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Cleaning and caring for cast iron are not difficult tasks, but you should avoid using dishwashing liquid or other aggressive cleaners. The reason why your cast iron is so robust and imparts it its incomparable taste to the food prepared inside is the patina. You should do everything to preserve it. For you to succeed we offer you the right tools along with some valuable tips. Thus, your cast iron will last for a long time.

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Are cast-iron pans dishwasher-safe?

Cast iron is one of the most robust materials for cookware. It is not without reason that many grandparents still swear by their decades-old cast-iron pots and pans. Cleaning, however, is somewhat different from what we are used to with the pots of our time.

Although some stainless-steel pots can be washed in the dishwasher to completely remove all food residues, this should not be done with cast iron. The cleaning process inside a dishwasher is too aggressive and would dry out your cast iron and attack the patina. What is more, rust spots will develop very quickly. The dishwasher is, therefore, not a suitable method for cleaning your cast-iron cookware.

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How do I get cast iron to be clean?

Cast-iron cookware brings flavour into your life and if treated well, will last a lifetime. It does not ask for much of you, but you do have to clean your cast iron so that it stays with you a long time. 

In most cases, rinsing with clear water and cleaning with a standard dishwashing brush is sufficient.

If you have more stubborn food residues that stick to your cast iron and cannot be removed easily, it is important to make sure that the valuable patina is not damaged when removing these food residues. 

You do not need aggressive cleaning agents or sponges, instead use the Petromax Scraper for Dutch Ovens and Fire Skillets or the Chain Mail Cleaner.




Cleaning Cast Iron Scraper Outdoor
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Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron

2 tips for you:

  • Cast iron will not withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. It will rust. Therefore, dry your cast iron well after cleaning and always store it in a dry place. To remove all micro-drops, you can place your cast iron on the heat source again briefly after drying.

  • Your cast iron has a slightly greasy surface. If your cast iron feels dry, it is time for re-greasing. You can apply some heat-resistant oil – but remember that oil can go rancid. The Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron is best suited for this purpose. It can also be used for re-seasoning if this should ever be necessary.




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Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron
Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron
The Petromax Care and Seasoning Conditioner made of natural ingredients protects the pre-treated surface (seasoned finish) of Petromax Dutch Ovens and any other cast iron cookware. It suits ideally for the seasoning of non pre-treated Dutch oven's surfaces. Care and protectionThe food safe conditioner is most effective when it is applied after every cooking procedure. It will maintain the pre-seasoned surface of your Petromax Dutch Oven. The conditioner also protects from rust. Application as seasoning conditionerThe conditioner suits perfectly for a very first seasoning as well as a re-seasoning. A (re-)seasoning with the conditioner enables you to eliminate rusty spots.Material compositionUnlike standard cooking oil, the conditioner, thanks to a refined blend of different natural oils, does not become rancid. So it is ideally for long-lasting storage purposes.Excellent patinaThe regular use of the food safe care conditioner will create over time a high-quality patina. This patina will not only improve the quality of your Dutch oven but will also optimise its cooking features. Ingredients:Made of pure natural ingredients, food-safe, vegan, gluten free, paraffinum subliquidum Ph. Eur., virgin oil, triglyceride oil, base oil mixture of ionic colouring, fluid and weight food additives. Store closed in a cool, dark place.Technical dataContent: 250 mL (51.96 € / 1000 ml)Weight: 226 gScope of delivery1 x Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron Go to User manual >>

€14.99

Scraper for Dutch Ovens and Skillets
Scraper for Dutch Ovens and Skillets
Version: without ridges
With this handy scraper, you can remove stubborn cooking and frying residues from hard to reach areas of your Dutch ovens and fire skillets. The scraper cleans cast and wrought iron without attacking the valuable patina, for it adjusts perfectly to the inside of Dutch ovens, fire skillets and loaf pans. Versatile in form and functionNot only the form fits your Petromax cookware ideally, but the properties of its material make the scraper particularly versatile: The kitchen utensil is heat-proof up to 120 °C (248 °F) and made of food-safe plastic. That is why you can use it as a dough scraper or spatula for dividing dough into portions.How to cleanLet pan or pot cool down, let soak in warm water, and then remove burnt residues with the scraper. You naturally don’t need dishwashing soap. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly again. Before putting your cast-iron cookware back in the cupboard, always dry it up thoroughly and season it as usual.Technical dataMaterial: Polypropylene (PP), food-safeScope of delivery1 x Scraper for Dutch Ovens and Skillets

