If you prefer a pan that distributes heat evenly and moderately, then cast iron pans may be exactly what you’re looking for. Unlike aluminum ones, they are a lot heavier and do not heat rapidly. In terms of price, they are generally pocket friendly i.e affordable or reasonably costly. One thing to note is that though they may heat slowly, once they’re hot they definitely maintain the temperature.

They are part of traditional art of cooking and are believed to be some of the oldest cooking pans ever used. They are amazing in control of cooking temperature and preventing food from burning. In addition, Cooking often goes smooth and evenly with no risk at all in creating hot spots and this makes them considered professional tools by many chefs.

Long-term effects such as rusting, stain formation and decaying when exposed to certain foods are some of cast iron pans disadvantages. Nevertheless, it’s possible to prolong its life when you take extra care. All you’ve to do is simply take care when washing them, keep them dry and never leave food in them.

Cast iron pans are commonly used for frying and slow cooking. Moreover, they can be used both on top of the stove and in the oven. When it comes to cleaning, wipe them clean with a piece of paper and use hot water to remove any food stuck. Once you’re done washing, dry the pan thoroughly and if possible, coat it with a thin layer of oil so as to avoid rusting and decaying.

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Dutch Ovens: Soap, Water, Fire

Some use salt, others use fire. What’s the best way to clean a dutch oven that won’t leave a rusty mess? Find out in this article.

I have had lots of experience cooking in a cast iron Dutch oven. First, I camp out a lot and use one every chance I get. Second, I also ran a small restaurant in the mountains for several summers. Every Friday and Saturday night we made Dutch oven dinners for lots of people. And Last, as part of our restaurant business we would cater Dutch oven dinners for groups such as family reunions, school reunions, and company parties.

I have heard of several different ways to clean a Dutch oven. Some people burn them out. Some clean them with salt and others wash them out with only water. I prefer scrubbing them like I would a regular pan, with soap and water.

Don’t be fooled by people telling you that soap and water will ruin the dutch oven. Even if you have heard this, it isn’t true. Well, not completely. I’m going to inform you on a true story about this: There once was an old cowboy that spent a lot of his time out herding cattle. He told about sheepherders who brought along a dutch oven on their trip to make their meals. He said that they had 2 reasons to bring along a dutch oven; for both cooking and cleaning. They would set it on the fire to warm up the water. After that, they would wash their dishes by putting soap in the warm water. This helped them do their dishes in a more convenient and less time-consuming way. Now this is the key. After they finished doing that, they would take the dutch oven and grease it all up so that it would be ready to be used for the next time they needed it.
                                                             
Now I guess if you were out on the desert without a lot of water you may choose to burn it out or rub it with salt to clean it. I don’t like it done either way.

One time, I let someone borrow one of my dutch ovens and forgot to ask how they cleaned it. What a mistake! This person burned it out. When I got it back there was stuck, charred food, charcoal chunks and a black sooty mess inside my oven. I had to scrub for an extremely long time to get it back into a condition that I could use it to cook in again.

Salt has been used by alot of people. In fact I know of someone who says that salt is the best and only way to clean a dutch oven. I really do feel bad for him, especially when I find out how long it takes him to get his dutch ovens ready for cooking. He has to find a way to get the rust out of them and uses fire to do so.

When I am done cleaning my dutch ovens they are pleasant to look at and store free of rust, ready for when I want to cook in them again. I prefer using the old cowboy manner. I heat water right into the dutch oven. By using this method, if there is ever food that just won’t come off, heating water in it will soften it up and will allow for much easier cleaning. Afterwards, and this is key, make sure you lightly oil your dutch oven. This will ensure that your dutch oven doesn’t get rusted.

Here is perhaps the most important step.

It is also a good idea to put a sheet of paper towel in between the lid and the oven so that the moisture will be absorbed by it.

This manner has worked amazingly well for me. My dutch ovens have lasted a lot longer than those of the people I know. Don’t you want the same for you? Whether it be over a fire or some gas camping stoves, this method will always work..

Now you don’t have to worry. Now you know that just using water and dish soap is the best way to clean a dutch oven. It’s the most easiest and sanitary way. Always remember the most important step: the oiling. If you don’t forget that, your dutch ovens will be safely stored away and ready for their next use every time.

