Does anyone know where I might find a dutch oven? The flat- bottomed kind suitable for use on a wood-burning stove? TIA.

-- susan (smhakala@aol.com), January 26, 1999

Answers

Susan, would the Lodge cast iron dutch ovens at Wal-Mart fill the bill? Can't remember how much they cost--around $12-16? A Net search for dutch oven recipes a few months ago turned up lots of good recipes--and a dutch oven society.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), January 26, 1999.

Army surplus and sporting goods stores all should carry dutch ovens. Also try flea markets and garage sales. Went to WalMart today and they were all sold out on cast iron cookware and wicks for oil lamps. I stopped by the rifle counter and the checker told me that they are selling 100 12 gauges a week, and they are expecting more in this week. They had plenty of campstove fuel, but few propane bottles. The checker said that there's been a big rush on for survival gear lately. The feel safe knowing that people are buying guns to protect their homes. Maybe they'll all be picked off before they get to my neck of the woods.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 26, 1999.

Target also carries Lodge cast iron dutch ovens. I've been in several stores lately and they have them. (Midwest)

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), January 26, 1999.

I just ordered my 12" Lodge dutch oven from www.chuckwagonsupply.com.

Very knowledgeable, and nice.

-- David Waldrip (dwaldrip@aol.com), January 26, 1999.

For those within a day's drive of South Pittsburgh, Tennessee (near Chattanooga), there is a factory outlet store for Lodge Cast Iron, open 7 days a week. There you can buy factory seconds, most with minor to invisible defects (but shop carefully), at 1/2 to 1/3 regular price. Worth the trip -- they have many copies of everything they make. You probably won't be able to lift everything you buy at one time. Very good stuff, highly recommended.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), January 26, 1999.

I got a nice book on Dutch ovens, their history, and much information about them, including some recipes. It's published by the University of Arkansas Press. Their address is Fayetteville, AR 72701. It sold for 9.00. The author, John G. Ragsdale, also wrote another book, Dutch Oven Cooking. I'll have to get that one, too.

-- Noah Simoneaux (noaj@yournet.com), January 26, 1999.

Try K-mart/Super-K, and a good camping outfitter, or even a travel trailer shop.

Chuck

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 27, 1999.

Try thrift stores like salvation army, etc. I have seen these things often for just a few bucks. Course you have to take what's there, but it's cheap.

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), January 27, 1999.