When you are done cooking and need to store leftovers, you can pop it into the fridge for a couple of days. And yes, your beans will stay fresh! If you want to keep them longer, you can remove the cooking liquid and freeze the food.
If you put it in the freezer or fridge, the Dutch oven will retain the cold, so it can be a good option for, say, pasta salads and desserts, too. And feel free to put it right into the fridge once it has cooled if you need to store whatever you've just cooked.
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron is cast iron with a smooth porcelain surface bonded to the iron. Enamel is resistant against acidic and alkaline foods and can be used to marinate, cook, and refrigerate.
Technically, cast iron can go in the fridge and the freezer. However, it is not recommended for long periods for a variety of reasons.
Don't be tempted to store your leftovers in a cast-iron pan in the refrigerator. Not only can the food cause the seasoning to deteriorate, but putting a hot pan in the fridge can crack the glass shelves or the pan itself. And never put your cast-iron pan in the oven on the self-cleaning cycle.
Cast iron is particularly susceptible to the stress caused by freezing temperatures and are more likely to crack than less brittle materials. Cracked cast iron radiators will likely need to be replaced.
Le Creuset is committed to product quality and safety, regularly conducting internal and reputable third-party laboratory evaluations. For nearly 100 years, our products have been consistently safe to use and comply with all federal safety regulations established by the Food & Drug Administration.
The more you use a rusted pan, the more iron you'll consume in your food. It's best to avoid cooking with a rusty cast iron pan. If it's reached the point of corrosion or deep rust, throw it away rather than risk your and your family's health.
Food Storage
The Enameled Cast Iron surface is non-porous and is suitable to use for storing raw or cooked food in the refrigerator or freezer.
Why is Le Creuset cookware so expensive? The short answer is: because you get what you pay for. Le Creuset makes some of the best cast iron cookware on the market, including the best Dutch oven money can buy.
So the choice between Staub and Le Creuset really comes down to personal preference around look and feel. While in our product tests we prefer Le Creuset due to its slightly lighter weight and beginner-friendly light interior, we still recommend Staub as a high-quality Dutch oven.
You can also put your STAUB product in the oven* (except for those with a wooden or silicone handle). * Maximum temperature 250°C/500°F (200°C/400°F with silicone handles and 220°C/440°F with glass lids).
All Staub enamel cookware is PTFE, PFOA, Lead, and Cadmium free.
One concern with enameled cast iron is the potential presence of lead or cadmium in the enamel coating. These toxic metals can pose health risks if they leach into food. However, high-quality manufacturers like Caraway adhere to strict safety standards to ensure their products are lead- and cadmium-free.
“Glass, like Pyrex cookware, is a safe option,” Perko said. “Cast iron is a safe option if NOT frying or using high-temperature cooking. If you have or can use or purchase stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use.”
If you want to maintain your cast iron pan's beautiful nonstick layer of seasoning, always make sure to remove any extra food you've cooked in the pan and store it in a separate container — don't simply cover the pan and store it in the fridge as you might with stainless steel cookware, for example.
Cast iron cookware makes food taste better.
Thanks to cast iron's incredible heat retention, there's no better way to get crispy fried chicken, flavorful roasted veggies, or a perfect loaf of bread.
Rapid temperature changes in a dutch oven can lead to the enamel cracking or chipping, so it's best to allow gradual temperature changes throughout the preparation process. Try removing your dutch oven from the refrigerator and setting it out at room temperature so it can begin heating.
Signs Your Cast Iron Is Damaged
A well-seasoned cast iron skillet can help you achieve flavorful dishes, but if the skillet reaches extremely high temperatures — generally around 800 degrees Fahrenheit — all of that seasoning can burn off. This is the most common damage cast iron pans sustain.
Carbon steel cookware: High-quality carbon steel pans will last a lifetime if used properly. Cast iron cookware: Cast iron pans are similar in longevity to carbon steel pans. They will keep performing for decades, even a lifetime. Ceramic cookware: Ceramic pans typically have a shorter lifespan of less than five years.