Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Table Of Contents

Best Dutch Oven

  • Cooking 90% 90%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 20% 20%
  • Durability 90% 90%
  • Features 40% 40%

Price: $79.90

Weight: 19.35 lbs (8.77 kg)

Components: 8 qt. pot w/bail handle; flanged lid; Camp Dutch Oven Cooking 101 cookbook

Materials: Cast iron, Stainless steel handle

Cooking Surface: Cast iron

Packed Size: 13.93″ x 13.93″ x 8.37″

Boil Time: N/A

Best Use: Camping

What We Like: Durable, Large, Can be placed on open campfire, Converts to a griddle

What We Don’t: Heavy, Lack of style choices, Only viable for camping

With a storied history dating back to the 17th century, the Dutch oven is a widely beloved cooking tool used all across the globe. It’s capable of cooking stews and soups, braising meat, deep-frying chicken, or even baking bread. Retailing for $79.90, the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven includes an 8 qt pot with a bail handle, along with a flanged lid that can be used to hold coals or inverted to function as a griddle. This durable and highly capable piece of camp cookware earned our award for Best Dutch Oven.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Camp Cookware Review HERE!

Primus PrimeTech 2.3L Pot Set: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 80% 80%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 70% 70%
  • Durability 70% 70%
  • Features 70% 70%

Pros

Durable construction

Heat exchanger for fast boiling and fuel efficiency

Locking pot gripper

Easy cleanup

Cons

Slightly heavy for backpacking

Ceramic coating will deteriorate over time

Price: $79.95

Weight: 2.2 lbs (1 kg)

Components: Two 2.3L pots, one lid, pot tongs, padded/insulated storage bag

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum

Cooking Surface: Nonstick ceramic coating

Packed Size: 7.9" x 7.9" x 5.3"

Boil Time: 3:10

Best Use: Backpacking, Camping

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Rei.com

  • Cooking 80% 80%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 50% 50%
  • Durability 70% 70%
  • Features 90% 90%

Pros

Higher-grade Teflon coating

Tons of accessories

Cons

Expensive

Heavy

Price: $149.95

Weight: 3.63 lbs (1.64 kg)(1 kg)

Components: 3L pot; 2L pot; two lids; 9” frypan; four 7.5" plates; four 14 fl. oz. bowls; four 14 fl. oz. mugs w/ sip-it lids; folding pot gripper; welded sink/storage sack

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum, clear polypropylene, nylon

Cooking Surface: Nonstick Teflon Radiance coating

Packed Size: 9.1" x 9.1" x 5.8"

Boil Time: 3:45

Best Use: Camping

MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 80% 80%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 90% 90%
  • Durability 60% 60%
  • Features 50% 50%

Pros

Lightweight

Health-conscious ceramic coating

Cons

Minimal features

Coating can wear over time

Price: $79.95

Weight: 1 lb (453 g)

Components: 2.5L pot; 1.5L pot; aluminum strainer lid; Talon™ pot handle

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum

Cooking Surface: Nonstick ceramic coating

Packed Size: 7.7" x 7.7" x 5"

Boil Time: 3:35

Best Use: Backpacking, Camping

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 90% 90%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 30% 30%
  • Durability 90% 90%
  • Features 30% 30%

Pros

Comes pre-seasoned

Highly capable at cooking

Can cook on campfire

Cons

Heavy

No lid

Requires proper maintenance

Price: $27.95

Weight: 7.89 lbs (3.58 kg)

Components: 12" skillet

Materials: Cast iron

Cooking Surface: Cast iron

Packed Size: 18" x 12.3" x 2.25"

Boil Time: N/A

Best Use: Camping

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Amazon.com

  • Cooking 90% 90%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 20% 20%
  • Durability 90% 90%
  • Features 40% 40%

Pros

Durable

Large

Can be placed on open campfire

Converts to a griddle

Cons

Heavy

Lack of style choices

Only viable for camping

Price: $79.90

Weight: 19.35 lbs (8.77 kg)

Components: 8 qt. pot w/bail handle; flanged lid; Camp Dutch Oven Cooking 101 cookbook

