Dutch Oven Dome: How To Cook With A Dome & Heat Diffuser Plate

Did you know you can bake Dutch oven camping recipes on a stovetop? Learn how to cook with a Dutch oven dome and heat diffuser plate on a propane stove instead of using campfire coals or charcoal briquettes as your heat source.

How Do Dutch Ovens Work?

Some Dutch ovens are designed for use in home kitchens while others are designed for use at a campsite. The styles are slightly different but they basically work the same.

The heavy pot has a tight-fitting lid which retains heat for a long time and produces the most effective heat distribution method, circulating the heat around the food resulting in very even cooking.

You can purchase the dome alone but you’ll usually find it is sold with a heat diffuser plate. The plate is set over the flame of the stove and the Dutch oven is set on top of the plate. The purpose of the plate is to spread the heat across the bottom of the oven rather than it being concentrated in just the center of the pot.

The combination found in the Camp Chef cooking system works beautifully.

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

Dutch Oven Dome & Heat Diffuser Plate

• The combination of the included heat diffuser plate and dome set is 3.1 lbs, size 18″W x 11.5″H
• The specifications are acceptable to most campers, but, not appropriate for ultra-light backpackers who count every ounce.

Camp Chef is the manufacturer of the set but it does not work only with a Camp Chef stove, it works with any brand of camp propane gas stove.

Yes, home and camp ovens can be used on a stovetop.

Camp Chef No 2 Explorer Modular Cooking Stove

At camp, you can have an enjoyable experience of standing while cooking if you have a standing-stove style rather than a tabletop stove.

Dutch Oven Monkey Bread

The refrigerator biscuits are a great shortcut to create these delicious cinnamon and sugar pull-aparts. I like drizzling a little powdered sugar glaze over the top just before serving.

Tomato And Avocado Frittata

This almost-gourmet breakfast takes a little extra work but the payoff is totally worth it!

Blueberry Lemon Camping Muffins

Fresh blueberry muffins are easier than you think. Try this recipe and don’t be surprised if your guests lick their fingers!

Mountain Man Breakfast

Try this hearty breakfast. It’s a classic meal with a twist that adds a slightly spicy touch with flavors from the southwest.

French Toast

Why make individual slices when you can make this French toast casserole?!?

Egg Bake

This savory casserole takes just 5 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook.

Camping Nachos

Nachos are the perfect snack or appetizer to your Mexican main dish. These are loaded and meatless.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

If you show up to the campground potluck with this dip, you’ll be the hit of the party!

Chicken Pot Pie With Refrigerated Biscuits

Refrigerator biscuits make an easy upper-crust that is pillowy and buttery.

Bacon-Topped Meatloaf

This is my dad’s … favorite … meatloaf … of … all … time! He’s always asking me to make it.

Dutch Oven Pizza

This from-scratch pizza is so simple because the crust is not made from dough, it’s a batter-based crust.

Chicken And Rice

Creamy chicken and rice is easy when you use cream cheese instead of canned soup.

Hobo Casserole

My mid-western roots helped inspire me to create this hearty casserole.

Dutch Oven Cornbread

You’ll love this classic cornbread that’s not too sweet. If you like a little extra sugar, add a drizzle of honey or honey butter.

Mac And Cheese

This cheese dish is the perfect classic comfort food that can be served as a main dish or a side.

5-Bean Baked Beans

You really can make an entire meal out of these beans that also include bacon and ground beef.

Potatoes Au Gratin

These from-scratch cheesy potatoes are a bit of work but are worth the effort.

Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside Down Cake

When we have our 5-person birthday family camp trip, THIS is the cake we all agree on!

Apple Dump Cake

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth with almost no effort at all? Try this dump cake. It’s a hot gooey mess that’s as simple as “dump and bake”.

Printable Instructions

Print

5 from 1 vote

How To Use A Dutch Oven Dome

You can bake directly on your camp stove using your Dutch oven with a dome.

Author: Kim Hanna

Equipment

• Camp Chef Dutch Oven Dome

Instructions

• Place the heat diffuser plate on your stove, center the plate over the flame.
• Place the Dutch oven on top of the plate, ensure the pot is centered in the middle of the plate.
• Place lid on the oven.
• To pre-heat the oven for baking, turn on the burner to the proper temperature setting to pre-heat the pot. Low-mid heat works best (see Note #1).
• Unfold fabric dome and place over the covered Dutch oven. The air vent in the dome will be centered over the lid’s handle. The bottom of the dome should set on the surface of the stove. Use gloves when handling the dome, the fire-resistant fabric can be itchy to the touch and it does get hot during the cooking process.
• Prep recipe as necessary.
• Remove the dome and lid from the pre-heated oven.
• Add ingredients into the pre-heated oven.
• Replace the Dutch oven lid and cover with dome to bake according to recipe directions. Use gloves to remove dome and Dutch oven lid to check for doneness.
• When recipe is done baking, turn off the stove.
• Use gloves to remove dome and Dutch oven lid. Both will be hot so you’ll need to set them on a surface to cool.
• Serve your meal.
• Once cooled, store the heat diffuser plate along with the folded Dutch oven dome. I just place them inside my main Dutch oven, cover with lid and place inside my carrying case.

Video

Notes

1. Weather conditions will impact how high you should set your stove’s burner for baking. Start with a low-medium heat, you may need to increase the flame if you’re baking in windy conditions. If you set the stove’s burner too high, you may burn the bottom of the food before the top is baked through, so it’s better to use a lower setting and bake your recipe a little longer resulting in evenly baked food.