One of the best camp cooking methods and camping kitchen items to use are the all time tried and tested cast iron cookware. Cast iron camping cookware are among the very favourite for new and seasoned campers alike. Many campers swear that food cooked in cast iron, especially meat, tastes exponentially more flavoursome. Cooking with cast iron is often considered synonymous with camping.
Cast iron pots and pans are multi-functional. They can be used directly in a fire, in hot ashes, on a campfire grill and hotplate, suspended over a fire hung by a tripod stand, on a gas or electric hotplate, and even at home on the stove or in the oven. Evidence suggests that cooking with cast iron can provide health benefits by increasing iron levels, particularly for women.
Cast iron cookware comes in many different styles including pans, ovens, skillets, saucepans, pots and even the well-known and camping-popular Jaffle iron. Cast iron cookware is available in many sizes, making cast iron the perfect choice for any camping adventure. Cast iron is virtually indestructible and should last forever if looked after properly. This type of cookware is relatively easy to use and care for by following just a few simple procedures.
Purchasing Cast Iron Cookware
Some cast iron camping cookware products are available with wooden handles. This is of course a personal choice; however, first consider how you intend to use the cookware. If you intend to use the cast iron directly in a fire, then choose cookware without wooden handles.
Cast iron ovens, otherwise known as Dutch ovens, for example, do not have wooden or otherwise insulated handles. They usually require the need for specific removable handles and lid-lifting utensils. These are readily available as accessories, which makes choosing a cast iron cookware set a more effective option.
When purchasing cast iron cookware, some will definitely need to be seasoned before use, and some are purchasable pre-seasoned. However, it may usually be a good idea to season ‘pre-seasoned’ cast iron cookware before using for the first time, as they may not be fully seasoned.
Seasoning cast iron is straight forward and, initially, this may be the only time cleaning with dish washing liquid is required, or for at least a very long time. Use hot water and give it a good scrub, as you never know who has touched it or where it has been before purchase.
Seasoning Cast Iron In A Kitchen Oven
One good method is to wipe thoroughly, with strong paper towel or a disposable cloth, the entire inner and outer surfaces, including the cast iron handles, with any type of cooking oil so as to leave a thin film. Some cooking oils are more preferable, such as those that can be used for cooking at higher temperatures.
A great example is flax seed oil as it dries the hardest and creates the best long lasting non-stick surface, though it’s not the cheapest. In general, any cooking oil should do, but as always, the superior the quality the better the results. Alternatively, a very simple and effective seasoning oil to use are specific cast iron seasoning oils available for purchase at camping stores supplying cast iron cookware. Quality cast iron cookware seasoning oils are designed to offer better protection while using natural ingredients. Wipe off all excess oil as this will otherwise leave a sticky coating. Place in the kitchen oven, preferably upside down for a more efficient treatment.
Set a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius (or 450 Fahrenheit) and bake the cookware for about an hour for the oil to bond with and penetrate into the iron. The intention with such a high temperature is for the oil to exceed its smoking point where the oil breaks down to allow a bonding with the cast iron. The high temperatures also ensure that the oil is properly baked and will not go rancid. If after an hour the cast iron is brown and sticky, then usually the oven was not set at high enough temperature.
This is the more thorough method, allowing the oil to penetrate more deeply into the iron. If they have wooden handles, ensure that they are removed first. Allow plenty of time to cool before handling. Wipe off any excess oil again with a clean paper towel. The result should be a hard ‘glassy’ or shiny layer that is non-stick.
Seasoning Cast Iron In A Camp Fire
Alternatively, if already at your camp site and unable to have performed the kitchen oven seasoning method, wipe all surfaces with any cooking oil and cook, with no food of course, for about an hour or more. Ensure that wooden handles are removed first or are not in direct contact of the fire. A small amount of smoke may emanate from the cookware with the fire seasoning method.
Pans and skillets may also be seasoned for the first time in or on a campfire by simply cooking meats high in fat content, bacon traditionally being the preferred choice. Give the entire pan, both the inner and outer surfaces, including the iron handles, a moderate coating of cooking oil. This is where a spray can of cooking oil may be useful. Pre-heat the pan to a moderate to slightly high temperature, add plenty of good quality cooking oil or butter, and let this permeate throughout the entire inner surface of the pan for 15 to 30 minutes. Ensure that all of the inner walls are coated as well.
Every time you use cast iron, a layering of seasoning is added. This maintains the integrity, and the fats and oils used naturally improves the seasoned finish over time, and, as many would say, improves the flavour of whatever you cook. After seasoning or with any use, wipe the residual oils and fats off with a paper towel for use next time.
