Dutch Oven –
Dutch ovens are big, heavy cast-iron pots with lid. They incredibly versatile and can used to cook: breads, main dishes, and desserts. You can cook with them over an open fire, in a buried fire pit, in your oven, over our stove burners, over coals or using briquettes. They work as frying pans, pots and ovens. They come in many sizes: 12”deep(8 qts) or shallow (6 qts), 14” deep (10 qt) or shallow (8 qts) and even larger! Important: Tight fitting lid with rim and legs (for stacking), LODGE really good.
Other Things: lid lifter/pliers, leather gloves, 18# charcoal tongs, charcoal chimney, lid holder, wooden spoons, newspaper, charcoal.
Free Cookbooks: macscouter.com/cooking/dutchoven.html or scoutingthenet.com/cooking
Seasoning: Before using the first time you will need to season your oven. (This will cause smoke!)
-Wash with milk, soapy water and stiff brush to get off the residue. (may have to warm in oven first then wash – can use outdoor gas grill instead of oven)
-Dry well
-Line bottom of oven with aluminum foil. Preheat to 350º
Method 1
-Grease everything (pan and lid) inside and out with thin coating of Crisco or vegetable oil.
-Bake both the oven and lid upside down in your oven for 1 hour. Then turn of heat let the oven cool in the oven.
-Remove and wipe out excess oil
Method 2
-Put Dutch oven and lid on rack in oven for 5 minutes.
-Remove and wipe a thin coat of Crisco on all surfaces
-Replace Dutch Oven and lid upside-down in oven and bake for 30 minutes, remove
-wipe again with shortening and return to oven. Repeat 2 more times (4 times total)
-At last baking, turn the oven off and allow to cool all night.
Cooking
The first few times of cooking cook greasy foods. (avoid watery or tomato based foods)
Cleaning
After cooking, scrape, wipe out and wash with green scrubber and water but NO soap. (if you use soap or scrap to hard you will need to re-season). Re-wipe with vegetable shortening or oil before storing. (no need to re-bake unless you wrecked the seasoning).
Storing
Store in a dry, warm place with the lid ajar for air to circulate. Good idea to put piece of wadded-up newspaper in absorb any moisture and odors.