The Lodge Book of Dutch Oven Cooking by J. Wayne Fears

Author:J. Wayne Fears [Fears, J. Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2017-04-04T04:00:00+00:00

Using long-handled tongs, arrange the number of briquettes needed by placing them under the oven’s bottom in a circular pattern so that they are a half-inch inside the oven’s edge. Arrange the briquettes on top of the lid in a circle around the edge with one on either side of the handle.

Avoid the temptation to pile all the coals in one bunch, either under the oven or on the lid. When this is done, a hot spot forms, guaranteeing burned food and possibly ruining the oven.

Dutch Oven chef George Prechter recommends picking up the oven off the coals every 15 minutes and rotating it a quarter turn. Then lift the lid and rotate it a quarter turn in the opposite direction. This helps prevent hot spots from forming.

All of this sounds difficult to learn, but it is quite easy and a fun process, especially the testing. I used biscuits as a test food when I was working out the number of briquettes and configuration to use on a new 10-inch Dutch Oven. I kept a jar of homemade muscadine jam nearby and used it on the test biscuits I didn’t burn. Soon I had all my neighbors helping with the test.

I have some friends who don’t depend on experience to judge the temperature inside their Dutch Ovens. They use a long-stemmed oven thermometer. Anytime they want to know the temperature inside the oven, they ease the lid of their oven open and insert the thermometer inside and read the temperature. Many do this too often. It allows moisture and heat to escape and increases the chance of ashes getting into the food. There is also a greater chance of getting burned when doing this. You be the judge.

A growing number of cooks now use an infrared laser thermometer to measure the exterior pot temperature. It is accurate and keeps the cook a distance from the fire and it does not require opening the pot.

Like any new cooking technique, practice is required to master Dutch Oven temperature control, but once you have a system that works, Dutch Oven cooking is easy.

CHARCOAL SAFETY

Keep these safety tips in mind as you use charcoal for your Dutch Oven cooking:

1. Never burn charcoal inside homes, buildings, tents, vehicles, etc., as odorless toxic fumes may accumulate and cause death.

2. Never use gasoline to light charcoal.

3. Do not add lighter fuel directly to burning or hot charcoal.

4. After cooking, make sure ashes are completely cool before discarding.

5. Cook safely away from flammable items, overhanging roofs or limbs, and out of the way of playing children or sports activities.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.