Caring for your enamelled cast iron cookware without ruining it
Our love for enamelled cast iron cookware is immense. Enamelled cast iron cookware are beautiful workhorses in the kitchen as they come in a wide selection of gorgeous, eye-popping colours. Having an enamelled cast iron for your everyday cooking is simply the best. You get the superb performance of cast iron without the need to constantly season or avoid moisture and oxygen to prevent rust. Maintenance is simply a breeze.
The great thing about having enamelled cast iron cookware is that you don't need to season it before or after use. You can easily hand wash it with soap and water or pop it into the dishwasher. But with all its great and glorious elements, there comes a hefty price to pay. And with the heavy investment, comes great responsibility and care to maintain your enamelled cast iron cookware at tip-top condition to last you years.
Cleaning your enamelled cast iron
Drips and spills coupled with direct heat can discolour your enamel coating, so be sure to wipe it away immediately. If you use a gas hob, pair a suitable pot or pan to the specific hob to ensure the flame does not flicker out and around the pan.
Be gentle when cleaning the interior. The enamel coating shouldn’t need much scrubbing as it’s basically nonstick. The best and easiest way for everyday cleaning would be washing your enamelled cast iron pot with warm water and dish liquid soap with a soft sponge or nylon brush. Avoid using abrasive steel wool to remove stubborn grime or food stains. After washing, wipe dry with a tea towel or paper towel before storing.
Some enamelled cookware may stain over time showing dull grey or brown stains. However, enamel coatings like Le Creuset's cream-coloured interior are resistant to stains. A simple cast iron cleaner and a nylon sponge will do the trick to remove it.
Removing stuck food from your enamelled cast iron
At times, food remnants may stubbornly adhere to the pot. Try soaking it with warm water and a few drops of dish soap or baking soda overnight. The residue should easily come right off with a sponge the next day. But before soaking it in water, always remember to let your cookware rest and cool down to room temperature. Running it on cold water may even cause your enamel cast iron cookware to crack.
Turning on to high heat is a rookie’s first mistake. Always remember to preheat your pot or pan over medium heat and use a little oil on the base of the pan or on the food to prevent the food from sticking later. Cast iron cookware has superb heat retention, so it retains heat much longer and cools off much slower. Under no circumstances should you use a metal scouring sponge as it will scratch the surface and damage the enamel coating.
Storing enamelled cookware
Storing your enamelled cast iron pots and pans requires low maintenance. Apart from keeping them clean and dry, avoid storing them together with metal cooking utensils as it may leave undesired scratches. Cast iron is generally heavier than other cookware so keep in mind where you store them. It would be best to store in spaces where you can easily and conveniently reach.
We hope that these simple tips will help you maintain and preserve your enamelled cookware's condition for the years to come. The good news is enamel is pretty resilient and generally does not need such high maintenance compared to other cookware. Those crusty burnt bits are less likely to stick with an unrelenting grip.
Next Read: What's the Difference between Staub, Le Creuset and Chasseur French Ovens?
