How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware So It Lasts

A favorite of chefs and home cooks, enameled cast iron cookware is coveted for its beauty and durability. Made popular by brands like Le Creuset and Staub, enameled cast iron cookware can be expensive, but it's well worth the investment&#;and with the right care, your cookware can last a lifetime.

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Enameled cast iron is coated with porcelain enamel, which makes it more durable, versatile, and easier to use and clean, says Nate Collier, director of marketing communications and culinary at Le Creuset. "Enameled cast iron requires no seasoning and is designed to minimize sticking and resist dulling, staining, chipping, and cracking," he says. "This cookware delivers the benefits of cooking with cast iron but removes the hassle of maintaining it."

While easier to care for than cast iron, enameled cast iron needs just as much TLC to maintain its durable quality. We asked experts to share their best tips for every step of the cleaning process.

Why It's Important to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

It's necessary to give your enameled cast iron a thorough wash after each use to keep it in its best condition, says Tiffany La Forge, professional chef, food writer, and the author of The Modern Cast Iron Cookbook. "While enameled cast iron cookware is much easier to clean than its non-enameled cast iron cousin, it still takes some care to ensure it stays scratch-free and keeps its non-stick interior," she says. In addition, this will help prevent food or grease buildup that could damage the cookware altogether, says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations at Two Maids.

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

While enameled cast iron cookware is sturdier than many other types of coated cookware, it's best to handwash it, even if your model says it is dishwasher safe. "Handwashing your cookware will preserve it and keep it rust-free," says La Forge. "If any part of the interior or trim isn't enameled, it will rust."

Materials You'll Need

• Gentle dish soap
• Non-abrasive sponge or brush

Follow these expert-approved steps to routinely clean your enameled cast iron cookware:

1. Allow the cookware to completely cool before cleaning.
2. If there is food residue, fill the pan with warm water and a gentle dish soap and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing.
3. Use a non-abrasive sponge or brush to remove small food deposits or stubborn residue.

How to Remove Stains and Stuck-On Food

Whether you stained your enameled cast iron cookware or burned a bit of food on it, the remedies to both of these issues only require the use of a few household ingredients.

What You'll Need

• Kosher salt
• Baking soda
• Paper towels

Here are the experts' recommendations on how to remove stubborn food and stains from enameled cast iron:

1. To remove food without damaging your cast iron, use a spatula to gently remove any possible debris.
2. Wipe with a dry cloth to remove all loose food.
3. Once you have removed as much as possible, create a paste of course kosher salt and lukewarm water and coat the cookware to remove residue.
4. If this doesn't work, mix baking soda and water to create a paste. This will remove both stains and any remaining stuck-on food.
5. Using the paste, scrub the affected area, rinse, and repeat. If you still need to loosen up the burnt-on food, try boiling water in the pan, says Cohoon.
6. Dump the water and repeat the paste methods above.
7. Once you're finishing cleaning, pat the cookware dry with a paper towel.

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.

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.

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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.

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