Dutch oven stand cheap
January 7, 2021 by Linda Loosli 54  Comments , , ,

How To Make A Dutch Oven Stand Cheap

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Today I’m going to show you how to make a Dutch oven stand cheap! My awesome brother-in-law, Duane S. made this Dutch oven stand for Mark and me about 25-30 years ago. It is the perfect solution for cooking with Dutch ovens, or even roasting marshmallows. I can add a grill to the top and grill some hamburgers or hotdogs.

Here’s the deal, I like being able to use this Dutch oven stand to cook meals with every one of my Dutch ovens (all different sizes). It’s the perfect height to stand and check the food that’s cooking without leaning over the rocks on the ground.

I updated this post I wrote back in 2016 since we are all trying to cook outside and I thought it would be good to show others how to make one of these. They are great for cooking in your yard or to take camping. In case you missed this post, The Best Dutch Oven Pizza Recipe

How to Make a Dutch Oven Stand Cheap

Duane took a tire rim that is approximately 15 inches wide in diameter. He welded 3 short legs, about 6-inches tall and about 1-3/8 inches in diameter, inside the rim. The other three legs are 24-inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter and fit inside the shorter ones. In case you missed this post, How To Use A Dutch Oven

Duane made it so we can take the three 24-inch legs out and travel easily with this little barbecue, or Dutch Oven Stand, in a car or truck. It’s really easy to store in the garage because it comes apart. It is extremely sturdy. He cut a metal grate and welded it so it is stationary inside the tire rim to hold briquettes or firewood.

If you had another grate/grill for the top you could barbecue on it. We use this mainly for the Dutch Oven, or sometimes we roast marshmallows or hot dogs with a skewer over the flames.

How To Make A Dutch Oven Stand

Dutch Oven Cooking Printable

Dutch Oven Cooking Times by Food Storage Moms

How to Make a Dutch Oven Stand:

Here is the list of the items you will need, check out car salvage companies, and get the pipes at your local hardware store.

  1. tire rim about 15-inches in diameter
  2. 3 short legs made from pipe about 6-inches by 1-3/8 inches in diameter
  3. three 24-inch long legs made from pipe that is 1-1/4 inches in diameter
  4. grate to fit inside (you will more than likely need someone to cut the right size)
  5. a welder to weld it together for you, at least the short legs
Dutch oven stand

What I really like about this unit is that you can use it with or without the 24-inch extended legs. Of course, you would need to know someone who knows how to weld and has welding tools. Thank you to my brilliant brother-in-law for coming up with this great idea! The extended legs are about 24 inches long by 1-1/4 inches in diameter. This makes me want to cook something this weekend in my Dutch Oven!

Top View

Dutch oven stand on the cheap

Grill Turned Upside Down

Dutch oven stand on the cheap

Here are some of my favorite Dutch oven recipes:

Dutch Oven Bread Recipe

5 from 7 votes
Print
Dutch Oven Bread
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
Ingredients
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 2 teaspoons SAF Instant Yeast
  • 2 teaspoons dough enhancer (optional) It makes the bread fluffy
  • 1 egg
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups white bread flour
Read More of My Articles  How To Use A Dutch Oven
Instructions
Instructions

  1. I start with a Bosch bread mixer, although you could make this in a bowl. I put the yeast, warm water, salt, oil, and sugar in the bowl. I then add the eggs and lightly mix it in the Bosch so the egg does not “cook”. Then I add the warm milk and flour slowly. I continue to add flour until the bread dough pulls away from the sides of the Bosch bowl. I knead for about 7-8 minutes. I place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. I let the dough rise until double the original size. I punch down the dough and shape the loaf in a greased or parchment paper lined 6-quart Dutch oven. I let it rise once again (using the same plastic wrap) until it doubles in size and then I bake it at 350 degrees for 27-30 minutes or until lightly browned. I lightly butter the top after baking.

Dutch Oven Biscuit Recipe

How To Make The Best Dutch Oven Biscuits Ever by FoodStorageMoms.com
Print
Dutch Oven Biscuits
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
  • 4 teaspoons SAF  instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 cup  butter softened
Instructions
  1. I dump everything in a large bowl in the order shown above and use a Danish whisk and then use my hands. I add more flour as needed. I sprinkle flour on the counter and knead the dough quickly and roll out to 1/2 inch thick. I use a cookie or biscuit cutter. Grease a cookie sheet or Dutch oven. Bake in the house at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. If you use a 6-quart Dutch oven outside to bake them use 10 briquettes on the bottom and 14 briquettes on the lid or top. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler Recipe

5 from 7 votes
Print
Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
Ingredients
  • 1 29- ounce can of peaches (halves or slices)SAVE THE JUICE IN A BOWL
  • 1 21- ounce can peach pie filling
  • 1 yellow cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
Instructions
Instructions Instructions:

  1. Drain the juice as stated above and place the peaches in the Dutch oven (I used vegetable spray before adding the peaches). Put one peach sliced in the juice you set aside. Spoon the pie filling over the peaches in the Dutch oven.

