Why are campers DO fanatics?

At the 2010 TOW Spring Fling, EVERY campsite had one of these going getting ready for the potlock dinner. With over 40 dishes to choose from (half of them desserts), that was the best meal I've ever eaten while camping. Now I think I'm hooked.

We had already bought a 12" Logic (hadn't used it yet), but we just had to pick up an 8" Logic on the way home - because we're going have to start cooking!

 

As a Sea Scout we never packed a DO--too heavy. Nobody I know has ever used them. Now that you've gotten started, any tips? Any recommended reading? The food I've seen on sites looks really tasty. I'm learning how to make bread, so the bread recipes from this site are particularly interesting. What do you guys think?

 

We don't always take our DOs along when we are camping. It depends on where we are going, what we will be doing & how long we are in one spot. I actually use my DOs at home, year round.

There is a lot of good info on cooking with DOs on this forum. George is a wonderful source/resource of info. There are some really good websites, too. Many of us who are comfortable using DOs just use our "regular" recipes & adapt them to the DOs.

A small group of us who camp together on a regular basis are always trying to come up with new recipes for the DOs. Our group is the "guinea pig" for these taste tests. Lots of fun!

For anyone starting out, I would recommend making a cobbler or a dump cake as a "first" attempt. For the novice, they are fairly easy and forgiving. Branch out from there as you become more comfortable and confident. Personally, I think breads can be more challenging, but then again, there are some really simple bread recipes, too.

Have fun experimenting!

 

For our first ever DO meal, we followed George's advice and bought a couple of WalMart pizzas - they tasted good enough for camping, and it wasn't so intimidating that way.

Since then we have done real homemade pizza, lasagna, peach cobbler and bread. It seems that anything that comes out of a DO tastes better - even when it's burnt. At IRG, everything that was in a DO got eaten first - even the "Dutch Oven Cookies" which looked suspiciously like Oreos.

 

Well, they WERE DO Oreos, so that's okay!

 

Thanks for all of the tips. I'm going to check out Glorious One Pot Meals. You're all making me hungry. I inherited an enameled DO from a family friend that has been great for home stews, etc. I like how it holds the heat and browns meat. Beyond that, it's all new to me. Managing heat on a campfire or with coals would be totally new. My dad is from the South and has a stash of cast iron cookware he doesn't use anymore. I'm going to see if he can "lend" them to us to have fun with. I'm sure more questions will come.

 

If you want a ci DO to cook over a fire or with charcoal, look for a "camp oven." They have 3 little "legs" to keep the oven off of the heat source. They also have a flat lid with a lip around the edge for holding charcoal. The inside of the lid is flat so you can flip it over & use it as a skillet.

The flat bottom DOs are "kitchen" ovens for cooking on a stove or in an oven. They have rounded lids without the lip & typically have little "spikes" inside the lid that allow the food to be basted while cooking. However, they can be used like a camp oven if you have a tripod or are a bit more creative with something to act like the legs of camp oven.

 

thanks! Eileen was kind enough to show us her DO when we saw her 550 today.

 

So, what's your impression, Starlight?

 

My impression about the DO, heavy but worth learning. On the CI units...Wow...talk about a thing of beauty. You can tell that CI put a lot of thought, heart, and soul into their little campers. Reminds me of the fine hand-crafted wooden boats I saw when I was a Sea Scout.
My husband's height should not be a problem and the bunk bed will accomodate our needs when a second child comes around the corner. We are torn about the heater, but will opt for it for the kids (just in case).
Every thing about it makes the Silver Shadow (by Little Guy) that we saw here in SD pale in comparison. Attention to detail and practicality are evident. It leaves enough room for us to customize the galley etc.
Bottom line, we're hooked and requested a purchase contract. Thanks for answering all of our questions!