M.A. Luke is and independent writer for ioVentures, Inc. If your dutch oven was ruined by improper cleaning, go now to dutchovenpro.com. You will also find camping stoves and cast iron cookware.

By Jason Luke Published: 6/26/2007

The Dutch Oven: Two Liters Short of a Hectare
Why the dutch oven? Because the term ‘hot stove’ needs to be retired. This feature will attempt to give you a listicle-driven source for all sorts of off-season baseball rumors. If you have any suggestions, rumors, or recipes that I can use, send them.

KitchenAid 4.5-qt. Round Dutch Oven with Lid
Cook Up a Storm with this Dutch Oven From KitchenAid; Great for Oven or Stovetop Use; Made of Cast Iron Porcelain Enamel Finish; Heavy-Weight Construction, Cook-and-Serve Design; Uniform Heat Distribution; Stainless Steel Handle.

Twelve Acres: No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread
I was amazed that the bread released right out of the Dutch oven at the end of the baking time. It’s very shiny and reminds me of French bread. The recipe is very similar, in fact, containing no sugar or oil. It’s not a pretty loaf, but good.

Outdoor Adventure Trips
Learn skills in Dutch Oven Cooking, Camping, Hiking, Emergency Preparedness, Survival Skills, Kayaking, etc. All trips have been researched, scouted out, planned, and organized for you ahead of time so you can come, relax and enjoy the food.

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Cast iron cooking is an economical and healthy way to cook food though many might not follow this practice today. Discover some of the benefits and uses of cast iron cooking and recipes you can make with such cookware.

Cast iron cooking has been around since the 1600s. Since then, cast iron has been used to make delicious food, which has a healthy note to it as well. Although cast iron forms to be a great material for cookware, it is somehow loosing its strong foothold, which it had in the earlier days. There are many benefits of cast iron cooking which may have been forgotten with time. Today, with the various kinds of materials used for modern cookware, cast iron may seem a little old fashioned to some even though, the benefits of cast iron cooking are many to name!

So, what exactly is Cast Iron Cookware?
Cast iron cookware is used either in bare form or enameled. The basic factor about cast iron cookware is that they have an excellent ability to retain heat and cook food evenly. This is why it proves to be a popular choice for frying. Cast iron is used for making cookware such as frying pans, woks, flattop grills and even deep fryers.

Benefits of Cast Iron Cooking and Cast Iron Cookware:
Basically cast iron cookware is easy to use and easy to care for as well. Such cookware is also sturdy so you won’t face basic problems such as the handle falling off, as is faced with non-stick cookware.

Cast iron offers better longevity as compared to all other types of cookware. Besides, when seasoned to become non sticky, it is not as expensive as other cookware.

Cooking food with cast iron also makes use of less heat. This is solely due to the fact that cast iron cookware can distribute heat well.
                                                    

It is also said that food cooked in cast iron cookware also reaches small quantities of iron into the food and eventually into our body. This is especially beneficial for people who have iron deficiencies.

Cast iron cookware is low on maintenance. After you finish cooking, you can simply rub it clean with oil or a paper towel. Coarse salt and water also can help you to clean your pans effectively. Do note that cast iron cookware needs to be dried after washing.

Cast iron cookware gets better every year! It does not easily show signs of regular wear and tear, which your non-stick cookware would be subjected to.

Recipes made with Cast Iron Cookware:
As we can see, cast iron cookware is very useful and beneficial to us in many ways. Here are some recipes that make the use of cast iron cookware.

Fried Corn Recipe:
Ingredients
8 ears of Corn
Butter (1 tablespoons)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Take a bowl and cut the kernels from about 8 ears of corn into this bowl. Then, scrape all the cobs in order to obtain the milky liquid. Then, place the corn and liquid in a heavy iron skillet. Add around 2 tablespoons of butter to the corn. Bacon grease can also be used as a substitute. Boil the ingredients over medium high heat. Ensure you keep stirring constantly. Cook this preparation for about 5 minutes till the juices thicken. Then, reduce the heat to a low setting. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture so that the ingredients do not get scorched in the heat. Once done, remove it from the heat and add some salt and pepper to taste.

