Preparing Cast Iron for Seasoning

Your cast iron cookware comes with a wax coating, which protects the product during transport between the manufacturer and you. This coat helps minimize rusting. Cast iron is very sensitive to changes in temperature, making it an excellent cooking material, but also making it susceptible to rust if not properly cared for.

Place your cast iron upside down on your Camp Chef outdoor cooker, a barbecue, or in your home oven. Light cooker and set to medium heat to melt off wax coating. When burning off the wax on your cookware, the wax will smoke. This step is best done outside to avoid excess smoke in the kitchen. When smoking stops, your cast iron is ready for seasoning. Remove from heat source and let cool. Wash and dry thoroughly with warm water to eliminate any deposits.

Seasoning Technique #1

When your cast iron is prepared for seasoning, follow these easy steps.

Saturate a clean cloth rag with Camp Chef Cast Iron Conditioner. Coat all surfaces of the cast iron. Place on or in heat source upside down and heat at 375 degrees - 425 degrees F. Cookware will smoke as the seasoning bakes. As smoking stops, remove from heat. Your cast iron cookware is now ready for use or let cool, then store for next use.

After each use, apply a small amount of Camp Chef Cast Iron Conditioner, about a dime's diameter worth, and thinly coat all surfaces of the cast iron. Over time, this will make your cast iron black, creating a finish called a "patina." This patina will enhance your cast iron by creating a glasslike finish, which also creates a nonstick surface.

Seasoning Technique #2

This step is much more dangerous than Seasoning Technique #1.

Using a thick leather work glove, saturate a clean cloth rag with Camp Chef Cast Iron Conditioner. Coat all surfaces of the hot cast iron as soon as the wax coating stops smoking. Cookware will smoke as the seasoning bakes. As smoking stops, remove from heat. You can use your oven, or let cool for storage. Note: Your oven is extremely hot and should not be touched as it will easily burn your skin.

Have a Rusty Oven?

Though there are many methods for cleaning rusty ovens, the one that we have found to be the easiest to use is a can of Coca-Cola. If the inside is rusty pour the Coke in and let it do it's job. Depending on how rusty the oven is will depend on how long you will need to leave the Coke on the rusty spot. If you have an issue with the outside of an oven use a sponge to apply the Cola, or place the cast iron in a large bowl or bucket with enough Coke to dissolve the rust (some rotating may be necessary). After rust is removed be sure to wash and reseason you cast iron.