Seasoning a Dutch Oven

Cast-iron Dutch ovens need to be "seasoned" before use. The seasoning process protects the Dutch oven from rust and gives food the characteristic flavor that makes Dutch oven cooking so popular.

Seasoning a New Dutch Oven

To season a Dutch oven, follow these steps:

1. Thoroughly clean the Dutch oven using soap and a scouring pad. New Dutch ovens are coated with a wax sealant that must be removed. If it isn't cleaned well, the Dutch oven will smell terribly and smoke when it is heated (step 2).
2. Heat the Dutch oven to about 200'F.
3. Thinly coat the entire Dutch oven with vegetable oil. Wipe up any excess oil.

Re-Seasoning a Dutch Oven

Occasionally you will need to re-season a Dutch Oven. This happens when the Dutch Oven has been left dry, after an odorous food is cooked (like fish), or after rust has been removed from an improperly stored Dutch Oven.

To re-season a Dutch oven, follow these steps:

1. If rust or an undesireable odor needs to be removed, thoroughly clean the Dutch oven using soap and a scouring pad.
2. Heat the Dutch oven to about 200'F.
3. Thinly coat the entire Dutch oven with vegetable oil. Wipe up any excess oil.