Cleaning & Care: Enameled Cast Iron

Cleaning 101

Cleaning enameled cast iron

Technically, enameled cast iron is dishwasher safe, but we prefer hand washing to preserve the piece’s finish.
Allow cookware to cool before washing with warm soapy water, and dry promptly after cleaning.
Choose a gentle dish soap, and use a sponge, everyday scrub cloth, or scrub brush.
Avoid citrus-based cleaners—this can dull the enamel’s exterior gloss.
Tough mess? Use our Enameled Cast Iron Cleaner for stains and a pan scraper or grill pan scraper to release stuck-on food.

Please note: a small amount of staining is to be expected with enameled cookware and does not affect performance. Learn more about removing stains here.

Storage

Storing enameled cast iron

Dry your vessel completely before storing.
Store in a cool, dry place—like your stovetop or cabinet.
Use pot protectors to prevent moisture buildup and chipping if you're storing with a lid.

At a glance

Quick tips for cooking

You can use enamel cookware on the stovetop and in the oven up to 500℉.
It’s safe to use this piece to marinate or refrigerate food. When you return the piece to the oven or stovetop, heat gradually.
The smooth, durable enamel surface can handle acidic and alkaline ingredients (even tomato sauce!).
Gradually preheat with oil on a burner closest to the size of your cookware before adding food, and don’t heat empty enamel cookware on the stovetop.
To prevent sticking, use a low to medium heat and a generous amount of oil—don’t worry, enameled cast iron gets hot and stays hot for the perfect sear.
To prevent thermal shock, don’t introduce cold ingredients into your hot, empty pan, such as using an ice cube to create steam during bread baking.
Cook with wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils—metal can scratch the enamel finish of our enameled cast iron pieces.
None of our enameled cast iron pieces require seasoning, even those with a black interior surface.

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Cleaning FAQs

What is enameled cast iron?

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.

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.

The rim is rusting on my enameled cookware; what should I do?

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.

How do I remove baked-on food?

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.

Can I preheat my enameled cast iron?

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.

How do I care for the black satin enamel interior of my USA Enamel™ skillet or pan?

Care for your skillet or grill pan just like you would care for an enameled dutch oven. Even though the interior looks similar to a classic cast iron pan, the enamel cooking surface doesn’t require any seasoning. To prevent sticking, just add a little bit of oil to the surface before cooking.

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How to clean

How to clean

Enameled
Cast Iron

Enameled

Cast Iron

Cleaning enameled cast iron

Storing enameled cast iron

Quick tips for cooking

Add a little color to your kitchen.

The finest in both form and function of enameled cast iron.

Cleaning FAQs