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Everything you need to know to make your enamel cookware last for years to come
High-quality enamel cookware can be an investment for your kitchen; in fact, it can endure multiple generations if cared for properly.
In order to last, enamel cookware requires certain best practices when it comes to cleaning, cooking and storage. Lucky for you, caring for enamel cast irons is relatively easy.
Cleaning requires warm water and a gentle dish soap. To avoid scratching, it’s best to cook with wooden, silicone or nylon utensils rather than metal. You also won’t need to worry about maintaining a seasoning like you would with ordinary cast iron, thanks to the enamel finish.
In this article: Le Creuset Cookware Set, Staub Cast-Iron Dutch Oven 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte, Le Creuset Signature 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven, and Lodge 6-Quart Enameled-Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
What is enamel cookware?
The main difference with enamel cookware is that it’s coated with a shiny glass finish. The enamel layer makes cleaning easier since it’s more resistant to rusting. Cooking with enamel is easier too, since you won’t need to season it like traditional cast-iron pans.
Enamel cookware is oven-safe and stovetop-safe (up to 500 degrees) and sometimes dishwasher-safe. However, most brands recommend hand-washing with warm soapy water.
The downside to enamel cookware is its tendency to stain, especially light-colored enamel pans. However, staining is rare if you cook and clean your set properly. However, the Le Creuset Cookware Set held up nicely over time, according to the BestReviews Testing Lab. Our testers found Le Creuset’s pots and pans worth the hype. Le Creuset is a pioneer in color development and the leader in highly durable, chip-resistant enamel cast iron.
How to cook with enamel cookware
Seasoning isn’t required when cooking with enamel cookware, but you must heat and oil it properly before adding food.
Low and steady wins the race when it comes to heat. It’s best to keep the stove between low and medium heat. The Lodge 6-Quart Enameled-Cast-Iron Dutch Oven should be gradually preheated with oil before adding food. Le Creuset recommends preheating its cookware for approximately five minutes on medium heat before adding food. This steady method will also prevent sticking.
It’s best to avoid using metal utensils when cooking with your enameled cast-iron pans since they can scratch or stain easily. Always cook with wooden, silicone or nylon utensils.
How to clean enamel cookware
Some brands, including Staub, say it’s acceptable to wash your cookware in the dishwasher but encourage hand-washing. However, the enamel coating makes this process very easy. All that’s needed is a little warm water and dish soap.
Lodge recommends home chefs allow their cookware to cool before washing and to dry promptly. While cleaning, choose a gentle dish soap, avoid citrus-based cleaners, and use a sponge, everyday scrub cloth or nylon brush.
If your enameled cast-iron pot or pan has some burnt or stuck-on food, you can fill your pot or pan with warm water and let it soak for a few minutes. Adding a tablespoon or two of baking soda and bringing the water to a simmer for about 10 minutes is another great method to help loosen burnt food.
How to clean discolored enamel cookware
Before you panic, remember that a small amount of staining is expected when cooking with enamel cookware. Staining doesn’t mean the quality of the cookware is impacted. But if you want to keep your cookware free of stains (for the most part), Lodge recommends the following:
- Let your enamel cookware cool down before you hand-wash. This will help preserve the cookware’s original appearance.
- Once it’s cool, rub the surface with a damp cloth and ceramic cleaner according to the directions on the bottle. Ceramic cleaner differs from gentle cleaners and is intended to clean ceramic and porcelain surfaces.
- Next, soak the interior of the cookware for two to three hours with a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach per quart of water.
Where to store your enamel cookware
The ideal location to store your enamel cookware is somewhere dry. The use of pot protectors can also prevent moisture buildup and chipping if you’re storing with a lid.
Our testers said the Le Creuset Dutch Oven is also pretty enough to leave on your stovetop, given its endless selection of bold and rich colors.
Best enamel cookware
Professional and home kitchens trust Le Creuset. It produces some of the highest-quality and most-durable pots and pans on the market. The five-piece enamel-cast-iron set includes a 7.25-quart lidded round Dutch oven, a 3.5-quart lidded braiser, and a 10.25-inch skillet.
Staub Cast-Iron Dutch Oven 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte
The Staub Cast-Iron Dutch oven is another classic. Our team found it to be one of the most-versatile, durable, high-performing tools in the kitchen. Not only did it produce great results, but it also aesthetically looked great on the stove.
Le Creuset Signature 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven
The 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven is not only beautiful, it cooks evenly, doesn’t burn if you use it correctly, cleans easily, and stands the test of time. You can truly pass it down for generations, and it comes in a range of beautiful colors.
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled-Cast-Iron Dutch Oven
This Dutch oven offers a more budget-friendly option. Although it’s on the heavier side, we found it to be amazing at retaining heat. It also comes in more than a dozen colors to match any kitchen aesthetic and the spacious 6-quart capacity is great for larger households.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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