Is this GENIUS or Just More STUFF?

[GroovyDad]

Let me know what you think...

This seems to be a very innovative system for anyone who likes to use a Dutch Oven.

I was really impressed when I first watched the short video and said to myself "Wow, I have to get one of these," but I've been trying to adhere to the philosophy of LESS = MORE.

This still seems like a pretty nifty little set up and I'm curious to know what all of the experienced WTWers think of it.

Short Video: CAMP MAID DUTCH OVEN SYSTEM

 

[Taku]

Yep. Not sure I wanted to see something like that. Maybe if you can buy the pieces and build up to it - it won't seem like more stuff, just a good idea!

 

[Seth]

If you're already doing dutch oven while camping, the "lid-lifter" (really it's much more than that) looks pretty cool. Especially folding into a 12" oven!

On the other hand, my Lodge lifter will *only* lift the lid, but there seems to be somewhere to put it whenever I've needed to.

But, after many years, I'm off the dutch oven; it's just too much time. And too much weight for something that I might use once a year when camping. I'd rather be walking around, swimming, or boating all afternoon... or just chillin'... than firing the charcoal at 3:30 so we can eat around 6, followed by major cleanup. Although, we did use it in early fall for Green Bar stew with bisquik dumplings - yum!

Just on the use of a lid as a griddle - well, of course it works, but it's a darn small griddle. I carry a coated aluminum griddle (or cast-iron), which will serve 1 to 6 people with easy cleanup. I think with the dutch oven lid 3 would be a crowd.

Along those same lines of not wanting to spend so much time cooking & cleaning any more, we've moved off pancakes to french toast (cooks fast!), and there's a new semi-cooked Oscar Mayer bacon that doesn't need refrigeration but tastes almost as good as raw bacon. Um, cooked raw bacon. On a griddle, on the stove.

On the other hand, if you really enjoy Dutch Oven cooking in camp this could be just the ticket! Somebody really did put a lot of thought into their product line. For me, I'm thinking I ought to get the Dutch Oven out at home and see what it'll do there.

 

[GroovyDad]

I agree Seth. Dutch ovens are heavy and bulky and they detract from my overall enjoyment of being out and about and traveling light. There are, however, a couple of trips I take annually, where we all break out the DOs, but I've come to the conclusion that I don't need the Camp Maid system any more than I need a Ronco Pocket Fisherman...

 

[PaulT]

We bought the 10" GSI hard anodized Dutch oven http://www.gsioutdoors.com/10-hard-anodized-dutch-oven.html

My wife wanted a larger pot for steaming veggies, food prep and the usual Dutch oven uses. Besides being much lighter than cast iron, easier to clean, there is no care to maintain a seasoned surface. We do have cast iron Dutch ovens, but haven't liked taking them in the camper for the usual reasons.

The 10" is a flat bottom and fits inside their 12" DO that has the 3 legs. Yep, there is a relatively high price compared to cast iron but it was worth it for the advantages. Only real complaint is that it can spill when carrying by the handle unless stabilized by the other hand.

Paul

 

[GroovyDad]

Hi PaulT, I've thought about an aluminum DO, but the few people I cook with are purists and they've shamed me out of even thinking about aluminum. What the hell, I might just have to chart my own course and try one out.

 

[Seth]

Hmmm... those anodized aluminum DOs *do* look great. Easier packing, lighter, not so long to bring to temp, easier & quicker cleanup...

I'd heard years ago of river packers using raw aluminum - but it's reactive with foods. Anodized aluminum is great, we've got a fair amount of such cookware. Seems a natural for a dutch oven!

My wife and I have done so much camping over the decades that we're really valuing light and fast. Our kids, though, have done a lot of campfire cooking. Maybe there will be anodized DOs under the tree some year...


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[Seth]

CampMaid has a new folding charcoal chimney coming out - designed to fold up small enough to fit inside a 12" dutch oven.

Maybe with aluminum dutch ovens and this chimney the whole DO setup gets small & light enough to use more often...

In my DO box:
Cast iron 12" DO/lid
Lid lifter
18" or so fire pan
Charcoal chimney (doubles as a place to set down the lid)
Long charcoal tongs
Big mitt
Charcoal
Newspaper

That's a lot of stuff. I think if the load were lighter I'd use it more often.

 

[Kyrazy]

On the surface it seems nifty but, I'm not going to want to pack the dirty unit into my clean oven for storage. Besides the fact that it would rattle around and "scratch" my seasoned coating. I do like the kickstand. Of course, we don't haul my ovens around in the FWC. We use them in the motor home or here at the house. With the FWC, it's all about less is more.

 

[LiveLifeNow]

The Camp Maid Dutch Oven has been on the market for about two years. I searched the web for objective reviews, but they seem to be lacking. There are several videos about it on Youtube, but they seem to be commercials or quasi-commercials. The concept is intriguing, but I hesitate to buy one until more reviews are available.

 

[Seth]

I have a 12" Lodge - probably the most popular dutch oven out there!

If I were to buy a new DO it would be a GSI anodized aluminum, for sure! For weight, ease of use, ease of cleanup with soap, non-reactive, and no seasoning needed. Not quite as durable as cast iron, but quite durable with a minimum of care.

To me, the Camp Maid DO looks like a relabeled Lodge. Nothing wrong with that if you're looking for cast iron.

A folding charcoal chimney might take half the bulk out of my setup - would that make it easy enough to do more DO cooking when camping?


Sent from my iPad using Wander The West

 

[Escapepod]

CampMaid has a new folding charcoal chimney coming out - designed to fold up small enough to fit inside a 12" dutch oven.

Maybe with aluminum dutch ovens and this chimney the whole DO setup gets small & light enough to use more often...

In my DO box:
Cast iron 12" DO/lid
Lid lifter
18" or so fire pan
Charcoal chimney (doubles as a place to set down the lid)
Long charcoal tongs
Big mitt
Charcoal
Newspaper

That's a lot of stuff. I think if the load were lighter I'd use it more often.

Try this as a chimney alternative. I've been using milk/juice carton material for years. This takes to the next level!

https://youtu.be/pjYqbznAKZ8

 

[GroovyDad]

that's awesome!

Try this as a chimney alternative. I've been using milk/juice carton material for years. This takes to the next level!

https://youtu.be/pjYqbznAKZ8

 

[Smokecreek1]

I HATE YOU !!!!! and only $87.00 on amazon, or was it $215.00 with all the bells and thing a bops-did i mention I HATE YOU!!! had to stop watching all the you-tube things(steaks-stews-no more), before I spent my gas money. I want two of them-one for the home and one for the pop-up! Could be interesting and a winner-need to think now and go mow the lawn or something, maybe time to have drink! Thanks ! I'll dream of that set-up for a while! Wonder if it would really work!

Smoke