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Top tips for cooking on and caring for your enamel cast iron
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Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens, sinks, and pans are all the rage these days—and it’s easy to see why! Aside from being high-quality cookware that comes in a variety of fun colors, enameled cast iron is much easier to clean and care for than traditional cast iron. Whether you’re trying to scrub out a stubborn stain or burnt-on piece of last night’s dinner, follow the steps below for a comprehensive guide to cleaning your enameled cast iron with expert advice from cleaning expert Raymond Chiu.
How to Wash an Enameled Cast Iron Pan
Use a gentle dish soap and non-abrasive sponge to remove food from the interior and exterior of the completely-cooled dish. Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to any stains and scrub gently. Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly and store it on your stovetop.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
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Let the pan cool completely and scrape off food. Set your enameled cast iron Dutch oven or pan on your stovetop to cool. Immediately washing a hot, enameled cast iron pan with cooler water can cause it to crack. [1] X Research source
- Once the pan is cool, use a silicone or plastic scraper to remove any baked-on or burnt pieces of food.
- Avoid using steel wool or metal scrapers that can create small scratches in the enamel.
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Wash the enameled cast iron pan in warm, soapy water. Cleaning expert Raymond Chiu recommends washing the pan with “warm water and dish soap [and] scrubbing gently with a sponge or soft cloth.” Remember to clean the exterior and bottom of your pan as well. [2] X Research source
- Although your enameled cast iron dishware may be marketed as dishwasher safe, it’s recommended that you hand wash it. [3] X Research source
- Harsh dishwasher detergents can wear away at the enamel finish and compromise the durability of your pan.
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Section 2 of 5:
How to Remove Stains & Stuck-on Food from Enameled Cast Iron
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Remove stuck-on food with baking soda. Sprinkle a small amount of dry baking soda onto a dampened dishcloth. Gently scrub your enameled cast iron pan with the dishcloth. If dry-scrubbing with baking soda doesn’t remove the baked-on food from your dishware, add 2 cups (470 mL) of water and ¼ cup (50g) baking soda to the enameled cast iron pan. [4] X Research source
- Heat the baking soda and water mixture on the stove until boiling.
- Wait for the water to cool before removing the food with a plastic or silicone scraper.
- Alternatively, fill the pan with warm, soapy water and allow it to soak for several hours before attempting to scrape off the food. [5] X Research source
- Baking soda is a great option for removing food stains from enamelware , explains house cleaning professional Raymond Chiu, “because it’s abrasive enough to remove tough marks from enamel, but not enough to damage the material.”
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Get rid of stains with a baking soda paste. Cleaning expert Raymond Chiu says, “Make a mixture of baking soda and warm water so it forms a thick paste. Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the mixture onto the area and scrub out the stains from the enamel.”
- Chiu advises to “rinse the enamel using water [and] if the stains are still there, use a magic eraser to clean the stains.”
- “Simply dampen the eraser with water and squeeze out any excess liquid,” instructs Chiu, then “rub the area with the item. Be careful with the eraser as it may be too abrasive on the enamel.”
- Once you’ve removed the stains, rinse the pan and thoroughly dry it before storing it properly.
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Use kosher salt to remove stains from your pan. Create a paste of coarse kosher salt and tepid water. Coat the enamel cookware with the salt paste. Gently scrub the interior of the dish with a soft bristle scrub brush to remove the stains. [6] X Research source
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Try lightening stains with hydrogen peroxide. After removing any food burned onto the enameled cast iron, pour the hydrogen peroxide so it’s at least 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) deep in the pan. [7] X Research source
- Add ¼ cup (50g) of baking soda and heat the pan on the stove until the mixture starts to bubble.
- Remove the pan from the stovetop and let it soak until cool. Then, clean the pan with warm, soapy water.
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Tackle deep stains in enameled cast iron with chlorine bleach. Mix a solution of 3 tablespoons (44 mL) chlorine bleach to 1 US quart (0.95 L) water. Pour the solution into your enamel cookware and let it soak for 2 to 3 hours. [8] X Research source
- Safely dispose of the bleach solution and wash the cookware in warm, soapy water.
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Join the Discussion...
I got a cast-iron pan for my birthday and I've been getting really into cooking with it, but I'm scared of ruining it! I've heard water can ruin... Read More
Use hot water and a non-abrasive brush or a sponge and just gently scrub away food residue. Honestly I sometimes go weeks without washing my pan... Read More
You really don't want to wash cast iron with soap. It removes the seasoning and then you have reseason it by applying a thin layer of oil and hea... Read More
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Tips
- Avoid careless handling of your cast iron pan, such as banging it against sharp edges or other pans. If the enamel chips, the cast iron may be exposed, making your cookware more susceptible to rust.Thanks
- Clean enameled cast iron each time you cook with it.Thanks
- It’s normal for enameled cookware to become slightly stained over time—this minor staining will not affect its performance.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Raymond Chiu .
References
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/how-to-clean-enamel-cookware
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/how-to-clean-dutch-oven
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/home/how-to-clean-enamel-cookware
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/how-to-clean-dutch-oven
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-clean-stained-enameled-cast-iron-pot-article
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-cast-iron-skillet/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-method-cleaning-dutch-ovens-23064164
- ↑ https://alexandracooks.com/2019/03/21/how-to-clean-your-le-creuset-pots-and-pans/
- ↑ https://thegourmetinsider.com/cookware-how-to-store-cookware/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/10-things-to-know-before-using-your-new-dutch-oven-253154
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/10-things-to-know-before-using-your-new-dutch-oven-253154
- ↑ https://chatelaine.com/food/kitchen-tips/difference-cast-iron-cookware/
- ↑ https://nourishedkitchen.com/enameled-cast-iron-cookware/
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