Sprinkle a tablespoon or so of Bar Keepers Friend on the bottom of the pan. Using a soft, damp sponge (no abrasives), scrub small areas in a circular motion. Dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
BKF Cookware Cleanser not only can remove burnt-on stains from a metal skillet like mine, but also from glass and ceramic dishes, stainless steel utensils, enamel-coated cast iron, and more.
I swear by Baking soda--it's the best cleaner in my kitchen. It's non-toxic, anti-bacterial, cheap, safe, VERY effective. I've even removed grape juice stains with it. It's all I've ever needed to use to clean those stains from my enamelled cast iron--and mine still looks like brand new--inside and out.
The only way you're going to damage the enamel is by percussion... hitting it with something hard that will chip it away from the cast iron (or drastic temperature changes, of course).
To remove those stubborn bits, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda for a few minutes. Then use a pan scraper to loosen the food. Follow this process with a good cleaning with soap and a scrub brush.
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven
Don't fill your cast-iron cookware with wine or vinegar. A splash for sauce or deglazing is OK, but tossing a significant amount straight into the pan undiluted will ruin your cookware, and your health.
Or you can also fill the pot with warm water and a tablespoon or two of baking soda, and bring the water to a simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Once the food residue has softened, cool and drain the liquid in the pot. Rinse and dry, and you should be good to go.
Recommended cleaning products for enameled cast iron
For stubborn stains or stuck-on food, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied with a soft sponge in a circular motion, acting as a mild abrasive without damaging the enamel.
Cast iron is quite heavy in nature so a small knock can chip the enamel. Avoid using your oven as storage. Should you forget it's in there and turn your oven on a high heat, you will damage the enamel coating. After washing up your Dutch oven, dry it with either a tea towel or a paper towel.
While enamel is useful in that it eliminates the pitted surface of cast iron where food can more readily get trapped and stick, it is not inherently nonstick and does not build up a seasoning. So each time you cook, you'll need a sufficient amount of fat to avoid stuck-on messes.
Using soap will not ruin your pan. It is totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy your seasoning. With enameled cast iron, you're done: Wash and dry.
Rinse the pan under water (this helps the Bar Keepers Friend from falling off the pan). Sprinkle about a tablespoon of Bar Keepers Friend on a small portion of the pan bottom. Using a damp sponge, get your elbow grease on and get scrubbing!
While it may be crafted to last for generations, enameled cast iron can become discolored over time. Cooking with high heat, food residue, and standard wear and tear can all contribute to the finish becoming discolored.
No. Though Bar Keepers Friend can be used on a variety of hard, non-porous surfaces (like stainless steel, glass, and enamel), it will strip the coating on nonstick pots and pans. The same goes for cast iron without an enamel coating.
we have a tip from a commenter that says: “Yes, you can use oven cleaner on the outside of your Le Creuset enameled cast iron without damaging the finish or color.”
One of the most common mistakes people make is not rinsing Bar Keepers Friend thoroughly after use. The product can leave behind a fine residue that, if not removed, can cause damage over time. Make sure to rinse surfaces thoroughly with water and dry them after cleaning and you may rinse and repeat as needed.
Don't use metal utensils.
And you definitely don't want to cut food within the cookware—save that for the cutting board. (It's also a good idea to not stack other pans on the enameled surface or it could damage the coating.)
Just like with traditional cast iron cookware, you should replace enameled cast iron cookware if any cracks appear. Enameled cookware is more likely to crack than traditional enamel from sudden temperature changes.
For persistent stains:
Soak the interior of the cookware for 2-3 hours with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach per quart of water. To remove stubborn, baked-on food, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda.
For the exterior colorful enamel, our Le Creuset Cast Iron Cookware Cleaner will help keep the grill pan looking great. Bar Keeper's Friend, or a paste of baking soda and water, also comes in handy for cleaning tough stains and marks on the exterior as well.
A big splash of vinegar or lemon juice, if necessary, with a bit of hot water, added to the pan could solve all your problems. Simply let it soak for a while and scrub it afterwards. We guarantee that 9 out of 10 times the acid will win!
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! You can also persevere the integrity of your Le Creuset by hand washing and drying immediately.