Cooking With Cast Iron
Always pre-heat a cast iron pan before cooking with it. This should normally take about 10 to 15 minutes. The easiest way to determine if a suitable temperature is reached is to place your hand near the pan or skillet, and the radiant heat should feel very warm. Never pre-heat to the point where smoke is being produced. Cast iron cookware are excellent conductors of heat, which is one reason why they are the perfect choice. They allow the heat to be distributed evenly over the entire surface.
Cast iron cookware are non-stick, another reason why they are the perfect choice for many, if used and cared for properly. If sticking does occur while cooking, then the cookware is not yet properly seasoned. A properly seasoned cast iron unit will not be damaged with the use of metal spatulas, metal, or wood being the preferred cooking utensil choice.
Cooking with cast iron ovens allows the ability to place hot ashes, small burning pieces of wood and even hot rocks on top of the lid to create a more oven-like cooking effect. This is the reason why these ovens have a lip around the top of the lid, so as to help contain hot ashes. This technique is perfect for cooking dampers and the like. The lid also doubles as a stand-alone pan or skillet.
Once your cast iron pot or pan has reached a sufficient cooking temperature, they will readily maintain this temperature due to the solid nature of the cast iron. Therefore, very little additional heating is necessary. Hot coals and ashes are all that may be required. Remember always that the handles will get hot on cast iron ovens.
Re-Seasoning Cast Iron
Depending on use, if not used for a long time for example, your cookware may need to be re-seasoned to maintain its cooking ability and quality. The oven seasoning method is the best way to restore a rusty cast iron set. If rust is present, scrub the rust off and any residual substances with a scourer using hot water and detergent. Follow the seasoning methods as outlined previously.
Once properly seasoned, never clean cast iron cookware with soap or dish washing liquid, as this will remove some of the oil that protects the cast iron from rusting and its ability to cook properly. This is, however, another perfect reason for using cast iron as a cookware choice. Any old, rusty cast iron cookware can be restored to perfect condition with relative ease.
Cast Iron Cookware Care
Definitely consider using proper oven gloves when cooking with cast iron ovens, for example, as they and the handles do get exceedingly hot. Often the best way to clean your cast iron gear is to simply wipe it thoroughly with paper towel while it is cooling down. When still warm, the excess fats and oils are still relatively viscous.
Otherwise, to clean your cast iron cookware, use plenty of clean hot water, scrape it clean with a spatula and/or scourer, or simply wipe with paper towel. Some people use salt to help with the scouring process and absorb any moisture, which should not affect the seasoned finish, but rinse off with hot water to be sure. Wipe with a paper towel and not the best ‘tea-towel’, as a small amount of the seasoning residual will be removed.
As always when using water to wash your cast iron, and to ensure that all moisture is removed, place the cookware over a mild temperature source to completely evaporate all the moisture. Water will easily rust cast iron, so a perfect drying method to dry your cookware after washing is to leave it on the edge of a fire or hot-plate set on around medium to high. Make sure to allow the cookware to smoke a little to protect the absorbed oils from going rancid. It should not take long for all of the moisture to be removed from the porous cast iron. If properly seasoned, water should not penetrate at all.
Cast Iron Cleaning & Conditoning Products
Specialised cast iron cleaning products are available from camping stores. Good quality liquid cleansers use a blend of natural oils and cleaning agents that break down food particles and will not harm the seasoned finish. Available also at notable camping stores are scrubbers and scrapers specifically designed to efficiently clean cast iron. Both heavy-duty stainless steel chain-mail scrubbers and rigid plastic scrapers will not damage cast iron nor the seasoned finish.
Specific cast iron conditioning products can be purchased which are made from natural oils and are another good way to season cast iron cookware. These conditioners are formulated to last longer than normal cooking oils that sometimes do turn rancid over extended time. So, if you intend to store cast iron cookware for any length of time, cast iron conditioners are the better choice. However, as a minimum, when finished with your cast iron cookware, give them a very light final coating of cooking oil and wipe off any excess.
Camping Cast Iron Carry Bags
Some cast iron cookware items come with durable protective carry bags. If they do not, consider obtaining these as they make carrying easier, will certainly help maintain their quality and keep them clean ready for their next use. They are usually made from heavy duty padded cotton canvas. Recognise though that the larger items can be relatively heavy. Choose ones with a solid base and strong zipper.
Conclusion
Properly cared for cast iron cookware will last for decades, if not generations, which is another reason why cast iron is so popular and a favourite cooking method for many campers. There are so many different ways to use cast iron cookware, from the very simplistic to the surprisingly sophisticated. Researching online will produce numerous techniques, and ask friends and family for ideas. And, as always, practice makes perfect.
