Use These 3 Maintenance Tips Before You Ruin Your Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

For most of my life, I haven’t used high-quality cooking tools and supplies, but I’ve recently been itching to invest in some quality, durable pieces for my kitchen. For Christmas, I got a gorgeous mini Le Creuset pot. It’s one of my most cherished possessions, and honestly, the thought of ruining it terrifies me. On Christmas Day, I found myself going down Reddit thread rabbit holes to make sure I knew how to fix every problem my beloved pot could ever have.

Search popular reddit threadsI found that many cast iron enthusiasts have the same concerns and questions about proper care and maintenance. Some Redditors say that it requires little special care and that you can wash it as often as you like with soap and water. Others warn against such measures and advise more specific care steps, with some even saying that you should never wash your enameled cookware.

The care and maintenance process for these types of pots and pans is different from their regular cast iron counterparts and are usually quite expensive. If not cared for properly, they can break down in no time.

I’ve rounded up these three tips to keep your enameled cast iron cookware looking great for as long as possible. For more information, here’s how to clean your Keurig and tips to combat dust buildup in your home.

1. The best way to care for your enameled cast iron

The best thing about enameled cast iron is that it is easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about building up and maintaining a seasoning like you would with regular cast iron. You can simply clean enameled cast iron with warm water and a mild dish soap.

Even if the company that makes your enameled cast iron cookware says you can put your pan or pot in the dishwasher, it’s probably better to wash your pans and pots by hand.

If there is some burnt or baked-on food on your enameled cast iron pot or pan, you can fill your pot or pan with warm water and let it soak for a few minutes. Then use a soft sponge or brush to rinse away the remaining food. You should not use metal to clean your enameled cast iron.

According to Le Creuset, you can also use baking soda to loosen burnt-on food by “filling the pan.”[ing] the pot with warm water and a tablespoon or two of baking soda, and bring[ing] Let the water simmer gently for about 8 to 10 minutes.”

As a Le Creuset pan owner, I always clean the pan with warm water, a soft sponge and a mild dishwashing liquid. It works fine.

2. The best way to cook with your enameled cast iron pan

Unlike their non-enameled counterparts, enameled cast iron pans will not build up a non-stick layer of “seasoning”. This means that you need to preheat and season your enameled cast iron pan well when cooking in it.

The Creuset advises preheating the pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes when cooking on the stovetop. The company also advises keeping an eye on the pan during preheating and not overheating it to prevent cracking.

According to a cookware retailer, it’s also best to keep temperatures low when using your enameled cast iron pan Williams SonomaThe company also recommends avoiding using metal utensils when cooking with enameled cast iron pans, as they can scratch and damage the enamel coating.

3. The Best Way to Store Your Enameled Cast Iron Pan

You can store your enameled cast iron pan like any other old pan, and it is best to keep it somewhere dry. There is not much difference between keeping it outside and storing it in a cupboard. Lodge cast iron recommends grabbing a few pot protectors to provide extra protection for your pots and pans during storage.

I keep my enameled cast iron skillet in a cupboard with other frying and cooking pots. I make sure to keep it separate from my frequently used pots and pans to prevent it from tipping over.

Learn how to repair a burnt cast iron pan and what the best frying pan of 2024 is.