Cast Iron has long been a favorite of campers everywhere. Many have had their favorite Cast Iron skillets or Dutch Ovens for years. Others have Cast Iron that has been passed down from a previous generation. There’s good reason to love cooking with this old tried-and-true. It is solid, strong, and can last for EVER. Cleaning and maintaining it can be easy when you know how to do it.
First of all, you never use soap on your beloved Cast Iron pan. The best way to clean it is with clean, hot water and a vinyl scrub brush. It’s best to pour hot water into the pan while the pan is still hot from cooking your meal. So serve the family and then fill the pan with boiling water. After your meal you can gently scrub the bottom and sides with a scratch-resistant scrub brush or pad. Any food that was stuck to it should lift right off and rinse away.
You can dry the pan with heat by putting it on the fire for a few minutes. It will quickly evaporate the remaining water and you’re almost done. If you dry with a towel make sure it is very dry. Any moisture remaining can rust the surface and ruin your cookware.
Then you need to season the pan to make it ready for the next meal. You can wipe some shortening around the inside or a small amount of oil. This guards against rust and keeps the surface from sticking the next time you cook with it. Stack your Cast Iron pans carefully so as not to scratch them.
This process should assist you in keeping your pans scratch free and hard working for many years to come. We look forward to seeing you cooking family favorites at your campsite this year.