Cast Iron Dutch Oven

We have one of these: a Dutch Oven—I don't know where the name came from, but I assume it's from somewhere in Erope—is just a heavy, cast iron pan, that holds about a gallon of fluid, or a little more, in which you can cook a whole chicken, or even a small duck.  If you don't have an oven, you can put your bird, or whatever, in this container, ideally the bird is a little raised off the bottom, with a trivet, or something; put in an inch or so of chicken broth or tomato juice, clise it up with its heavy lid, and cook it at low temperature for an hour or two.

This is so similar to how you would bake / roast it, that you can see how the word might have started out. 

But get this.  I saw fancy versions of these things advertised for about $450 dollars. 

Why would anyone buy a fancy one at that price?  We bought ours for considerably less, but it was a long time ago, so I can't remember how much it cost.  I'm guessing around $60.

They're indestructible; but they rust.  If you go to a used goods air: e.g. Salvation Army, or Goodwill, and find one, it will cost a lot less than $450.  Take it home, and it with fine sandpaper or steel wool (wear gloves), clean it off with soap and water (WD 40 is not good enough, you're going to prepare food in this, remember), and dry it thoroughly. 

At this point, you apply a layer of burnt cooking oil inside it (and outside, too), by applying the oil first, and then heating the thing in a really hot oven.  Look up 'season a castware cookpot' on the internet, and follow directions.  There will be lots of conflicting sets of instructions; pick one, and go with it all the way to the end. 

If you do it right, there will be a hard black burnt layer inside your new pot, which makes it virtually nonstick.  They're easy to clean (as long as you don't cook anything at a high temperature for too long).  If there's cooked-on food when you're done, scrub it off with a stiff- bristled brush, and soap and water.  After it dries, apply cooking oil again (thin layer, please) and heat once again in an oven, but not as seriously as before.  Every few years, a serious re-surfacing is often recommended. 

If  you absolutely positively must have a brand new one, save up $450, and go buy one from somewhere. 

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