How to Clean and Care for Enameled Cast Iron

While enameled cast iron makes for easier maintenance than its unfinished counterpart, it's equally important to take care to clean it carefully. Our guide covers everything you need to keep your enameled cast iron skillet, saucepan, or Dutch oven looking&#;and performing at&#;its absolute best.

siao contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron

The main difference between enameled and unfinished cast iron is the surface. While unfinished cast iron is porous and requires seasoning to develop a non stick cooking surface, enameled cast iron has a smooth, finished surface that doesn't require the same level of care as unfinished. This surface prevents rust, allows you to use acidic ingredients without stripping, and makes cleaning a Dutch Oven (or Skillet) a whole lot simpler than if it were unfinished cast iron.

Similar to cleaning non stick cookware, the process for cleaning enameled cast iron cookware depends on how dirty it is. From stuck-on food to scorched enamel, here&#;s how to tackle each type of mess.

Level One: Dirty Enamel

If you&#;re using your enameled cast iron skillet, saucepan, or Dutch oven for mainstays like stews, soups, or braises, your pot or pan likely isn&#;t getting very dirty&#;at most, you might be left with some stuck-on food residue.

To clean, you&#;ll need to grab some dish soap, a sponge with an abrasive side, and a bottle of Ceramic Cleaner (though Bar Keeper&#;s Friend can work in a pinch).

Step 1: Cool It Off

Allow your pan to cool thoroughly before cleaning. Just like a stainless or Non Stick skillet, any sudden temperature change can result in thermal shock, which could damage your cookware.

Step 2: Scrub

Once your pan has cooled, scrub with a soapy sponge and warm water, using the abrasive side to remove any stubborn bits. Make sure to scrub the outside of your pot or pan to prevent the enamel from staining.

Step 3: Soak

If you can still see stuck-on bits of food, leave the pan to soak with warm water and dish soap for a few minutes before scrubbing again. If this still doesn&#;t work, try sprinkling a small amount of Ceramic Cleaner onto the residue, then rubbing it in with the non-abrasive side of your sponge before rinsing. Dry thoroughly before putting away.

Level Two: Discolored or Stained Enamel

Like any well-loved pot or pan, your enameled cast iron cookware is eventually going to develop some slight discoloration, usually a brown stain that can range from barely-there to prominent.

While it may look permanent, we promise it&#;s not, and it&#;s simple to remove&#;all you&#;ll need is a sponge with an abrasive side, a bottle of Ceramic Cleaner or an alternative cleaner, and some dish soap.

Step 1: Wash With Soapy Water

Give your pan a thorough scrub with warm, soapy water to try and lift some of the discoloration, then rinse.

Step 2: Scrub Well

Same as when cleaning a Level One mess, you&#;ll want to sprinkle a small amount of Ceramic Cleaner onto the discolored area, rubbing it in with the non-abrasive side of your sponge before rinsing.

Level 3: Burnt Enamel

If a stain seems permanently baked on on after a Dutch oven deep-fry session, even after soaking with warm water, you may be dealing with polymerized oil&#;essentially a layer of seasoning that&#;s molecularly bonded to your pan.

This is much harder to remove with just soap and water, and likely calls for boiling your pan with water and baking soda.

Step 1: Simmer With Baking Soda

Fill your pot or pan with enough water to cover all of the burnt residue, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda (roughly two tablespoons for every four cups of water) and stir gently with a wooden spoon or other non-abrasive utensil.

Step 2: Scrape and Scrub

While boiling, gently and repeatedly scrape the burnt parts with your utensil until you&#;ve gotten all or most of the residue off. If there are any remaining bits, allow your pan to cool before scrubbing once more with soap and water. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove the burnt residue.

Enameled Cast Iron Care Tips

Knowing how to clean your Enameled Cast Iron Cookware is only half the battle. To keep your pot or pan in excellent working condition, keep these tips in mind while using it.

Use Non-Abrasive Utensils

Avoid using sharp metal utensils or steel wool on enameled cast iron, as this will scratch the glaze and damage the smooth surface. Instead, reach for a silicone or wooden utensil to stir, and a sponge to clean (the abrasive side of a sponge is fine, just be gentle).

Avoid Heating an Empty Pan

As with non stick cookware, don't heat up Enameled Cast Iron Cookware without anything in it&#;this can damage the glaze and cause scorching or burning. Always add water or fat to your pan before heating on the stove or in the oven.

Wash by Hand

Make sure to wash enameled cast iron cookware by hand, as running it through the dishwasher can cause the enamel to wear out prematurely. Scrubbing with a sponge and dish soap or Ceramic Cleaner should be enough to get rid of most messes&#;and if not, you&#;re now equipped with the knowledge to get rid of the rest.

Ready to Shop?

