Cast iron and Camping

One of the things that we always look forward to in the summer, is camping in the mountains. I have been camping, pretty much my whole life. Mom and dad used to take the five of us kids to the Adirondack Mountains every summer. 

I can remember having two, very large, heavy, green army tents. To me, they were huge! These tents were straight sided with heavy metal fasteners to close the windows. My parents would set them up with the openings facing each other, then string a tarp in between, as a place to put the “kitchen”! 

Camping gear has really improved over the years. My husband and I started out with a tent when we first got married and we have looped full circle! Tent, pop-up, self contained, back to tent, again to pop-up and now, a hybrid. 

We have used everything from screen rooms to car ports for our Kitchen area. Even with the camper, we still cook and wash dishes the old fashioned way. 

Cast iron and open fire cooking is some of the favorite was of cooking. Cast iron is perfect to use, once it has been well seasoned. 

When you purchase a new cast iron pan or griddle, follow the instructions for seasoning. If you should happen to find a nice gem of a pan at the local thrift store, then follow these steps. 

1. Remove any rust on the pan. Most of the time you can do this with a piece of fine steel wool. Scrub the pan to the raw iron. 
2. Wash the pan with water and mild soap. 
3. Dry the pan thoroughly, immediately with paper towel or a clean dish towel.
4. Cover the pan with a light coating of vegetable oil or shortening. Be sure to not use to much, which would cause the pan to become sticky.
5. Heat the pan in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Put the pan in upside down with a sheet of foil on a shelf under it, to catch any oil that drips. 
6. Let the pan cool,Turn the oven off and let the pan cool, then you can go right back to using it! 

Now, once the pan is ready go us again, you can cook so many things, to clean after cook, scrape out and food left, wash it with a wet, no soap dish cloth and wipe down with more oil before storing. We usually slide ours into a brown paper grocery bag to keep them clean while camping. 

Cast iron comfort recipes will be coming your way!