Things You'll Need
Mild dish-washing detergent
Plastic scraper or stiff nylon brush
Soft, dry cloth
Fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool
Solid vegetable shortening or vegetable oil
Small microwave-safe dish
Paper towels
Aluminum foil
Iron dutch ovens are large pots with a lid made of cast iron. They are useful in cooking soups or stews and other items at home or even cooking over a campfire. Improper care and cleaning can cause the iron dutch oven to develop a rancid or metallic taste that transfers to the foods you prepare in the pot. Cleaning the dutch oven properly and re-seasoning it will make it look new again and get rid of the rancid taste.
Step 1
Wash the iron dutch oven with hot water, a mild dish-washing soap and a plastic scraper or stiff nylon brush.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Scrub any rusted or discolored areas or pits on the surface with the sandpaper or steel wool.
Step 3
Rinse the dutch oven with hot water and dry it thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth.
Step 4
Melt about a 1/4 cup of solid vegetable shortening in the microwave for a 10 to 30 seconds until it liquefies. You can use vegetable oil if you don't have the solid shortening.
Step 5
Spread a thin layer of the melted vegetable shortening or oil over the inside and outside surfaces of the dutch oven and lid with a paper towel.
Step 6
Preheat the oven to 350 to 400 degrees F.
Step 7
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and place it on the lowest rack in your oven. This catches any drips from the oil.
Step 8
Place the dutch oven and lid on the top rack of your oven upside down.
Step 9
Bake the seasoned dutch oven and lid for one hour. Turn the oven off and leave the items inside until they are cool to the touch.
Step 10
Rub a thin layer of the melted shortening or oil over the cooking surface on the inside of the pot and bring it halfway up the sides.
Step 11
Place a paper towel in between the lid and pot and store it in a cool, dry area. This helps prevent rust in the future.
Warning
Never wash your iron dutch oven with any kind of detergent unless you are getting ready to re-season it. Wash it after each use with only hot water and a plastic scraper or stiff nylon bristle brush. Use a soft cloth to dry it. Letting the iron dutch oven air dry may cause it to rust again.
Remove stuck-on food from the dutch oven by putting about 1 cup of water in it and boiling the pot for a few minutes to loosen the residue.
Video of the Day