Fill the pan halfway with water and bring it to a near-boil for about 2 minutes. Pour out the water and place the pan on a sturdy, flat surface. Carefully use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the warm pan, and any residual carbon should clean up quickly.
For those stubborn stains that won't budge, a paste of baking soda and water is your best friend . Apply the paste gently on the affected area, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then wash as usual. This mild abrasive action helps lift stains without damaging the pan.
If your food is starting to stick, don't replace it quite yet. Vinegar to the rescue! Bring one part vinegar and two parts water to a simmer, and then cool and wash with soap. This should take care of all the sticky residue that has built up on the pan over time.
My favorite items for cleaning my Le Creuset is the “scrub daddy” sponge and even better for stains or grease is the “Mr. Clean magic eraser.” It works wonders with hot soapy water!
The good news is that they can be safely used on ceramic tiles and porcelain, so you have nothing to worry about if you plan on using them this way.
The method I tested and found to be the best is simple: Let the water come to a boil, add the baking soda, and give it a good stir. After a few minutes of simmering, use a wooden spoon (no metal on that enamel surface!) to nudge off the burnt-on bits.
Never use spray oils — including aerosols, mist, and pump sprays — with ceramic nonstick cookware, because small spray droplets will heat up quickly and carbonize easily on the nonstick surface. If you do end up with sticky spots, you can get rid of them with a melamine sponge and a bit of warm water.
Add three teaspoons of soda, pour hot water and cook it for about 15 minutes. Baking soda should dissolve the burnt rests and enables to remove them quickly. For better results, you can also add three teaspoons of vinegar to the mixture of water and baking soda, and cook it for about 15 minutes.
It Can Clean Lots of Things, but Not Everything
But for hard, non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, or glass, go for it! In addition to pots and pans, you can use Bar Keepers Friend to shine up your cutlery or serveware, your copper mugs for Moscow Mules, or even the inside of your microwave!
This is due to the nature of the coating, which naturally releases every time you heat up your pan. Once that coating has worn out, your pan will no longer be non stick—but will still be usable, and can be made relatively non stick once more with the help of cooking fat.
A melamine sponge (such as the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) will do the trick. Use light pressure and warm water with your melamine sponge to remove the carbonized layer of fat and your Green Pan™ will start cooking (and stop sticking) like new!
Don't Use Metal Utensils
Metal utensils are typically quite abrasive, leaving permanent scratches that may not be visible to the naked eye, but which will gradually build up and destroy your pan's non stick surface.
For particularly tough stains, try mixing a solution of 25% bleach and 75% baking soda in a cup. Always test the solution on a small section of your ceramic tile before you tackle the mold.
Deep Cleaning Techniques
Here's how to do that without damaging the coating of your pan. Mix together a 1:1 ratio (we suggest roughly 2 tablespoons each) of white vinegar and baking soda, then gently scrub with a sponge or dishcloth to create a paste.
Pour some white vinegar into an empty spray bottle and spray a thin layer, enough to cover the stovetop. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top. Place a hot, damp towel over the newly created solution on the stove and wait for 10-15 minutes. Remove the towel and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
The method: Preheat your oven to 350°F, then fill your casserole dish with equal parts white vinegar and water. Place the filled casserole dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes before removing. Once the dish is cool, use dish soap and water to wipe up the remaining grime.
Use a non-abrasive sponge/soft dishcloth and some dish soap to clean the surface. Never, ever use steel wool or heavy-duty sponges as these will scratch the non-stick ceramic coating.
Known for its rich flavor and health benefits , extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point that can quickly degrade under high heat, potentially harming the non-stick coating of ceramic pans. Save this flavorful oil for dressings or low-heat cooking.
One of the downsides of using a ceramic non-stick pan or Dutch oven is the possibility of the color changing. Over time, even high-quality ceramic cookware may develop stains or discoloration, especially if not cleaned promptly.
Avoid metal utensils: While ceramic cookware is durable, it can be scratched by metal utensils. Instead, use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid damaging the surface of the cookware. Allow to cool before washing: After cooking with ceramic cookware, allow it to cool before washing it.
Magic erasers work awesome! They clean any stains easily.
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.
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.