Dutch Oven question

**Palooka** · 10-19-2009, 01:39 AM

Been cleaning out the kitchen and my sister gave me hers a few months ago. I don't think she ever used it. (it was a gift to her) My question is at the top part of the material(for lack of a better word) it's like some peeled off of it. I wasn't sure if this was safe to use or not. Don't know much about Dutch ovens.

Do you see like that dark spot? That is the part that is torn. I have no idea how to use my dh cell phone so you will have to tip your head to the left because the picture is sideways and I don't know how to fix it. lol

**frugalfranny** · 10-19-2009, 01:43 AM

Is it on the 'inside' of it? The pic is too dark and I can't tell........Is it teflon/non-stick??

If it was a non-stick.......the suggestions that I have read/heard say not to use them once they start peeling........but if that is on the outside I don't see what it would hurt.

**Palooka** · 10-19-2009, 01:47 AM

Yes it's on the inside. I'm not sure if it's tefflon or nonstick.

**frugalfranny** · 10-19-2009, 02:01 AM

Then don't think I would use it........I don't like stuff peeling on the INSIDE.........can get in your food.......NOT GOOD I would say.

**Palooka** · 10-19-2009, 02:07 AM

Okay, I guess I could turn it into the cats water bowl.

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 10-19-2009, 03:53 PM

All it is, is the seasoning of the pan...some of the newer cast iron items come "pre-seasoned" and if they sit around not being used, it looks like peeling paint when it is coming off. It is no big deal and will not hurt you. What you should do is give it a good scrubbing with a scratchy pad to take off any loose material. Then reseason it by coating it in a good veggie oil or shortening and put it into a cold oven...set it for 450 degrees, leave it on for about 45 minutes, turn it off and let it sit until it is completely cool (that is a fast way of doing it).

You can also "burn off" any of the old seasoning by placing the dutch oven into your oven and turn it on to 450 or use the "self cleaning"... for about 1 hours (at that heat, any old seasoning will burn off and leave just the cast iron left which will need to be seasoned)...let it cool, then wash it with hot soapy water to remove any residue left over, then oil it inside and out and put into a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes, then turn oven down to 300 and let it bake for a few hourse, turn oven off and let it sit. once cool, wipe any excess oil off of pot.

**shoiji** · 10-19-2009, 03:53 PM

Well you could use it as a cats water bowl. But since you won't cook in it it probably is not any good for the cats. How about using it as a pot to put a plant in.

**shp1055** · 10-19-2009, 04:20 PM

Is it made of cast iron? If it is, Old-Lady-In-the-shoe is correct.

**Palooka** · 10-20-2009, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Well you could use it as a cats water bowl. But since you won't cook in it it probably is not any good for the cats. How about using it as a pot to put a plant in.

Well I wouldn't fill the water to the top where the "bad part" is but I've been known to kill a plant faster.

**Palooka** · 10-20-2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by shp1055

Is it made of cast iron? If it is, Old-Lady-In-the-shoe is correct.

I'm thinking it must be. It feels like it.

But then I don't know much about cast iron cookwear.

**madhen** · 10-20-2009, 11:35 PM

I have a cast-iron dutch oven. LOVE THAT THING!!

**Beemerchef** · 11-01-2009, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

I have a cast-iron dutch oven. LOVE THAT THING!!

Do you use it outside after buildng a fire or coals or in the oven? They are designed for outdoor...

Be well... Ara & Spirit

**Brat** · 11-01-2009, 06:39 PM

If it is true cast iron you can build a fire in the wood stove and put it in the fire and burn off the old seasoning. You can also do it in a camp fire. I do this when mine get build up on them from use. You want to be sure and reseason it good once you do this. I have taken a wire brush to some of them that I got at yard sales but I don't like to do that but if they are bad enough I will. You want to make sure that you clean them good before you reseason them.