For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

There are many opinions on cleaning a Dutch Oven. Not all Dutch Oven cooks believe you can use soap in your Dutch Oven. Some cooks suggest never to wash them, others wash them, but not with detergent. We have found that a well-seasoned oven will not be damaged by using a few drops of dishwashing soap if you have been cooking something really greasy. Just be sure to rinse several times to make sure there is no soap residue. If your oven is not well-seasoned, whatever you put in the oven will be absorbed into the pot and become part of your next meal.

Dutch Oven care begins with seasoning, but it's important to clean them properly after each use. Cleaning cast iron is easier than scrubbing pots and pans. As soon as possible after using your Dutch Oven, scrape out as much food as possible with a plastic scraper. Put 1 - 2 quarts of hot water in your oven and scrub with a plastic scrubbing pad or a vegetable brush. Immediately after washing, dry the oven thoroughly by putting it in your kitchen oven at 150 to 200 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Cast Iron can only be dried by heating. Heat dries out the moisture in the pores. If a pot is not completely dried after it is used, it will rust. The pores must be opened by heating up, and the moisture dried out of it. Don't let the oven set around after washing, go straight from draining the rinse water into the kitchen oven if possible. If you are camping and don't have a kitchen oven to dry a Dutch Oven, dry it the best you can and try and store it away from moisture.

Dutch Ovens when cared for, will last for generations. Be sure your oven has been cleaned and lightly oiled before putting it away. Try to keep your ovens in a dry, warm place. Remember, moisture with cause cast iron to rust. Leave your lids slightly ajar, allowing the air to circulate. I like to store with a paper towel rolled up and sticking out from under the lid. The towel inside the oven acts as a wick and will help absorb moisture.

Tip: Here's another idea. If you need to store an oven for long periods of time, use a light-weight food-grade Mineral Oil and coat the oven, inside and out. It's cheap and effective. Once you have sealed the oven with mineral oil, no oxygen can reach the seasoning and it will last many months.

With correct use and proper care, a well seasoned oven produces a unique flavor unequaled by any other cooking utensil. That's the Magic, it looks great and tastes even better!

About The Author

Glea Reno and Dennis Reno are the owners of Dutchovenmagic.com. They are based at Billings, Montana and have taught Youth Groups, Scout Troops, Church Organization and friends what they have learned over years in Dutch oven cooking. They also do cooking demonstration at various retail outlets. They can be contacted at help@dutchovenmagic.com; info@dutchovenmagic.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Web recipes-on-the-net.com

1st Camping Dinner Makes or Breaks the Camping Trip by Myrtha C
4 Great Recipes To Create a Cherry Desert Using a Dutch Oven by Raymond Laubert
A Scrumptious Feast Over The Camp - Cooking Brisket Dutch Oven by Abhishek Agarwal
Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven by Dennis R Weaver
Campfire Cooking Recipes - Dutch Oven by Ian Pennington
Campground Cooking with a Dutch Oven by Nicholas Filonovich
Camping Recipes Easy by Robin Shortt
Camping Recipes for Your Dutch Oven by Sherry Frewerd
Cast Iron Dutch Oven Seasoning - How to Get Your Dutch Oven Ready For Use by Scott Carey
Cleaning and Storing Your Dutch Oven by Glea Reno and Dennis Reno
Cooking in the Outdoors by M.Ann Luke
Did You Ever Wonder About Dutch Oven Cooking Over Coals? by Kenny Vanderburen
Dutch Oven Camping Recipes - Excellent Camp Cooking Tips by Abhishek Agarwal
Dutch Oven Cinnamon Bread - How to Make a Dutch Oven Bread That is Great for Breakfast or Dessert by Scott Carey
Dutch Oven Cooking Basics by Robin Shortt and Val Shortt
Dutch Oven Cooking Camping Recipes - 4 Steps To Prepare Dump Cake by Abhishek Agarwal
Dutch Oven Cooking - Excellent Tips To Create Great Dishes by Abhishek Agarwal
Dutch Oven Hot Chicken Wings by Mark Hansen
Dutch Oven Mountain Man Hash by Scott Carey
Easy Dutch Oven Baked Beans by Scott Carey
Easy Dutch Oven Cooking Tips by Kevin McCarthy
Easy Dutch Oven Recipes - Getting Started Cooking With Your Dutch Oven by Scott Carey
Every Camp Needs a Dutch Oven by Larissa Luke
Selecting a Dutch Oven - Choosing the Best Oven For Your Cooking and Baking Needs by Ilse Hagen
Simon's Simon Stew by Joyce Edwards
The Best 7 Quick Dutch Oven Cooking Tips by Abhishek Agarwal
The Dutch Oven - A Campers Best Friend by Brandon McVey
Useful Tips For Dutch Oven Cooking by Echo Wang
Wonderful Dutch Oven Recipes by K. Norwood

< Back to Dutch Oven Recipes