When you are all done you should have a nice smooth black coating on all of the surfaces that will touch food. Maintain and protect that surface. Fire and Heat Successful Dutch oven cooking requires some knowledge of heat and flame. The cook must be able to judge the heat and adjust to the situation. Wood coals from mesquite and oak are much better at holding heat than some of the softer woods like elm.
Ideal coals are all white with no flame.
A high flame is generally too hot for most cooking. Try not to use a high flame fire except to rapidly heat a pot for cleaning or to get a pot of beans or rice going quickly. Cooking in a Dutch Oven Many foods like beans, chili, stews, soups, rice dishes, and noodles can be cooked easily with heat from the bottom of the pot. Just place the Dutch oven on coals to cook these. Remember that a Dutch oven holds a lot of heat in the sides and lid.