Having just cooked a couple of pies in the CO which didnt make it need washing should I still wipe it lightly with more oil as it cools?

Not necessary.

8-)

If the oven is dry I would Carolyn.

In your location Carolyn (by the Sea) I would not risk it. Just a quick spray or wipe with oil doesn't cost anything & would be very worthwhile for you. I live about 15KM from the sea but the ovens will still rust if not wiped over.
I believe that PD lives in your district & I know that he finds it necessary to wipe the ovens over.

So, although maybe not necessary very worthwhile.

Regards Skip :)

Carolyn, "An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure", my mum was big on all those old sayings.
Yep, as Skip says I always give mine a light wipe with olive oil, doesn't hurt.

pd

We may live on the 2nd driest continent on earth, but on the eastern seaboard we have high humidity for much of the year.
For that reason alone i will give my COs a light wipe of oil after each each use.

Aart

Hmmm pondering "lives in your District". I think exceptional people live in these places that some consider "a long way from nowhere" and mostly we love our environment and wouldnt live anywhere else for quids (I would like to send the industry here over there to him but his National Park is bigger than ours).  As far as the salt spray goes pretty similar.  There are a few cars buried here from my brothers young days probably gone into the never never.

Thanks for all your advice.  The last time oiling was discussed it going rank was muted.  Later I laughed as I thought of the big tin of oil I have months some time not refrigerated and had forgotten about.

I am with others as well in that a light coating of oil is good.

The only hassle I am finding with having so many of the darned things is that on the outside a light coating of oil attracts dust and boy does it take some effort to keep them looking nice and shiny.  :-?

Dust is better than rust Derek, I'm with the rest of you, I don't feel comfortable storing my ovens unless they have a light coating.

Carolyn, best to do it straight after cooking while still hot, it will penetrate & you can wipe the excess off, I think it is the heat which stops it going rancid as I have never had a problem unless they have not been properly cleaned out first.

My two bobs worth,
Mick

General opinion says oil
Question is what oil is the best ?
Kev

sooty wrote on Sep 4^th, 2008 at 7:52pm:

General opinion says oil Question is what oil is the best ? Kev

Kev

I have never used it but all the research says "Walnut Oil"  Apparently it is the only vegetable oil that does not go rancid.

Expensive and only available in Health Food Shops.

Other than that good old olive oil.  I use the Home Brand Spray Olive Oil on mine.

However when seasoning camp ovens I do use virgin olive oil

Thanks Derek,
Mate had a small can of virgin olive oil last time we went camping, at Easter that  was.
Thought at the time it would be ideal for seasoning.
Am hoping my 12" Chef turns up tomorrow so I can season all of my new toys together so will go grocery shopping to find some.

On the "Walnut Oil"  I wonder how Macadamia oil would go being a tree nut,  unlike Peanut oil a ground nut  
Kev          

Derek wrote on Sep 4^th, 2008 at 8:00pm:

sooty wrote on Sep 4th, 2008 at 7:52pm: General opinion says oil Question is what oil is the best ? Kev Kev I have never used it but all the research says "Walnut Oil"  Apparently it is the only vegetable oil that does not go rancid. Expensive and only available in Health Food Shops. Other than that good old olive oil.  I use the Home Brand Spray Olive Oil on mine. However when seasoning camp ovens I do use virgin olive oil

I always use Peanut oil for cooking, which I'm told doesn't go rancid either.
Maybe it is "nut oils" in general, & Peanut oil handles more heat than any other without burning & giving off a "burnt smell", however I rarely use it for storage mainly because it doesn't come in a spray although I probably should!
Like you Derek & others I'm sure, I use olive oil or sometimes Canola spray for "seasoning" because it burns at high temperatures & gives that nice black coating we are looking for.

Mick.

I dont have a lot of ovens to have them on display and shiny. Each seems to get used fairly regularly.
I always give mine a light coat inside and thats it, packed away with a little ash still on the outside generally.
I figure if they start to rust or the oil goes rancid, then I'm not using them enough.

Robbo ;)

Robbo wrote on Sep 4^th, 2008 at 8:58pm:

I dont have a lot of ovens to have them on display and shiny. Each seems to get used fairly regularly. I always give mine a light coat inside and thats it, packed away with a little ash still on the outside generally. I figure if they start to rust or the oil goes rancid, then I'm not using them enough. Robbo ;)

I'm concerned now.  I will need to use my CO's on a rotating basis for ever..... ::)

Hi Carolyn,
I always do a quick wipe with a paper towel and olive oil. I then leave the oily paper towel in the oven as it will absorb dampness instead of the cast iron. I have had good luck with this method.
Vicky