The A B Cs of Pootjie (Three leg pot) cooking. (By Willie Bromehead.)

Tried and tested Pootjie (Cast-iron) Pot cooking.

Pootjie (cast-iron) pots have remained, and will always be a favourite cooking utensil amongst caravanners and campers alike. When it comes to preparing fresh and tasty meals outdoors, few cooking items can compete with the Pootjie pot. With a Pootjie pot, you can sit back and relax (with a beer) while the Pootjie is on the coals.

You'll want to buy a Pootjie (cast-iron) pot, ideally, with three supportive legs and that also has a substantial and strong wire handle. If your Pootjie pot doesn't have legs, and is the flat bottomed type, you'll need a firm grid or Pootjie pot hanger or stand on which your Pootjie pot will be supported or placed while in use over the fire.

You will require ample space both under the Pootjie pot as well as alongside the pot while cooking. You will need to distribute the charcoal or hot coals underneath evenly, with sufficient space one side to keep preparing a continuous supply of hot coals while the Pootjie pot is “going”!

As you require more coals under the pot, simply pick up hot coals with tongs and move them under the pot.
You will also need: ingredients for your recipe, wooden spoons or ladles, sturdy tongs that are strong enough and long enough to distribute the charcoal or hot coals under the pot, charcoal or good quality chopped wood, firelighters, and a Pootjie pot lid holder. (It is best to buy the type of lid support/lifter that is not only used to lift the lid off the pot, but also be able to support the lid in a standing position.) And beers or a good quality wine! Liquid sustenance while “doing” a Pootjie is a must, as it adds to the ambience!

There are or will be times that you can only use gas to do a Pootjie. Here I have used a cast-iron flat bottomed pot to do my cooking over gas. A standard gas bottle with cooker top does the trick well. There is also gas bottle Pootjie pot attachments that hold the three legged pot on the gas bottle; these are available at all camping accessory outlets. With gas, you will have continuous heat, and providing the gas bottle is on a nice flat surface, it will be a breeze.

Cleaning your Pootjie pot.

When all is done, eaten and enjoyed, it's time to clean your Pootjie pot, and there are a few things you must take in mind. If your Pootjie pot is the aluminium type, you can wash it out just as you would any other pot. But if your Pootjie pot is of the popular cast iron type, be sure to avoid harsh soaps and scouring pads. I use boiling water in t he Pootjie pot – this will help to loosen any foods stuck to the inside after cooking. As soon as I have dished up the last helping, or removed the last of the food, I pour some boiling water into the Pootjie or cast-iron pot while the pot is still over the hot coals, and leave it to boil for five to ten minutes. This will ensure that all the sticky leftover food has softened sufficiently. Scrape out the pot with your wooden spoon and clean and rinse the pot thoroughly.

Once the pot is properly dried, I pour a little cooking oil into the pot, and with a paper towel, rub the sides inside as well as the lid thoroughly. This will prevent any rust starting in the pot. I simply leave the oil soaked paper towel in the pot and occasionally give the inside of the pot another rub down.

Pootjie Pot storage.

Remember to be cautious while using your Pootjie pot. Obviously, during and straight after cooking, the Pootjie or cast-iron pot will be extremely hot to the touch. Pootjie pots can also be fairly heavy for their size, especially when full of food, so be careful when lifting and moving it around.

When storing your Pootjie pot for any length of time, be sure to keep it in a cool dry place. Cast iron Pootjie pots can easily rust inside, and to avoid this, I leave the oil soaked paper towel in the pot. I like to give the outside of my Pootjie pot, as well as the lid of the pot a good spray with “Spray ‘n Cook”. This always helps to keep the outside of my pot clean and rust free between uses.
A well looked after Pootjie or cast-iron pot will give you years and years of very good service. Recipes; there are a number of tested recipes in the “Recipes” section of our Forums, or simply use your imagination.
Delicious, delightful, tasty and above all lip-smacking Pootjie cooking! Enjoy.