Cleaning enameled cast iron.

[Finster]

How do you all get stains out of your enameled cast iron? Or do you just not worry about it?

[Richard Chrz]

So, my most recent experience is this after totally trashing a lodge 6 qt. Don’t stress so much about a bit of discoloration. There are a few cleaners out there, but after over cleaning and having to throw one away, I just try to do my best with each cleaning and realize sometimes flavor leaves a bit behind in memory, and will become a beautiful patina.

[Oak Smoke]

My wife gets hers to look like that about every 5 years. After trying to clean them several times I just order her a new one when they get that way now.

[Oak Smoke]

After thinking it over I saw why the wife’s pans discolor so. When she makes a roast she browns it in the Dutch oven before putting it in the oven. There are times when that browning process gets pretty hot. With her a burner has three settings, high, low, and off. Browning is done on high.

[Panhead John]

Baking soda is your friend. I would put enough hot water in the pan to cover your stains. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Take it off the heat and let it sit on the stove to cool off. Pour most but not all of the water out and sprinkle it liberally with baking soda, enough to make a paste. Scrub it with one of those sponges with a smooth side and a rough side, use the rough side. It’ll take a little elbow grease but that should do the trick. And next time, clean it between uses! That pot looks like it ain’t never done did been cleaned before! 😂

[jlazar]

I have had a Lodge for 6-7 years. Cleaning it gently with just a sponge as Panhead John recommends and have never had any staining. Could be there is a difference in the enamel coating used by the different brands?

[Finster]

Mine is a Lodge as well

[jfmorris]

I have a Misen 7qt enameled dutch oven, which has a white interior. I thought staining was going to be an issue, but even after making beef stew or chili, and leaving it in the dutch oven for a day or two in the fridge, it has always cleaned right up. I've had a few burned on bits from browning meat before, but a soak and quick work with one of those plastic scrub pads or even a sponge took it right off.

I think Panhead John is right about not using anything more abrasive than baking soda.

EDIT: We had a Crock Pot slow cooker that really got stained from use, and was eventually discarded. I think it is probably related to the quality of the enamel coating. I am sure it is better on my Misen than on the $30 slow cooker.

[Panhead John]

I’ve got a 6 qt Lodge and have experienced the same thing. A little bit of a soak if needed and everything comes right off. Most of the time it doesn’t need a soak though. I use one of those scrubbing pads on a plastic hollow handle that you put soap in, just using that takes everything off.

[Hulagn1971]

Finster my Lodge pot looks exactly like yours. I've tried multiple ways to clean it but just finally accepted the fact it'll never come back any better. I braise meats in it and use it for chili all the time. I like to think of it as having character.

[ecowper]

We have a Kirkland and a Le Creuset. Both have black enamel and show a bit of discoloration here and there. If I clean them with a bit of hot water and a washcloth, dry them well, and then rub in some canola oil, they look great again.

[DennyWoo]

I'm not sure if this is the right way to do this, but on the rare occasion, I will use a little barkeepers friend on my enameled CI.

[Panhead John]

From Bar Keepers Friend website….

Does BKF Work on the Inside of the Pot?
Yes, you can use BKF to clean the inside of your enameled cast iron pan just follow the procedure above. Here’s what leading culinary magazine Bon Appétit had to say, “Bar Keepers Friend powder is also quite handy if you have burns that just don’t seem to budge—mix it with a tiny bit of water, and scrub away. Just remember to avoid that steel wool.”

[Panhead John]

As a follow up they say DO NOT use BKF on regular non-enameled cast iron.

[Alan Brice]

If my usual sody/vinegar does not doit, I will resort to toothpaste with whiteners.
Works great on the outside as well. It has become too much work, so I no longer bury the unit in charcoal.

[RichieB]

Lodge 6 qt. Never had an issue, rinse and soak a couple of hours in hot water. Rinse with more hot water and a sponge. Dry thoroughly.

[ColoradoScott]

Bar Keeper's Friend Cleansers are fantastic. I use it to clean utensil marks off of china and stoneware that I sell and use it on stainless fry pans, and enamel cast iron dutch oven with great results.

[Divotdog]

I have leCrusette cast itron. When they get discolored I rub baking soda and white vinegar. Then rub with a sponge. It works great. The pan go back to bright white.

[Panhead John]

Finster Have you tried cleaning it yet? Don’t leave us hanging! 🥸

[Finster]

Panhead John
I gave it a half hearted attempt with baking soda with marginal results.


Not gonna stress over it

[klflowers]

Mine wasn't quite that bad, but I used some of that new dawn spray stuff (i bought it by mistake) and a scrub daddy sponge and I managed to get it clean