Unmarked Iron Mountain Dutch Oven

[Patty Yates]

I acquired (what I believe ) is an unmarked Iron Mountain Dutch oven. Markings on the top and underside of the lid match information on the internet. The pot has a heat ring, block number 8 (1/2”high) at noon, and italicized 4 digit number at 6 o’clock. The inner “coating” of the pot appears to be stainless steel, covered by a dark layer of some kind of finish. Any help is appreciated

 

[Doug D.]

Iron Mountain pieces were offered either plain (unground) or polish ground, Yours appears polished. There would have been no coating. The only change to the surface, under normal use, would be cooking build-up (seasoning) or erosion from food acidity.

 

[Patty Yates]

Doug, thank you for your response. Please clarify what “no coating” means? Are most cast iron pieces coated? So do you think my pot is cast iron? I forgot to mention that the Dutch oven weighs less than my large cast iron skillet.

 

[Doug D.]

Your DO is cast iron. The foundry would not have applied any substance other than perhaps a rust-preventative lacquer that would be removed by the purchaser before first use. Older hand-poured cast iron pieces, before the use of automation, were generally thinner and lighter than modern ones.

 

[Patty Yates]

Doug,
How would I care for this DO? Clean and season like my other cast iron skillets?

 

[Doug D.]

Yes, the same.