Materials: Cast iron, Stainless steel handle

Cooking Surface: Cast iron

Packed Size: 13.93" x 13.93" x 8.37"

Boil Time: N/A

Best Use: Camping

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 70% 70%
  • Cleaning 70% 70%
  • Weight & Packability 50% 50%
  • Durability 60% 60%
  • Features 90% 90%

Pros

Tons of components

Budget alternative to Pinnacle Camper

Highly packable

Cons

Scratch-prone Teflon coating

Heavy

Price: $119.95

Weight: 3.69 lbs (1.67 kg)

Components: 3L pot; 2L pot; 2 lids; 9” frypan; 4 7.5" plates; 4 14 fl. oz. bowls; 4 14 fl. oz. mugs w/ sip-it lids; folding pot gripper; welded sink/storage sack

Materials: Aluminum, polypropylene, nylon

Cooking Surface: Nonstick Teflon Classic coating

Packed Size: 9.1" x 9.1" x 5.8"

Boil Time: 3:55

Best Use: Camping

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Amazon.com

  • Cooking 70% 70%
  • Cleaning 70% 70%
  • Weight & Packability 70% 70%
  • Durability 70% 70%
  • Features 60% 60%

Pros

Low price

Lightweight

Easy to clean

Cons

Pot, pan, and bowl are small

Would replace spoon with second spork

Price: $26.95

Weight: 1.5 lbs (680 g)

Components: 1L pot; 8" pan; universal lid; two bowls; folding stainless steel spork; soup spoon; wooden spatula; cleaning sponge; nylon travel bag

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel

Cooking Surface: Hard-anodized aluminum

Packed Size: 8.1" x 8.1" x 4.5"

Boil Time: 3:45

Best Use: Camping, Backpacking

Lodge Cast Iron Combo Cooker: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Rei.com

  • Cooking 90% 90%
  • Cleaning 80% 80%
  • Weight & Packability 30% 30%
  • Durability 90% 90%
  • Features 50% 50%

Pros

Versatile lid converts to pan

Durable construction

Can function as a Dutch oven

Cons

Heavy

Requires specific care

Price: $44.99

Weight: 12.85 lbs (5.83 kg)

Components: 3.2 qt. pot; 10" lid/skillet

Materials: Cast iron

Cooking Surface: Cast iron

Packed Size: 16.5" x 10.38" x 4.56"

Boil Time: N/A

Best Use: Camping

TOAKS Titanium 1600ml Pot with Pan: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Rei.com

  • Cooking 60% 60%
  • Cleaning 50% 50%
  • Weight & Packability 90% 90%
  • Durability 80% 80%
  • Features 50% 50%

Pros

Lightweight

Can nest stove and fuel canister

Cons

Pan doesn’t work well as a lid

Minimal cooking performance

Handles can get hot

Price: $49.95

Weight: 8.2 oz (232 g)

Components: 1.6L pot, 0.5L frying pan, mesh storage sack

Materials: Titanium

Cooking Surface: Titanium

Packed Size: 5.75” x 5.75” x 5.38”

Boil Time: 3:25

Best Use: Backpacking

MSR Alpine 2-Pot Set: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 50% 50%
  • Cleaning 50% 50%
  • Weight & Packability 70% 70%
  • Durability 90% 90%
  • Features 50% 50%

Pros

Low price

Highly durable

Packable

Cons

Cooks unevenly

Tendency for hot spots

No skillet

Inconvenient pot grabber

Price: $49.95

Weight: 1.62 lbs (734 g)

Components: 2L pot; 1.5L pot; frypan lid; pot gripper; storage sack

Materials: Stainless steel

Cooking Surface: Stainless steel

Packed Size: 8.2" x 8.2" x 4.4"

Boil Time: 3:50

Best Use: Backpacking, Camping

MSR Quick 2 System Cookset: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Buy Now at Backcountry.com

  • Cooking 70% 70%
  • Cleaning 70% 70%
  • Weight & Packability 60% 60%
  • Durability 70% 70%
  • Features 70% 70%

Pros

Solid cooking performance

Durable

Nests well

Cons

Slightly heavy for backpacking

Price: $99.95

Weight: 1.76 lbs (798 g)

