Scout Memorabilia

Camping Cooking Equipment – Seasoning and Cooking with your new Dutch Oven

Seasoning

First, read the guidelines that are included your new Dutch Oven. Some Dutch Ovens come pre-seasoned and don’t need you to do it. If your new oven is like this, follow the instructions that came with it to make it ready for use. If you do need to season your new oven or re-season an old oven, start by cleaning the oven. Your new oven will have a protective layer to prevent the Dutch Oven from rusting while in transport. Old ovens with rust patches will need to have the corrosion removed with steel wool. Then, wash with warm water and steel wool. Rinse well. Hand dry the oven as soon as you are done. Water is your oven’s enemy.

While you’re cleaning the oven, pre-heat your kitchen oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Now that the Dutch Oven is thoroughly clean, position it in the your kitchen’s oven for a few minutes, upside down with the cover on a different shelf. This allows any fluids drain out of the oven. Heat the Dutch Oven until it is nearly too warm to feel with your hand. This warm up makes certain all the liquid is removed from the Dutch Oven and opens the tiny holes of the metal for the next phase.

With your warm Dutch Oven, put on a layer of oil. Use salt free oil like olive oil or vegetable oil. Coat the complete oven with oil. Then, place it once again in the kitchen oven to warm up for an 60 minutes. You can leave the Dutch Oven upright, but leave the top ajar so air can flow. Remove the Dutch Oven and let cool slowly. As soon as it is only warm, place another coat of oil on the Dutch Oven and put it back in the kitchen stove for 1 hour at 350. Take out the oven and let it cool off for a second time and then put on your third coat of oil. Now, you have 2 layers of oil cooked in and one final coating put on while warm. Your Dutch Oven is ready to cook with or store until your campout.

The surface of your oven is non-stick and as you use your Dutch Oven, the covering will improve. You will not have to do this long preparing procedure again except if the Dutch Oven gets rust on it.

Heating

Dutch Oven baking is achieved with coals. So, the first step is to establish an area for placing the Dutch Oven. You can use a fire pit, but I choose working with a metallic oil drip pan on the ground. The good metallic models are hard to find now, but look at your auto parts store. Most car parts shops have oil drip pans, but they are plastic. However, I have found a metal catch pan that is very shallow – almost like a huge cookie sheet. Pet cage trays or garbage can covers will work also. The pan needs to be much larger than your Dutch Oven and have some space to keep extra coals. We want to use a tray to defend the ground and make cleaning easy. Don’t forget Leave No Trace!

Set your pan in a good spot – away from foot traffic or where the children are playing and get your Charcoal Chimney. This is a metal tube for starting charcoal and is the best way to start your coals. Personally, I do not like the smell of quick -lighting charcoal and I think the fuel smell gets into the meal. Once the coals are ready, dump them in your pan, but to the side. Leave space for your Dutch Oven.

I’m not going to go over food prep here, but now is time to put your meal in the oven. ALWAYS put your food in the oven just before you start cooking. Never put food in a heated oven. The cold food might lead to your oven to break. Think about lining the oven with foil for quick cleanup later.

Dutch ovens require warmth from above and below for baking. The method for the amount of briquettes is the size of your oven plus 3 on top and minus 3 on bottom. So, for a 14 inch oven put 17 briquettes on top, 11 on the bottom. This will supply 325 degrees fahrenheit of heat. Because a single briquette supplies 10 to 15 degrees fahrenheit of warmth, put one on top and one on bottom for 350 degrees. Turn your oven a quarter turn every 15 minutes and the lid a quarter turn the other direction at the same instance. This avoids hot spots in the oven. Gloves and a lid hook are good gear for spinning. A small shovel can help move the coals.

Cleaning

Clean up is easy, but you still will want to take good care. Plain hot water and a nylon brush is the ideal way to clean your oven. Don’t use detergent; it may leave a bad taste in your oven. Allow the oven cool down some, but not down to cold. For problem stuck on food, use boiling water and a plastic or wood scrape – not metal. Towel dry your Dutch Oven, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES let it just air-dry. When dry, but still warm, rub some oil on your stove. Then stow with a paper towel in between oven and the lid to allow air flow.

 

CampingJoe is the author of camping cooking equipment and is an experienced Boy Scout leader with over 10 years of camping. Find out what camping equipment you need for cooking in the wilds at his blog. http: //ecampingcookingequipment. com/tag/dutch-oven.

