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Cast Iron Camp Oven

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:36

Glenn (VIC)

I bought a cast iron camp oven today, and I was wondering the best way to get it ready for cooking, without having a fire pit in the back yard.

Should I was it first them shove it in the oven to get hot before wiping it with oil, or is there a better way?

Cheers
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ThreadID: 16750 Replies: 9
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AnswerID: 78669   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:49

Garbutt replied:

Heat it gently on stove top and put oil in, enough to cover the bottom, when the oil is warmed up wipe it all over with paper towel, should do the trick.
Reply 1 of 9
FollowupID: 338137   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:54

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Cheers Garbutt,

I think it may have that kind of substance on it that you get on BBQ plates when you buy them, so I am not sure if I should scrub it first, them do as suggested. The lid will also need to be cured, but I may go with your idea with that as well.

Thanks
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 78670   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:53

Crackles replied:

Gaday Glen. Most Cast iron camp ovens come with a protective coating on them to stop it rusting. On your first outing turn it upside down on the fire to burn it out. (including the lid) Let it cool then give it a scrub with soapy water to remove any residue, dry then wipe on some oil.
I wouldn't try to burn it off in the oven at home as it may stink.
Happy cooking :-) Cheers Craig.................
Reply 2 of 9
FollowupID: 338138   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 16:55

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Crackles, that is exactly what it has on it, maybe I will dig a fire pit in the backyard...hahahahaha

Thanks for the tip.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 78675   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:13

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) replied:

Hi Glenn, [where's your rig pic?]

have been doing a bit of a search myself

"The first step with a new cast iron camp oven is to peel off any labels and then wash the oven and lid in warm water only, rinse and dry completely. Grease the oven and lid inside and out with a good grade of olive or vegetable oil. Do not use lard or other animal products as they will spoil and turn rancid. Do not use a spray in coating the oven but rather use oil soaked in a paper towel.

Place the oven upside down on an oven rack with the lid separate and place aluminium foil underneath to catch any excess oil. Bake at 300-350 degree oven heat for at least an hour."

I shall be interested in reading other responses...

cheers

Lyn


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"Life isn't measured by the breaths you take but by the things that take your breath away"



Reply 3 of 9
FollowupID: 338142   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:18

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Lyn,

Where did you glean that information from? Thanks for the tip, I think I will do as your instructions have directed and not worry about the stink in the house...hahahahaha. I am sure I will get into trouble for doing it though.

Does that tip mention whether the special coating is on the oven?

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 338145   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:24

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) posted:

Hi Glenn

I searched in Google [ I should have shares lol ] and found that info on

www.mitsu4wdclubqld.org/ tips/kampkitch/tips-campoven.htm

cheers

Lyn

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"Life isn't measured by the breaths you take but by the things that take your breath away"



FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 339773   Submitted: Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 16:59

Maggy posted:

Hello, I did the same to my dutch oven (washed it in warm water & dried it thoroughly, wiped it over generously with best quality olive oil then into the oven at the hottest setting). I am very pleased with the result - it has an all-over black sheen and looks a bit like a non-stick pan except that the black sheen is inside & out. The instructions I had also suggested using it only for frying (with oil) a couple of times before using it. My instructions also said never to wash a D O, just wipe out with tissues, and scrub any burned on food off with a non-nylon brush - I guessed that to be one of those old fashioned scrubbing brushes which are not nylon. It went on to say that even if the D O has some food residue left by the time you have heated it up there is very little chance of any kind of contamination. Also I store it with a piece of a paper towel inside (dry) to keep it dry inside. Did the same with a little cast iron frying pan and it is exactly like using a teflon coated pan.
We use them when we go camping.
Cheers
Maggy
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 78680   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:24

Truckster (Vic) replied:

Didnt it come with instructions? Most do wiht as you say get hot on stove, wipe with oil etc.
Reply 4 of 9
FollowupID: 338146   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:27

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Truckster,

Mine was the last one, so not in a box, but I don't think Lyn's had instructions either. I agree with you the some sort of instructions should have come with them. My other cast iron pot was bought years ago and I had forgotten the process.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 338148   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:37

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) posted:

just opened the box, no instructions....

