If the chip is on the outside of the pot, it is still safe to use. Coat the chipped spot with oil to keep moisture out. However, if the chip is on the inside, we recommend submitting a warranty claim so the piece can be evaluated.
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.
Comments Section It's no longer safe for cooking. You can line it with parchment and bake in it, but that's about it. You'll basically be eating glass. Throw it out. It's the cracking/flaking glaze that's dangerous. It can get in your food. The enamel will continue to chip.
Le Creuset is a pioneer in color development and the leader in highly-durable, chip-resistant enameled cast iron. Although others now offer their own interpretations of our signature craft, our visionary enamel expertise spans nearly a century and gives our brand the edge in quality and innovation.
The Le Creuset representative shared that the scratches were not harmful, and they could be easily lifted by a simple cleaner they recommend - Bar Keepers Friend.
The standard advice from most cookware companies is that pots and pans with chipped enamel are unsafe and shouldn't be used. We imagine that the danger is not so much the exposed cast-iron as it is that the enamel could chip further and you'll wind up with bits of enamel in your food. Not a pleasant prospect.
NEVER use a product when the interior enamel has chipped. It is no longer safe to use and you should immediately CEASE USING the product. Chips from damaged enamel could cause personal injury if ingested.
Le Creuset guarantees its cast iron products for life. Yes, you read that right. That means, if your beloved cookware chips or cracks, the company will replace it for free.
Like their Dutch ovens, Le Creuset coat their skillets in durable enamel, which enhances the flavor of your food and reduces the need for traditional seasoning. The only downside is that the skillets aren't dishwasher-safe, and you might have to give them a good scrub to get clean.
With a little care, your Le Creuset cookware will last for your lifetime.
While enamelware is extremely durable, the surface can chip if an item is dropped or gets hit with great force. If a chip occurs, simply clean the chipped area and rub the exposed metal with cooking oil to help prevent rusting. Please note that the metal is not toxic, so your enamelware is still completely functional.
You never want to place a hot pan in cold water, or fill a hot pot with cold water. That may lead to cracking of the enamel due to thermal shock. Use a soft non-metal sponge to wash your Dutch oven with warm water and a mild dish soap.
To repair your chipped porcelain enamel from scratch, purchase a food-safe epoxy. Use the epoxy to gently fill in the space left from where the vitreous enamel chipped away. Let the epoxy harden slightly, and then press a piece of waxed paper over it.
Le Creuset offers a limited lifetime warranty on its non-stick metal bakeware products. The warranty applies from the date of purchase of the original owner, whether a self-purchase or received as a gift.
Commercial and Domestic Cookware Recoating Service
Quality kitchenware sets such as Le Creuset or Bessemer can be expensive to replace. We can remove the old scratched or damaged internals and recoat with a new non stick coating for a fraction of the cost of new cookware.
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.
Not only is the Le Creuset Dutch oven one our Test Kitchen's official preferred pot, but it's also a personal favorite of our prep kitchen manager, Catherine Ward. Here's why. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Produced by an independent company based in the U.S. Independent reviews consider Lodge Dutch ovens to be about as durable as ones from Le Creuset and Staub, which we can also attest to. Far cheaper than Le Creuset and Staub.
Le Creuset states that you should never use metal sponges, abrasive cleaners, or metal utensils when washing as they may scratch the cookware's enamel surface. Instead, the brand recommends using soft natural or nylon sponges when cleaning the interior or exterior of your pan.
If the chip is on the outside of the pot, it is still safe to use. Coat the chipped spot with oil to keep moisture out. However, if the chip is on the inside, we recommend submitting a warranty claim so the piece can be evaluated. Please visit our Warranty page to submit a claim.
Defective cookware will be repaired or, if repair is not possible, replaced free of charge with a similar product or one of equivalent value if the original product is no longer in production. Please note that in the case of a set, only the faulty item will be replaced.
If my enamelware chips can I still use it? Yes. Just like any other ceramic, the outer porcelain layer can chip if dropped, revealing the steel beneath it. When this happens the steel below naturally oxidises and the enamelware remains safe to use.
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.
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.