A Petromax Dutch Oven can be used to slow-cook stews, braise meat, bake bread, roast a joint or prepare an entire meal over an open fire. But with several sizes available, choosing the right one can feel more complicated than the cooking itself.
The best size for you depends on how many people you normally cook for, what you want to make and where you plan to use it. This guide will help you choose the right Petromax Dutch Oven without buying something unnecessarily large - or finding yourself short of space once dinner is underway.
Petromax Dutch Oven Size Guide
| Model | Pot capacity | Suggested servings | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| ft1 | 0.93 litres | Sauces and desserts | Side dishes, sauces, dips and individual desserts |
| ft3 | 1.6 litres | 1–3 people | Smaller meals, couples and compact setups |
| ft4.5 | 3.5 litres | 2–5 people | Bread, family sides and smaller one-pot meals |
| ft6 | 5.5 litres | 4–8 people | Families, roast dinners, stews and regular entertaining |
| ft9 | 7.5 litres | 8–14 people | Larger gatherings, batch cooking and generous portions |
| ft12 | 10.8 litres | 14–20 people | Parties, events and cooking for a crowd |
| ft18 | 16.1 litres | More than 20 people | Large events, group catering and serious batch cooking |
Serving numbers are approximate. A hearty main course naturally requires more room than a side dish, while bread and joints of meat are better judged by their physical size than by the number of portions alone.
Our Quick Recommendation
For most households, the ft6 or ft6-t is the best all-round choice.
Its 5.5-litre pot provides enough room for family-sized stews, pulled pork, casseroles, roast dinners and loaves of bread without becoming excessively large or difficult to handle. It is also a sensible size for entertaining friends.
Choose the ft4.5 or ft4.5-t if you usually cook for two to four people, want something easier to transport or mainly plan to bake bread and prepare smaller dishes.
Move up to the ft9 or ft9-t if you regularly cook for larger groups, like making generous quantities for leftovers or want plenty of room for large joints of meat.
Petromax ft1: Sauces, Sides and Desserts
The ft1 or ft1-t is the smallest conventional Petromax Dutch Oven. Its 0.93-litre pot makes it better suited to accompaniments than complete family meals.
It is ideal for:
- Sauces, gravies and dips
- Baked cheese
- Small desserts
- Individual portions
- Side dishes prepared alongside a larger Dutch Oven
The ft1 is a useful addition to an established outdoor cooking setup, but it is unlikely to be the best first Dutch Oven unless you specifically want a very compact option.
Petromax ft3: Compact Cooking for One to Three
With a 1.6-litre pot, the ft3 or ft3-t works well for individuals, couples and smaller camping setups.
It is a good choice for:
- Meals for one or two
- Smaller stews and casseroles
- Camping with limited storage space
- Side dishes for a family meal
- Small cakes and loaves
If you regularly cook for more than two people or want leftovers, we would normally recommend moving up to the ft4.5.
Petromax ft4.5: A Versatile Smaller Dutch Oven
The ft4.5 has a 3.5-litre pot and suits approximately two to five people. It offers a useful balance between cooking capacity and portability.
It is particularly well suited to:
- Small family meals
- Freshly baked bread
- Stews and casseroles
- Chicken portions
- Side dishes for gatherings
- Couples who enjoy batch cooking
The ft4.5 or ft4.5-t is a strong choice if you want a manageable Dutch Oven that can still prepare a proper meal. It is also one of the sizes available in the lighter Petromax Essential Line.
Petromax ft6: The Best All-Rounder
The ft6 or ft6-t has a 5.5-litre pot and is recommended for approximately four to eight people. For most customers, this is the size we would choose as a first Petromax Dutch Oven.
It provides enough room for:
- Family-sized stews and curries
- Pulled pork
- Whole chickens
- Roasted joints
- Large loaves of bread
- Chilli and one-pot meals
- Entertaining friends
The additional capacity gives ingredients room to cook properly, but the pot remains practical enough for regular use. If you are undecided between the ft4.5 and ft6, the ft6 usually provides more flexibility.
