Conditioning a New Oven

Most of the new ovens are already conditioned and this step can be omitted. But if you acquire an oven that is not seasoned, use the following procedure.

Place the Dutch oven upside down inside the kitchen oven, or place outside in a gas barbecue. Close the oven door or barbecue lid over the inverted Dutch oven. Turn on medium heat or flame and heat for about 20 minutes. All smoking should stop when the oven is properly heated. This procedure burns off the protective wax coating.

Wash with a citrus-based soap and pat dry with a paper towel. Next wipe a thin, even coat of vegetable oil inside and outside the oven.

Return the Dutch oven into the oven or closed barbecue. Turn off heat and cool. The color should be black--not gray or amber. Continue the above procedure until the Dutch oven turns black.