Apple Cinnamon Recipe:
Ingredients:
Medium apples – chopped (8)
Margarine (1/4 cup)
Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)
Brown sugar (1/2 cup)

Preparation:
Take a large iron skillet and melt some butter in it over medium heat. Then, add the apples along with the cinnamon and brown sugar. Cook it over medium heat for about 15 minutes till it becomes tender. This delicious apple preparation can be used as an accompaniment with other recipes.

By Kashmira Lad Published: 4/11/2008

Season Your Cast Iron Cookware for Easy Cooking Outdoor
It is advantageous to use cast iron cookware for outdoor cooking. It doesn’t require special handling. With proper seasoning it can function like the expensive and delicate "non-stick".

Lodge Pro-Logic Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 12-Inch Square Grill Pan
The one thing that probably discourages more people from purchasing and using cast iron is maintenance. Like carbon steel woks, cast iron cooking pieces require "seasoning."

Kitchen Essentials: Cast Iron Skillet
Sometimes the best tools in the kitchen are the least expensive and most practical. One of my personal favorites is the cast iron skillet. I bought mine in college at a camping store for $9.99.

Cast Iron Cooking
The choices of american cast iron cookware are huge and you can start with cast iron 4 in 1 cookware and include reviews payless enamel cast iron blue cookware.

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Cast iron cooking is an economical and healthy way to cook food though many might not follow this practice today. Discover some of the benefits and uses of cast iron cooking and recipes you can make with such cookware. Cast iron cooking has been around since the 1600s. Since then, cast iron has been used to make delicious food, which has a healthy note to it as well. Although cast iron forms to be a great material for cookware, it is somehow loosing its strong foothold, which it had in the earlier days. There are many benefits of cast iron cooking which may have been forgotten with time. Today, with the various kinds of materials used for modern cookware, cast iron may seem a little old fashioned to some even though, the benefits of cast iron cooking are many to name!

So, what exactly is Cast Iron Cookware?

Benefits of Cast Iron Cooking and Cast Iron Cookware:
Basically cast iron cookware is easy to use and easy to care for as well. Such cookware is also sturdy so you won’t face basic problems such as the handle falling off, as is faced with non-stick cookware.                                                   

Cast iron offers better longevity as compared to all other types of cookware. Besides, when seasoned to become non sticky, it is not as expensive as other cookware.Cooking food with cast iron also makes use of less heat. This is solely due to the fact that cast iron cookware can distribute heat well.It is also said that food cooked in cast iron cookware also reaches small quantities of iron into the food and eventually into our body. This is especially beneficial for people who have iron deficiencies.

Cast iron cookware is low on maintenance. After you finish cooking, you can simply rub it clean with oil or a paper towel. Coarse salt and water also can help you to clean your pans effectively. Do note that cast iron cookware needs to be dried after washing.Cast iron cookware gets better every year! It does not easily show signs of regular wear and tear, which your non-stick cookware would be subjected to.

Recipes made with Cast Iron Cookware:
As we can see, cast iron cookware is very useful and beneficial to us in many ways. Here are some recipes that make the use of cast iron cookware.

Fried Corn Recipe:
Ingredients8 ears of CornButter (1 tablespoons)Salt and pepper to tastePreparation:Take a bowl and cut the kernels from about 8 ears of corn into this bowl. Then, scrape all the cobs in order to obtain the milky liquid. Then, place the corn and liquid in a heavy iron skillet. Add around 2 tablespoons of butter to the corn. Bacon grease can also be used as a substitute. Boil the ingredients over medium high heat. Ensure you keep stirring constantly. Cook this preparation for about 5 minutes till the juices thicken. Then, reduce the heat to a low setting. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture so that the ingredients do not get scorched in the heat. Once done, remove it from the heat and add some salt and pepper to taste.Apple Cinnamon Recipe:Ingredients:Medium apples – chopped (8)Margarine (1/4 cup)Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon)Brown sugar (1/2 cup)Preparation:Take a large iron skillet and melt some butter in it over medium heat. Then, add the apples along with the cinnamon and brown sugar. Cook it over medium heat for about 15 minutes till it becomes tender. This delicious apple preparation can be used as an accompaniment with other recipes.

By Kashmira LadPublished: 4/11/2008

Technorati Tags: american cast iron cookware, cast iron 4 in 1 cookware, reviews payless enamel cast iron blue cookware