Cleaning a Dutch Oven.

[GaryKH]

Hi, i was wondering what the best way to clean the outside of a C/I Dutch Oven, after it has come out of the fire. Does it need to go in a bag or something to keep the soot at bay? Scrape it with sand?
I have only used mine with briquettes, so they don't get too bad. I have had kettles come off the fire that have been black with soot & hard to clean up. Thanks, Gary

[Wishbone51]

I don't intentionally use soap, but if some is on a rag, I don't freak out or anything 🙂

[GaryKH]

Thanks for the replies. I guess the easiest way would be to use a scrubbing pad, but it think it would still leave a certain amount of residue? I can see where getting a bag to store it in would also help to keep other things cleaner

[mdamerell]

I use a brass wool pad and the outside shower. Dry with a paper towel and then I wipe it down with olive oil. I never use soap.

Lodge Cast Iron: use and care

[dons2346]

Kit Carson wrote:

the bear II wrote:
I find some sand and add water to create mud and then use that to clean the outside and the inside. Learned this in the Boy Scouts. Then you wash it with soap and hot water and rinse.

At home I often use a brillo pad on the outside. Learned this from my mom.

You use soap on cast iron??

Nothing wrong with using soap on cast iron. The OP is after all is cleaning the outside.

For the inside, I use vinegar and a scrubby pad, rinse in hot water then heat it a bit and coat with peanut oil

[willi4nd]

I always use a little soap when cleaning my CI although I only use a washrag or plastic scouring brush. Dry thoroughly and coat with a little veg oil.

Found my TT outdoor shower is best used for cleaning dutch ovens and su h.

[magnusfide]

GaryKH wrote:
Hi, i was wondering what the best way to clean the outside of a C/I Dutch Oven, after it has come out of the fire. Does it need to go in a bag or something to keep the soot at bay? Scrape it with sand?
I have only used mine with briquettes, so they don't get too bad. I have had kettles come off the fire that have been black with soot & hard to clean up. Thanks, Gary

For heavy soot, I've used a little dish soap to wash then rinsed it very well. Then I re-coat it in oil. Have been doing this for years with no ill effect.

[Kit_Carson]

the bear II wrote:
I find some sand and add water to create mud and then use that to clean the outside and the inside. Learned this in the Boy Scouts. Then you wash it with soap and hot water and rinse.

At home I often use a brillo pad on the outside. Learned this from my mom.

You use soap on cast iron??

[the_bear_II]

I find some sand and add water to create mud and then use that to clean the outside and the inside. Learned this in the Boy Scouts. Then you wash it with soap and hot water and rinse.

At home I often use a brillo pad on the outside. Learned this from my mom.