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How to clean a Le Creuset Dutch oven

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Short answer

Let the pot cool, then wash it in warm soapy water with a soft sponge or nylon brush. For burnt-on food, soak it in warm water, then simmer water with a few spoonfuls of baking soda and scrape gently with a wooden spatula. For stubborn stains on the light interior, use a non-abrasive cleaner made for enamel, such as the maker's own. Avoid metal scourers and harsh powders.

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This page is for owners of Le Creuset and other enameled cast iron Dutch ovens who want to clean them without damaging the enamel. It covers everyday washing, how to deal with a burnt bottom, how to lift brown or gray stains from a light interior, how to clean the outside and rim, and the cleaning habits that cause chips and dullness. The same methods work for Staub, Lodge enameled and similar pots. Always check the maker's care page for its own approved cleaners.

Everyday cleaning

Most of the time, a Dutch oven needs nothing more than warm water and dish soap. The key is letting the pot cool first. Plunging a hot enameled pot into cold water is a sudden temperature change that is hard on enamel.

Cutaway of an enameled Dutch oven: cast iron body, enamel interior, exposed rim, loop handles, knob and self-basting spikes under the lidKnob: often the limiting partSelf-basting spikes (Staub style)Exposed iron rimLoop handlesCast iron bodyEnamel interior
The iron body holds the heat. The knob and any coated parts decide how hot the pot can go in the oven.
  1. 1

    Let the pot cool until it is warm, not hot.

  2. 2

    Fill with warm water and a little dish soap and let it sit for a few minutes.

  3. 3

    Wash with a soft sponge or a nylon brush.

  4. 4

    Rinse and dry thoroughly, including the rim and under the lid edge.

  5. 5

    Store with the lid slightly ajar or with a cloth between pot and lid so air circulates.

How to clean a burnt bottom

Burnt-on food is the most common problem, usually from a sauce that reduced too far or a sear that went too hot. Do not reach for steel wool. Patience and gentle heat do the work instead.

  1. 1

    Scrape out any loose food with a wooden or silicone spatula.

  2. 2

    Fill the pot with warm water to cover the burnt area and soak for an hour or more.

  3. 3

    If it is still stuck, pour off the water, add fresh water to cover, and stir in two or three tablespoons of baking soda.

  4. 4

    Bring to a gentle simmer on low to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

  5. 5

    Turn off the heat, let it cool a little, then scrape with a wooden spatula.

  6. 6

    Repeat once if needed, then wash as usual.

Note.Do not heat the pot dry to burn off residue, and do not leave it on high heat. Keep enough water in the pot throughout the simmer.

Lifting stains from the light interior

Light sand-colored interiors show brown and gray marks over time from browning, high heat and spices like turmeric. Some light staining is normal and cosmetic. It does not affect cooking.

For stains that bother you, a paste of baking soda and a little water rubbed in with a soft sponge often lifts them. For more stubborn marks, use a non-abrasive cleaner designed for enamel. Le Creuset sells its own enameled cast iron cleaner for this. Gray metal marks from utensils usually come off the same way. Before using bleach or any strong chemical, check the maker's care page, since harsh chemicals can dull enamel. For persistent brown buildup, see why an enameled Dutch oven turns brown.

Cleaning the outside, rim and lid

Exterior enamel picks up drips and oven splatter. Wash with soapy water and a soft sponge, and use the same baking soda paste for baked-on spots. Avoid abrasive pads on glossy colored enamel, since they can dull the finish.

The rim of the pot and the edge of the lid are often bare cast iron, not enamel. That edge can show rust if left wet. Dry it well after washing, and wipe it with a little cooking oil now and then. See does Le Creuset need seasoning for more on that rim. Clean knobs by hand and check that the screw is snug.

What to avoid

Le Creuset lists its enameled cast iron as dishwasher safe, but hand washing is gentler on the exterior finish and the bare rim over many years. If you do use the dishwasher, dry the rim straight after. See is cookware dishwasher safe.

  • Steel wool, metal scourers and harsh scouring powders on the enamel
  • Plunging a hot pot into cold water
  • Heating the pot empty or on very high heat
  • Metal utensils that scrape the enamel, especially sharp edges
  • Leaving the pot to soak for days, which can rust the rim
  • Banging the pot on the sink, which can chip the enamel

When cleaning is not enough

If the enamel is chipped, cracked or crazed, cleaning will not fix it. Small chips on the outside are cosmetic. Chips on the cooking surface expose bare iron that can rust and can keep chipping. See chipped enamel Dutch oven for what to do, and check the maker's warranty terms. If you are replacing a damaged pot, the Le Creuset Dutch oven guide and the best Dutch oven guide list current options.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get burnt food off the bottom of my Le Creuset? Soak it in warm water, then simmer water with a few tablespoons of baking soda for 10 to 15 minutes and scrape gently with a wooden spatula.

Can I use Bar Keepers Friend on Le Creuset? Check Le Creuset's care page first. The maker recommends its own enamel cleaner and warns against harsh abrasives.

Why is the inside of my Le Creuset turning brown? Browning, high heat and spices leave stains over time. It is cosmetic, and a baking soda paste or enamel cleaner usually lightens it.

Can Le Creuset go in the dishwasher? Le Creuset lists its enameled cast iron as dishwasher safe, though hand washing is gentler over the long run.

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