Dutch oven help

[weekender]

I've just rescued a Dutch oven its in fairly good nick but does appear to have gone rusty inside and also wanting to be sure it's clean before using it what's best to clean it and how to proceed before it's safe to use??

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[lou1661]

check out post #1 for seasoning tips http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46614&p=592813#post592813 i would think that if it was going to be re-seasoned any cleaning method would be ok, i have used a good harsh scouring pad before ore course wire wool.

 

[weekender]

Thanks Lou1661 👍


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[Fraxinus]

I'd soak it in vinegar to help lift off the rust 2-3 days then scrub, it's the way i've cleaned up rusty tools.

Rob.

 

[weekender]

Would the vinegar acidity hinder the seasoning process??


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[lou1661]

No worries, I have used that technique several times, only work of warning, if you use your oven at home it will stink the house out. I used the oven at work so I didn't get in trouble with the better half!

 

[weekender]

Red says about using a BBQ ??


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[Fraxinus]

Yep on the BBQ outdoors no nasty smells indoors (infact I'd do the vinegar thing outdoors too if possible)

Rob.

 

[santaman2000]

Easiest way to clean it is to sand blast it if you have access to the equipment. Otherwise you can scrub it, or use a dremmel tool with a wire brush.

 

[Toddy]

Brillo pad, elbow grease, scour it clean with a green washing up sponge, dry it off, and then fry dinner in it…..and use it as a frying pan/chip pan for a few weeks. That'll re-season it for you without any problem at all.
Use the underside of the lid as the spoon rest for the oily utensils while you're cooking, and just wipe it clean with a paper towel when you're done.

Best advice for these pans is really just to use them.

atb,
M

 

[weekender]

Fantastic 😄 this really is the place for great advice


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[OurAmericanCousin]

I've "restored" plenty of cast iron. (It's not really restoring, because there's really nothing wrong with it, usually. Shhh )

Heavy rust removal, as said, is easiest removed with sandblasting. I've used a cup brush even more than that. Its a drill mounted wire brush shaped like a ....well....a cup.

Nice score on the dutch oven.

 

[weekender]

Yeah it was a good find it was being thrown out.


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[British Red]

Shame you aren't closer chap, I would have sorted it for you in my cooker in the barn .


Well worth getting a detail sander and a wire brush for your drill. They are always handy.

 

[weekender]

Red if I lived closer you would have a semi permanent resident lol😉 thanks for the tips will be cleaning it up over the weekend hopefully see how it goes..😎


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[British Red]

You'll be fine, it isn't rocket science. Get the crud off, get the inside flat, reseason with lots of thin coats.

 

[Fraxinus]

You'll be fine, it isn't rocket science. Get the crud off, get the inside flat, reseason with lots of thin coats.

Anoraks or cagoules?

couldn't help myself, for shame

Rob.

 

[Biker]

If you're not needing it for a few weeks just drop the whole thing in a bucket of water and leave it to soak. I've cleaned up old axe heads and cast iron pots this way. Rust literally wipes off easily with a rag after a long soaking. You need to season the cast iron very soon after though. Certainly takes the elbow grease out of the job, unless you enjoy that sort of thing, in which case fill yer boots with that wire brush.

Ditto about what you said if you lived closer to Red's place. That man reads like he's living the dream, and fair play to him for making it happen.
Red :You_Rock_

 

[British Red]

Just spent an hour scouring dried on droppings off the chicken coop Aaron, you are welcome to share that part of the dream