| So you have realized the benefits of cooking | | | | not miss any little crevasses or areas. The utensil |
| outdoors with cast iron pans, pots, skillets and | | | | can get a little smoky so you may want to keep |
| Dutch ovens. Now that you have purchased your | | | | the stove vent running. Let it season for a few |
| new cast iron utensil, you need to properly clean | | | | hours. |
| and "season" it. | | | | After seasoning, you should not have to do it |
| Seasoning is basically saturating the cast iron | | | | again unless the utensil is washed with soap, |
| metal with oil or grease. Seasoning helps burn off | | | | especially a de-greasing detergent. All that is |
| any of the impurities that may be in the metal. | | | | needed to clean cast iron is hot water, maybe a |
| To start the seasoning process of your cast iron | | | | little scouring to remove any stuck on food. |
| utensils, first you need to give a very through | | | | Washing with soap will require seasoning again. |
| cleaning with very hot water and soap. Next coat | | | | One thing to remember especially when you are |
| the inside surfaces with a heavy coating of | | | | done seasoning or cooking with your cast iron |
| grease, oil, Crisco, etc. If you have a Dutch oven | | | | utensil is never, never immerse it in cold water or |
| or a pot with a lid, make sure that is completely | | | | snow. Cooling cast iron too fast will cause |
| coated also. | | | | warpage and buckling and make the utensil |
| Then place your coated cast iron utensil into an | | | | useless. |
| oven at about 300 degrees. Get the utensil hot | | | | Now that your cast iron utensil is ready for |
| and let the oils soak into the iron. Carefully smear | | | | cooking, enjoy the wonderful meals that can be |
| the heated oil into all areas of metal so you do | | | | created right at your campsite!!! |