    Now you take the bowl with the juice with one sliced peach and add the cake mix. You follow the cake directions (but you don't need the eggs). Spread the batter over the peaches evenly in the pan. By now the briquettes should be ready to bake our cobbler. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the Dutch oven. If cooking outside with charcoal you will use 17 charcoals on the lid and 8 charcoals beneath the oven to make it 350 degrees if the pan is 12-inches in diameter.

What Makes a Dutch Oven So Special?

Dutch ovens are simply amazing because of their versatility. This makes it a kitchen essential that you may not know you’ve been missing out on all this time. They work for boiling, baking, roasting, browning, searing, deep-frying, and have plenty of space in them for cooking big pieces of meat. Dutch ovens also distribute their heat evenly within and are capable of retaining its heat for a longer amount of time. 

What Food Turns Out Best in a Dutch Oven?

Dutch ovens work great when you’re making chili, stew, and especially when used for braises. If you don’t have a deep fryer, that’s okay. Fried chicken tastes fantastic in a dutch oven as well, because the chicken is cooked evenly so you’re not left with under or overcooked portions of meat. 

Read More of My Articles  How To Be Prepared To Cook Emergency Meals

Is It Safe to Put a Dutch Oven in the Kitchen Oven?

A Dutch oven is both durable and heat tolerant, as it can handle hotter temperatures. So the answer is yes, it will work perfectly fine when you place it in the oven. Just be aware that the knob on the lid of it may not be able to handle temperatures that exceed 400 degrees, so be sure that you remove it before baking. 

For How Expensive They Are, are They Worth Having?

If you’ve done your research, you already know that Dutch ovens can be a little expensive vs other cookware, but I promise you that it will be worth the investment for how long they last. Seriously, they’ll last you a lifetime. For those of you who are on an extremely tight budget, I’d still encourage you to get one that’s made by Lodge, where you’ll spend anywhere between $50 and $100. Keep your eyes open for Dutch ovens when you visit your local thrift store or at estate sales.

Mistakes to Avoid with Your Dutch Oven

While a Dutch oven is extremely versatile with all the different cooking methods you can use to prepare your food, there are a few things that you need to remember. The following are some of the most common mistakes that people have made with their dutch ovens that you should avoid so that you too, don’t wind up damaging yours. 

Unless you’re boiling water, never put your Dutch oven over high heat. It will not only burn your food, but it may scorch the surface of your dutch oven as well. Preheating it when it’s empty isn’t good for similar reasons. If you were to use metal utensils, you’ll most likely scratch the finish.

It’s also best to wash your Dutch oven by hand instead of putting it in the dishwasher where the heat and soap chemicals may be too much for it. And lastly, make sure that you thoroughly dry your dutch oven with a dry paper towel after washing.  

Food You Should Never Cook with a Dutch Oven

There are so many things that you can use your Dutch oven for, but I also want to be clear on the foods that you should never cook in them. Doing so may ruin your cast iron Dutch oven, or your meal may not turn out right. 

Avoid cooking:

  • Acidic foods (tomato sauce, lemon sauces, and vinegar)  
  • Sticky foods (pancakes, rice, eggs, fish, etc.) 
  • Desserts (They’ll wind up tasting more like what you last cooked in it)     
  • Don’t store leftover food in your dutch oven (you risk your dutch oven rusting and your food having an unpleasant taste)  

First Things First

When you first bring your dutch oven home, try not to be a bit too hasty, and start cooking with it. The first thing that you should do is preseason it so that you’re adding protection and flavoring to it. 

You can do this by heating it up on your stovetop. Once it’s reached a smoking hot temperature, you’ll then rub extra virgin olive oil on it and allow it to cool. You can also use canola, flax oil, or plain Crisco shortening, but you don’t want to find yourself using butter or flavored shortening.  

