Cajun Cookware Dutch Ovens 4.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven

I love this piece of cookware! It is so hard these days to find an unseasoned piece. This fit the bill niceley. My husband uses this mostly since it is a burn-and scorch free item that can handle high temperatures and adds a depth to sauces you can't get out of other types of cookware. Pros: Very durable: During the seasoning process our oven shorted out and caught fire. While the dutch oven looked destroyed upon extracting it several hours later, it only needed a light scrubbing with a barbeque brush, a quick rinse and a rubdown with oil to get it looking perfectly (We don't recommend seasoning this way- just a fluke for us) Great value: After this dutch oven was seasoned, we've used it almost every night for everything to making our own sauces to deep frying and even baking bread. If you can cook for yourself, it's always cheaper than buying processed items! Attractive: Out of the box, this dutch oven was wonderful looking despite the layer of wax that is used during the finishing process. After seasoning, it has taken on its own complexion and fits well with our other kitchen tools and appliances. You won't want to hide this piece in a cabinet! Makes cooking easier: This dutch oven retains heat, so you can cook foods longer at lower temperatures, thus saving you money and getting a wonderful flavor. Be careful, though. The entire dutch oven including the lid get very hot during cooking, so wear the proper gear before touching! Cons: If you've never owned or had cast iron cookware, you may not be prepared for what it takes to properly season it. To season this piece, wash first with hot, soapy water in order to remove the wax. COMPLETELY dry and then coat thoroughly with vegetable shortening. Bake in an oven at 375 for about 45 minutes. Be sure to place the dutch oven on a cookie sheet so that it can catch drippings. Remove, cool and drain off excess. DO NOT RINSE OR USE WATER. Coat and cook again several times. It will smoke the first couple of times while the rest of the wax is burning off, so be prepared to have plenty of ventilation. It takes some work and time, but in the end you will be rewarded with a nonstick surface and a good all-around pot. Also, to prevent rusting, do not allow any water to stay on the surface. Dry thoroughly and do not soak it. Avoid detergents- usually a stiff brush and baking soda is all that is needed. After completely wiping down, rub with some light vegetable oil. This dutch oven is heavy- not for little kids or for those suffering from arthritis. It has a handle to help with pouring, but that doesn't help much if you can't get the dutch oven off the stove. Well, that's all I think of to say about this dutch oven. It's a wonderful product overall, and worth tons more than what I paid for it!