€4.99

Chain Mail Cleaner
Chain Mail Cleaner
Size: 12.5 cm x 12.5 cm
With this high-quality, sturdy utensil made of stainless steel, burnt residues are in for it. With the chain mail cleaner you clean effortlessly your pan or your skillet made of cast or wrought iron – without damaging the valuable patina. The structure of the intertwined rings gently removes food residues without scratching the cookware’s surface.How to: Cleaning without dish detergentLet the cookware cool down, possibly let it briefly soak, and scrub off the burnt residues with warm water and the chain mail cleaner. You do not need any dish detergent. Rinse the cookware again thoroughly after cleaning. Before putting your cast- or wrought-iron cookware back into the cupboard, always dry it well and treat it as usual. The chain mail cleaner shall also dry thoroughly after use, otherwise contact corrosion is possible (Caution!).Technical dataMaterial: stainless steelDimensions (approx.) (H x W x D): 12.5 cm x 12.5 cmScope of delivery1 x Chain Mail Cleaner

from €15.99

Scraper with Ridges for Cast Iron
Scraper with Ridges for Cast Iron
Version: with ridges
The ridged scraper is your powerful all-rounder for cleaning! The ridges of the handy scraper remove heavy crusts in all your Petromax products. The curve at the lower edge matches the curvature of your Dutch Ovens and Skillets perfectly, to easily scrape out persistent cooking and roast residues from the cast-iron mould. The ridges of the scraper clean thoroughly, while preserving the valuable patina. Teeth that get a gripThe tooth structure of the scraper perfectly fits into all cast-iron Petromax products with ridged surface. This allows you to easily clean any grilling surface with grooves, saving you time for cleaning and maintaining your ridged products. The scraper is heat-resistant up to 120°C and thus, enables you to clean cast-iron products that are still warm or soaked in hot water. The ridged scraper is made of food-safe plastic. Technical dataMaterial: Polypropylene (PP), food safeDimensions, approx. (H x W x D): 1 x 13 x 8 cmDimensions with packaging, approx. (H x W x D): 1 x 15 x 15 cmWeight, approx.: 42 gWeight with packaging, approx.: 45 gScope of delivery1 x Petromax Scraper with ridges for Cast Iron Pots and Pans os-z 

€4.99

Chain Mail Cleaner XL for Cast and Wrought Iron
Chain Mail Cleaner XL for Cast and Wrought Iron
Size: 20 cm x 20 cm
After a long cooking session, the cleaning of your pots and pans can become a real challenge. Thanks to the XL version of our tried and tested chain mail cleaner you will now be even faster: Due to the large contact area of the interlocking rings made of stainless steel, this specialist cleans your cast and wrought iron effectively without damaging the valuable patina. Thus, food remedies and burned residues do not stand a chance.Clean without frillsBefore cleaning, you should let the cookware cool well. Then you let it soak briefly in warm water. After that, you can carefully remove the food residues with the Chain Mail Cleaner XL. This way the Chain Mail Cleaner is also good for the environment and for your budget. Rinse the clean pot well and before storing the cookware, carefully dry it and apply some care conditioner. To avoid corrosion, you should also dry your Chain Mail Cleaner XL.Technical dataMaterial: stainless steelDimensions (approx.) (H x W x D): 20 cm x 20 cmScope of delivery1 x Chain Mail Cleaner XL

from €15.99

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Can cast iron lose its shape?

Cast iron is a hard material that can be brought to very high temperatures and retain heat for a long time, but it cannot withstand sudden temperature changes. If you extinguish your hot cast-iron pan or pot with cold water, this can cause stresses and even cracks inside the material. Therefore, always give your cast iron time to heat up and cool down.

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Why not clean cast iron with dishwashing liquid?

Cast-iron pans and pots improve over time. They become more robust, the non-stick effect improves with each use and food tastes better with each meal. This is due to the patina that continues to form with each use. 

Patina basically consists of a seasoned layer of grease. Dishwashing liquid has a grease-dissolving effect. This grease-dissolving property, desirable in most cases, will be the downfall of your patina if you use it your cast iron for cleaning.

Your cast iron lives from its greasy surface and it is only the patina that develops which prevents food from sticking. If you remove the patina from your cast iron, you also remove its non-stick effect. 

Therefore, do not use dishwashing liquid on your cast iron. If you accidentally cleaned your cast iron with washing-up liquid, you can restore the patina by re-seasoning it. You can find out more about this in the user manual.


Cleaning Cast Iron Scrub Water
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How do I care for a cast-iron pot?

