Dutch Oven Cooking
|
|
The ONLY Dutch Oven Cooker
that uses:
propane, charcoal or wood
The patented cook chamber:
•Ultra-efficient use of fuel
•Adjustable air control
Use Less fuel
Self-contained
Easy clean up
|
|
The Volcano is an award-winning Dutch Oven cooker. The Volcano is the only cooker on the market today that will allow the use of charcoal, wood or propane as a fuel source for Dutch Oven cooking. The Volcano's patented heat-chamber creates the most efficient, adjustable and effective vessel for Dutch Oven cooking available. A standard 12" oven fits perfectly inside the Volcano, creating even heat distribution.
|
|
 |
Normally 12-13 briquettes will supply enough heat for Dutch Oven cooking and will give you 1-1/2 to 2 hours of cooking time. (In calm conditions we have seen briquettes last 3 hours) Control of the air flow is important and by using it properly you can extend the total cooking time. If it is necessary to add more charcoal during the cooking process, as when cooking a large roast or chicken, simply lift the Dutch Oven from the Volcano and place a few more briquettes against the embers in the fire basket. Open the air vents to supply more air. No top heat is necessary unless you are baking, stacking Dutch Ovens or browning. (Many Dutch Oven recipes require top heat, depending on the type of food you are preparing.)However, we have seen that the use of the
Volcano Lid
will reduce or eliminate the need for top coals
|
|
When preparing for Dutch Oven cooking, arrange the coals in a circle on the bottom grill. This will provide even heat to both sides and the bottom of the Dutch Oven. Using more than the suggested number of briquettes will generate unnecessary heat and may cause food to overcook.
|
|
The Volcano was designed to take advantage of all the heat generated by each briquette. We also would suggest the use of a
trivet
in the bottom of your Dutch Oven. For some Dutch Oven recipes, using the
Volcano Lid
is a great way to create more of a convection oven when using your Dutch Oven. Visit our
Accessories page
for all of our Volcano accessories.
|
|
Stacking is common on a Volcano and ovens of various sizes can be stacked. When stacking Dutch Ovens, charcoal is placed on the top of each oven and the heat is radiated to the Dutch Oven above. Try to place your Volcano out of the wind if you are going to stack your Dutch Ovens. Heavy wind can be a problem when stacking, as most of the heat escapes to the side.
When baking with a Dutch Oven, be careful not to use too many briquettes under the oven. A good rule of thumb is that each briquette will generate about 27 degrees of heat. Thus 12-13 briquettes will give you 350 degrees. (This seems to be the most common temp for many Dutch Oven recipes) The Volcano is extremely efficient, so you will likely use less briquettes than you are usedt to using. Example: When baking rolls, cobbler, etc. use 4 to 5 briquettes on the bottom of the Dutch Oven and 12 to 14 on the lid. Once again, the use of the Lid will allow you to use less, perhap no, briquettes on top and will ensure even baking. We have cooked a loaf of bread, using the
middle grill
with only 8 briquettes and the lid WITHOUT ANY top coals whatsoever.
Example Dutch Oven Recipe:
(if you want to get maximum use out of the Volcano, buy our Cookbook/Technical manual.)
Using a 12 inch Dutch Oven to cook a five to six pound whole chicken, place 12 briquettes on the bottom grill at light using the general starting procedure. As soon as the flames go out, place the chicken in the Dutch Oven, secure the top lid, and lower the Dutch Oven into the Volcano. On the original Volcano, use the 3 adjustment bolts to position the Dutch Oven directly above the coals. If the Dutch Oven is set to low, hot spots may occur. A 12-inch deep (8qt.) Dutch Oven will touch the coals if not adjusted properly. A 12 inch shallow (6qt.) Dutch Oven will not require adjustment.
The chicken will start sizzling in approximately 7 minutes. When the chicken has been cooking approximately 15 minutes, close the draft approximately 80 percent. No top heat is required unless you want the chicken somewhat crispy on top. If you refrain from opening the lid, the chicken should be done in 50-60 minutes. Any size Dutch Oven from 10-12 can be used on or in your Volcano. Both a 10" and 12" Dutch Oven will fit inside of the Volcano and rest on the upper tabs.
|
