Cleaning a Dutch Oven can seem like a daunting task. Following a few tips, however, can make the task much less daunting. Failing to use your oven because you hate the clean-up would be a terrible thing.
First, never use soap in your oven. The soap will adhere to the seasoned cast iron and can affect the taste of your food.
Second, soaking is okay, as long as you don't leave water in the Dutch Oven so long it might rust--among the worst things that can happen to your oven.
Third, use a scraper and a plastic scrubber (pictured above) to remove all the food from inside the oven. I rinse regularly while I am cleaning. I have also used sand from a beach as a scrubber on mult-day river trips.
Fourth, dry the inside of the oven completely. I use paper towel which I always have on hand.
Fifth, coat your oven with a small amont of vegetable oil between uses. I pour about 2 tablespoons in the bottom, then use a paper towel to spread the oil throughout the bottom, along the sides and on the bottom of the lid. This should be a thin coat with no pooling of oil when you are done.
Sixth, brush all ash off the top of the oven. Some people oil the outside of their oven as well as the inside, but I don't bother.
Seventh, store you oven in a specially sized bag if you can.
Remember there are other valid ways to clean and care for your oven. With care, your Dutch Oven will get better and better with use. The seasoned surface becomes less and less likely to stick and cleaning becomes easier as well.
Second, soaking is okay, as long as you don't leave water in the Dutch Oven so long it might rust--among the worst things that can happen to your oven.
Third, use a scraper and a plastic scrubber (pictured above) to remove all the food from inside the oven. I rinse regularly while I am cleaning. I have also used sand from a beach as a scrubber on mult-day river trips.
Fourth, dry the inside of the oven completely. I use paper towel which I always have on hand.
Fifth, coat your oven with a small amont of vegetable oil between uses. I pour about 2 tablespoons in the bottom, then use a paper towel to spread the oil throughout the bottom, along the sides and on the bottom of the lid. This should be a thin coat with no pooling of oil when you are done.
Sixth, brush all ash off the top of the oven. Some people oil the outside of their oven as well as the inside, but I don't bother.
Seventh, store you oven in a specially sized bag if you can.
Remember there are other valid ways to clean and care for your oven. With care, your Dutch Oven will get better and better with use. The seasoned surface becomes less and less likely to stick and cleaning becomes easier as well.
I dry and spread veg oil with an old cotton t-shirt. this eliminates shredded paper towel.
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