cleaning your dutch oven

[jasoncpg]

hello all how do you clean your dutch oven when camping? stuck on food this is like work. ps i am new to cast iron. so thanks in addvance for your help

[Outlaw]

Hey there Jason,

When the grubbin's done, I'll fill my DO with hot water and let it soak for 15 mins or more - NEVER USE SOAP OF ANY KIND. I'll then use a stiff short bristle brush to loosen the leftovers. Rinse/scrub until clean. Then wipe the DO clean with a paper towel or clean cloth. While it's still warm, give it a thin coast of vegetable oil and then let it cool. Store only after you're 100% certain it's dry. It's also a good idea to toss a dry paper towel in it or between the lid and pot to let it breath a little while in storage. This has worked well for me

[Outlaw]

P.S. I love your signature line flip of ole Hank

[mb82]

Hey there Jason,

When the grubbin's done, I'll fill my DO with hot water and let it soak for 15 mins or more - NEVER USE SOAP OF ANY KIND. I'll then use a stiff short bristle brush to loosen the leftovers. Rinse/scrub until clean. Then wipe the DO clean with a paper towel or clean cloth. While it's still warm, give it a thin coast of vegetable oil and then let it cool. Store only after you're 100% certain it's dry. It's also a good idea to toss a dry paper towel in it or between the lid and pot to let it breath a little while in storage. This has worked well for me

I second this. Works well for me.

[doug hodder]

You might want to try using parchment paper for a liner in your DO. Available on the roll at the grocery store, and also in pre-cut liners from places like Wal Mart. Cheaper on the roll as the only difference is that the pre cut ones are just cut round. Parchment paper will allow you to lift out cakes and baked goods and keep the other stuff from sticking on the oven. Clean up is way easier. It's worth a look if you haven't tried it. Doug

[jasoncpg]

P.S. I love your signature line flip of ole Hank

like i sed i am new to cast. some say soap is ok and some say NO this has my head spining. there is so much i dont know. so thanks for the help. glad you like that signature.

[jasoncpg]

You might want to try using parchment paper for a liner in your DO. Available on the roll at the grocery store, and also in pre-cut liners from places like Wal Mart. Cheaper on the roll as the only difference is that the pre cut ones are just cut round. Parchment paper will allow you to lift out cakes and baked goods and keep the other stuff from sticking on the oven. Clean up is way easier. It's worth a look if you haven't tried it. Doug

as always thanks for the great suggestion doug. parchment i have some and i am going to try this.

[CPASPARKS]

I use water and rock salt to clean.

[jasoncpg]

I use water and rock salt to clean.

this is not to abrasive ?

[CPASPARKS]

NOPE.

[Eunice]

[quote="jasoncpg
like i sed i am new to cast. some say soap is ok and some say NO this has my head spining. there is so much i dont know. so thanks for the help. glad you like that signature.

[/quote]

soap is not OK but some folks will admit that they sometimes will wash them with soap. I admit I have if it was a very greasy dish. it is a no-no but it wont kill you if you do it once. Just make sure to use really hot water to rinse and then coat it with an oil.

[jasoncpg]

ok thanks kevin i will try it some time.

[jasoncpg]

soap is not OK but some folks will admit that they sometimes will wash them with soap. I admit I have if it was a very greasy dish. it is a no-no but it wont kill you if you do it once. Just make sure to use really hot water to rinse and then coat it with an oil.[/quote]

thank you keneunice there is so much i need to learn then remember. so i am taking note's

[asianflava]

I put hot tap water in it and let it soak for a couple minutes.
I use a plastic scraper (Pampered Chef) to get the big stuff off.
Scrub it with a brush to get the remainder off.
Rinse it with hot tap water.
I put it on the stove to heat it up to evaporate the water off.

[jplock]

I keep a putty knife with my cleaning gear it comes in handy on tough burned on stuff that does not come off with the hot water as mentioned above. The hot water is effective most of the time.
jplock


PS
One time I forgot and left the putty knife inside the the DO. The next time I stuck the DO in the coals to preheat a little the plastic handle melted and I really had a gooey mess, but it is ok now.