Stains won't affect your cookware's performance, but you can reduce the look of light stains and marks with an enameled cast iron cleaner. Just follow the cleaner's instructions. For tougher stains, wipe it down with a little warm vinegar.
you do not clean a cast iron pan with vinegar. You clean a cast iron pan with mild dish soap and hot water. If you're cooking the right kind of fat you only need to wipe it out with a paper towel.
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).
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.
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.
Enameled cast iron, however, is not non-stick, and you will need to grease or oil it to avoid sticking. Some food may stick to the pan if you cook on it without oil or cook at high heat. Therefore, traditional cast iron pans work better for foods that need to be cooked at higher heat.
Did you know BKF is safe for enameled cast iron? 🧐 Take an example from Megan, who used our Soft Cleanser to clean up the burnt-on residue left on her.
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.
Recommended cleaning products for enameled cast iron
Pro Tip: For stubborn stains in enameled cast iron, a paste of baking soda and water applied with a soft sponge can effectively clean 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.
Olive oil is a favorite for many types of cooking, but it's not ideal for cast iron. With its low smoke point, olive oil can easily burn, leaving behind a residue that can be tough to clean off your cast iron pan.
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.
But it isn't hard to keep your Dutch oven's interior clean; hot water and soap will do the trick most of the time. For more challenging messes—such as staining or burnt on bits—Bar Keepers Friend, or various mixtures of baking soda, vinegar, or bleach are effective.
My foolproof method for cleaning my cast-iron kitchen sink is using Bar Keepers Friend with a Magic Eraser, which works every time. I've never met a scuff mark I couldn't beat.
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. Boil for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the food.
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.
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.”
Make sure to wash enameled cast iron cookware by hand, as running it through the dishwasher can cause the enamel to wear out prematurely. Scrubbing with a sponge and dish soap should be enough to get rid of most messes—and if not, you're now equipped with the knowledge to get rid of the rest.
No matter what the inside of your enameled cast iron cookware looks or feels like, food will stick to it if you don't allow it to fully preheat. Five or six minutes usually does the trick. You're also going to have a sticky situation if you try to skip the butter or oil.
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.