Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Cleaning Guide

Cast iron cookware has been used for hundreds of years now as for the reason that it retains heat excellently. You know all of those popular non-stick pans and cookware? Well a good cast-iron is made by enamel coating. Enamel cast iron cookware can become nonstick naturally because of its composition.

It can stand and maintain very high cooking temperatures, which is why most people use them for searing or frying food, cooking stews, or braising beef. Because of its composition, it has a tendency to release a small amount of iron into the food you are cooking. Those who suffer from anemia can really benefit from this.

When you’re dealing with a new piece of cast iron cookware, you’ll have to clean it thoroughly. Fortunately enamel cast iron cookware was easy to clean because of the enamel coating that prevents from rusting. If you buy it from a store, then you can be fairly sure that it’s ready to use. However, if you buy your iron from a flea market, you need to keep in mind that you don’t know where it came from. When you take your cast iron pan home, you have to determine if it is bare or seasoned. For new pieces of iron, you will find that there is a thin wax coating on the inside of the pan. This is to prevent it from rusting. You will have to clean it.

When cleaning enameled cast iron cookware, remember to never use detergent or soap as this can really damage the iron. Also, they are not dishwasher safe, the only option you have is to hand wash it. When the pan is new, it can be a little hard to clean because it is very porous. However, in time, as the seasoning builds up on the surface, it will be easier to clean. Simply scrub it well when you first clean it and you can use hot water to clean your iron pans. Use a sponge with two sides, so you can scrub hard to clean areas without damaging the cast iron cookware. For new pans, you should scrub off the wax completely. If you have problems with spots with rust, don’t be afraid to use some sandpaper on it.

The first cleaning is always the hardest – you’ll really have to put some back into it! But for future cleanings, you can simply use a soft sponge or cloth. Some people have problems with bits of stuck food in the pan. Not to worry! You can simply let it soak for a few hours. You can scour it with hot water, but the more you scald the enameled cast iron cookware, the longer you’ll have to wait until the seasoning builds up.

When you’ve cleaned up your cast iron cookware, you’re almost ready to use it! You can get cast iron pans already seasoned, but most come bare without anything. The seasoning it what makes the cookware naturally non-stick. If your pan is not yet seasoned, you can simply break in your pan by baking on some seasoning. This is an easy way to both protect your iron pans, and prolong its lifespan. Once the seasoning is solidified, you’re sure to be using it for a very long time.

During our research we visited many online vendors and discovered that the best prices are typically found on Amazon.

	Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-Piece Cookware Set, Cherry List Price: $510.00 Sale Price: $379.95
	Designed specifically to enhance the slow-cooking process by evenly distributing heat and locking in the optimal amount of moisture, the Signature Collection round French Oven blends the best of the past with the latest innovations for comfort and functionality...

	Cuisinart CI22-24CR Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 10-Inch Round Fry Pan, Cardinal Red List Price: $80.00 Sale Price: $39.95 Used From: $37.15
	Cast iron gets a new look! The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron cookware lines offers a variety of sizes and styles so you can cook any way you like. On the stove in the oven or under the broiler, this durable and attractive cookware evenly retains and distributed heat for results every time...

	Le Creuset 12-Ounce Enameled Cast-Iron Cleaner List Price: $20.00 Sale Price: $11.95
	Le Creuset SC2 Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Cleaner 12oz.

	Lodge LCC3 Logic Pre-Seasoned Combo Cooker List Price: $41.99 Sale Price: $34.99 Used From: $26.13
	It's a deep skillet, a fryer, a Dutch oven, and the lid converts to a shallow skillet or griddle. This versatile piece of cast iron cookware allows the preparation of almost any recipe. Great for kitchen and outdoor cooking...

	Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 10-1/4-Inch Skillet with Iron Handle, Marseille List Price: $170.00 Sale Price: $99.91 Used From: $94.95
	Turn out restaurant-caliber frittatas and gold-star gravies with this 10-inch enameled cast-iron skillet from the French line Le Creuset. Coated with a chip-resistant porcelain enamel, the skillet offers the even heat and gentle cooking of cast-iron without reaction to foods or the usual high maintenance...

	Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 11-3/4-Inch Skillet with Iron Handle, Cherry List Price: $200.00 Sale Price: $149.95
	Turn out restaurant-caliber frittatas and gold-star gravies with this 11-3/4-inch enameled cast-iron skillet from the French line Le Creuset. Coated with a chip-resistant porcelain enamel, the skillet offers the even heat and gentle cooking of cast-iron without reaction to foods or the usual high maintenance...

	Lodge Logic 5-Quart Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover List Price: $50.00 Sale Price: $34.97 Used From: $32.52
	Lodge Logic 5 Qt double Dutch oven and casserole with skillet cover. Sturdy integral, ovenproof loop handles for convenience. Tightly controlled metal chemistry and exacting mold tolerances deliver consistent product for even heating and superior cooking performance...

	Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 3-Quart Saucier Pan, Cherry List Price: $255.00 Sale Price: $186.00
	Le Creuset 3 -Quart Saucier Pan, Red. Only Le Creuset offers such a wide range of unique shapes and designs. This product offers unrivalled flebyibility of use, ebycellent heat efficiency, and the versatility to use it on any stovetop, under the broiler

	Cuisinart CI755-30CR Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-1/2-Quart Oval Covered Casserole, Cardinal Red List Price: $180.00 Sale Price: $95.81
	Cast iron gets a new look! The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron cookware lines offers a variety of sizes and styles so you can cook any way you like. On the stove in the oven or under the broiler, this durable and attractive cookware evenly retains and distributed heat for results every time...