Cast iron Dutch ovens are wonderful for cooking a variety of items while camping. But proper cleaning and care will make it last longer and work better. It needs to be cleaned immediately after use.

• After finishing your meal or dessert, scrape all food out with a plastic scraper. There are a number of scrapers made for this or a pancake turner will work.

• After scraping the food out, rinse it out with warm water.

• Using a vinegar solution with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, scrub the interior of the Dutch oven with a sponge and/or clean scrub brush.

• Repeat this step until all evidence of food is gone.

• Warm Dutch oven by the fire or coals.

• Apply a thin layer of shortening to all surfaces of the dutch ovens, including the lid.

• Allow to cool.

• Place a paper towel between the Dutch oven and the lid.

• It is now ready to be used for the next meal or to be stored away.

There are plenty of benefits for being a vegetarian, but one of the downsides is to have a carefully planned diet so as not to miss any of the nutrients that meat and animal products would provide otherwise.

One of the biggest issues is having to take vitamins in order to compensate for the loss of iron that one would gain from eating beef.  If you cook with cast iron cookware, however, then you’re luckier than most.

Studies have shown that the minerals from cast iron cookware attach themselves to food that is being prepared, thus putting an amount of iron that would not be present in vegetarian food.  By purchasing cast iron skillets, you could have some of the same health benefits as a non-vegetarian, as well as having really great, long-lasting pots and pans.