How to clean enameled cast iron – four steps for fuss-free cookware

High-quality, heavy-bottomed pans truly make a difference to your cooking, and enameled cast iron is often touted as the pinnacle of home cookware – but how do you clean enameled cast iron to keep it as fresh as when you bought it?

Whether you invest in the best cast iron cookware or have a more affordable Dutch oven for comforting autumnal bakes, cleaning your enameled cast iron correctly can affect its lifespan and keep it looking its best for longer.

Here, cleaning experts and chefs have shared their favorite ways to clean enameled cast iron for spotless, non-stick pans. 

How to clean enameled cast iron

So far as cleaning tips go, cleaning enameled cast iron is relatively simple so long as you clean them quickly enough after use and use the right products: 

1. Leave the pan to soak straight after use

When you have finished serving up, it can be helpful to leave your pan to soak in boiling water for around 20 minutes to prevent food from drying on, suggests Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids. Any longer than this, and the water will begin to cool and go greasy, making it harder to clean again, especially when cleaning a burnt pot, she adds.

Avoid using cold water in a hot pan, as this can make it harder to clean. Boiling or hot water is best as it will avoid shocking and damaging the enamel patina, leading to food sticking more frequently in the future. You can add a few drops of dish soap for some preliminary grime fighting too.

2. Use a gentle tool to remove stuck-on food

If food remains stuck on your pan after soaking, then Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans recommends using a silicone or wooden utensil to gently pry it away, avoiding scratching the surface, just as you would clean a cast iron skillet:

‘Gently scrub the interior with a soft sponge or cloth. Do not use abrasive materials like steel wool and scouring pads.

‘For tough spots, use a wooden spatula or scraper to carefully dislodge food. Be gentle to prevent any enamel scratches.’

3. Clean with baking soda to restore the original color

Enameled cast iron, especially in light colors, can sometimes have a tendency to hold onto stains such as tomato juice. Jade Piper, a cleaning expert, suggests cleaning with baking soda to help loosen stuck-on food and lift stains without harsh abrasives:

‘For light stains, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply it and gently scrub with a soft cloth then rinse thoroughly. If there are mineral deposits or discoloration, soak it for at least 30 minutes in a solution made of equal parts white vinegar and water. You can also use lemon juice if you need some extra brightening power,’ she adds.

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4. Avoid using chemicals or metal utensils to keep the surface smooth

Enameled cast iron is easy to keep clean if the surface remains smooth, so avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or oven cleaners, or turning to metal utensils and cleaning implements, to prevent scratches where food and bacteria can get stuck, warns Petya Holevich, house cleaning expert and supervisor at Fantastic Services.

‘Handle enameled cast iron with care to prevent chipping,’ she adds. ‘Dropping or banging the cookware can lead to chips in the enamel, affecting both its appearance and functionality. This can also occur if you store your enameled cast iron pans incorrectly, too. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of enameled cast iron as this can lead to chipping or cracking.’ 

FAQs

After cleaning your enameled cast iron, it is important to let it dry thoroughly before storing it and organizing pots and pans. This is best done by hand drying to remove water spots and prevent water from sitting in gaps near handles and screws, which could eventually rust and ruin your pans.