Hi All,
I didn't know how to describe the issue. First up, I managed to win a Championship Oven at the ACOF this year and these are made in a toowoomba foundry and are unseasoned. The image I've attached is of the base of the oven and on the left hand side looks like it has a residue and looks flaky. It is actually very hard and I can't remove it unless I get a sander into it. My concern is that it is a coating other than cast iron. I'm assuming it is left over as the molten Cast Iron left the mold. Would you know what this material might be? Can I wash the oven as one would normally do and season the oven as normal or would would it be advisable to get a sanding disk and run it over the entire floor to make it even coloured and textured?

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I think the last thing in the world would be to hit it with a sander as that could alter the surface of the cast iron.

Have not seen that before I must admit but it just looks like a variation in metal colour from the photo. 

If it was me though, I would give it a good scrub with a scourer and hot soapy water.  Rinse it well and then heat it up to about 280 degrees for about half hour to see if that goes away. 

Then take it through the seasoning process. 

By the way, congratulations on the win.

Thanks for your quick response. The winning the Championship camp oven has been an almost decade long journey. The oven is a lovely 14inch oven in the classic design and I'd hate to alter it by sanding anything. I'm very eager to start cooking with it. I know that people just oil them up and display them but I want to enjoy cooking with a real Australian camp oven. This wasn't a singular personal effort and I'd be very remiss to not mention the awesome team that made it all possible. From left to right Steve Rule (original team), myself (original team), Phil (Steve's Dad) and my best mate Warren - we now call him the assassin baker - It was an awesome event. Thanks for the advise. I post a few Photos in the appropriate spot. The second photo is Sunday Morning's offering, being Cockles(Warren), Soldier's Cake (Warren), Apple Pie (mine) and Chelsea Buns (Steve).
8-)

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