Your cast iron is robust and will forgive you the odd mistake. However, you can avoid these mistakes in the first place because your cast iron does not require much care from you. For you to be able to do everything right from the start, here are the most important tips for caring for your cast iron:

  1. Cleaning: Let your cast iron cool down after use and then clean it with clear water, no dishwashing liquid and a simple dishwashing brush if necessary. This preserves the valuable patina. You can remove stubborn food residues with the Petromax Scraper for Dutch Ovens and Fire Skillets or the Chain Mail Cleaner.
  2. Storage: Cast iron should always be stored in a dry place. It is best to place the Petromax Lid Spacer for Dutch Ovens (2 pieces) on the rim of your cast-iron pot to ensure air circulation. The Lid Spacer also allows you to conveniently stack your pots on top of each other. The Petromax Silicone Trivet for Dutch Ovens can also be used between the Dutch Oven and the lid to rest your pot while cooking and serving.
  3. Greasing: The surface of your cast iron is slightly greasy and shines in the light. That is how it should be because this patination protects the cast-iron material from rust. If you notice that your Dutch Oven feels dry and that the surfaces look dull, simply grease it a little. You can use Petromax Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron for this. If you decide to use cooking oil, be sure to check the shelf life. Oil goes rancid easily and can strongly influence the taste of your food. In the worst case, you will have to re-season your cast iron. With the Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron you are on the safe side and it is also ideal for seasoning.

That is everything there is to say about cast-iron care. If you keep this in mind, your cast iron will serve you a lifetime.

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Dutch Ovens 15 Tipps for Cast Iron
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How can I prevent rust on cast iron?

If there is rust on cast iron, it usually has only two causes: Moisture and too little care. If you want to prevent rust formation on your cast iron, you need to protect your cast iron from moisture and care for it properly.

This is how to prevent rust on cast iron:

✔ Always dry your cast iron well after cleaning (place it on the heat source again if necessary to remove micro-drops).

✔ Always store your cast iron in a dry place. Remember that even high humidity can cause rust spots. However, ensure air circulation through e.g. the Lid Spacer or Silicone Trivet, when storing.

✔ Never clean your cast iron in the dishwasher or with dishwashing liquid.

✔ Do not leave your used cast iron uncleaned (outside).

✔ Take care of your cast iron and apply Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron on a regular basis as this will prevent corrosion.

If your cast iron has been exposed to too much moisture or has not received sufficient care, you can remove the rust with a wire brush and re-season your cast iron, for example with the Care Conditioner for Cast and Wrought Iron. You will find the exact instructions in the user manual.

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Why do I have to season cast iron?

Your cast-iron cookware is created by melting iron alloys and casting them into shape. Since the material is untreated, it is still very sensitive to rust in its raw state and food would easily stick to the bottom of the pot or the pan. The true value of your cast iron is measured by its patina. Only the patina provides your cast iron with the necessary protection and ensures natural non-stick properties. To create this valuable patina, you need to season your cast iron.

All Petromax cast-iron pans and pots are pre-seasoned so that you can use your cast iron immediately and start cooking and roasting right away. You do not have to season them yourself.

Find out here which Dutch Oven is the best.

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Dutch Oven ft0.5
Dutch Oven ft0.5
Size: ft0.5 | Version: with legs
The original Petromax Dutch Oven is ideally suited to cooking and baking in the open air or in the oven at home. Cast-iron pots exist since the 18th century. Even at that time the unique properties of cast iron were appreciated. With the Dutch oven, Petromax takes up this tradition and also provides the Dutch oven with a multitude of refined details.Cast iron Petromax qualityThanks to the amazing characteristics of cast iron and the special structure of the surface, warmth is efficiently stored and distributed. The pre-treated surface (seasoned finish) makes a first seasoning unnecessary, and the sturdy Dutch oven can be used right away. In the open air, it is used on an open fire or with charcoal and briquettes. The raised edge of the lid makes it possible to place embers or charcoal also on the Dutch oven. The Dutch oven is thus heated from all sides and is for example suitable for baking bread.Great cooking pleasure thanks to sophisticated detailsThe Dutch oven is provided with ingenious details that make it easy for you to handle and that offer you an amazing cooking experience. The Dutch oven can be safely lifted thanks to a sturdy handle, and a thermometer hole makes it possible for you to check the temperature without having to lift the lid. When you need it, lifting the hot lid is particularly easy thanks to the Petromax Lid Lifter. Another special feature is that the upturned lid can also be used as a pan. Beside all these ingenious details, the Dutch oven has a traditional Petromax design: The lid is decorated with the elegant dragon logo, which has always stood for excellent quality and top-of-the-range products. Soups, meat dishes, as well as stews, casseroles and even cakes, can be prepared outstandingly in the Dutch oven.Available in various sizes and can be completed with practical accessoriesThe Petromax Dutch Oven is available in several sizes, so that the right one can be chosen according to the recipe or the number of persons. The ft0.5 has a capacity of ca. 0.56 litres in order to prepare sauces and desserts. For the Petromax Dutch Oven, other accessories than the Lid Lifter are available, like the Transport and Storage Bag, the Care Conditioner and also cleaning utensils for cast iron. Moreover we offer a Dutch Oven Trivet and Cast-iron Trivets (ft6 and up) that make it possible to cook and bake food without burning anything.Technical DataMaterial: cast ironsuitable for: sauces & dessertsContent pot (max.): 0.56 LContent lid (max.): 0.25 LScope of delivery1 x Dutch Oven ft0.51 x User manual Go to User manual >>

