Getting ready to use Dutch Oven for first time

[dpgllg]

We purchased a Lodge Dutch Oven brand new factory seasoned. My question is do I need to season it again before I use it or is the factory seasoning good to go?

The hard part is to determine which recipe to use because there are so many good ones out there!

[dpgllg]

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

I will plan on seasoning it before I use it. I do have a timed oven so the idea to do it a bedtime is a good one.

Thanks again!

[Dutch_Oven_Man]

I would definitely re-season the oven. For the first couple of times you use it, stay away from anything acidic (tomato based). I usually fry several batches of potatoes in ours before I start using it for everything else. I have ovens that are 50+ years old, and if you take care of them, they will last forever.

[SWMO]

Absolutely season it again. You should season it 2 more times to be safe. Wipe it with vegetable oil and turn it upside down in the a 375-400 oven for one hour. Leave it in the oven until it's completely cool. The easiest way to do it requires an oven that has time bake. Set the oven for 1 hour at 400 with the DO in it at bedtime. Next evening repeat.
The complaints about the lack of proper seasoning are legendary. People who are new to CI buy a preseasoned one and assume they are ready, they aren't. The preseasoning is a great help however because it does provide the all important first seasoning which was difficult at times to do because the wax protecting the new CI was so tenacious.

[dbbls]

It is not recommended to use soap to wash cast iron. It gets into the pores in the iron. There are commercial cleaners available. Be sure to oil it good between uses.

[brirene]

X2 what Francesca wrote. Wouldn't hurt to reseason it, but its not necessary. Happy cooking!

[Francesca_Knowl]

Just a light wash with mild soap and water to get dust off and it's good to go. Dry well if you're not using it immediately afterward.

A new oven may seem a bit "rough" even though preseasoned. This is normal. Repeated use is required to build up the smooth surface of carbon so prized in old, well-used Dutch ovens. With proper care, the oven will get even smoother over time.