Yes, you can use Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) on Le Creuset, and Le Creuset officially recommends it for removing tough stains, baked-on food, and metal utensil marks from their enameled cast iron.
To deep clean a Le Creuset, combine 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda with water in your pot. Bring it to a boil, let it simmer for 8–10 minutes, and gently scrape off stuck-on food with a wooden spoon. Allow it to cool, then wash with a non-abrasive sponge.
More stubborn stains may be removed with an Enameled cast iron cookware cleaner. NEVER use any metal cleaning pads or harsh, abrasive cleaning agents on any surfaces. Regular use of an Enameled cast iron cookware cleaner will assist in retaining the original enamel appearance. NEVER use on any decal on the product.
BKF heavily advises AGAINST using BKF on regular, run-of-the-mill cast iron. So, please don't attempt this on standard cast iron products. This is only for cleaning enameled cast iron. Pro Tip: If you're uncertain about the coating on your cast iron cookware, test a small spot on the pan with BKF.
Bar Keepers Friend Cooktop Cleaner (2 x13 oz) + Scraper - Multipurpose Liquid Stovetop Cleanser, Safe for Use on Glass & Ceramic Cooking Surfaces, Copper, Brass, Chrome, Stainless Steel & Porcelain.
Yes, you can use Bar Keepers Friend on Le Creuset, but only for occasional deep cleaning of stubborn, burnt-on stains. Both Le Creuset and Bar Keepers Friend recommend it, but because it is a mild abrasive, it should only be used when regular dish soap and baking soda fail.
Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleaner that works wonders on stainless steel, glass, and porcelain, but its active ingredient (oxalic acid) and abrasive nature can ruin delicate and porous surfaces. Never use it on cast iron, non-stick cookware, marble, granite, wood, leather, or painted surfaces.
I add Vim crème to hot water in pot and let sit for a couple of hours. Or place a dishwasher tab in the pot with water to soak. Or… spray with Dawn Power wash. Let set for at least 10 minutes and rinse.
Simply rinse your Dutch oven with water, and while it's still wet, sprinkle some of Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser on the bottom of the pot or whatever spot you're trying to clean. Then, scrub the Dutch oven with a sponge using a circular motion. Finally, rinse and dry the pot completely.
Cleaning a crusty cast iron skillet involves a quick, effective process. Heat the pan, scrub it with a coarse salt or baking soda to remove the crust, dry it completely over a hot burner, and apply a thin layer of oil to restore the pan's seasoning.
While Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron is dishwasher-safe, we do recommend hand washing to keep the finish beautiful. Over time, constant dishwashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish, but it's important to note that this will not hinder the cooking performance.
Whether your scratched Le Creuset is safe depends on the severity of the damage:
Those brown stains on your Le Creuset are usually from polymerized (baked-on) oils or residual food. To safely remove them, start by simmering a mixture of 2 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of water for 10 minutes. Once cool, scrub gently with a non-metal sponge.
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How to Clean Your Le Creuset Pots and Pans (Safely)
Yes, you can absolutely use Dawn dish soap on cast iron.
As for cleaners, our Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware Cleaner will help keep your Dutch oven looking great, and is ideal for removing metal marks caused by metal tools. Bar Keeper's Friend, or a paste of baking soda and water, also comes in handy for cleaning tough stains, oil residue and marks on your Dutch oven as well.
To quickly remove stains or burnt-on food from an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, boil a mixture of water and baking soda for a few minutes, let it cool, and gently scrub with a non-abrasive pad.
For a very dirty oven, Easy-Off Professional Heavy Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner or Zep Heavy-Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner are the most effective store-bought options. For a natural alternative, a thick paste of baking soda and water works wonders.
Cleaning enameled cast iron with Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) is highly effective for removing stubborn food stains and burnt-on grease. To protect the fragile enamel, thoroughly wet the surface, sprinkle a small amount of BKF, and gently scrub with a soft, non-abrasive sponge. Never use harsh steel wool.
Yes, you can use oven cleaner on the outside of your Le Creuset enameled cast iron without damaging the finish or color.
Food sticking to enameled cast iron usually happens because the pan is too hot, isn't preheated properly, or lacks enough fat. Unlike Teflon, enamel is not naturally non-stick. To stop food from sticking, preheat the pan on low-to-medium heat for 4–5 minutes before adding cooking oil.
Bar Keepers Friend is an oxalic acid-based cleaner used to dissolve rust, mineral deposits, and tarnish, making it ideal for metal and stainless steel. Ajax is a bleach-based alkaline cleanser with mild abrasives, best for whitening surfaces, cutting through everyday grease, and deodorizing.
Yes, Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) is safe for porcelain if used correctly. Because BKF contains a micro-abrasive and oxalic acid, it is highly effective at removing rust and mineral stains from porcelain surfaces like sinks and tubs.
To quickly remove stubborn black burnt-on grease from the bottom of your oven, apply a heavy-duty commercial oven cleaner, or a homemade paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit for several hours to break down the grime, then scrub it gently with a scouring pad.