Why is my enameled cast iron stained?

Stains are to be expected when you use enameled cookware and does not affect performance. To remove slight stains: Follow the steps above to clean your cookware. Rub with a dampened cloth and Lodge Enamel Cleaner or another ceramic cleaner according to directions on the bottle. For persistent stains: Follow the steps above to clean and remove slight stains. Soak the interior of the cookware for 2-3 hours with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach per quart of water. To remove stubborn, baked-on food, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the food.

How to Clean and Care for Enameled Cast Iron

How to keep your enameled cast iron clean.

Quick Tips for Cooking in Enameled Cast Iron

1. Use enameled cast iron on any cooktop or oven.
Our enameled cast iron cookware can be used on all kitchen stovetops, and it's oven safe to 500 degrees F.

2. Always lift your enameled cast iron cookware.
To avoid scratching ceramic or glass cooktops, never slide enameled cast iron, always lift it.

3. Use oil or cooking spray.
For a better cooking experience and easier cleanup, use oil or cooking spray.

4. Use on low to medium heat.
For best results, add water or oil when heating and start with low heat. Do not preheat an empty piece of enameled cast iron on the stove: it's a recipe for cracked enamel and damaged cookware!

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron

A person uses the Lodge pan scraper to clean cookware.

1. Allow cookware to cool.

2. Although enameled cast iron is dishwasher safe, hand washing with warm soapy water and a nylon scrub brush is recommended to preserve the cookware’s original appearance. Citrus juices and citrus-based cleaners (including some dishwasher detergents) should not be used, as they can dull the exterior gloss. It is not harmful and will not impair the cooking performance, however, the use of these products is not covered by our warranty.

3. If necessary, use nylon pads or scrapers to remove food residue; metal pads or utensils will scratch or chip porcelain.

4. Always dry cookware thoroughly and replace pot protectors between the rim and lid before storing in a cool, dry place. Do not stack cookware.

Please note: a small amount of staining is to be expected with enameled cookware and does not affect performance.

Enameled Cast Iron Cleaning FAQs

Lodge Enameled Cast Iron is cast iron with a smooth porcelain surface bonded to the iron. Enamel is resistant against acidic and alkaline foods and can be used to marinate, cook, and refrigerate.

Stains are to be expected when you use enameled cookware and does not affect performance.

To remove slight stains:

Follow the steps above to clean your cookware.
Rub with a dampened cloth and Lodge Enamel Cleaner or another ceramic cleaner according to directions on the bottle.

For persistent stains:

Follow the steps above to clean and remove slight stains.
Soak the interior of the cookware for 2-3 hours with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach per quart of water.
To remove stubborn, baked-on food, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the food.

If rust develops around the rim, it may be that the pan has been in a damp area. Leaving pans on a draining board to drip dry or cleaning in the dishwasher can cause a rust deposit. Rust can also form if the rim of the pan is not dried sufficiently after being washed. Should rust develop, we recommend cleaning with a nylon sponge and dish detergent and dry thoroughly. We recommend rubbing a small amount of cooking oil around the rim to create a seal and prevent rust from re-appearing. We recommend rubbing with oil periodically to prevent rusting.

To remove stubborn baked-on food, boil 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the food.

We do not recommend preheating an empty piece of enameled cast iron on the stovetop as it could damage the enamel coating. Instead, make sure the cookware has water or oil inside it to distribute heat evenly, and be sure to start with low heat while the vessel is getting warmed up.

It is perfectly safe to preheat empty enameled cast iron in the oven since the heat will be more consistently distributed across the entire cooking vessel.

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