Historical information

Camp ovens were used for cooking indoors and outdoors. They were used to perform a variety of tasks and to last forever.The use of dry sand moulds for casting the iron created a smoother surface. A more even surface meant more even contact points with food. The lid is close fitting.

Significance

Used by people in the Kiewa Valley including campers, drovers, shearers, bushmen, miners and groups eg.scouts to cook food.

Physical description

Camp ovens originally named Dutch ovens were made from cast iron, were heavy and were developed in the Netherlands in the 1700s. Australian drovers, shearers, bushmen, campers and miners used the cast iron camp ovens. This one has legs and was used outside. The lid is slightly concave enabling coals from the cooking fire to be placed on top as well as below. This provides more uniform internal heat and lets the inside act as an oven.
Formerly UKV 023