Care & Use

Made to be used

Good materials ask for a little attention and reward it for decades. None of this is fussy — a few habits are all it takes to keep well-made goods working and looking their best. Here is how we care for the materials we carry.

Cast Iron

Cook on it often; that is the best care there is. After each use, rinse warm, scrub with a stiff brush or a little coarse salt, and dry fully over low heat so no water lingers. While it is still warm, wipe a very thin film of neutral oil across the whole surface and buff it nearly dry. Skip the dishwasher and long soaks. If rust ever appears, scour it back to bare metal, re-oil, and bake to re-season. Treated this way, a pan only gets better and passes easily from one cook to the next.

Stoneware

Stoneware is sturdy and made for daily use. Wash by hand or on a normal dishwasher cycle; most glazed pieces handle both well. Avoid sudden temperature swings — do not move a piece straight from refrigerator to hot oven — as thermal shock, not use, is what cracks it. Let crocks and jars dry fully before sealing to keep them fresh. An occasional stain on unglazed clay is simply the record of a well-fed kitchen and does no harm.

Wool

Wool is naturally resilient and shrugs off odor, so it needs washing far less often than you would think — airing a throw or blanket outdoors usually refreshes it. When it does need cleaning, hand-wash or use a wool cycle in cool water with a gentle, wool-safe soap, then lay flat to dry away from direct heat and sun. Never wring it. Store it clean and dry with a little cedar to keep moths at bay. Pilling lightly at first? A wool comb tidies it in minutes.

Wood & Cutting Boards

Wash boards and wooden tools by hand with warm water and mild soap, then towel dry and stand them on edge so air reaches every side; never soak them or send them through the dishwasher, which warps and splits the grain. Every few weeks, or whenever the wood looks thirsty, rub in food-safe mineral oil or a board cream and let it soak in overnight. A well-oiled oak or maple board resists moisture, stays smooth, and serves for many years.

Waxed Canvas

Waxed canvas is built for weather and wants very little. Brush off dirt and spot-clean with cool water and a cloth — no detergent, no machine, no dry cleaning, all of which strip the wax. Let it air dry naturally. Over time the finish softens and marks with use; that patina is the point. When the fabric starts to look dry or stops shedding water, warm it gently and work in a fresh coat of fabric wax to renew the weatherproofing for years more of service.

Brass

Brass lives happily either way — left alone it deepens to a warm, mellow patina, or kept bright with a little polish. To restore shine, use a proper brass polish or a mild paste of lemon and baking soda, rub gently, then rinse and dry completely. Keep it dry between cleanings to slow tarnish. Because solid brass patinas rather than corrodes, there is no wrong choice here; both the bright and the aged look are simply brass being brass.

Enamelware

Enamel over steel is tough but not indestructible. Wash by hand with a soft sponge; avoid steel wool and harsh scouring, which can dull or chip the glassy surface. Let pieces cool before rinsing to protect the enamel from thermal shock. For stubborn marks, simmer a little water with baking soda, then wipe clean. Small chips are cosmetic and do not spread with reasonable care. Handled gently, enamelware keeps its bright, wipe-clean finish through years of camp mornings and kitchen dinners alike.

Leather

Full-grain leather ages beautifully with a little upkeep. Keep it dry when you can, and if it does get wet, let it dry slowly at room temperature, never by a heater. Wipe away dust with a soft cloth, and a few times a year work in a small amount of leather conditioner to keep it supple and guard against cracking. Store it with air around it rather than sealed in plastic. Scuffs and softening are not damage — they are the piece becoming yours.