It is important to know how to best care for their own Dutch Oven. Proper care of your Dutch Ovens ensures a long life span of the oven and can improve the taste of the food cooked by your Dutch Oven. Different types of Dutch Ovens require different types of care.
In the case of Bare Cast Iron Dutch Ovens, normal care begins with removing wax or shellac coating over the oven should be removed prior its first use. This can be done by rinsing the oven with the use of hot water and soap. After which, cleaning can be administered without the use of soap. The oven is then left to dry and when it has completely dried out, vegetable oil should be applied to it to prevent rusting. The oven is usually heated after vegetable oil is applied to it so that that oil will bond directly to the metal. This process is called “seasoning.”
Remember that a un-seasoned Dutch Oven should not be used for cooking foods that are blended with tomatoes, vinegar or other potentially acidic ingredients as this can cause the damage to the oven. On the other hand, foods that are rich in oil. Particularly: chicken, pork, sausage, and other food products that are for frying should be cooked using a new Dutch Oven in order to continue the process of seasoning.
After each use, Dutch ovens should be cleaned thoroughly with the use of a brush and hot or boiling water, but without the use of soap. After it has been dried out, vegetable oil should once again be applied to the oven in order to prevent rusting.
After cleaning, store your Dutch Oven in a clean and dry place, with its lid slightly open for air circulation. Otherwise, storing the Dutch ovens with the lid on with a dry towel or a newspaper be placed inside to absorb any moisture.
Other types of Dutch Ovens, particularly the enameled ovens do not require seasoning before use. However, deep frying cannot be done using enameled ovens because its coating typically cannot withstand very high heat and is therefore ideal to use for water based cooking.
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