Enameled cookware, such as your trusty Le Creuset dutch oven, is really useful in the kitchen! These pots and pans are usually made of heavy cast iron that is covered in a porcelain layer. These two materials give you the best of both worlds in the kitchen: these pans heat evenly, are well-insulated, but they have a smooth easy-to-use cooking surface.
Related: How to Season Cast Iron The Right Way
But even with knowing these things beforehand, I really didn’t understand what all the fuss was about until I bought my own! My Le Creuset pan quickly became my go-to pan, and I still use it more often than most of my other pans!
However, there is one slight drawback to enameled cookware–you’re not supposed to wash in the dishwasher. And while I was perfectly happy washing my Le Creuset by hand, I was apprehensive about scrubbing at those tough, baked-on residues and stains that tend to accumulate on the inside. I wanted them gone, but I didn’t want to scratch or ruin the enameled surface! So I did some research to find the best way to clean enameled cookware, and I put together a method that’s been working really well for me. And that’s what I’m sharing with you today!
Follow these simple steps and your enameled cookware will keep looking great, and it will serve you well for years to come! :-)
How To Clean Enameled Cookware
You’ll need:
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Baking soda
- Magic Eraser
Directions:
Step 1 – Wash
Start by washing your pot with warm, soapy water. This will help get any major messes taken care of before you start on the trickier or more stubborn ones.
Step 2 – Scrub
For the next step, you’ll need baking soda and a small dish. Put some baking soda into the dish, and stir in enough water to form a paste. Scoop some of the baking soda paste onto a tooth brush, sponge or some paper towels. Use the paste to clean any stubborn residues or stains inside of your enameled cookware.
Baking soda is abrasive enough to scrub away tough messes, but gentle enough that it shouldn’t damage the enameled finish. When you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the baking soda mixture.
Step 3 – Erase
For the final step, you’ll use a Magic Eraser. This step should only be necessary if the first two steps didn’t take care of all the stains in your pot. I also want to mention that this should be done sparingly, as the abrasive foam in the sponge could scratch or wear down the enameled surface if you overdo it.
Grab a small section of a Magic Eraser and moisten it with water. Then simply “erase” any remaining stains or residues in the bottom of your pot. Give your pot another swish with warm, soapy water, and you’re done!
These simple steps take care of 95% of the stains and residues that form in my enameled cookware pieces. I don’t worry about the other 5%, because it gives my cookware the look of being well-used and well-loved (which of course, it is!) I hope these tips end up being as helpful for you as they have been for me! :-)
How does your enameled cookware look?
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Great! I just bought a older crockpot from the thrift store and it has some stains in the crock. I will defently try this! Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The bottom of my white enamel Le Crueset pot has been scrubbed almost down the the cast iron by a well-meaning husband who was trying to clean it. The original instructions said to use bleach and water to remove stains from the inside. That worked in the beginning, but it was still prone to stains. (White wasn’t the best choice, but it was on sale.) It doesn’t matter, I love this little 2-qt. dutch oven (and will continue to use it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was tired of the residue left on my crockpot. I soak it immediately and wash it thoroughly but when dried, the ceramic part has a white residue that looks awful. I solved the problem by using LEMON JUICE & BAKING SODA paste. I bought the lemon juice at the dollar store for cleaning (we only eat/drink fresh lemon juice) and it worked beautifully!
I realize this isn’t exactly what you were addressing in this post but hope it is useful to someone.
Love your column and look forward to reading all of them!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any recommendations for getting coffee/tea stains from the silver YETI style cups? Thanks and love this site!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fill the cup with equal parts water and white vinegar :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used SOS on my Le Creuset to get rid of stubborn stains. If your careful, it won’t scratch the finish. For stubborn stains on inside I usually add some baking soda and water and bring to a boil. It usually loosens the “gunk” enough to remove it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This post came at just the right time! I made veggie soup in my enameled pot last night and even after washing, it looks pretty dingy. Going to give the tips a try! Thanks, Jillee! Also, I read your book last week. What a great story and testimony!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Annie! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yep, baking soda is great for so many things. I keep an empty cottage cheese container filled with it next to the sink and merely wet a finger and dip in. This is a fast way to let a little rub clean out coffee and tea stains from mugs. So many other applications!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Baking soda is sort of the miracle cleaner. I love my Le Crueset and, like you, don’t want to damage it. Very helpful. Even though I love my Magic Eraser, I never thought of using it on my pot. Good tip to use it sparingly… but nice to have that one in your back pocket.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jilly, what is that delicious looking meal?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a chicken cordon bleu skillet! Here’s the recipe :-) http://jillee.co/2EItDDp
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just love magic erasers! In the beginning I found it weird stuff, now I am a fan. They are really cheap – but as they fall apart / crumble very quickly, i just use a little piece. With an ordinary knife i cut some slits in the sponge (a bit more than halfway down), this is easy and i break of a small square when needed. Better for environment too, don’t think it is very natural stuff.
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