Go ahead and repeat this process two or three times and you should be good to go. Just be sure that you clean it every time by rinsing. Never use soap when cleaning your cast iron dutch oven. This can alter the seasoning that you’ve worked so hard to create to make your food taste that much better. From time to time you’ll want to season the unit to maintain the protective nature of the cast iron.

How to Make a Dutch Oven Stand Cheap

Final Word

The next time you get curious about a Dutch oven, I hope you’re able to take some of these tips to heart. If you’ve never used a Dutch oven before, maybe it’s time to get one and try some of these fantastic recipes. I can’t wait to hear all about your experience(s) using one of these. Creating a Dutch oven stand cheap is easier than you ever thought possible! May God Bless this world, Linda.

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54 Comments

  1. Do you have any other photos of your Dutch Oven Stand on the Cheap? I would like the see straight down on the inside, and a photo of the bottom, while turned upside down if possible. Thanks Linda. I live all your post!

    Cj

    Reply

  3. Linda, every time I see this post, I try to think of someone I know that can make one of these for me. I have sent this post to my sister and am going to see if her husband will make one. I would love to be able to make things in a dutch oven, including the beautiful breads and biscuits. It would be an additional option for cooking for me. Love learning these new ways to provide for my family of two!!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Harriet, yes, the short and long pipes are the same diameter. They slip into the “sleeve” that is welded to the wheel. It’s very stable once you get all 4 legs in place. The weight of the wheel holds them in place. The nice thing is that they are easy to remove and take camping or to store in the garage. I hope this helps, Linda

      Reply

      1. Good Morning, Linda. You mention that the legs slip into the “sleeve” that is welded to the wheel. I do not see any mention of sleeves in you list of parts, nor do I see any sleeves in the upside down view. Can you elaborate on this?

        Reply

        1. Hi. Karl, let me go check that out. The “sleeves” are welded to the bottom of the wheel well, so then you can use it with those as short legs or put the longer legs inside the “sleeves”. He welded 3 short legs (these are the “sleeves”), about 6-inches tall and about 1-3/8 inches in diameter, inside the rim. The other three legs are 24-inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter and fit inside the shorter ones. It’s the last picture in the post. I hope this makes sense. Linda

          Reply

          2. Hi Karl, well, I have been known not to totally explain things clearly. So, I’m never offended if someone questions my typing. I write sometimes at 2:00 A.M. so the post can go live at 5:00. Luckily this was an old post, I just refurnished. Have fun making one! Linda

  6. Hey Linda,

    Love that dutch oven stand. I’m 82 and find it difficult to “get down” to ground level to do anything. Do you think your brother-in-law would consider making one and selling it to me??

    My husband used to be a welder, among other things, but no longer has the equipment to do this.

    Love your articles.

    Reply

    1. Hi Suzanne, he made that for me about 20 or 25 years ago. He hasn’t made any since then. I have two options, that one and another one that can hold two Dutch ovens up off the ground. Let me look for the link and then you can see if that works. It’s the tire rims that are hard to find now. https://amzn.to/2TQNeXZ That one is made by Camp Chef with free shipping they also have a more expensive Lodge one. It’s all about the height for me. Linda

      Reply

  7. Do you use charcoal briquettes and about how many do you need? Also do you still have to use them on the top of the lid to cook this way?

    Reply

    1. Hi M, I have had neighbors take their items to a welder to have them welded. Most are over 20 years old and going strong. It’s a simple item to build, but yes, you do need a welder to weld the necessary pieces. Linda

      Reply

    1. Hi Lisa, I will go bold the sentence so others can see it. “He cut a metal grate and welded it so it is stationary inside the tire rim to hold briquettes or firewood.” No worries, I hope this helps. Linda

      Reply

    1. Hi Deborah, fingers crossed he will make one! You can sometimes get the wheel wells for free if they only have one left from a tire repair. FREE works! Keep me posted! Linda

      Reply

    2. He works at a car dealership as the # 1 mechanic. I’m hoping he has or knows where to find the wheel. And pipe and and and. LOL Hopefully, he’ll make himself one, too. He’s the leader of a Boy Scout troop.

      Reply

    1. Hi Jess, Dutch ovens are so fun to have! If you can have some make this stand it’s really awesome! Linda. P.S. Wait until this COVID stuff blows over and the prices come back down because they will.

