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    Home » Cleaning & Organization

    Cleaning & Organization, Kitchen, Thrifting/Craigslist

    How To Clean Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven: Stained Or Burnt

    Need to know how to clean a Le Creuset dutch oven that is heavily stained or burnt?

    This post is for you!

    Let's look at 4 ways to get rid of those stubborn stains at the bottom of your Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware using common household products.

    Red enameled cast iron Le Creuset pot with vegetables

    This blog post contains affiliate links. You can view my disclosure policy HERE.  

    Jump to:
    • $15 Thrifted Burnt Le Creuset Dutch Oven
    • How to Clean Le Creuset Dutch Oven The Right Way
    • 1- Boil Water Method
    • 2- Baking Soda Paste
    • 3- Bar Keepers Friend
    • 4- Bleach and Water Soak
    • What About The Outside Of Your Le Creuset?
    • Before And After

    $15 Thrifted Burnt Le Creuset Dutch Oven

    Now it's no secret Le Creuset pots are not cheap. Yet my first Le Creuset enameled dutch oven was a $15 drift store find!

    {This is why I love to thrift! #thriftlife4eva 😂}

    $14 thrifted Le Creuset pot

    During one of our weekly thrift store run. My daughter calls out "Mom, I found a Le Creuset pot...".

    Although I fully know my daughter knows exactly what a Le Creuset pot is. I assumed she meant she found a regular ole enameled cast iron pan, but nope.

    To my surprise {and delight}, it was an actual 7 ¼ qt. red Le Creuset enameled dutch oven. I gave her the biggest hug and quickly put the pot in our cart.

    How To Clean a Thrifted Le Creuset

    I wrestled the taped lid open 😶 {don't judge me}. And as soon as I lifted it up and saw the burnt bottom slathered in oil my dream of owning a Le Creuset pot flew out the window.

    At the time my confidence in cleaning this pot was not very high. But still, it's a $15 Le Creuset pan. So, of course, I was going to buy it.

    burnt le creuset pan

    How to Clean Le Creuset Dutch Oven The Right Way

    After a few days of deep research on how to clean a Le Creuset pot. It seems that there was hope for my $15 thrifted Le Creuset enameled pot after all.

    While there seem to be many ways to clean your enameled cookware. I wanted to know how to clean the Le Creuset dutch oven without damaging the enamel coating.

    So let's discuss 4 safe and simple ways to clean your burnt or stained Le Creuset or any enamel cast iron pan. Using supplies you probably already have on hand.

    I had success in cleaning my pot with a combination of 1,3, and 4. Keep in mind that my pot was thrifted and in very bad condition.

    If you're cleaning some tough stains from regular use of the Le Creuset pots. Just try one of these methods at a time.

    Washing hands over sink filled with soapy water

    *TIP: Avoid using steel wool pads, metal cleaning pads, or anything too abrasive because it will scratch the enamel surface.

    >Here is a list of soft nylon brushes and scrubbers that are safe for your Le Creuset or any other enamel cookware.


    1- Boil Water Method

    • First, fill your pot halfway or enough to cover the stained area with warm water along with a small amount of dish soap.

    • Next, bring the water to a boil uncovered. Reduce the heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and let simmer for about 10 minutes.

    • Now, turn off the heat and let the hot water sit in your pot. Use a wooden spoon or spatula {do not use metal utensils} to scrape the stuck-on food off the sides and bottom of your pot.
    • Pour out the water and let the pot sit until it's cool enough to handle.
      {Take care not to splash any hot water on yourself.}

    • Lastly, use a soft nylon brush or a textured sponge. Like the ones listed above with some hot soapy water to clean any remaining stains.

    • Dry completely with some paper towels or dishcloth.

    *TIP: DO NOT dip or fill your HOT enamel pot with COLD WATER. The enamel might crack because of thermal shock. Always let it cool to the touch first.

    This is my burnt thrifted Le Creuset pot after boiling it with baking soda.

    Le Creuset Pot After Boiling with baking soda
    After boiling with water and baking soda

    2- Baking Soda Paste

    Baking soda can be very effective against burnt spots for both the exterior and the interior of your dutch oven. Depending on how badly it's stained.

    • Create a paste using a couple of big spoonfuls of baking soda and a few drops of warm water.

    • Next, evenly coat the stained areas and let it sit for a couple of hours to overnight. This paste can be used both the inside and outside of your pot.

    • Lastly, use a nylon scourer or a sponge with some hot soapy water to remove any leftover stains. Rinse and dry.
    Baking Soda

    3- Bar Keepers Friend

    If the baking soda paste doesn't work for your tougher stuck-on food and stains. One of my longtime kitchen staples 'Bar Keepers Friend' will.

    It works great for cleaning both the inside and outside of your enameled cast iron dutch ovens.

    • Rinse out your pot but don't dry it.

    • Shake a good amount of the Bar Keeper's Friend all over the inside of the pot. It will soak into the water leftover from rinsing the pot.

    • Let it sit for a few minutes.

    • Use a lightly abrasive sponge {i've linked some above} to scrub your pot. You will have to use some elbow grease for this.

    Here's a visual from Bon Apetit via the Bar Keepers Friend blog.

    📷: Bar Keepers Friend Blog

    After cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend

    4- Bleach and Water Soak

    Ok, when all else fails. I can personally vouch for the fact that a little bleach and water worked like magic on my thrifted Le Creuset pot.

