Dutch oven

X4 on the Lodge, I have 5.
The 10" and 8" are my favorites and get the most use, I have 2 8", but they are harder to find. I would think Amazon would be the place to start to get an idea and then the net to see if you can beat the price.

I'm glad to see you're looking at a smaller unit. The 12" DO is popular primarily because of the idea of feeding a crown. They work well there, but many of us use them for informal use to feed a much smaller number. A 10" will cook plenty of food for around 4 people or less, just as the 10" used at home does. An 8" will follow up with dessert, or cook enough for 3 or 4 people.

after you buy one google Byron's duth
ch ovens for tips and receipes

Walmart has them in the camping aisle, and sometimes even lodge brand.
Sporting goods stores usually also have them.

Make sure it is not made in China.
Make sure the lid has a lip around the edge to hold the coals from falling off.
Make sure the legs are long enough that a charcoal briquette will lay flat under it without getting crushed.
Make sure the lid fits flat.
Buy a lid lifter, also at Walmart.
You can also buy a lid stand which doubles as a pot stand.
Use the stand to set the lid on and keep it out of the dirt. Also use the stand to set the pot on so it doesn't burn the table while serving.
10 inch dutch oven
Lid lifter
Charcoal chimney to light coals
Lid stand I rarely use this one.
Gloves are nice too.

When you do get a Dutch Oven make sure you get a Flat lid that the coal will stay on. It may help if you can find a D/O that has the small legs on the bottom. I know when I started using the D/O it is fun to use.
Happy Cooking
Bear

Where ever you buy from, buy Lodge brand as it is still made in the USA. Be careful not to buy anything made in China. They have been known to have lead deposits in their products.

X2

Lodge is a great brand. I have bought mine off of Amazon. Also look at goodwill or thrift shops, although you are more likely to find fry pans than dutch ovens there.

x3 on the lodge, we have 4 of them

Bass Pro sells Lodge brand, that where I got most of my things.

Here is a handy link (atleast for me) http://oces.okstate.edu/pittsburg/family-and-consumer-sciences/recipe-books/LodgeBakingTempChart.pdf

Walmart sells them. Most sporting goods/hunting stores sell them.

The only thing about buying online will be shipping do to the weight of them. You might find somewhere with free shipping, but there are not a lot of them. Or either hey have a higher price.

bcsdguy wrote:
Where ever you buy from, buy Lodge brand as it is still made in the USA. Be careful not to buy anything made in China. They have been known to have lead deposits in their products.

X2

Lodge is a great brand. I have bought mine off of Amazon. Also look at goodwill or thrift shops, although you are more likely to find fry pans than dutch ovens there.

Where ever you buy from, buy Lodge brand as it is still made in the USA. Be careful not to buy anything made in China. They have been known to have lead deposits in their products.