Dutch Oven

Temperature Guide

When uniform baking is required (cobblers, pies, breads)

1. Rotate entire pot 1/3 turn one direction
2. Rotate lid only 1/3 turn in opposite direction
3. Rotate both every 10–15 minutes

Dutch oven sizes

Briquettes vs Lump Charcoal

Briquettes are manufactured using wood and wood byproducts and are compressed with additives that help offer consistent burn rates and temperatures. They tend to burn longer and are cheaper than lump coals. Briquettes can produce a chemical smell that can sometimes affect the flavor of your food.

Lump charcoal is unprocessed wood that is burned or charred. Lump coals typically burn hotter and faster than briquettes. It is more expensive and is seen as the more natural of the two types of fuel.

Re-seasoning Cast Iron

Removing Old Seasoning

1. Place pan in oven upside down and run the self-clean function
2. Wash with soap and water (something like Ivory liquid)
3. To remove rust, scrub with 00 steel wool
4. Dry with (Scott) shop paper towels (blue)
5. If needed, smooth over areas of the pan with a wire wheel on a drill
   1. Repeat steps 2–4 to remove residue from the wire wheel

Seasoning

1. Bring pan up to 200º in a preheated oven
2. Rub Crisco thoroughly into every part of the heated pan
3. Wipe all of the Crisco off
4. Place back in the oven upside down
5. Raise the temperature up to 300º and heat for 15 minutes
6. Remove and thoroughly wipe the pan again, removing any remaining Crisco
7. Place back in the oven upside down
8. Raise the temperature up to 400º and heat for 2 hours
9. Repeat steps 2–8 for additional seasonings
   1. 2–3 initial seasonings should be sufficient
   2. Seasoning will improve as you use it, especially cooking animal fats—bacon, hamburger, etc.

Maintenance

Clean using only

1. Hot water
2. Scotch-Brite scouring pad
3. Lodge scraper
4. DO NOT BOIL it clean as it can ruin the seasoning

Post-cleaning seasonings

1. Heat pan on medium heat
2. Wipe with Crisco using a paper towel
3. Wipe away Crisco with a different paper towel until dry
4. Let cool