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Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 2:31 pm
by ae6black
What's the best size oven for one to two people. I love the Lodge 4 quart for cakes and most of what I make while camping with a group but for just myself or perhaps two people, what size do you prefer and why? Is smaller than a 4 quart not that advantageous due to not enough surface area to have coals on so that the heat can get up to the proper temp?

Art

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 3:04 pm
by ae6black
The only thing I see out there is "Stansport" 2 quart. Anybody ever use one of these? What do you think about it? Enough difference between a 2 quart and a 4 to bother with?

Art

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 4:45 pm
by Sparksalot
I have a small 2 quart lodge dutch oven that is awesome. Perfect size for making cobbler for 2 people without leftovers.

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2016 4:16 am
by bobhenry
FIRST OF ALL WHAT IS WRONG WITH LEFTOVERS ?

Oops damn cap lock ~~~~

I have a 12 and 14 camp oven and find them just right. I do however cheat in that I do use a 10 inch camp lids on one of my spider skillets.

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Especially for baking. It get the heat up closer to a small cobbler or bread stuffs

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and make a nice golden brown on things like baked macaroni or breakfast casseroles.

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or how about a banana upside down cake

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Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:06 am
by bobhenry
And don't forget just because that skillet doesn't have feed doesn't mean you can't use it like a dutch oven!

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just find a camp lid that fits. Or just a length of chain Image

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2016 2:49 pm
by KCStudly
Oh man that mac and cheese looks good! :?

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:42 am
by Sparksalot
Bob, I like that chain trick for coals on the non-camp lid. :thumbsup:

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:37 am
by dguff
It would have to be really big to hold two people. I think a 22" oven could maybe hold one. :lol: :lol:

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:29 pm
by tony.latham
We carry two aluminum Dutches. A 10" and a 12". Neither have legs––but we almost always use them with coals. The 10" (4 quarts) nests in the 12" (six quarts). Both fit in the box that the 10 incher is sitting on in this pic:

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To answer your question, I think a 10" Dutch is a bit tight for cooking a meal for two. When in doubt, the 12" is used. It's not good to have your Dutch filled to the top when you're loading coals on the lid.

I cut the legs off for storage reasons and so they can also be used on the stove, which is extra handy during cleanup. I use a Dutch oven lid stand for the legs when cooking with coals which is about 80% of the time:

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From a cooking standpoint, cast aluminum dutches are equal to iron––or damn close. The downside is that they are spendy and don't strengthen your back muscles. I'd be hard pressed to revert back to iron.

Tony

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 6:11 pm
by Woodbutcher
If I was to carry, only one oven for 1-2 people it would be a 10. It's easier to cook in an oven that has some room in it then one that is stuffed full. What size pot do you use at home? Cooking outside is no different really then indoor cooking except for the heat source.

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 7:21 pm
by ae6black
I am currently using both a 4 qt and a 6 qt. 4 qt works wonderful for a cake but seems a bit too much for just me when i am camping alone. I was wondering if I cut the recipe in 2 and did it in a 2 qt if things would turn out better without having so much left over. Cooking with the DO is part of the fun when camping, I admit when I am alone I tend to just use the microwave and miss out on a lot of the camping experience. I've used a 6 qt to feed six people and still had left overs to spare. This was behind my question as to good size for just one or two people. If I were to cook a couple pieces of chicken and some rice, I was wondering if a 2 qt would be sufficient. I don't really know of many 2 qt DO out there. I think I read where lodge discontinued offering one that small. Stansport seems to be about the only one out there. Just wondering if anyone has used one and if they like it.

Art

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:12 pm
by Woodbutcher
Instead of using the Microwave when you are alone, have you explored the Pie Iron. There are all kids of things that can be made with a pie iron over the open fire. Just get a cast iron one, they work the best.

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 7:51 am
by bobhenry
I have ittsy bitsy for my diet size portions......

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Those are 4" tiles on the counter !

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:laughter:

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:08 pm
by bc toys
I keep a 6'' 8'' 10'' and 2-12'' in my camper but for 2 people I use 8 and 10 most.

Re: Best size oven for 1 to 2 people?

PostPosted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:26 pm
by Andymanout
BobHenry I have lurked around your profile and loved the creativity shown in all your creations! Now you go and show great cooking skills!We have got to camp in the same forest one day.