About the Author

Dan Patch Day Camp 2010 – Lady Gaga

Boy Scout “Camp Brady T. Saunders, Robert E. Lee Co. 2000″ Patch $0.99

Boy Scout “Camp Brady T. Saunders, Robert E. Lee Co. 2001″ Patch Set of 2 $0.99

VINTACE BOY SCOUT CAMP PATCH – 1998 – CAMP TANAH KEETA SUMMER CAMP $9.95

VINTACE BOY SCOUT CAMP PATCH – 1994 – CAMP TANAH KEETA SCOUT RESERVATION $9.95

VINTACE BOY SCOUT CAMP PATCH – 1999 – CAMP TANAH KEETA SCOUT RESERVATION $9.95

VINTACE BOY SCOUT CAMP PATCH – 2000 – CAMP TANAH KEETA SUMMER CAMP $9.95

MOJAVE PRIMITIVE ENCAMPMENT Girl Scout Camping PATCH $4.75

1969 Camp Guajataka Patch, Puerto Rico Scouts BSA $75.00

FELT T PATCH 5 DIFFERENT IS IT A SCOUT CAMP PATCH $4.99

FELT ON FELT PATCH J.O WITH A OXE HARNESS IS IT A SCOUT CAMP PATCH $4.99

VINTAGE GIRL SCOUT CAMP PATCH – CAMP ECHO TRAIL – PENN LAUREL COUNCIL $7.95

VINTAGE GIRL SCOUT CAMP PATCH – CAMP MEADOWBROOK $7.95

Vintage Scout Expo 1982 Boy Patch Badge Fraternal Organization Camp $9.95

Detroit Area Council National Camping Award Patch 1977 Boy Scout $0.99

Boy Scout National Camping Seminar patch 1979 $0.99

Camp Avery Hand Farewell Camporee Patch Oct 14th 1983 Patch Boy Scout $0.99

Vintage Viking Council Cub Scout Camp Boy Patch Badge Fraternal Organization $9.95

Vintage Boy Girl Scout Patch Badge Fraternal Organization Camp Camo Green Yellow $9.95

Vintage Scout Expo 1981 Boy Patch Badge Fraternal Organization Camp $9.95

Vintage Camporee Boy Girl Scout Patch Badge Fraternal Organization Camp $9.95

Boy Scout Patch BSA Camp Wichingen Headwaters Council $7.00

CAMP OKIHI BOY TENT-OUT 88 SCOUT PATCH MINT!!! $9.99

PUT HAN SEN AREA 1990 DAY CAMP BOY SCOUT PATCH MINT!!! $9.99

Camp Emerald Bay 2005 Patch NEW Boy Scout Catalina Island California $8.59

Boy Scouts Columbiana Council- Ohio W.Va. – Camp McKinley – Early ’70′s Patch $7.05

Boy Scouts Columbiana Council- Ohio W.Va. – Camp McKinley – Early ’70′s Patch $6.45

2 ~ SCOUT-O-RAMA GENERIC BOY SCOUT PATCHES SCOUTING PATCH CAMP BOY SCOUTS $0.99

Camp Tomahawk Boy Scout BSA Great Salt Lake Council OA Lodge 520 El-Ku-Ta Patch $4.99

Camp Onway Boy Scout BSA North Essex Council MA OA Lodge 490 Shingebis Patch $10.49

Camp Buckskin Boy Scout Reservation BSA Council OA Lodge Chi-Hoota-Wei 617 Patch $5.50

Camp Firelands Boy Scout Reservation BSA Heart of Ohio Council Lodge 619 Patch $4.99

Girl Scouts of America Penn Laurel Day Camp Patch $16.50

Girl Scouts of America Lancaster Penn Laurel Girl Scout Camp Patch $16.50

20 GIRL SCOUT * CAMPING * PATCHES, MIX VARIETY, ALL NEW, GREAT FOR TROOPS! $2.25

CUB SCOUT WEBELOS RESIDENT CAMP(2002) RAVEN KNOBS ROUND EMBROIDERED PATCH $9.98

Scout Patch SUMMER CAMP Sew-on Boy or Girl Colorful! $2.00

Scout Patch SPRING CAMP Sew-on Boy Girl COLORFUL FUN $2.00

NIAGARA FRONTIER COUNCIL 1967 BOY SCOUT CAMP PATCH $4.95

DEEP FREEZE CAMP 1970 POTAWATOMI AREA BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

Boy Scout Camp El Rancho Cima Patch Sam Houston Area Council $6.00

1975 DON PATCH SPRING CAMP-O-REE – BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

STRAIGHT ARROW BUCKAROO DAY CAMP DAY-83 BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

CAMP LOAN OAK 25th ANNIVERSARY 1972-97 BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

WINTER CAMP – VINTAGE BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

RUM RIVER SCOUT CAMP – MINNESOTA BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

CUB DAY CAMP OLD KENTUCKY HOME COUNCIL BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

WEST TENNESSEE 1979 CUB DAY CAMP – CUB/ BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

AUDUBON COUNCIL DAY CAMP 1980 50 YEAR CUB SCOUTS PATCH $4.95

CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP MID TENN. COUNCIL – BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