Components: 2.5L pot w/strainer lid; 1.5L pot; 2 plates; two 10.2 fl. oz. mugs w/sip-it lids; pot lifter

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum, polypropylene, HDPE

Cooking Surface: Hard-anodized aluminum

Packed Size: 7.7" x 7.7" x 5"

Boil Time: 3:55

Best Use: Backpacking, Camping

Sea To Summit X Set 32: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker
Buy Now at Backcountry.com
  • Cooking 60% 60%
  • Cleaning 60% 60%
  • Weight & Packability 70% 70%
  • Durability 40% 40%
  • Features 60% 60%

Pros

Highly collapsible

Fast boil time

Includes a skillet

Cons

Expensive

Slightly heavy for backpacking

Potential durability concerns

Price: $129.95

Weight: 1.84 lbs (836 g)

Components: 2.8L X-Pot; 8" X-Pan; 1.3L X-Kettle; two lids

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum base, silicone sides

Cooking Surface: Hard-anodized aluminum

Packed Size: 9" x 9" x 1.8"

Boil Time: 2:15

Best Use: Backpacking, Camping

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Cooking & Cleaning

The Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven is a remarkable cooking tool; made of 100% cast iron, it excels at both distributing and retaining heat (so make sure to use pot holders or silicone grips when handling it). Its 8 qt pot has three legs so that it can be placed on a grill or directly over coals. It also has a stainless-steel handle that enables it to be hung on a tripod for slow cooking. The flanged lid creates a tight seal at the top of the pot and can hold hot coals or briquettes, but can also be turned over and used as a griddle. For those who haven’t cooked with a Dutch oven before, the Lodge comes with a Camp Dutch Oven Cooking 101 cookbook that will help you get started.

In terms of cleanup, cast iron is an impressive cooking material that is naturally nonstick when properly maintained. After use, you’ll simply need to remove any food still on the surface and then coat the cast iron with either Lodge Seasoning Spray or any store-bought nonstick cooking spray (which is significantly cheaper) then make sure this is evenly distributed with a lint-free cloth. If the pan is left uncoated or any moisture is left on the surface of a cast iron cooker, it will need to be returned to its former glory. You’ll have to first scrape off the rust with steel wool—which will also remove all of your precious seasoning—then wash the skillet with dish soap and warm water, dry thoroughly, then coat the entire pot and lid with cooking oil and heat them upside-down in your oven at 350°F for an hour.

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Weight & Packability

If you thought that an 8 qt cast iron Dutch oven would be big and heavy, you would be correct. The Lodge tips the scales at 19.35 lbs (8.77 kg), with dimensions of 13.93″ x 13.93″ x 8.37″. Due to its massive size, the Dutch oven is much more of an outdoor cooking tool than our other Lodge items, which can more easily transfer to the kitchen. If you’re interested in something just a bit smaller, Lodge also offers their Dutch oven in 2 qt to 6 qt sizes, along with an even larger 10 qt option. You might also want to consider the Lodge Cast Iron Combo Cooker, which is also roughly $35 cheaper, but has a much smaller capacity (3.2 qt).

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Durability

Cast iron is notoriously rugged and practically bulletproof, so there’s no need to be particularly gentle with your Lodge Skillet. It’s invulnerable to scratching and certainly denting, plus, you can place it directly over a campfire without any risk of warping. The only issues you’ll want to be cautious about are rusting, which can result from extended exposure to moisture, as well as removing the seasoning by scrubbing too hard with metal utensils. Of course, the latter is not a permanent problem and can be rectified by following the re-seasoning steps we already detailed.

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven: Best Camp Cookware Review - Gear Hacker

Features

Besides the cookbook, there are no additional features that come with the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven. However, there are several very handy add-ons that can improve your cooking experience. Here are a few of our favorites:

 

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to take your camp kitchen to the next level without breaking the bank, the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven is a step in the right direction. This versatile cast-iron cooking tool is durable, proficient at cooking, and will last you a lifetime with the proper care.

Compare Prices From Retailers Below

You help support Gear Hacker by purchasing from our retail partners.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!