How to best clean a Dutch oven?

[Henrik]

Hey folks, I have this Dutch oven pan that’s been around for some time. It’s enameled on the outside, and it’s gotten a fair share of stains. I’ve tried scrubbing it off with a scotch brite, but with zero results. I’m using hot water and washing up liquid obviously. Before I attempt anything else, can you recommend a good way (or two) to get this to look better? The inside is fine, I just want to make the outside look better. Thanks!

[captainlee]

Ours is like that too. I think.it makes the food look better, a well used seasoned pot. Or am I just lazy?

[Skip]

Baking Soda and Water has worked well for me. Mrs Meyers and others have Baking soda Cleaners available too.

https://www.amazon.com/MEYERS-Baking-Cleaner-Scratch-Free-Blossom/dp/B0CLT5QXQH/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1332609747672242&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7IKhy4ez-kQtjqO4X5qvWzDJKYdG1IU7fzVBNloHWl9V_YX_9ukZYcELnnjx6qiUMRE4PU7EKnkIP9MYZ_thKa7Swe6T6zlFvPzEuuK_02o5i5kqGNKc61A3wtzSxowQ819Hslf0dRFarwGSxumsBxLpUWI1ZOsgYsoTcgS02W5kF3mrwIZFFLt3-VZhKME4B3PmOrEg7fSFcUi7F7GHtKGkV_4g_Isgz8MjLmIekwHMSbzxYZHHmTpqy4jfYvBKqyaV6ZQShGIz9MMmI6pVKV27CpX9xnJ-EztozS0Kw20.jK__495oFSbxQ3DmgQn00_qejm-Q0U-xYfq1Zom5StU&dib_tag=se&gb=2&hvadid=83288427977353&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=106817&hvnetw=o&hvocijid=14680878130900852334--&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83289251979499%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=19403_13612567&keywords=mrs%2Bmeyer%E2%80%99s%2Bbaking%2Bsoda%2Bcream%2Bcleaner&mcid=298e6f97c61b3bbd8fd804bf07203432&qid=1785584909&sr=8-1&th=1

[fzxdoc]

Panhead John can tell you what not to use. He started a topic about it a couple of months back, as I recall.

Kathryn

[fzxdoc]

Leave it be. Those are noble battle scars.

K.

[HawkerXP]

+1

[RiverJeff]

+2

[Panhead John]

fzxdoc Yes Kathryn, I used this BarKeepers Friend which is supposed to be for cookware. It barely cleaned the spots on my Lodge enameled Dutch oven and lightened up the color on it. It also left white streaks on it where the stuff dripped down the sides. I was surprised because it clearly states on the can it can be used on enameled cookware. It did work well on my SS pots though.

[58limited]

I used lye oven cleaner on my enamel Dutch ovens. It works fine and I did not notice any changes to the color. I would test on a small area just to check for color change. Obviously don't use it on bare cast iron unless you're trying to strip the seasoning completely off to start over.

[Henrik]

Thanks for good input everyone. Sounds like I'll take the "easy" route and put it down to battle scars as fzxdoc says. After all, it is well used, so let everyone see it

[DennyWoo]

I use this and it's worked well for me on the inside. Never tried it on the outside.