from €24.99

Dutch Oven (6qt) with a plane bottom surface
Dutch Oven (6qt) with a plane bottom surface
Size: ft6 | Version: without legs (plane bottom surface)
The original Petromax Dutch Oven is ideally suited to cooking and baking in the open air or in the oven at home. Cast-iron pots exist since the 18th century. Even at that time the unique properties of cast iron were appreciated. With the Dutch Oven, Petromax takes up this tradition and also provides the Dutch Oven with a multitude of refined details.Cast iron Petromax qualityThanks to the amazing characteristics of cast iron and the special structure of the surface, warmth is efficiently stored and distributed. The pre-treated surface (seasoned finish) makes a first seasoning unnecessary, and the sturdy Dutch Oven can be used right away. In the open air, it is used on an open fire or with charcoal and briquettes. The raised edge of the lid makes it possible to place embers or charcoal also on the Dutch Oven. The Dutch Oven is thus heated from all sides and is for example suitable for baking bread.Great cooking pleasure thanks to sophisticated details The Dutch Oven is provided with ingenious details that make it easy for you to handle and that offer you an amazing cooking experience. The Dutch Oven can be safely lifted thanks to a sturdy handle, and a thermometer hole makes it possible for you to check the temperature without having to lift the lid. When you need it, lifting the hot lid is particularly easy thanks to the Petromax Lid Lifter. Another special feature is that the upturned lid can also be used as a pan. Beside all these ingenious details, the Dutch Oven has a traditional Petromax design: The lid is decorated with the elegant dragon logo, which has always stood for excellent quality and top-of-the-range products. Soups, meat dishes, as well as stews, casseroles and even cakes, can be prepared outstandingly in the Dutch Oven.Available in various sizes and can be completed with practical accessories The Petromax Dutch Oven is available in several sizes, so that the right one can be chosen according to the recipe or the number of persons. The model ft6 of the Dutch Oven without legs has a capacity of approx. 5.5 litres. It allows to cook meals for up to 4-8 persons. For the Petromax Dutch Oven, other accessories than the Lid Lifter are available, like the Transport and Storage Bag, the Care Conditioner and also cleaning utensils for cast iron. Moreover we offer a Dutch Oven Trivet and Cast-iron Trivets (ft6 and up) that make it possible to cook and bake food without burning anything.Technical dataMaterial: cast ironWeight: approx. 8.8 kgWeight packed: approx. 9.4 kgCapacity pot (max.): 5.5 LCapacity lid (max.): 1.5 LOuter dimensions (H x W x D): 16 x 36.4 x 31.2 cmScope of delivery1 x Dutch Oven ft6-t plane bottom surface1 x User ManualGo to User manual >>

