Camp Chef UDO14 User Manual

Dutch Oven

Cooking

Guide

Great ideas, tips and recipes for Dutch Oven cooking

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Cast Iron Cooking Information

For more information on Cast Iron Products

go to www.CampChef.com

Charcoal Distribution

The “plus 4, minus 4” rule is a good rule to get your charcoal distribution going. This means the size
of your Dutch oven in inches plus 4 charcoals on top heat and the size of your Dutch oven minus 4
charcoals for bottom heat. (12 inch oven + 4 = 16 on top, -4 = 8 on the bottom).

When cooking with charcoal most ovens require the bottom charcoal placement to be in a circular
pattern (except for a 16-inch oven, this should be a checkerboard pattern.) For the lid of the oven,
the charcoal should be evenly spaced around the rim in a circular pattern and a smaller circular
pattern around the handle.

When charcoals are in place, you may want to rotate the oven clockwise and the lid counter
clockwise a quarter of a turn periodically. This helps create a more evenly heated cooking condition.
For the bottom, do not place the charcoals directly in the center. The heat from the outside radiates
inward, making it so there is no need for a center briquette.

Don’t be afraid to move your charcoal around if needed. If there is a place that is not cooking
correctly or rising evenly, move some heat to it. Or if one area is cooking or rising to fast, remove
heat from that area.

Dutch oven cooking is an addicting experience. The outdoor fresh taste of Dutch
oven dishes has garnered a worldwide following. Whether a prominent member of
the Dutch oven community or a first time backyard trial, Camp Chef Dutch ovens are
the way to cook outdoors.

Choosing a Dutch Oven

Camp Chef Dutch ovens come in different sizes and capacities. Most people have found that the 10
inch, 12 inch, and 14 inch Dutch ovens are big enough for the majority of outdoor use. If you plan on
feeding large groups of people you should consider the 16 inch. The chart below shows the capacity
of the various oven sizes.

Oven Size Oven Capacity

10 inch 4 quarts

12 inch 6 quarts

12 inch deep 8 quarts

14 inch 8 quarts

16 inch 12 quarts

Classic Dutch Ovens

Our Classic series are high quality ovens
with style. The animal etchings on the lid
set these ovens apart from the competition.
Elk, Grizzly, Whitetail, and Mule Deer each
represent the various sizes. Camp Chef cast
iron Dutch ovens are lifetime products that
make great gifts.

Oven Size Oven Capacity

10 inch 5 quarts

12 inch 7 quarts

14 inch 9 1/8 quarts

Deluxe Dutch Ovens

Camp Chef Deluxe Dutch ovens are
designed so that lid can be an additional
skillet/griddle or work as a trivet or stand for
the oven itself. This is the kind of versatility
you need when you don’t want to haul
around an entire stove just so you can cook
on a griddle. The wells (bottoms) of the
ovens are slightly deeper than the standard
Dutch ovens.

Oven Temperature
350°F 375°F 400°F 425°F 450°F

10” Total Briquettes 16 17 18 19 20

Top/Bottom 11/5 11/7 12/6 13/6 14/6

12” Total Briquettes 21 23 25 27 29
Top/Bottom 14/7 16/7 17/8 18/9 19/10

14” Total Briquettes 32 34 36 38 40
Top/Bottom 21/11 22/12 24/12 25/13 26/14

16” Total Briquettes 39 41 43 45 47
Total/Bottom 26/13 27/14 28/15 29/16 30/17

Baking Temperature Chart

Oven Size

Cooking with Charcoal

Some recipes require you to use heat on the top. When they
do, the best way to start charcoal is with the Charcoal Lighter
Basket, (model CLB-9). This is the fastest and easiest way to
light charcoal. You simply put your charcoal in the basket and
place it over your lit Camp Chef burner. Your coals are ready in
minutes. When the coals are mostly grey in color they are ready
to use. Using coals that are not ready will increase your cooking
time. You will need tongs to arrange your charcoal on or under
your Dutch oven. Place the coals in a circular pattern under the
edges to give you the most even heat.

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Cast Iron Cooking Information

For more information on Cast Iron Products

go to www.CampChef.com

Maintaining the Seasoning

Camp Chef Cast Iron comes Pre Seasoned and ready to cook out of the box. Follow these simple
instructions to care for and maintain your cast iron cookware.

1. Let the cast iron cool. Wipe any remaining food out of the oven. Using really
warm water, wash all surfaces thoroughly. Be sure to rinse and dry completely.
(Note: Citrus-based soap can remove the seasoning of your cast iron if you
don’t restore it after cleaning.) Camp Chef sells a wonderful simple tool called
a Pan Scraper. The Pan Scraper is excellent for helping stubborn baked on
food without damaging your cast irons seasoned finish. Each corner of the pan
scraper has a different curve allowing your to clean every corner of your oven.

2. After each use, apply a small amount of Camp Chef Cast Iron Conditioner,
and thinly coat all surfaces of the cast iron. This will keep your cast iron black –
continuing to build the finish called a “patina.” This enhances your cast iron by
creating a glass-like finish, giving it a natural non-stick surface.

3. If your cast iron becomes dull and dry looking (often caused by cooking acidic
based food), add an extra coating of Camp Chef Conditioner. Place the oven in a
direct heat source upside down and heat to 400 degrees. Cookware will smoke
as the seasoning bakes in. As smoking begins to slow, remove from heat. Use or
let cool and store.
Store your cookware in a dry, clean area with a light coating of Cast Iron
Conditioner. Your cast iron will be ready for use the next time you retrieve it.
Avoid any locations with widely fluctuating temperature conditions.

Alternate Cooking Method

By diverting, trapping, and circulating heat, the Dutch
Oven Dome creates a convection oven for your cast
iron. The combination of the included Heat Diffuser
and the Dutch Oven Dome provides the most
effective heat distribution method for cooking with a
Dutch oven. By cooking on a gas stove you can also
reduce or eliminate the cost and mess of charcoal.
This also allows you to cook with a Dutch oven during
fire restrictions when fire or charcoals are not allowed.

Essential Gear for Dutch Oven Cooking

The right tools always make Dutch oven cooking easier. Here are a few tools that we suggest for
your Dutch oven cooking.

The Charcoal Lighter Basket

As mentioned before the Charcoal Lighter Basket is essential
if you are going to be doing your Dutch oven cooking with
charcoal. The Charcoal Lighter Basket is the quickest and
easiest way to get coals hot.

Lid Lifter

The Camp Chef Lid Lifter is the perfect aid in picking up your
dutch oven lid while you cook. It lifts the lid while keeping
it level. It’s important to keep the lid level to avoid getting
charcoal ash in the food.

Camp Table

The Camp Table is the perfect companion to any table top
stove or Dutch oven. The camp tables elevate the Dutch
ovens, allowing for easy preparation and serving.

Camp Table

High quality, heat resistant leather gloves. Attractive red and
black styling with extra long sleeves to protect your wrists
and forearms.

Model #: DOCOVER

Model #: CSC8

Model #: PS2

Model #: CLB9

Model #: 400035 Model #: DOLL9

Model #: DOLL14

Model #: CT32

Model #: CT38

Model #: CT14

Model #: CBUNV

Model #: GLV15

Universal Carry Bag

Camp Chef’s Universal Carry Bag fits 10, 12, and 14 inch
oven sizes to help you manage and protect your ovens.

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