      Reply

  14. 5 stars
    This looks sooo amazing! I have been interested in making one of these, but I wasn’t sure the best route to go. Thank you sooo much for sharing! I’m excited!❤️

    Reply

  15. 5 stars
    Do yourself a favor and do not place peaches in a Dutch oven! The sugar will be most difficult to extract once the cooking is done. Instead, find high wall cake pans made of aluminum, make holes at 12 and 6 o’clock just below the rim of pan, then attach some stainless wire as a bale. Place a new horseshoe you have purchased at the farm store in the bottom of the oven, then place the pan with your cobbler preps on top. Three metal bottle caps with the plastic or cork removed or three pebbles can also be used. I suppose any pot shorter than the rim of the oven could be placed inside the oven and used as a cake pan. Just make sure any flammable or plastic pot handles are removed.

    Reply

  16. Linda –
    I saw this post when it first came out. I had a DO set up for a while and determined that it doesn’t work for me!! I am 5’1″ and everything is too tall for me to lift the lid and/or pot. So, I use a jelly roll pan on the ground or when I am camping, I can set it on my fire pit (made from an empty propane container which is stored away and I cannot get to it or I’d take a photo and send you via email!). I find that I need something that is very low so that I don’t need a crane to lift it out of or off of the platform. Also, it would be just one more thing for me to store and carry to my camp! So, I’ll stick with my jelly roll pan that I have been using for 20+ years. I do think, however, that if I didn’t live in an apartment, that something like this would work if the legs were much shorter for me.

    Reply

    1. Hi Leanne, that’s why I use it with the attached legs or if I want to see it from my front window I add the 24-inch legs. Your technique works, if “It ain’t broke” why change it! Linda

      Reply

  17. Linda,
    If you make this stand with an extra deep wheel, you can also use it as a grill by placing a piece of expanded metal on the top to hold the things being grilled. That piece would have to be a couple inches larger in diameter than the wheel. Then you put your briquettes on the grid inside the wheel, light them, put the metal grid on top and grill whatever your heart desires. Works great for steaks, burgers, chicken, whatever.

    Reply

    1. Hi Harry, it’s funny because my brother-in-law made the “barbecue” rack for the top of his but didn’t have enough material to make one for mine. I was so thrilled about the Dutch oven stand I didn’t care!! I use it all the time! It’s so good to hear from you! Linda

      Reply

      1. Darnit Linda,
        I wish I was closer to you. I have the better part of a 4’X8′ sheet of 1″ expanded steel that I could cut you a grill out of. Unfortunately, being steel, it would cost a fortune to ship. You could order a a top grill for an Old Smokey 18″ grill that is made in Houston and use it as the grill for your stand. This link is to order a replacement grill top if you are interested.
        https://www.maxwarehouse.com/products/top-grill-18-repl-os

        Pray for our country. We are in a world of hurt!!!
        God bless you and all of your readers!!!!
        Harry

        Reply

        1. Hi Harry, it just so happens my son-in-law can make one for me, thank you, my friend. I will look at this link for sure. I’m very concerned about our country right now. There are no words for the direction our country is heading towards. Prayer is needed now more than ever. God bless you and your sweet wife, Linda

          Reply

  18. I love this idea for the cheap DIYer for sure. I have just used my old BBQ grill a big 12 in and a 10 in fits in at once and you can save a few briquettes in doing so as well, the lid fits down tight too, but you really can’t take it on a campout without using up a lot of room to carry the BBQ, just an idea.

    Reply

    1. Hi Kahne, great idea! That’s what is great about this unit, it takes up very little room, in a car trunk or even in a back seat on the floor. of a car. Camping is awesome! Linda

      Reply

  19. Have you ever tried baking batter bread in your Dutch ovens? Most say you have to heat the empty pan and cover at 450° F for 30 minutes before adding the bread dough. I’m concerned whether cast iron or pyroceram could survive without exploding. Pyroceram Visionware was designed to cook stove top and oven, with food in it at maximum oven heat, or under broiler heat. But mine is Vintage, over 45 yo, so I don’t want to risk it. I was thinking cast iron, but your article makes me wonder if it could survive a 450°F oven while empty for 30 min.
    I made batter bread years ago, but the recipes never specified this preheating ritual. I just wanted to pick your brain since I haven’t cooked with cast iron for a long time. Our farm back home had a gas and a wood stove and I grew up cooking and baking both ways using cast iron.

