I tend to cook a lot of one-pot meals, and I love using my enameled cast-iron Dutch oven as it’s super-sized and versatile — I can move it straight from my cooktop into my oven. But, because I use it most days, it does come up against a fair few messy overspills and scorch marks.
However, as I value the aesthetic of my cast-iron cookware, I leave my Dutch oven on my countertop. So, to keep it looking its best, I need to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned to maintain its brand-new appearance.
But although I prefer using enameled cast-iron over traditional cast-iron, which I explain below, it doesn’t handle high temperatures as well. This means that you’re more likely to notice scorch marks on the bottom of your pan. And to ensure the residue from these scorch marks doesn’t cause further damage to the enamel coating it needs to be removed.
While you might be worried about scrubbing away at the enamel coating, there is an easy way to remove scorch marks — and all it takes is a couple of ingredients that are already in your kitchen.
How to clean scorch marks off an enamel cast-iron pan
1. Begin by washing your cookware in hot soapy water.
2. Allow your pan to dry.
3. Make up a cleaning paste using baking soda and water.
4. Apply the paste to the scorch marks and leave for at least 15 minutes.
5. Rinse off the paste and rewash your pan.
How not to clean enamel cast-iron
Although enameled cast iron is dishwasher-safe, Lodge recommends handwashing it to preserve the finish. It also advises using a gentle dish soap, and avoiding harsh citric-based cleaners that can dull the enamel’s exterior gloss.
Although you can scrub your pan, it’s best to choose a non-abrasive scrub cloth or scrub brush that won’t degrade your cookware.
The benefit of using enameled cast-iron over traditional cast-iron
The benefits of opting for enameled cast-iron over traditional cast-iron, is that you don’t need to season your cookware, as the enamel acts as the protective coating.
This also means that there’s a whole heap of colorful enamels to choose from, with top brands, such as Le Creuset, offering a mountain of choice. I particularly like Le Creuset’s Signature Round Dutch Oven, in Chambray, which is $400 at Le Creuset for the 4.5-quart version.
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