How to Clean an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Last Updated: December 22, 2021 References

Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are a great addition to your kitchen, and can stay in great shape for decades with some regular cleaning and TLC. Some enameled Dutch ovens are actually dishwasher-safe, but this cookware is also very easy to wash by hand. If you’re dealing with stubborn, burnt-on stains, there are a few household remedies you can try to clear away the gunk.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
General Cleaning

1
Scrub the outside of the pot with baking soda paste and rinse it off. Dump a few spoonfuls of baking soda into a small bowl and stir in a few drops of water to make a paste.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Spread the paste over any residue on the outside of your Dutch oven. Scrub the paste with a nylon or plastic scrubbing sponge and rinse off the surface.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Don’t use steel wool or anything metal to clean off the residue, or else you might damage the pot.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Matuska
  Professional Cleaner
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.}
2
Fill the pot with hot water, baking soda, and a bit of liquid soap. Fill your Dutch oven all the way with hot water. Then, add 2 US tbsp (29 g) of baking soda and a squirt of dish soap. Stir the baking soda and soap into the water until it mostly dissolves.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Let the mixture soak your Dutch oven for 15 minutes. Place a lid on top of the pot to trap the heat inside.. Then, set a timer for 15 minutes and let the baking soda and soap work its magic on the inside of your Dutch oven.^{[5]
X
Research source}
4
Dump out half the water and scrape off gunk with a plastic spatula. Pour out half of the soaking water and grab a plastic spatula. Rub it over the burnt-on sections to scrape away any stubborn residue that’s stuck to the sides and bottom of the pot.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Don’t use anything metal to scrape off the food residue, or else you might scratch the finish.
5
Dump out the remaining water and scrub it with hot water and soap. Refill the Dutch oven with another small squirt of dish soap, along with a little bit of hot water. Grab a plastic scrubbing sponge and focus on any leftover residue.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Keep scrubbing until you’ve cleaned all of the old food out.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Don’t stress if your stains and burnt-on food aren’t coming off right away. There are a few options available, which you can find in the next section.
6
Rinse out your Dutch oven with clean water and let it dry completely. Wash away any leftover suds, and place it face-down in a dish rack so it can air-dry. You can also leave it face-down on a towel if you don’t have a lot of space near your sink.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Stain Treatments

1
Fill your pot with water and bring it to a boil. Place your Dutch oven on the stovetop. Pour in 1 US qt (0.95 L) of water. Turn your stovetop to medium heat, and give the water a few minutes to boil.^{[10]
X
Research source}
2
Add baking soda and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. Stir 2 US tbsp (29 g) of baking soda into the pot until it mostly dissolves. Give the mixture several minutes to simmer and soak over medium heat.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Scrape the burnt-on food loose with a wooden spoon. Don’t touch the Dutch oven directly—instead, just use the spoon to loosen up any extra crud stick the the pot. Scrape gently so you don't mess up your Dutch oven's finish.Then, turn off the heat.^{[12]
X
Research source}
4
Rinse off your pot thoroughly with clean water and dry it off completely. Dump out the old water in the sink and fill it with clean water into to get rid of extra baking soda and extra residue. Then, blot the dish completely dry with a clean towel.^{[13]
X
Research source}
5
Apply a baking soda paste and leave it overnight for stubborn stains. If you still notice some leftover food stuck to the Dutch oven, create a paste with a few spoonfuls of baking soda and a few drops of tap water. Smear the paste all over the stained sections along the bottom of your pot, and let it sit overnight.^{[14]
X
Research source}
6
Soak a pot in a bleach solution if it’s still badly stained. Mix 1 part of bleach with 3 parts water and fill up your Dutch oven. Let the solution soak overnight, and then rinse out the pot with clean water.^{[15]
X
Research source} Dry off the pot with a clean towel before putting it away.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- If your Dutch oven is really badly stained, it might need another night to soak.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use steel wool to clean my oven?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is the owner and founder of Dashing Maids, a sustainably focused cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado. She has worked in the cleaning industry for over 5 years.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

You should not use steel wool to clean your oven because if you do not use it properly, it can cause damage.
Question

How can I get rid of the smell in my oven?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is the owner and founder of Dashing Maids, a sustainably focused cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado. She has worked in the cleaning industry for over 5 years.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

You should clean all its parts thoroughly. Use pumice sticks for cleaning. They are not time-consuming and do not scratch anything.

Warnings

Always wait for your Dutch oven to cool off before you start washing it. This way, you won’t burn yourself.^{[19]
X
Research source}

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don’t use anything metal, like a steel wool pad, to clean your Dutch oven. This can damage the enamel.^{[20]
X
Research source}

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0