Now that you&#;re an expert on cleaning and maintaining these workhorse pots and pans, it&#;s time to get to the fun part&#;all the incredible recipes you&#;ll be making in your well-maintained Enameled Cast Iron cookware. Whether your vibe is a homemade Sourdough Loaf, some glazed Apple Cider Donuts, or a Skillet Roasted Chicken, you&#;ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor even more knowing how easy the cleanup will be.

Do you know how to clean Le Creuset cookware? This French-made brand of enameled cast iron cookware&#;consisting of oven-safe pans and Dutch ovens&#;stands the test of time. Its pieces are as durable and timeless as cast iron, and their enamel coating makes them non-stick, easier to clean, and available in a rainbow of color options. In fact, the Le Creuset classic skillet is one of our favorite frying pans.

Whether you inherited enameled cast iron cookware as a family heirloom or just bought a set for yourself, learning how to properly clean and care for this cookware will help it last for decades&#;you can pass down your favorite enameled cast iron skillet to the next generation. While most enameled cast iron cookware is technically dishwasher-safe, if you want it to last for as long as possible, hand-washing is best. Here's the easiest way to clean Le Creuset cookware, as well as fail-proof tricks for removing stubborn stains.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Easy Cleaning Enamel Cast Iron Pots And Pans.

How Often to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

As with any cookware, enameled cast iron should be washed after every use to remove bits of food. After years of heat exposure and tomato-based sauces, the interior of most enameled pieces develops a patina or discoloration that cannot be removed. While most cooks accept the patina as a symbol of their hard work and delicious food, you don't have to live with it.

What You Need:

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware With Dish Soap

Use this simple routine after every use to keep your cookware clean and looking brand-new.

Step 1: Let It Cool

For your safety and the longevity of your cookware, let the pan cool completely before cleaning it. Plunging a hot enameled cast iron pan into a sink of water can cause cracks.

Step 2: Scrape Away Food Bits

Use a silicone or plastic scraper to loosen food bits stuck to the pan.

Step 3: Wash in Warm Soapy Water

Wash the cookware in warm soapy water using a non-abrasive sponge or dishcloth.

Step 4: Clean the Rim

If the exposed lip of the cookware looks a bit rusty, clean the area with a baking soda paste. To prevent the rust from returning, season the lip by placing a few drops of vegetable oil on a paper towel and then rubbing it along the rim.

Step 5: Tackle Stuck-on Food

If burned-on food just won&#;t budge, here are three ways to remove it:    

• Dry-scrub with baking soda. Sprinkle a damp dishcloth with a bit of dry baking soda and then scrub the area. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift the food without harming the enameled finish.
• Wet-scrub with baking soda. Add 2 cups water and ¼ cup baking soda to the pan, place it on the stovetop, and then heat until boiling. Allow the water to cool, and then use a plastic scraper to remove the food.
• Soak it off. Fill the pan with warm soapy water, allow it to soak for several hours, and then use a plastic scraper to remove the stuck-on food.

How to Remove Stubborn Stains

Proper routine cleaning helps prevent stains, but some foods&#;like tomato sauce, beets, and burned sugar&#;tend to be stubborn. Here are three methods to get rid of stubborn stains:

• Use baking soda. In a small bowl, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to the pan with a soft sponge and rub in a circular motion. This mild abrasive removes stains without harming the enamel. Once the stains disappear, rinse the pan and dry thoroughly.
• Try hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that lightens stains. Once you've removed any burned food, pour enough hydrogen peroxide into the cookware to cover the bottom at least ½-inch deep. Add ¼ cup baking soda and heat the cookware on the stovetop until the mixture begins to bubble. Remove the pan from the heat, let it soak until cool, and then wash as usual.
• Soak in chlorine bleach. Mix 3 tablespoons chlorine bleach into 1 quart water. Pour the mixture into the cookware and allow it to soak for 2 to 3 hours. Pour out the solution and wash the cookware in warm soapy water.

Le Creuset Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know what to do, here are a few things to avoid to keep your Le Creuset pristine:

• Using the wrong tools. Avoid using steel wool or metal scrapers to remove stains, as they cause minute scratches that can make food stick.
• Careless handling. Do not bang enameled cookware on sharp edges or against other pans. This causes the enamel to chip and expose the cast iron, making it susceptible to rust.
• Cleaning a hot pan. Allow the cookware to cool completely before filling it with cold water or plunging it into a sink of water.
• Skipping the exterior. Don&#;t forget to clean the exterior and the bottom of your cookware to remove stains from spills and boil-overs.
• Air-drying. Dry the cookware with a towel quickly and thoroughly before storing.
• Storing improperly. To prevent scratches and chips when storing, place a kitchen towel or paper towel between the cookware and its lid.
• Using the dishwasher. Extend the life of your cast iron enameled cookware by hand-washing instead of exposing it to the harsher dishwasher detergents.