Care and Cleaning of Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

General Care of Cast Iron Cookware
Properly cared for cast iron Dutch ovens will last more than a lifetime.
Here are some tips on maintaining your cookware for generations to enjoy.

Cleaning Cast Iron
After cooking in your cast iron cookware, clean the utensil with hot water and a stiff brush. Never use harsh detergents to clean iron as it will remove the seasoning. Avoid putting very hot cast iron into cold water. The resulting thermal shock may cause it to warp or crack. Towel dry your cast iron thoroughly.

While the utensil is still warm from the hot water wash, wipe a light coat of vegetable oil or spray on all of the interior and exterior surfaces.

Storage
Store your cast iron in a cool, dry place. If you have a lid for the utensil, place a folded paper towel between the lid and the utensil to allow air to circulate.

Metallic Taste or Signs of Rust
If you notice a metallic taste or your cookware shows signs of rust, simply wash with soap and water, scour off the rust , and reseason the cookware.

About Seasoning of Cast Iron Cookware

Lodge Logic & ProLogic Factory Seasoned Cast Iron
If you have a piece of new Lodge Logic, seasoned ready to use cast iron cookware, you can use it right from the start. After you...

1. Rinse with hot water (do not use soap), and dry thoroughly.
2. Before cooking, prepare the cooking surface by oiling or spraying with vegetable oil.
3. After cooking, clean cookware with hot water, using a non-metallic brush or nylon scrubber or scraper. Using soap is not recommended and harsh detergents should never be used. Towel dry immedidately. While utensil is still warm, apply a very light coat of vegetable oil and wipe with paper towel to restore shine and protect seasoned finish.
4. Store in a cool, dry place. If your utensil has a lid, place a folded paper towel between lid and udensil to allow air circulation.
5. NEVER wash in a dishwasher.

Lodge Signature Series Stainless Steel
If you have a piece from the Lodge Signature Series use the following as a reference for the care of your stainless steel.

1. Handles are Marine Grade (304) stainless steel, for maximum durability.
2. To clean stainless steel handles, use a cloth with hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry immediately to avoid water spots. Nylon scrubbers are safe to use. DO NOT use steel wool.
3. Food films not removed from stainless steel will cause dicoloration. To remove discoloration from handles, use one part vinegar to one part water. Let stainless steel handles sit in the solution for 5 minutes and rinse handles with clean water.
4. Overheating of stainless steel handles can cause the surface to have a slightly gold color. To remove the gold color, wash with your favorite stainless steel cleaner found at most grocers.

Original Finish Cast Iron
Natural finish Lodge cast iron cookware must be "seasoned" prior to use. Seasoning is the process of vegetable absorbing into the pores of the iron, turning gray iron black. Here's how to do it.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Wash new natural finish cast iron with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. Rinse ans dry.
3. Coat all of the interior and exterior surfaces with melted solid vegetable shotening or vegetable oil.
4. Place cookware upside down on middle oven rack. Put aluminum foil on the lower rack to catch the drippings. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off leaving the cookware in the oven until cool.

When finished the cast iron cookware will look slightly brown, but it is seaoned and ready to use. To turn the cookware darker you may repeat the process two or three more times. The more you use your Lodge cast iron cookware...the more you season it.

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