110 lb
  • 18.5 Gal: Total height - 26", Pot height - 18", 131 lb"
 
Last edited:
Tom A Hawk said:
Agreed. Especially if one is travelling on foot, - unless very hungry or have benefit of a pack mule. I might also consider a reflector oven to save weight.
Click to expand...
I'm more concerned with keeping a fixed camp set up to a efficient minimum. I've got a little British Infantry and a 10x10 Diamond shelter to make camp with, and I want to be able to feed my self. I'm still debating fire irons and such.
 
Last edited:
Cut sticks for a tripod, piece of chain and a hook. And yes, the small one is plenty big enough to bake in.
Bark-eater said:
I'm more concerned with keeping a fixed camp set up to a efficient minimum. I've got a little British Infantry and a 10x10 Diamond shelter to make camp with, and I want to be able to feed my self. I'm still debating fire irons and such.
Click to expand...
 
Bark-eater said:
Its just going to be me cooking for my self, so I'm figured about 1 gallon Potjie would be a good size. Of course they don't come in 1 gallon. Sizes go from 3/4 gallon directly to 1 1/2 gallons. And then if I look at the "chart" a 2 gallon pot is only 3 pounds heavier.
Click to expand...
The 2 gallon pot is only 3 pounds heavier than the 1-1/2 gallon pot, however the 2 gallon pot is 8 pounds heavier than the 3 quart pot. To me, 8 pounds is a lot to carry just because… maybe carry an extra muzzleloader instead? Or a couple extra gallons of cooking oil? Or possibly a bowling ball?
Bark-eater said:
  • 3 Qt: 8", 12 lb
  • 1.5 Gal: 91⁄2", 17 lb
  • 2 Gal: 101⁄2", 20 lb
Click to expand...
Bark-eater said:
I want to be able to feed my self.
Click to expand...
I have no idea how many groceries you put away when you eat, but maybe take an existing 3 quart pot, put in on the stove and look at how much food it will hold. Then ask yourself if you would still be hungry after eating whatever it is you have filled the 3 quart pot with.
 
SDSmlf said:
The 2 gallon pot is only 3 pounds heavier than the 1-1/2 gallon pot, however the 2 gallon pot is 8 pounds heavier than the 3 quart pot. To me, 8 pounds is a lot to carry just because… maybe carry an extra muzzleloader instead? Or a couple extra gallons of cooking oil? Or possibly a bowling ball?


I have no idea how many groceries you put away when you eat, but maybe take an existing 3 quart pot, put in on the stove and look at how much food it will hold. Then ask yourself if you would still be hungry after eating whatever it is you have filled the 3 quart pot with.
Click to expand...

I can definitely feed my self out of a 3 Qt. pot. That general size is well covered in my cook kit with brass and copper pots, So size wise a bit redundant, and if I was carrying anything any distance it would be a brass kettle. If I can fit a Cornish game hen in there, or make corn bread its good enough for me though.

But as part of a 200 pound load of camping gear transported by minivan, 5 or 8 pounds for a primary piece of equipment is not so much to add to the pile.

One thing I'd like to know is whether 3 Qts would have been a commonly available size historically?

And particular to my history, Grannies old Griswold is a #7 which I think is 4 Qts, and is my "small" Dutch oven..
 
Phil Coffins said:
Are you playing as a homesteader or a long hunter? A solo camp should look like a light traveler either way. Cast iron seems to be for after you build a cabin for the family.
Click to expand...
Well, for the local events, I'm a guy with a wedge tent and fly with painted poles, some crates, a lantern and cooking gear. I couldn't tell you how I got here, but here I am. One iron pot is yet another luxury item. I like to cook, but I'm trying to avoid the full cast iron and blacksmith kitchen set up. for now...
 
Phil Coffins said:
This sport maybe an opportunity to to do just that. More activities and less cooking. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Dr's busting my chops...Just got to stop hurting my self for long enough get back on a bicycle. I haven't been 80lbs lighter since I was 16 and 1 1/2 inches taller. I was an animal into my 40's, but so far my 50's have presented a few "challenges"... circling back, to cooking pots, I do eat a lot less now....
 
Bark-eater said:
I'm getting my kitchen gear together for next year. I'm going to try and limit self to one cast item, some sort of lidded Dutch oven or A Potjie, which is an old style cauldron with legs. Its just going to be me cooking for my self, so I'm figured about 1 gallon Potjie would be a good size. Of course they don't come in 1 gallon. Sizes go from 3/4 gallon directly to 1 1/2 gallons. And then if I look at the "chart" a 2 gallon pot is only 3 pounds heavier. Which for whatever reason seems so much more of an "efficient" use of cast iron. The chart is copied from Lemans non electric.

So I'm wondering what size would be practical for feeding just my self, and what size iron pots where the most common in the 18th century?
Thanks, Woody

"
Sizes:

  • 3 Qt: 8", 12 lb
  • 1.5 Gal: 91⁄2", 17 lb
  • 2 Gal: 101⁄2", 20 lb
  • 3.5 Gal: Total height - 17", Pot height - 14", 37 lb
  • 4.75 Gal: Total height - 17", Pot height - 15" 46 lb
  • 9 Gal: Total height - 19", Pot height - 16", Lid height - 3", 72 lb
  • 14.75 Gal: Total height - 22", Pot height - 18", 110 lb
  • 18.5 Gal: Total height - 26", Pot height - 18", 131 lb"
Click to expand...
 
Unless you have a horse or pack mule, I would not carry cast iron.
Especially if its only you too feed.
A small copper (tin lined) or tin pot will do fine. I have one that is 4" X 4" and holds 4 cups when full to the brim. I have been using this pot for over 40 years cooking over a open fire. I also carry a small tin pot that I use for boiling coffee water. My goal has always been to travel lite.
I tried to post a pix of the 2 side by side but couldn't. I can try and email the pix to anyone interested. I am 83.
 
I have read where the Continental army issued a tin pot for every 10 soldiers. When they couldn't get tin they would issue a cast iron pot. The cast iron pots seemed to just disappear. To be realistic a one person camp would be a bare minimum of everything.
 
I would ask what are you planning on cooking?
A Dutch oven is an oven. You can make bread and pies in one. Is that what your planning
Bread was a stable back in the day, however in a camp setting you can make flat breads without an oven. And that’s historic.
Baking powder was yet to be invented. Breads were sourdough or made with bram, live beer back then.
Making bread in a camp was a chore.
However boiled puddings, were easy without the weight of a Dutch oven.
What are you planning to use it for. In general light tin and copper pots are lighter and historic for a camp
 

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