Dutch Oven Cooking Basics

Pioneer Cooking

Protect your Dutch oven again by warming it in the stove, applying a thin coating of oil and letting it cool. Its now ready for storage.A good starting temperature is 350 degrees F.Preparing To Cure Your Dutch OvenOf coarse both are true, but they are still very much in use today and as for the Dutch oven, the possibilities are endless.CleaningAllow it to heat slowly until it is too hot to handle. Apply a thin layer of salt free cooking oil with a clean cloth to the Dutch oven inside and out.In which case you would want all the heat on the bottom.Curing ItPlace your oven back inside the stove with the lid slightly open. Bake your oven for about an hour.If you are planning on baking, you need more heat on the top than on the bottom.To clean your oven after use, scrape it out, add warm water, without soap, and heat it in the oven until the water is almost boiling.This is to hold your heat source, which will be briquettes.Put one briquette on the bottom for every 3 on the top of the lid.When you think of a cast iron Dutch oven, what comes to your mind? Pioneer cooking? Stews over the open fire?To cure your oven, pre-heat your kitchen stove to 350 degrees. Place the Dutch oven on the center rack, with the lid open slightly.Some cast iron ovens have a protective covering which you will need to remove .To figure out how many briquettes to use, take the size of the oven in inches, and subract three to get the number of briquettes for under it, and add three to get the number of briquettes for the top.For preparing stews, use one on the top for every 4 on the bottom. When roasting, put briquettes on the top and bottom evenly.Heating FundimentalsAfter baking , allow the Dutch oven to cool slowly.When cool enough apply a third layer of oil, but this time it is ready for use.For any food that sticks a little, use a non-abrasive scrubber.Preparing your Dutch oven in this way prevents rust and makes for much easier cleaning as wellYou will need to do some scrubbing with a non-abrasive scubber.Now that you understand the basics of using your Dutch oven you need to prepare or cure your oven before using it.To understand the temperature and number of briquettes needed takes a little math.When purchasing your Dutch oven, make sure the lid has a raised ridge.This will help you to reach the proper temperature needed for whatever cooking you are wanting to do , with the exception of boiling or frying.When it is cool enough to handle, repeat the oil again the same as before and bake again..RepeatOnce the covering is removed, rinse and dry the oven and then let it air dry.Purchasing Your Dutch OvenBest TemperatureDutch ovens can be used for frying, baking, boiling, and steaming as well.

Protect your Dutch oven again by warming it in the stove, applying a thin coating of oil and letting it cool. Its now ready for storage.