Dutch camping

[TexasShadow]

I wouldn't consider this if I were camping alone (which has been all the time)......
I have a camping trip (2 nights) in the near future with a fellow rider in Texas Hill Country. We agreed to share necessities: he has a large tent and will pack that on his bike, I'm responsible for cooking gear (and preparation). All my camping gear -from tent to cooking and stove- is for one person: me. It's inadequate for two. (well, it *could* be adequate but minimally so)

I'm considering finding a small cast iron dutch oven for campfire cobbler, maybe stew (my favorite camping food item).... I can even do scrambled eggs in it. I found a Lodge 2 qt that weighs ~8 lbs. Space really isn't an issue (side cases on the Whee-strom) and can stow things inside the oven and place the lid on end in the other side.

So, am I nuts? Has anyone else done this?

[Trekker]

Nuts? No way! Sounds like how my buddies & I used to divy up gear for backcountry adventures. One person would carry the tent, another the poles, another the stove & cookset, etc.... Worked great. Still do the same thing for canoe adventures.

[Mellow]

Well, in theory, it seems like it would work fine... however, what if you or your friend had an issue with their bike or a family emergency that meant their trip was over? Not just a tire that needed replacement but maybe a final drive that was out or a clutch problem? Basically, their trip is over.... what do YOU do then?

Is YOUR trip also over? Well, the way you packed it probably is or you'd have to head back home and re-pack like you're on your own.. or head to wally-world and buy some cheap stuff to get you buy but then you've got a bunch of extra gear that you never would have taken in the first place...

I guess I don't see the advantage but see a lot of disadvantages... Cooking gear doesn't take up that much space.... a dutch oven well yeah, that's a bit much but on the v-strom you could easily pack that even if you were alone...

Personally, I wouldn't do it...

[TexasShadow]

A fellow rider agreed that I was nuts for lugging around a cast iron dutch oven. Well, I already know I'm nuts, but......
alternative: I'm looking for a sturdy quality pan with a lid that doubles as a griddle.

Re: sharing gear. In an emergency, I would return with him or stick with him in the case of a mechanical breakdown. Because we are friends and we stick together in time of trouble and need. So I have no qualms about splitting gear.

[Mellow]

Re: sharing gear. In an emergency, I would return with him or stick with him in the case of a mechanical breakdown. Because we are friends and we stick together in time of trouble and need. So I have no qualms about splitting gear.

Please note, I wasn't suggesting you'd abandon him... however, if I was on a trip and I had mechanical issues... mostly ones that meant I'd be sitting in a hotel in one city waiting on a part or something I would suggest my riding partner go on ahead of me...

Recently, Trailace and I were headed to GA.... he left Houston and I left Dallas... we met up in Jackson MS where his transmission was making some strange noises... he decided to head back to Houston... I kept going to GA and finished out my trip. If we had split our gear for this trip I'd have to do something to be able to handle this new issue..

Also, let's say there was a family emergency and your riding partner needed to head back... obviously, you support his actions but do you head home too? Kinda depends on if he needs your support or not and the type of emergency.

All I'm saying is I carry a tire repair kit so I'm prepared, I don't depend on the other people I'm riding with to have one.. when I'm on the bike I like to be self sufficient.

[TexasShadow]

All I'm saying is I carry a tire repair kit so I'm prepared, I don't depend on the other people I'm riding with to have one.. when I'm on the bike I like to be self sufficient.I agree and this is my normal policy for bike trips. But considering this is only a three day event, and within 225 miles of home, I don't consider sharing the load a big issue.
And I always carry two tire repair kits ;)

[Mellow]

I agree and this is my normal policy for bike trips. But considering this is only a three day event, and within 225 miles of home, I don't consider sharing the load a big issue.
And I always carry two tire repair kits ;)

Oh... well, then on a trip that short.. all bets are off.. heck, make several trips to the site and get it setup... LOL

[Trekker]

I volunteer to carry the marshmallows !!! :tent6:

[RangerBen]

He might snore during the night. Loss of sleep for one person can strain a friendship.Been there four nights in motels rooms last winter with very good friend. I was about to die for a nights sleep. He did say that he could not sleep for the racket I was making.I stayed awake and listened and I did not make a sound.Carry your own tent on your bike.

Ben

[TexasShadow]

He might snore during the night. Loss of sleep for one person can strain a friendship.Been there four nights in motels rooms last winter with very good friend. Good point. I have a very low tolerance for snoring ( -5 tolerance).
I'd rather listen to coyotes all night (lullaby ;) )

[Mellow]

Good point. I have a very low tolerance for snoring ( -5 tolerance).
I'd rather listen to coyotes all night (lullaby ;) )

Well, there's your deal-killer right there then... I've camped with guys before (Mike) that snore (Mike) and I won't (Mike) mention names (Mike) but you could be (Mike) 20 feet away (Mike) and still hear them (Mike) snoring (Mike) all night long (Mike) .

It wouldn't be so bad (Mike) if they would have trouble falling asleep (Mike) but is sure seems to me (Mike) that those that snore the loudest (Mike) fall asleep in 10 seconds (Mike).

LOL

[GoldWingGL]

Well, there's your deal-killer right there then... I've camped with guys before....

Well who was it..:rolleyes: ..?

[Tx White Knight]

Hmmmm Mike might need a CPAP, I have not snored since I started using mine :)

[RangerBen]

Yep they can go to sleep before you can even hit your pillow.

