Before leaving home, season new cast iron cookware. Seasoning protects the material from rusting and will keep food from sticking to it. Apply a thin sheen of grapeseed oil or corn oil on the cooking surface and bake it in the oven until the oil begins to smoke. A well-seasoned cast iron surface has a satin appearance and resists rusting. At the campsite, gently clean cast iron with a chain mail scrubber, water, and biodegradable detergent. Dry and store it upside down. If rust appears, use the scrubber to remove it and re-season the cookware on your camping stove. Repeat as necessary to restore the satin look.