from €24.99

Dutch Oven ft9
Dutch Oven ft9
Size: ft9 | Version: with legs
The original Petromax Dutch Oven is ideally suited to cooking and baking in the open air or in the oven at home. Cast-iron pots exist since the 18th century. Even at that time the unique properties of cast iron were appreciated. With the Dutch Oven, Petromax takes up this tradition and also provides the Dutch Oven with a multitude of refined details.Cast iron Petromax qualityThanks to the amazing characteristics of cast iron and the special structure of the surface, warmth is efficiently stored and distributed. The pre-treated surface (seasoned finish) makes a first seasoning unnecessary, and the sturdy Dutch Oven can be used right away. In the open air, it is used on an open fire or with charcoal and briquettes. The raised edge of the lid makes it possible to place embers or charcoal also on the Dutch Oven. The Dutch Oven is thus heated from all sides and is for example suitable for baking bread.Great cooking pleasure thanks to sophisticated details The Dutch Oven is provided with ingenious details that make it easy for you to handle and that offer you an amazing cooking experience. The Petromax Dutch Oven can be safely lifted thanks to a sturdy handle, three legs give stability to the Dutch Oven, and a thermometer hole makes it possible for you to check the temperature without having to lift the lid. When you need it, lifting the hot lid is particularly easy thanks to the Petromax Lid Lifter. Another special feature is that the upturned lid can also be used as a pan. Beside all these ingenious details, the Dutch Oven has a traditional Petromax design: The lid is decorated with the elegant dragon logo, which has always stood for excellent quality and top-of-the-range products. Soups, meat dishes, as well as stews, casseroles and even cakes, can be prepared outstandingly in the Dutch Oven.Available in various sizes and can be completed with practical accessories The Petromax Dutch Oven is available in several sizes, so that the right one can be chosen according to the recipe or the number of persons. The upper medium-sized model ft9 of the Dutch Oven has a capacity of approx. 7.5 litres. It allows to cook meals for up to 8-14 persons. For the Petromax Dutch Oven, other accessories than the Lid Lifter are available, like the Transport and Storage Bag, the Care Conditioner and also cleaning utensils for cast iron. Moreover we offer a Dutch Oven Trivet and Cast-iron Trivets (ft6 and up) that make it possible to cook and bake food without burning anything.Technical detailsMaterial: cast ironDimensions, approx. (H x W x D): 23.2 x 36.4 x 31.2 cmDimensions with packaging, approx. (H x W x D): 22.5 x 34 x 34 cmCapacity, max.: 7.5 lCapacity of lid, max.: 1.5 lWeight, approx.: 9.5 kgWeight with packaging, approx.: 10.2 kgScope of delivery1 x Dutch Oven ft9 with legs1 x user manual Go to User manual >>

from €24.99

Dutch Oven ft18 with a plane bottom surface
Dutch Oven ft18 with a plane bottom surface
Size: ft18 | Version: without legs (plane bottom surface)
The original Petromax Dutch Oven is ideally suited to cooking and baking in the open air or in the oven at home. Cast-iron pots exist since the 18th century. Even at that time the unique properties of cast iron were appreciated. With the Dutch Oven, Petromax takes up this tradition and also provides the Dutch Oven with a multitude of refined details.Cast iron Petromax qualityThanks to the amazing characteristics of cast iron and the special structure of the surface, warmth is efficiently stored and distributed. The pre-treated surface (seasoned finish) makes a first seasoning unnecessary, and the sturdy Dutch Oven can be used right away. In the open air, it is used on an open fire or with charcoal and briquettes. The raised edge of the lid makes it possible to place embers or charcoal also on the Dutch Oven. The Dutch Oven is thus heated from all sides and is for example suitable for baking bread.Great cooking pleasure thanks to sophisticated details The Dutch Oven is provided with ingenious details that make it easy for you to handle and that offer you an amazing cooking experience. The Dutch Oven can be safely lifted thanks to a sturdy handle, and a thermometer hole makes it possible for you to check the temperature without having to lift the lid. When you need it, lifting the hot lid is particularly easy thanks to the Petromax Lid Lifter. Another special feature is that the upturned lid can also be used as a pan. Beside all these ingenious details, the Dutch Oven has a traditional Petromax design: The lid is decorated with the elegant dragon logo, which has always stood for excellent quality and top-of-the-range products. Soups, meat dishes, as well as stews, casseroles and even cakes, can be prepared outstandingly in the Dutch Oven.Available in various sizes and can be completed with practical accessories The Petromax Dutch Oven is available in several sizes, so that the right one can be chosen according to the recipe or the number of persons. The biggest model ft18 of the Dutch Oven without legs has a capacity of ca. 16.1 litres. It allows to cook meals for more than persons. For the Petromax Dutch Oven, other accessories than the Lid Lifter are available, like the Transport and Storage Bag, the Care Conditioner and also cleaning utensils for cast iron. Moreover we offer a Dutch Oven Trivet and Cast-iron Trivets (ft6 and up) that make it possible to cook and bake food without burning anything.Technical dataMaterial: cast ironWeight: approx. 16.9 kgWeight packed: approx. 19.2 kgCapacity pot (max.): 16.1 LCapacity lid (max.): 2.7 LOuter dimensions (H x W x D): 22 x 45 x 41 cmScope of delivery1 x Dutch Oven ft18-t plane bottom surface1 x User ManualGo to User manual >>

from €24.99

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