Camping and Cast Iron

This months camping idea is to check your cast iron for rusting and needing yearly seasoning.

If your cast iron does have rust, do not worry! It really is easy to fix, scour the rust off, rinse and dry, add a little vegetable oil and re-season

While maintaining the seasoning should keep your Cast Iron and Carbon Steel in good condition, at some point you may need to re-season your cookware. If food sticks to the surface, or you notice a dull, gray color, repeat the seasoning process:
* Wash the cookware with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. (It is okay to use soap this time because you are preparing to re-season the cookware).
* Rinse and dry completely.
* Apply a very thin, even coating of MELTED solid vegetable shortening (or cooking oil of your choice) to the cookware inside and out. Too much oil will result in a sticky finish.
* Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any drips.
* Set oven temperature to 350 – 400 degrees F.
* Place cookware upside down on the top rack of the oven to prevent pooling.
* Bake the cookware for at least one hour. After the hour, turn the oven off and let the cookware cool in the oven.
* Store the cookware uncovered, in a dry place when cooled.
* Repeat as necessary. 

Each year I re-season my cast iron. I have had my cast iron for over 20 years. I even have a skillet and a dutch oven that was given to me that were my grandmothers. I use my cast iron daily and will not cook on anything else. I even season it on the BBQ turned up on high.

Get your cast iron in good working condition for the summer, if that is the only time you use it. Good luck and happy camping.

Camping idea for May

The Camping Idea for May is something to add to your Camping supplies. They are cheap and do not take up a lot of room. You can use them for many things. Add some good quality clothespins to your camping gear.

 The little clothespin has so many uses. Not only can you use them to hang up clothes to dry. You can use them to hold close bread bag, chip bags, marshmallow bags! You can use them to keep the table cloth from flying away. Use the clothespins and a sharpie for a name tag. Hang up a sign, use them to keep paper napkins, or paper plates from flying away in the wind just clip a few together. You can hold a match with a clothes pin to light the fire, or candles. You can even use a clothespins for a safety pin or even use it to hold up your hair.


There are so many uses for clothespins. It is silly not to have them in your camping supplies. As you go you will find new ways to use these little buggers! 

Camping Idea Sept

Now that camping season is over for many people now that the weather is turning into fall, kids are back to school, Vacations are over and people are back to work, well if you have a job. 

This is the time of year to go through all your camping gear and see what needs to be replaced, mended. Look for sales for things going out of season for the best buys. Make a list of items you can not find and buy them in the spring when there are more sales before the season. A little planning and you can save money and buy what you need for you camping items.  

Now if you have a Camping trailer, Camper or Motor Home. Now is the time to check for leaks, winterize, clean, and put away for storage for the winter. Be sure to check the tires, buy new tires if needed. Be sure to check the battery and  even be sure to check the battery monthly.  Get things ready and prepared for next season now.