    Reply

    1. Hi MaryAnn, I would not risk it. What is batter bread? Is that sourdough bread? https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/sourdough-starter/ I do not preheat my red ceramic Lodge cast iron pan when I bake my bread. The ceramic cast-iron Dutch ovens are not designed to cook outside, I know that. I have never heard of Pyroceram Visionware. I just Googled it, it’s been discontinued for whatever reason. I wouldn’t want to explode or crack a vintage 45-year-old pan. Linda

      Reply

      1. Hi Linda, batter bread is an older name for the current No Knead Bread, that’s been popping up all over Pinterest and other Web Sites for the last 2 years. It’s a yeast bread, that when you finish mixing it up, remains sticky and soft as though you haven’t added enough flour. You don’t knead it, you oil a large bowl and let it rise until doubled. Then press it down with a spatula, and let it rise a second time, unless you’re rushed. It can be poured onto a piece of parchment, and shaped ( during the 1st rising the gluten develops, so it becomes a soft dough). It gets covered and allowed to rise again. My old recipe called for preheating the oven to 425°. But my pan is glass so I used 400°. The new fashion is to set the pan and lid in a cold oven and preheat to 450° for 30 minutes. That’s my concern. I wouldn’t risk my Vintage Dutch Oven that way. Corning claims their Pyroceram(ic) glass can withstand over 1200°F. But I don’t want to risk that pan. I’ve accidentally shattered 2 regular Pyrex pans, I am afraid it would explode. Your article about the Dutch oven stand (saved to my Prepper Board BTW) led me to ask you if a cast iron pan could withstand that. I haven’t cooked much with cast iron since I went to college in 73. Google didn’t have any real information on that. I did find porcelain clad iron discolors from that heat. But nothing on the maximum advisable temperature for cast iron. I thought perhaps you might know from talking to so many Preppers. I know cast iron can explode if it’s hot and hit with cold water, my parents taught me that. It’s a significant expense to invest in even a Lodge oven, just to make bread, my Hubs would have fits, since I have my Visionware ovens 4,5,6,and 8 qts. So I thought I’d see if you knew whether the preheat process would damage cast iron. I don’t think cast iron would warp, just as Pyroceram can’t. I’m afraid both would shatter instead. I’m inclined to do as you said. Preheat the oven then add my bread. MA

        Reply

        1. Hi MaryAnn, better safe than sorry, I wouldn’t risk damaging that special vintage pan. I’m thinking different cast iron manufacturers have tips on their own cast-iron products. They look similar but they make not have the same thickness. Linda

          Reply

  20. Let me suggest for other ideas that there is a really nice guy named David Pearson that has a channel called BigMonkey1 (He actually explained the name in one of his videos) and besides a few videos on survival or prepping, he has a slew of camping videos, knife and machete skills, blade sharpening, he built a custom bike trailer, uses a canoe sometimes and he has made a lot of gear and cooking equipment.

    I actually have a welder that I have yet to use, but for those who don’t have or want one or care to try welding, there are other ways to make a stand by drilling, cutting or bending pieces and bolting them together. I am sure I must have mentioned that my older brother and I gave our father a few cast iron pots and pans and we found him a stand from which the pot hangs. It was super cheap and if we were to lose power he could cook outside anytime. But the stuff is heavy, so it’s nice to have a sturdy stand for outdoor use.

    I notice that some of the cheaper brands don’t offer a nice smooth surface, but the inside can be sanded smooth if one cares to do so. Again, there is a YouTube video where a man purchased a cheap pan at BigLots! and he sanded the rough pebble textured bottom and made it much nicer.

    On a funny note, I remember the original article soon as I got the e-mail notice for this article. For a second I was thinking, “Didn’t she do an article on a stand her brother in law made a long time ago”. I believe he also made a nice emergency toilet for you as well. All great projects.

    Reply

  21. I went to a Dutch oven class last week and on thing that was mentioned is that once you cook a lot with yours, nothing sticks to it. Just do not use any dish soap on it. Just wipe out and go. I have made peach cobbler in mine with no trouble. Be sure yours is seasoned well. All food tastes wonderful in them. Anything you can cook on the stove or bake can be done in a Dutch oven. I love bacon done in my frying pan! Also, if you find one at a garage sale check it out well Some will sell them cheap and the bottom may be warped or cracked. Check them well!!!! If it is a good one but old find out how to get the rust off and re-season it them they are good to go!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Cheryl, I have tried to tell people if they have a 6-quart Dutch oven cast iron (not the pretty ceramic coated colored ones) you can cook anything outside in them. I recommend the 6-quart because they are not as heavy as the 8-quart when filled. Store some briquettes without the lighter fluid added in air-tight containers, you are good to go. Stay safe, Linda

      Reply

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