Petromax ft9: Made for Gatherings
With a 7.5-litre pot, the ft9 or ft9-t is designed for approximately eight to fourteen people.
Choose the ft9 if you:
- Regularly entertain larger groups
- Cook at events or group camps
- Want to prepare large quantities in one batch
- Cook sizeable joints of meat
- Prefer making enough for leftovers or freezing
The ft9 is substantially heavier once filled, so consider how often you will need to transport or reposition it. For larger gatherings, however, the additional space is extremely useful.
Petromax ft12 and ft18: Cooking for a Crowd
The ft12 and ft18 are specialist choices for larger events and group catering.
The ft12 offers a 10.8-litre pot for approximately 14–20 people, while the ft18 provides 16.1 litres of capacity for groups of more than 20.
They are ideal for:
- Clubs and organised events
- Large family gatherings
- Group camping
- Outdoor catering
- High-volume batch cooking
These models are impressive, but they are unlikely to be necessary for ordinary household use. Remember that a large cast-iron pot becomes extremely heavy once filled with food.
Dutch Oven with Feet or a Flat Base?
Classic Petromax Dutch Ovens are available with feet or with a flat base. The correct option depends on where you intend to cook.
Choose feet for open-fire cooking
The feet raise the Dutch Oven above the ground, making space for charcoal or briquettes underneath. This is the traditional option for cooking directly over an outdoor fire or prepared bed of coals.
Choose a flat base for greater flexibility
A flat-bottomed Dutch Oven can sit securely on a barbecue grid, oven shelf, stove or other level cooking surface. It is usually the more versatile option if you expect to use your Dutch Oven both indoors and outdoors.
You can still use a flat-based Dutch Oven over fire when it is supported by a suitable stand, grate or cooking table.
Classic or Essential Line?
The traditional Petromax Dutch Oven is made from substantial cast iron and is available in the widest selection of sizes. It is the classic choice for open-fire cooking and offers exceptional heat retention.
The Petromax Essential Line uses a reduced material thickness, making it lighter and easier to transport while retaining the heat distribution and seasoned cast-iron cooking surface associated with a Dutch Oven.
The Essential Line is available in:
- ft4.5: 3.5-litre pot
- ft6: 5.5-litre pot
- ft9: 7.5-litre pot
Choose the Classic range for the traditional Petromax experience, the widest choice of sizes and maximum heat retention.
Choose the Essential Line if lower weight and easier handling are particularly important to you.
What Can You Cook in a Petromax Dutch Oven?
A Dutch Oven is much more versatile than its name suggests. Depending on the size, you can use it for:
- Stews, casseroles and curries
- Pulled pork and slow-cooked meat
- Whole chickens and roasting joints
- Fresh bread and rolls
- Cobblers, cakes and desserts
- Chilli, soups and one-pot meals
- Searing and frying using the upturned lid
The raised rim around the lid holds charcoal or briquettes, allowing heat to surround the food from above and below. This creates an oven-like cooking environment without needing a conventional oven.
Are Petromax Dutch Ovens Ready to Use?
Petromax Dutch Ovens are supplied with a seasoned finish, so they are ready to cook with. The surface develops a stronger natural patina over time, improving its release properties while helping protect the cast iron.
After cooking:
- Allow the Dutch Oven to cool.
- Remove food residue using warm water and an appropriate brush or scraper.
- Dry it thoroughly.
- Apply a very light coating of suitable seasoning oil before storage.
- Store it somewhere dry with a little airflow between the pot and lid.
Avoid leaving food or water inside the Dutch Oven, and do not place hot cast iron into cold water.
Which Petromax Dutch Oven Should You Buy?
If you want one straightforward recommendation:
- Choose the ft4.5 for couples, smaller families, bread and easier transport.
- Choose the ft6 as the best all-round Dutch Oven for most households.
- Choose the ft9 for larger families, entertaining and batch cooking.
- Choose the ft12 or ft18 only when regularly cooking for substantial groups.
Still unsure? Contact the Greenfield team for friendly advice based on what you want to cook, how many people you feed and where you plan to use it.
