Dutch traders purchased many of these pots for trading with Indians. As the exploration movement traveled west in America, so did the Dutch oven. It's recorded that one of the most important pieces of equipment in the Lewis and Clark expedition was a large Dutch oven. There have been no improvement made on the cast iron pot from that time to now. There are present day aluminum Dutch ovens but many feel the cast iron is still the best for cooking if weight is not a problem.
Dutch ovens have a flat bottom sitting of three short legs protruding about two inches.
It has a strong wire bail and the lid is made of the same heavy cast iron material with a small handle in the center. The rim of the lid is flanged so that hot coals will stay on the lid while cooking. They range in weight from 7 to 30 lbs. Preparing the Dutch Oven For Cooking 1. Make sure the lid fits properly on the pot before purchasing it.