If you imagine cowboys and campfires when you think about Dutch ovens, you wouldn’t be mistaken. These durable workhorses were popular across the prairies and used in many evening meals under the stars. But Camp Chef Dutch ovens have made their way to civilization and are making magical meals in traditional kitchens, too. It doesn’t matter if your preferred cooking equipment is an open fire or a convection oven — Camp Chef Dutch ovens are a great choice.

If you are looking for a Camp Chef Dutch oven that is easy to care for and produces great results every time, the Camp Chef Classic Dutch Oven is the ideal choice for you.

The size of a Dutch oven is an important consideration if you are planning to take it camping. Larger Dutch ovens can weigh 20 pounds or more, which means they are not suitable for long hikes into the woods. If you have a large family to feed, though, you’ll need a bigger Dutch oven.

Dutch ovens are traditionally round, but there are also rectangular ovens that can be good for baking bread and cobblers. Shape doesn’t affect taste, though, so choose whichever one you prefer.

For campfire cooking, a lid is necessary. The best Dutch oven lids have a flange that allows you to place hot coals on the lid for more even cooking, but you can also find domed or completely flat lids.

The handles should be strong, well-attached and able to easily lift and carry the Dutch oven. Some Dutch ovens have both fixed handles and a wire loop for hanging.

For a complete guide to Dutch ovens of all kinds, check out the Dutch oven buying guide from BestReviews.

Camp Chef Dutch ovens come with a True Seasoned Finish that allows you to use the pan on the day you bring it home.

For camping especially, consider a Camp Chef Dutch oven with feet. These allow you to set the Dutch oven down directly on the ground into a fire pit if that’s the heat source.

Planning to stick to using your Dutch oven on a grill? Then feet on a Dutch oven are not necessary.

Camp Chef Dutch ovens feature a signature grizzly bear paw print on the lid, but they also come with another important feature: the slightly raised lip of the lid allows you to place coals on it for even heat distribution. These lids also have a ridge underneath that keeps them from sliding around as you move the pan.

While temperature-sensitive cooking isn’t always possible in the uncertain heat of a campfire, Camp Chef Dutch ovens come with a thermometer notch to easily monitor what’s happening when the lid is on. This helps keep temperatures consistent.

Loop handles make retrieving the Dutch oven from the campfire safe and easy. They are also great for hanging a pot on a tripod for even slower cooking.

Camp Chef Dutch ovens range in price from three-quarter quart Dutch ovens at $20 to family-size 16-quart ovens for just under $130.

A.  After each use, allow your Dutch oven to cool, then wipe it with a clean rag (don't use soap). If there are bits sticking to the pan, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub, then rinse with warm water. You can also use salt as a mild abrasive to remove stubborn food. Pat dry. To prevent rust, heat your Camp Chef Dutch oven briefly to make sure all of the water has dried.

Many Camp Chef Dutch ovens come ready to use without any special treatment. Even though your Camp Chef Dutch oven comes pre-seasoned, over time and with use you'll need to re-season it. Many cooks simply use olive oil to season, but Camp Chef has a special cast-iron conditioner they recommend for use with their products.

If you develop rust spots on your Dutch oven, use steel wool to scrub them away, then re-season your Camp Chef Dutch oven before the next use.

A. Camp Chef cast-iron Dutch ovens are great at a variety of cooking methods, but arguably their strongest is the braise.

Braising is a method where a piece of meat is seared quickly at a very high temperature and then slowly cooked in a liquid for the rest of the cooking time. The result is meltingly tender meat and a rich, flavor-infused broth or sauce.

You can also bake in your Camp Chef Dutch oven. Skillet cornbread, biscuit-topped cobblers and Chicago-style pizzas can all be made in a Dutch oven.

Finally, roasting is another popular cooking method. Roasting does not use the same amount of liquid as braising, but it is also great for tough cuts of meat.

Camp Chef Classic Dutch Oven: available at Amazon

Our take: This pre-seasoned Dutch oven comes with a lid and feet to make it the most versatile option.

What we like: This classic 12-inch Dutch oven can handle big meals. The feet make it able to stand up in a fire, but it still works great on the grill or for stability in an oven at home. It also comes with a built-in notch for a thermometer and an easy loop on the lid for safe handling.

What we dislike: As with most cast-iron cookware, weight is an issue. This Dutch oven weighs 20 pounds.

Camp Chef Classic 10-Inch Dutch Oven: available at Amazon

Our take: This 4-quart Dutch oven feeds 10 and still manages to stay relatively lightweight.

What we like: The 10-inch version is the same great product as larger Camp Chef Dutch ovens but with less overall mass. This makes it easier to use and even take camping.

What we dislike: It's still heavy at 14 pounds, so if it's just a few people plan for lots of leftovers.

Camp Chef Classic 16-Inch Dutch Oven: available at Amazon and Dick's Sporting Goods

Our take: This 33-pound workhorse cooks for up to 20 people at a time.

What we like: Pre-seasoned and ready to go when you are, this Camp Chef Dutch oven handles a crowd easily with its 12-quart capacity. The pan itself is wide and shallow, so food cooks quicker than in a deep stockpot. The lid features a flange to cover with coals, making campfire breads and braises possible.

What we dislike: The major downfall is its weight — at 33 pounds, it'd be hard to take this Dutch oven on a hike.

Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.