Cooking at Camp: Cast Iron Pots and Stoves

Cooking at camp means grills for a group, specialized dutch ovens, the Skottle, and more.

We’ve been cooking with Lodge Cast Iron products for many years: on camping trips, at deer camp, and often in our own backyards. You can place their Dutch ovens with legs right in the coals, with more coals placed on the lids that have raised lips. If you need to, you can also stack the Dutch ovens on top of one another. We often prepare a one-pot main dish in one and stack a second oven on top for baking dessert. They stand the test of time and hold up great under wear and tear.

We’ve used Lodge frying pans, skillets, and griddles as well. They offer easy cleanup — you don’t wash cast iron with soap and water. Rinse, dry and wipe them down with a thin coating of vegetable oil and they will last for generations.

If cast iron is too heavy for your plans, or just not your favorite, we also recommend looking into the Skottle. It’s a unique, South African-inspired cooking apparatus that stands up wherever you are. Plus, its smal propane stove makes lighting a fire unnecessary. It’s great when you’re in a rush… or when you’re too tired to work on the fire to cook.

As an added bonus, we also found a great budget grill option: your recycling bin. Yes, that’s right: you can make your own tiny camp grill with a #10 can! Keep reading to find out how.

Lodge Kickoff Grill 

This portable cast iron grill is a clever gadget made of two pieces of cast iron, so it requires no assembly. Put charcoal in the bottom, then lift the top over it using the included steel hook and carry handles. Twisting the top section allows you to adjust the draft as you cook. We like the Kickoff for camp cooking because of its versaility, and the trusted Lodge performance is yet another plus in our book.

MSRP: $119.95

Lodge Cook-It-All 

Because of their size and weight, it’s hard to bring every one of your cast iron cooking products along to every camp site. The Lodge Cook-It-All helps with this situation. It consists of two pieces of cast iron that you can configure five different ways for ultimate versatility. One of the pieces is a reversible grill/griddle with a 14.5-inch diameter that also acts as a lid for the second piece. That second piece holds 6.8 quarts and acts as a wok, skillet or Dutch oven. You can also invert the Cook-It-All, using the griddle on the bottom and the wok/skillet as a domed lid for baking foods like pizzas or biscuits. It includes heavy-duty handles to make it easy to maneuver the iron while keeping hands safe from heat. It’s great for both charcoal and wood fire cooking and grilling at camp.

MSRP: $139.95

Lodge Sportsman’s Pro Cast Iron Grill 

The Lodge Sportsman’s Pro is a rugged hibachi-style cast iron grill. Its large cooking surface makes it a great choice for cooking at camp, backyard barbecues, and tailgating. The four-piece design has a removable grill grate. Sliding the ash drawer lets you control the heat and air flow through the dual air vents.

MSRP: $179.95

ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY LODGE IN THE USA. LodgeCastIron.com

TemboTusk Skottle

The TemboTusk Adjustable Leg Skottle Grill Kit is based on a South African cooking device that’s ben adapted for cooking at camp. This model uses a cast iron, concave cooking surface supported by a tripod. TemboTusk makes the Skottle in the USA. A Kovea Scout Stove made in South Korea that attaches underneath provides the heat that powers this grill. You can use the stove independently of the skottle as well. The legs are adjustable for height.

MSRP: $395

TemboTusk.com

On A Budget But Still Want to Grill? Make your own tiny BBQ Grill from a #10 Can!

Check out this YouTube video on how to make your own mini barbecue grill from a #10 aluminum can, like the ones used for tomatoes. Make tiny bites (and save on charcoal…) with your very own personal grill.

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in sister publication Tread’s Grill Guide 2022.

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove

The MSR Pocket Rocket Ultralight and Compact Backpacking, Camping, and Travel Stove is ideal for minimalist and quick-and-light adventures, hiking, trekking, and international travel. It requires no priming, preheating, pumping, or pressurization and can boil one liter of water in only three and a half minutes. It is the preferred option of alpinists and campers due to its durability and dependability. Adjust the flame between simmering and boiling for temperature-controlled gourmet cookery outdoors.