    • To start, for every pint of water {2 cups}, add one 1 teaspoon of bleach. Let it soak overnight. {I actually let mine soak for 2 days}

    • After your pot is done soaking, pour out the bleach water. Thoroughly wash your pot with hot soapy water and a big wad of paper towels. Throw the paper towel away and rinse your pot.

    • To finish, use some warm soapy water and a sponge to wash your pot again. Rinse well with warm water and dry.

    While this method does work amazingly well. You should use it sparingly. Excessive use may result in the dulling of the enamel.

    Day 1 soaked in bleach water
    Day 2: soaked in bleach water
    Burnt Le Creuset Cleaned with bleach
    Final results after soaking in diluted bleach water for 2 days

    After You Clean Your Le Creuset With Bleach

    The bleach and water soak is the step that really cleared up the last of the stubborn brown stains in my pot.

    But it's not lost on me that some people might be nervous about using a solution of bleach and water on their cookware. However, it's safe when used in a diluted form. In addition to ensuring you wash your pot out really well with hot soapy water afterward.

    As an extra cautionary step, before I cooked in this pot for real. I simmered 3 large cans of Walmart tomato sauce that got tossed out.

    Tomato Sauce In Le Creuset Dutch Oven

    I did this to put my mind at ease about any bleach residue. I'm not a wasteful person but my peace of mind was worth the $3.

    If you do this extra step. Be sure NOT to cook it on high heat, use low heat only! You don't want to burn the pot again 😆.

    What About The Outside Of Your Le Creuset?

    If you have really tough stains on the outside of your Le Creuset that Bar Keepers Friend and some elbow grease cannot get rid of {see number 3 above}.

    You can use oven cleaner on the outside of your Le Creuset enameled cast iron. without damaging the finish or color.

    1. Warm-up your pot on the stove for a few minutes until warm to the touch.

    2. Carefully turn your pot upside down and spray with oven cleaner. I like using the 'Fume Free Easy Off' oven cleaner.
      {Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area or outside.}

    3. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes - overnight depending on how badly your pot is stained.

    4. Scrub and wash your pot in hot soapy water. Rinse in warm water and dry.

    Repeat the steps if necessary. But if you let it sit long enough, you shouldn't have to. Just test a little spot with some paper towels before rising the whole thing.

    Remember though, oven cleaner is caustic. So basically this is something you should do sparingly.

    Red Le Creuset Dutch Oven

    Before And After

    While it took a little work, the greasy burnt mess that was this $15 Le Creuset dutch oven looks amazing now!

    This 7 ¼ qt. pot retails for roughly $400. Making this one of my best thrift scores ever!

    Brown White and Red Illustrated Your Style Instagram Story

    Since we're only a family of 4, it doesn't get used daily. But for my birthday hubby got me a matching 3 ½ qt. one that does get used daily.

    If you love cooking, it's totally worth the price point. Especially since they're very reasonable on Amazon and always on sale.

    Here is a comparison between my brand-new vs. my clean thrifted Le Creuset dutch oven. You can see the enamel in the thrifted pot has lost some of its shine.

    But let me tell you, I've still enjoyed cooking in it!

    New Le Creuset
    Burnt Le Creuset Cleaned with bleach
    Thrifted Le Creuset

    If you found This post helpful. Hit the subscribe button above to get more helpful tips right in your inbox!

    There you have it friend 4 simple ways to clean your burnt or stained Le Creuset or any brand enamel cookware. To get it looking fresh again.

    But remember which of the 4 methods will work best for you, will depend on the condition of your individual pot.

    How To Clean Le Creuset Cookware Pin

    If you enjoyed this post, click the subscribe button above to keep up with the latest thrift finds and access the free printables library!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Darlene says

      January 29, 2023 at 9:24 am

      Tried the bleach for three days after burning onions in a dry enameled pot. 99% went away, so scrubbed with Barkeepers Friend for pots. Almost like new, except the factory gloss went dull. Thank you for coaching us.

      Reply
    2. Susan says

      July 25, 2022 at 11:05 am

      What a great find and kudos to your daughter. Lucky that she is learning to thrift with her mom, thrifting is such a great way to find bargains. Nice work on cleaning the pot. I wanted to say, I don't judge you, I would have tackled the tape, too. Let's be real, if you thrift, you need to know what project you might be taking on.

      Reply
    3. pamala says

      April 15, 2022 at 10:07 am

      What a find. Your daughter knows a bargain when she sees one. She's been paying attention. Enjoy the pot. I have one just like it!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        April 15, 2022 at 11:01 am

        Pamala, she's been thrifting and going to garage and estate sales with me since she was young. She loves it and does have a great eye 😊 I love that pot! I hope to add to my collection with a Le Creuset grill and braiser.

        Reply
    4. Raquel says

      April 13, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      Good advise and very impressive results!!

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        April 14, 2022 at 3:52 pm

        Thank you Raquel! I was very happy with the outcome 😊

        Reply
    5. Jamala K Wallace says

      April 13, 2022 at 10:12 am

      Your daughter looked so proud for that find...great job on cleaning that!! It shows a little elbow grease goes a long way and paid off

      Reply
      • Linda P. says

        April 14, 2022 at 3:54 pm

        Hey Jamala! She really was LOL. And yes it was so worth it. Thanks for stopping by hun!

        Reply

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