How to Cook With a Gas Dutch Oven

Gas Dutch ovens, alternatively known as propane outdoor cookers, make cooking a variety of meals outdoors a simple process. Much like standard Dutch ovens, the propane cooker features durable, cast iron material for even cooking and temperature. From delectable casseroles to your favorite chili recipe, cooking with a gas Dutch oven makes outdoor cooking delicious and easy.

Things You'll Need

• Ingredients for Chili (ground beef, chili starter mix, onions and pinto beans)
• Corn bread mix (store-bought, instant)
• Milk
• Eggs
• Raw bacon
• Lighter or matches

Instructions

Cornbread

1. Twist the small propane tank into the socket provided at the bottom of the gas Dutch oven.

2. Check the tank to make sure it is securely screwed into the socket, and make sure there are no leaks.

3. Light the pilot light by twisting the temperature gauge on the cooker to the pilot, or lowest, setting. Once the device begins to make a clicking noise, use a lighter or long match to quickly light the pilot light beneath the pot of the cooker. Once the gas Dutch oven set up and lighted, cooking in it is easy. Any recipe can be prepared in a Dutch oven, making outdoor gas Dutch ovens ideal for camp cooking.

4. Mix the instant cornbread mix directly in the Dutch oven, by adding two cups of the cornmeal to one cup of milk and an egg.

5. Add a pound of finely chopped, raw bacon to the mixture and stir it in.

6. Turn the gas of the oven on a medium setting, or approximately 300 degrees.

7. Allow the oven to cook the cornbread for about 25 to 30 minutes. The cornbread should slide right out of the oven, once the cooker part is tipped over a plate.

Chili

1. Combine a cup of chopped onion, a pound of uncooked ground beef, a cup of powdered chili starter, two cups of pinto beans and a gallon of water in the gas Dutch oven.

2. Set the temperature to 350, or medium heat.

3. Allow the chili to cook, covered, for about 40 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Reduce the heat to low, or 200 degrees.

5. Allow the chili to simmer for an additional 30 minutes before serving with cornbread.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different recipes while using a gas Dutch oven.

• Always use the gas Dutch oven outdoors away from trees and dry brush to prevent fires.

• Use proper fire safety when using an outdoor propane cooker, to prevent fire that can be caused by the flames of the gas cooker.