Ben

[TexasShadow]

I know a man with severe sleep apnea that takes a CPAP on his sailboat (they live on it half the year), but camping? Run on batteries?

Anyway, I'm going camping with the new baby bike (KLR250) in two weeks and I'll try out making cobbler in a Dutch oven then. No, I'm not hauling it on the baby bike. ;)

Now, let's talk recipes (I'm a throw-this-in, pinch-of-that kinda person). When I camped in Palo Duro last fall, I shared a campfire/buried-in-coals/cook-all-day Dutch oven cobbler with a man and son down the way. It was awesome! It was a 'boy scout recipe'. Anyone know it?

[Tx White Knight]

Not sure you can mess up much in a Dutch oven, from Ham & Beans to Chilie or a good balckberry cobbler :fire1:

[Tombstone]

When I camped in Palo Duro last fall, I shared a campfire/buried-in-coals/cook-all-day Dutch oven cobbler with a man and son down the way. It was awesome! It was a 'boy scout recipe'. Anyone know it?

For cobbler I line the oven with tin foil (same great taste, easier to clean), toss in a box of dry cake mix, add a can of fruit, a can of soda (usually sprite) and let it cook for 30-45 minutes, depending on the alltitude. I use coals, and have 14/14 top/bottom. :wow1:

[TexasShadow]

Very similar to the cobbler I shared at Palo Duro, except they used dried biscuit mix (Bisquit?).
I think I have a concoction planned:

Frozen blackberries
'instant' tapioca
a can of Sprite (lemon soda)

Mix and pour into al-foil lined CI iron. Bury in coals and cook for ~30min.

Topping:
Unbleached flour
baking soda/powder
dash of cinnamon
a bit of brown sugar
egg
milk

Mix and dab on top of cooking blackberry mixture, cover and return to coals for ~15-20 min or until done.

I'll report back on how it was.

[Tx White Knight]

I'll report back on how it was.

Report back?????? Heck I was expecting leftovers

:D

[Tombstone]

Report back?????? Heck I was expecting leftovers

:D
Aint no leftovers when your cooking dutch!! :D

[webistrator]

Dutch oven? I always have mine with me. good, solid cast stuff.

I just drop the bottom of the engine and voila!

Pre-seasoned and ready for cooking!

I used to do all the cooking for a group but no one seems to want to go with me any more...

Cheers!

Webbie

[Jammero]

You can go to www.Dutchovencookware.com for a few good recipes.

[Mellow]

You can go to www.Dutchovencookware.com for a few good recipes.

Excellent link...

Welcome to the site!

[Jammero]

Thank's for the welcome Mellow and thank's for the welcome to the forum GoldWingGL. Looking forward to learning from others experiences and helping with questions others may have.:tent6:

[Blues Traveler]

You people do know that someone does make an aluminum Dutch oven don't you?

Found this at http://www.chuckwagonsupply.com/ and a 10" aluminum dutch oven only weighs 3lbs 10 oz's.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aluminum Dutch Ovens


These aluminum ovens are great when weight is a factor. They have good heat distribution and do not need to be "seasoned" before using. There are two sizes available. The flat-bottomed 10-inch oven will nest inside the 12 inch, legged oven. They both have camp style lids and a bail handle.

NOW AVAILABLE, carrying cases for the 10" & 12" GSI Aluminum Dutch ovens.

DESCRIPTION CODE # PRICE ORDER QTY SUBMIT
Aluminum Dutch Oven - 10" 2 Quart, 3.5" Deep, 3 lb 10 oz GSI40410 $45.49
Qty:

Aluminum Dutch Oven - 12" 5 Quart, 5.5" Deep, 6 lb 10 oz GSI40712 $79.95
Qty:

Aluminum Dutch Oven - 14" 8 Quart, 6" Deep, 9 lb GSI40714 $99.95
Qty:

Aluminum Dutch Oven Set
(10" & 12") GSI40402 $119.95
Qty:

[motomac]

Man I can't believe how much Dutch ovens have risen in cost since I purchased mine. I can't even find one like it any more. It has a long handle on it instead of a bail. Maybe it's an antique. I got it at a K-mart in the late 60's and haven't seen another like it since. $19.95 + tax.

[TexasShadow]

Well, I took my trip down to Colorado River area. Stayed at a private campground on the river:Barefoot Campground.
http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/27534/2828829520100746484S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2828829520100746484wzRMCT)

I didn't take a Dutch oven. But I ate several meals from one. Campers down the way invited me over for dinner and breakfast, both cooked in a big Dutch oven and both were absolutely deeeelicious.

I now have my own Dutch oven; the 2 quart baby oven. It could go on the bike.... :)

Next weekend several of us will be camping in Palo Duro State Park and we will be cooking in four Dutch ovens. Cobbler (now a routine camp desert), stew, omelets, and whatever else we creatively put together.

I think I finally have a good cobbler recipe, after three trials........ :fire1:

[TexasShadow]

Report back?????? Heck I was expecting leftoversI've made it three times now, each different. The last time was when camping for five days in Tellico Plains, TN. I liked the topping the best of all three, but I had to use canned cherries which I didn't care for (but the others liked). The first cobbler had the best filling: frozen blackberries, can of sprite, tapioca.

Next weekend I will try to combine both for a good campfire cobbler. And I might try making a mini-cobbler in my baby Dutch oven: Black Forest Cobbler :)