The food is prepared, served, and eaten – now only cleaning remains.
Fortunately, an enameled cast iron Dutch oven is incredibly easy to clean thanks to the smooth enamel.
Here are our best tips for daily cleaning and handling of burnt-on residue that are both effective and gentle on the surface.
With proper care, you will have a Dutch oven that lasts you a lifetime.
Let the Dutch oven cool down
When you are done cooking, let the Dutch oven cool down before washing it.
The enamel cannot withstand large temperature shocks, so never pour cold water into a hot Dutch oven – it can damage the enamel.
Wait a couple of minutes, and then it is ready for cleaning.
How to clean the Dutch oven
Wash the Dutch oven in warm water with a little dish soap and a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge.
Avoid abrasive cleaning products, steel wool, scouring pads, and similar items that can scratch the enamel.
When the Dutch oven is clean, dry it thoroughly immediately and store it dry.
This way, you avoid rust forming on the edges.
Stubborn stains or burnt-on residue
If there are stains or food residue that cannot be removed with regular cleaning, you can use baking soda:
Fill the Dutch oven one-third full with water and bring it to a boil.
Add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda and let it simmer for a few minutes until the dirt has loosened.
Then pour out the water, let the Dutch oven cool down so you can touch it, and wash it again with warm water and soap.
Avoid dishwasher and stacking
Although the enamel is robust, it is not suitable for dishwasher use.
High temperatures and detergents can damage the surface over time, and the enamel can get chipped and damaged in the dishwasher.
Therefore, always wash it by hand.
We also do not recommend stacking the Dutch oven with other pots or lids – especially not without something in between – as impacts can damage the enamel.
Rust on the edges
If the Dutch oven is not dried well immediately after washing or is stored in a damp environment, light rust can form on the edges.
This is completely natural and can be easily remedied.
If rust has formed, you can remove it with a damp sponge and a little baking soda.
Alternatively, you can carefully use steel wool, but make sure to only scrub on the edges.
To protect the edges in the future, you can apply a thin layer of neutral food oil – this provides a water-repellent surface and prevents rust from returning.
Quality that lasts a lifetime
Our enameled cast iron Dutch oven has enamel of the highest quality, applied by hand by experienced experts.
The enamel consists of a type of glass – also known as porcelain – so it is incredibly durable and does not wear off like traditional non-stick coatings.
However, it still needs to be treated with care.
If the enamel becomes damaged and breaks, the Dutch oven can unfortunately no longer be used.
Therefore, we recommend treating the enameled cast iron Dutch oven according to the guidelines.
This way, you will have a Dutch oven that provides wonderful cooking experiences for generations.
Do you need a guide on how to use an enameled cast iron Dutch oven? You can find one here.
