Most of the cast iron sold at
Dutch Oven University is already seasoned and ready to use. Following these simple instructions will help you to care for and maintain your cast iron cookware for years to come.
Cleaning:
Let the cast iron cool. Be sure to remove any food from your cookware. Using our
Cast Iron Cleaner and warm water, will maintain the seasoning (unlike soap) and allows you to wash all surfaces thoroughly. Be sure to rinse and dry completely. Often, I will place my piece of cast iron in a warm oven to dry and open the pores of the iron prior to applying seasoning and putting it away.
Maintaining the Seasoning:
After each use, be sure to apply a small amount of
Cast Iron Conditioner and thinly coat all surfaces of the cast iron. This will keep your cast iron black and continues to enhance the patina.
If your cast iron becomes dull and dry looking (often caused by cooking acidic based food), add an extra coating of
Cast Iron Conditioner. Place on or in heat source upside down and heat to 425 degrees. Your cast iron will most likely smoke a bit as the seasoning bakes in. As smoking begins to slow, remove from heat.
We have found that in cooler (or cold) weather, our
Cast Iron Conditioner will turn into a thick "paste-like" substance. To cure this, simply microwave the conditioner for approximately 20 seconds or place the bottle in hot water for a minute or so to thin.
Be sure to store your cookware in a dry, clean area with a light coating of
Cast Iron Conditioner. For years, I've had my cast iron hanging on the walls in my kitchen. By hanging it on the walls, it is not only a beautiful decoration, but is quite functional as well as you don't need to worry about your cast iron becoming scratched from "stacking" it in your cabinets. It goes without saying that you should avoid storing your cast iron in any locations with widely fluctuating temperature conditions such as basements, attics or stored over long winter months in campers or RVs.
If your cast iron becomes rusty, read our instructions here on removing rust:
Removing Rust from your Dutch Oven.
