There are a lot of ways to cook in a dutch oven and putting it on the grill and cooking the food inside might seem like a viable option. However, it is necessary to be aware if you can actually do that and how safe it really is.
This is because there are many different types of dutch ovens and if you are not careful you might end up melting your oven.
Can the dutch oven go on the grill?
Almost all dutch ovens are safe to put on top of the grill and are actually a very good way to cook your food when you do not have a stovetop. You just have to ensure that your dutch oven is made of a material suitable to withstand the grill and you can safely whip out a lot of grill recipes.
Dutch ovens, as long as you are sure that they are made of suitable material to withstand high heat then you can put them on the grill. Most dutch ovens are made of strong material to withstand that high heat so you can put them on the grill.
In fact, there are many grill recipes catered towards your dutch oven to cook up some delicious meals. You just have to ensure that your grill is heavy enough so that it can also withstand the weight of your dutch oven, provided that it is made from a heavy material.
Can you put the Le Creuset Dutch oven on a grill?
A La Creuset dutch oven is one that is actually not suitable for you to conveniently put on the grill. This is because they are mostly catered towards serving your food neatly and thus are not able to withstand the high heat that a grill usually tends to have.
However, there are some le Creuset dutch ovens that are more friendly towards an oven and sometimes even the grill.
But there is a maximum temperature they can withstand and they must be a few inches away from the heat source which might not end up cooking your food thoroughly. This is why it is safer to just avoid using le Creuset dutch ovens on the grill.
What dutch ovens are great for the grill?
There are a few different materials that dutch ovens are made of and some materials are better at withstanding the grill’s high heat over others. This is why you should be more informed about it before putting your dutch oven on the grill.
Cast iron:
Dutch ovens made of cast iron are amazing for using it when it comes to outdoor cooking or putting it on the grill. They are also very durable if you take good care of them by regularly and properly seasoning them.
They are very great at using it on the grill because the heat gets spread out evenly and cooks the food well so you do not have to worry about undercooking or overcooking your food. This is because it receives heat properly and does not get overheated.
They can stand very high temperatures which makes them more suitable for using it on the grill. They also work well in windy weather conditions so you can carry them just about anywhere.
However, do keep in mind that they do take a bit of time to heat up which means that you will have to patiently wait for a longer cooking time. This will also ensure that your food is evenly and thoroughly cooked.
They are also quite weighted and if you do not season them properly they may end up rusting.
Aluminum:
Many people opt for aluminum dutch ovens when it comes to outdoor cooking. This is because they weigh less and are easier to carry. On top of that, there is no fear of rusting and it is very easy to clean as well.
There are also many versions nowadays that will not require you to season the pan. The only disadvantage is the fact that they do not work well in windy seasons and if the heat is too high it can end up melting the aluminum.
Therefore, it is only wise to use it on grills where you can maintain a constant temperature.
How to use a dutch oven on a grill?
There are certain tips and tricks you must follow when using a dutch oven on a grill to ensure that your food cooks properly.
Choose your oven:
For using it on the grill, the best option would be to use a cast iron dutch oven. They are good at withstanding high temperatures and cooking the food evenly.
The only downside is that you will have to wait longer, but it will ensure that your food is cooked thoroughly and evenly.
Season it:
The most important step is to thoroughly season your cast iron as not doing it properly can not only end up rusting your cast iron, but the food might also end up sticking to the bottom of the cast iron.
Preheat:
Preheat both your grill as well as your dutch oven. It is safer to use a grill where you can set the desired temperature, but if you do not have one then you can use a thermometer to closely monitor the temperature.
Put your dutch oven on the grill and let it heat for fifteen minutes or until it reaches a desired internal temperature.
Put your food on it:
Whichever recipe you are cooking, be sure to continue to check the temperature once in a while and let your recipe cook. You can use the lid of the grill to cover both your dutch oven and the grill.
How do you use a dutch oven on a BBQ?
Using your dutch oven on a BBQ is nearly identical to using it on your grill, but there are still some useful tips that you should look out for.
Recipe and seasoning:
You should only go for recipes that are catered towards dutch ovens on a grill because making a recipe of your own can hamper up the cooking process. Ensure to use a cast iron and season it properly to avoid damage.
Setting up your BBQ:
Set your BBQ grill up and towards indirect cooking and set the temperature to the number that your recipe requires. If your BBQ grill cannot maintain a constant set temperature then ensure to use a thermometer.
Heating your dutch oven:
Keep your dutch oven inside the BBQ and cover it using the BBQ lid to preheat the inside of your oven for at least fifteen minutes. Once that is done, you can continue with your recipe.
Just make sure to check the temperature constantly to avoid burning or undercooking your food.
Can you use a dutch oven over a campfire?
Yes, it is possible to use a dutch oven over a campfire. You just have to ensure that you are using the correct material for the dutch oven because it is not possible to maintain a constant temperature in a campfire.
The best way to go is using a cast iron as it can withstand the highest temperature and is thus the safest.
How do you use the dutch oven on a campfire?
To avoid any mishap and cook your food thoroughly it is best to be fully informed on how to cook using a dutch oven on a campfire.
Camping dutch ovens:
In this case, it is best to use a camping dutch oven as they are catered towards using it on a campfire. They are portable and they also have legs so that you can put them over the campfire easily. They can also withstand high temperatures.
Using charcoal:
It is best to use charcoal as the form of the heating source because the heat gets spread out more uniformly which cooks your food evenly. You can use a chimney starter to heat up your charcoal.
You can determine the temperature using a ratio chart, but keep in mind that it is a rough approximate.
Placing the dutch oven:
Camping dutch ovens have legs so you can easily put the charcoal bits there. The oven is catered towards absorbing the heat well so you can wait till it heats up and then start cooking your food.
Can you smoke in a dutch oven?
Yes, it is possible to smoke your food in a dutch oven by using a layer of foil on top of it. However, do keep in mind that it will not be similar to BBQ grills in any way.
The texture and the flavor will be much different if you smoke it in a dutch oven, but cooking it properly can leave you with some good recipes.
Can you use an enameled dutch oven on a campfire?
No, you should never use an enameled dutch oven on a campfire. You should only use heavy-duty materials such as cast iron dutch oven for outdoor cooking as it can withstand high heat and is much safer.
Enameled Dutch ovens are delicate and cannot withstand higher temperature levels. The high heat will end up ruining your dutch oven.
Final Thoughts:
Most dutch ovens are safe to go on grills as long as you are researched about the material of your dutch oven and the highest heat it can tolerate. You will also have to ensure to maintain a constant heat for your outdoor cooking for safety and if you cannot then cast iron is the safest option.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Can You Cook in a Dutch Oven?
Will Bread Dough Stick to the Dutch Oven