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

[Kentuckyjed]

You can get a decent flat bottom spider cast iron skillet with a lid, size varies, a 3 qt Dutch oven or a potjie. I have used them all. Lately I have been using a 3/4 potjie it works for at least feeding three people. It also depends on how you apply it. I mainly use it for cooking beans, rice, stews, and such, a lot of times I use it for cooking a side to a steak, chicken or some wild game roasted on the spit or grilled. The skillet probably is more versatile in having the flat bottom for cooking bacon or flat meat, it can also be used like a dutch oven with the lid. As Dave said there is a learning curve for all of them. Not a bad pick for any just depends on what you want to pack. I have a 3-legged cast iron skillet that I am retiring from my kit because it doesn't help my carpal tunnel in moving it about a fire or a kitchen camp (the potjie is a lot lighter), also think about handles/bales, they do make pots easier to move about. I plan most of the camp meals so if I need to bring a Dutch oven or larger pan I do. For the moment the potjie and a carbon steel skillet are in my camp kitchen along with a copper kettle that holds about 25oz. and a corn boiler. Hey, I like to cook.

 

[rp77469]

I have legged Dutch ovens from 6" to 16" in 2" increments along with 10 & 12" spyders. The 6" was my parent's. They make a small cobbler each night on their many camping trips ~50 years ago. Most of the heavy iron was acquired in my BSA leader days, which coincided with me discovering rendezvous and hobby blacksmithing. Never let it be said I was into lightweight endeavors.

Family grew up and left long ago, so I take the 6" and 10" for a week long doin's, fire irons and medium folding grill. Weekend events are the 6" and a stamped skillet. Sometimes I take a cast pie iron for sandwich making. I dearly love a good, toasted Reuben as comfort food. A gallon coffee pot is mandatory to go with the cobbler.

Have not used the bigger Dutch ovens in almost 30 years. Time to downsize.

 

[mushka]

Cast iron for permanent camps. The lighter stainless or tin copper stuff for walking around. This is what has worked for me in the past.

 

[Bill Bryan]

You might try one of the folding carbon steel fry pans. Bill

 

[Encore50Cal]

Check out https://www.cancooker.com/ You can put them directly on the coals and they are aluminum. Works almost like a pressure cooker but you cam bake cakes or bread in it also,

 

[waksupi]

Not much good for a primitive camp.

 

[Bark-eater]

The scrapyard spirits threw me bone.

Got most of the rust cleaned off and a preliminary seasoning done. Now I need to keep my eyes open for a lid.

I might grind the markings off at some point.

 

[Kentuckyjed]

The scrapyard spirits threw me bone.

Got most of the rust cleaned off and a preliminary seasoning done. Now I need to keep my eyes open for a lid.

I might grind the markings off at some point.

View attachment 368709

Good find! Measure the lid opening and scour the junk shops for lids. Or make one out of wood if you can't find a cast iron or suitable one. Happy searching.