CENTRAL MN COUNCIL CUB DAY CAMP 1987 – BOY SCOUT PATCH $4.95

GETTING FIT ’88 CUB DAY CAMP FEELING FINE – SCOUT PATCH $4.95

Camp Red River Valley BSA Scout Patch Winter Camp 1963 $12.50

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION 2004 STAFF SPECIAL PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL $20.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION 2005 STAFF SPECIAL PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL $20.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP 2010 TOMAHAWK RESERVATION SNOW BASE PATCH NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL ! $4.50

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION STAFF PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL NORTHERN STAR $20.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION SCOUTMASTER PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL MN WI ! $11.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP COPE PATCH TOMAHAWK SCOUT RESERVATION NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL MN WI $4.50

SCOUT BSA CAMP 2007 TOMAHAWK RESERVATION SNOW BASE PATCH NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL ! $4.50

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION 2009 PATCH NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL MN WI !!!!! $5.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION STAFF PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL NORTHERN STAR $20.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP 2011 TOMAHAWK RESERVATION NORTHERN STAR COUNCIL MN WI PATCH $4.00

SCOUT BSA CAMP TOMAHAWK RESERVATION 1990 PATCH INDIANHEAD COUNCIL MN SAIL BOAT $5.00

GIRL SCOUTS MID-CONTINENT COUNCIL DAY CAMP OLD PATCH NR $4.95

OA Area 3-D Patches Camp Minsi 1960, 1964 Boy Scout Rare $200.00

Scout Patch CAMP ALASKA Sew-on $2.00

Vintage Cub Scout Items – Books, Pins, Patches boy scouts camping trophy awards $189.00

Hahobas Scout Reservation 1973 BSA Camp Patch From The Mt. Rainier Council BSA $9.11

BOY SCOUT TROOP 446 8X11 PHOTO ’59 CONFEDERATE FLAG MONROE LA UNIFORM CAMP PATCH $6.59

Boy Girl Scout Guide CAMPOUT FUN PATCH Camping Tent Forest NEW $1.29

1977 Girl Scout WILLOWBROOK JAMBOREE Camp New Jersey Patch $2.99

Girl Scout 1980-1991 Junior TROOP CAMPER BADGE Camping Tent Patch $1.75

Boy Scout BSA Cascade Pacific Council SOGUS JLT Camp Pocket Patch 25 Ann OA 442 $5.99

Boy Scout Jim Bridger Council Cub Day Camp 1988 Patch BSA Wyoming $0.99

Boy Scouts BSA U.S.S. Massachusetts Overnight Camping Patch $5.00

1955 BOY SCOUT BSA PATCH WINTER CAMP ROCKER $4.99

1964 BOY SCOUT BSA PATCH CAMP MT. ALLUMACHY DEER $3.99

1950S 60S ? BOY SCOUT BSA PATCH CAMP KA HA GON WEST MILFORD NJ BUTTON HANGER $3.99

1950S 60S? BOY SCOUT BSA PATCH PEPPERMINT CAMP ROCKER $3.99

Girl Scout Camp Patches – Camp Wapsie $1.29

Girl Scout Patch – Camp Lyle McLeod $1.09

Girl Scout Patch – Camp Rocks 2004 $0.99

Girl Scout Patch – Camp Safari Bette Perot 2003 $1.09

Girl Scout Patch – Dellwood Day Camp 2003 and 2004 $1.09

Girl Scout Patch – Twilight Camp $1.09

Girl Scout Patch – Camping $1.09

Girl Scout Patch – Camping, Camp Fire and Marshmellow $1.49

Scarce Leather Flower 1968 Camp Drum Roundup (GSA) Girls Scouts of America Patch $2.99

Camp Coker Pee Dee Area Council Boy Scouts of America BSA USA Patch $2.99

Gray Camp Bullowa Rockland County Council Boy Scouts of America BSA USA Patch $2.99

Vintage 1964 Camp Tamarack Boy Scout Patch $3.99

1966 Camp Tamarack Boy Scout Patch $3.99

2003 GSMC Cub Scout Day Camp – Frontier Days Patch $2.64

Webelos Camp Akela Patch Cub Boy Scouts $8.95

Vintage 1971 Friendship Camporee Camp Premauca-Mich Boy Scouts Patch BSA $2.00

Boy Scout patch new (Camp-O-Ree Fall White Oaks) shape of a skellet 7/8 New $3.99

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BSA PATCH 1967 CAMP COOK CAMPOREE LINCOLN TRAILS COUNCIL $3.95

Vintage Boy Scout Insignia Patch Camp Phillips Chippewa Valley Council Badge $9.95

Vintage Boy Scout Scouts Treasure Island Camp Patch BSA 1950s $7.99

Vintage Philadelphia Council Camping Award 15 boy scouts tent trees badge patch $2.99