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FollowUp 2 of 2
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AnswerID: 78685   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:34

Member - JimW replied:

Glen
These are the instructions that came with my camp oven - similar to Mrs Al's reply

Before initial use, thoroughly wash the inside of you camp oven with very hot soapy water. After washing and drying your camp oven, place it into your kitcken oven with the lid on. When it is hot, pour a tablespoon of fresh cooking oil into itand wipe it over the complete inside of the camp oven using paper towel. Wipe off any excess. Your camp oven is now ready for use or storage. The oiling procedure is essential to prevent the camp oven from rusting.
It is recommended to repeat the oiling process after each use. The camp oven must be hot in order for the oil to penetrate the surface of the cast iron.

Jim
Reply 5 of 9
FollowupID: 338149   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 17:41

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Cheers JimW,

I will do that then, but I think I will wait until tonights roast is cooked before putting the new camp oven in the oven.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 78686   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 18:04

Wok replied:

Hi,

I suggest you use peanut oil & get the pot and lid as hot as possible, the peanut oil is a high temperature oil & won't burn under any domestic oven setting....standard Asian method for curing bare steel utensils.
Reply 6 of 9
FollowupID: 338151   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 18:07

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Thanks Wok, but unfortunately I have members of the family allergic to peanuts and any of its derivatives, so I will have to stick to the old olive oil.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 78689   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 18:17

Mr Z replied:

what make oven did you buy, what size, how much??

i'm going to buy one in the next couple of months, thinking of a furphy, just not sure on size

http://www.furphyfoundry.com.au/7_camping/default.htm
Reply 7 of 9
FollowupID: 338152   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 18:20

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Z,

It is a no name brand, 9Qrt oval shaped...$29.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 338154   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 18:32

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) posted:

Hi Glenn,

the box has Kookaburra on it

Lyn

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"Life isn't measured by the breaths you take but by the things that take your breath away"



FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 78711   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 22:42

Member - Slim replied:


Glenn,

Just one other point worth remembering relates to next use of your camp oven.
I cooked a meal in an oven I had not used for quite a while. The remainder of the oil and I think it was peanut oil had turned rancid. I would suggest that this meal was very close to unfit for consumption. The moral of the story is : If you put your camp oven away with a fresh oiling always have a good sniff at it if you don't use it for some time. It is then quite difficult to clean but must be done before use.

Regards,

Slim
Reply 8 of 9
FollowupID: 338245   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 20:45

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Slim,

Thanks for the advice..I will keep it in mind.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 338269   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 07:20

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) posted:

out of interest Slim, how would you clean it....the seasoning process again?

cheers

Lyn

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"Life isn't measured by the breaths you take but by the things that take your breath away"



FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 78717   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 03, 2004 at 23:44

duncs replied:

OK Glen,

This is what my Grandmother told me when I found an old cast iron pot in the shed of a house I bought back in 1982. I have used the oven without problems since about 1988 so Gran was right.

Wash the thing out thoroughly then put it on the stove top, put about and inch (Gran was old) of your chosen oil in the bottom and heat it on as low a heat as you can get. Using a natural bristle basting brush (a nylon one will melt) brush the oil up the sides and onto the lid every time you walk past. Also brush a bit onto the outside, this will help to stop it rusting and make it easier to get the soot etc. off when you are finished cooking.

The longer you can keep it on the heat the better. The first time I did mine it was on the stove for about 8 hours. I now re-treat mine about once every couple of years, depending on how much use it has had and what I have been cooking. Oh and keep a close eye on it at least until you know it won't burn. I am a firefighter and wory about these things. Like I say mine has now been in regular use for about 16 years with no problems. I keep it in an old hessian sack which doubles as a pot holder when I need to move the hot oven. You also need to carry a shovel, an invaluable cooking utensil for camp cooking.

Hope it all tastes good
Duncs.
Reply 9 of 9
FollowupID: 338246   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 20:51

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Duncs,

Grandmothers ALWAYS know best, so I had better follow her directions. I, like you, have a concern about leaving a pot with oil in it on a lit stove for hours on end, so maybe I will substitute the stove with the oven.

Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 1