Cast Iron Cookware

Camp Ovens & Cast Iron Cookware

Ideal for four-wheel drive and motorhome adventurers, camp ovens and cast iron cookware is great for cooking meals on your portable burner or stovetop. Designed to be unbreakable, the heavy-duty camp oven and cast iron range available at BCF includes single items such as a jaffle iron and a frying pan as well as cooking sets with up to seven pieces. With optimum heat retention qualities, cast iron cookware can also be used at home in your conventional or fan-forced oven and stovetop and can be seasoned for non-stick performance.

What are the advantages of cast iron cookware?

Besides the obvious chemical-free, long-lasting, non-stick benefits to using cast iron cookware, one of the other many advantages of cast iron cookware is how simple they are to clean. Without the need for detergents or soap, you simply need to give them a gentle scrub and let them dry completely before storing them away.

Additionally, cast iron cookware is great for slow-cook recipes, such as stew, thanks to their ability to hold heat. This means that even if you’re out and about camping or travelling, you can often enjoy a warm, hearty, healthy meal.

Available in a range of sizes, you can purchase a cast iron pot to make meals just for yourself or to feed a whole party. So, whether you’re cooking over the campfire, having a BBQ or preparing some home-cooked meals, cast iron cookware will make your mealtimes much easier.

How do I season my cast iron pan?

To season a cast iron pan, in simple terms, means to bake on multiple layers of oil. Seasoning your cast iron pan is vital to preventing rust and creating a non-stick layer. The process prepares the cast iron for cooking and a well-seasoned pan will provide many years of use if cared for properly.

To season your cast iron cookware, there are five simple steps:

1. Scrub the pot or pan clean in hot soapy water.
2. Dry thoroughly
3. Spread a thin layer of vegetable oil over the skillet including the outside and the handle. This can be done with a clean cloth or paper towel.
4. Place it upside down in an oven pre-heated to 190° and bake for one hour. We recommend putting aluminium foil underneath to catch any oil that drips off.
5. After one hour, turn the oven off and let the pot or pan cool in the oven.

You may find you’ll need to repeat the process a few times to reach this stage, but your cast iron cookware will eventually have a glossy yet hard black exterior.

How do I clean cast iron?

Cleaning and maintaining your camp oven and cast iron pans are essential to preventing rust and ensuring optimum performance. To do so, there’s a few simple “do nots” that you need to remember first: do not use soap, do not use steel wool and do not put your cast iron in the dishwasher. It’s also recommended that you don’t let the cast iron soak in water as this can cause the oven or pan to rust.

To clean your cast iron, you simply need to rinse it out with hot water and a sponge or stiff brush. If your camp oven or pan has been seasoned, you shouldn’t have any trouble lifting food. If anything does get stuck, simply fill with warm water and heat until almost boiling and give it a gentle scrub.

Before storing, ensure the cast iron is completely dry.