Are you wondering how to clean Le Creuset cast iron skillet correctly to prolong its life?
Left your enamel-coated Le Creuset cast iron skillet on the stove or in the oven for too long?
Got discolored or burn-stained cookware and unsure of how to clean it? Worry not, for we’re here to help!
Le Creuset is a premium manufacturer of enameled cast iron cookware reputed for its long heat retention and durability.
If improperly maintained, a stubborn layer of burned food or residue can collect, which will be tricky to remove. Leaving it unattended will only further diminish the cookware’s quality.
Here’s a simple DIY guide on cleaning Le Creuset cast iron skillet and some care tips.
About Le Creuset Cookware
Le Creuset’s enamel-coated cast-iron skillet is any chef’s favorite for good reason. It’s an expensive brand, but it offers handcrafted quality and a lifetime warranty program.
The enamel coating prevents rusting, so the pans never need to be seasoned. This is a huge advantage over regular cast iron cookware.
However, the enamel is fragile and prone to cracking due to shock from temperature changes and sudden impacts.
Note: This makes them a little more high maintenance compared to most other kitchen utensils.
If you learn to clean and care for enamel-coated cast iron cookware properly, it can last you decades and still look as good as new.
So here are some effective ways to maintain your favorite kitchen cookware.
How To Clean Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet?
Identify the intensity and stubbornness of the stain before deciding which of the following methods will help restore your cookware to its former glory.
Each of the techniques we’ve shared is extremely easy and can be done by hand, with no additional purchases.
Method 1: Hand Washing – For Mild Stains
Hand washing your enamel cast iron skillet with dish soap is probably a regular practice for you, so it seems odd that this features at the top of our list.
However, enamel cookware is special and requires a technique that most people aren’t aware of.
For instance, back and forth scrubbing as opposed to circular motions is a huge no-no.
Note: Using abrasive pads is also not recommended. Tossing the pan in the sink under cold water immediately after cooking is also unadvised.
Here’s how you can retain your enamel’s new shine forever.
Steps:
Step #1. Let your skillet pan cool down completely. Mixing hot enamel with cold water is a recipe for disaster. The sudden temperature change can cause a thermal shock and crack the enamel.
Step #2. Once the skillet has cooled, use warm water and dish soap to wash. Do not use scrubbers with abrasive surfaces such as metal sponges or wire wool because they will scratch the surface.
If you need more scrubbing action, you can use a nylon sponge pad, or just a regular scrubber sponge will do.
Step #3. To remove any food deposits, use a silicone pan scraper. Alternatively, you could soak the stain in warm soapy water for some time to loosen it.
Step #4. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel. One of the cons of Le Creuset cookware is that the enamel is fragile.
So when you set it down, you need to do so gently. Try not to bump or bang the cookware.
Method 2: Baking Soda – For stubborn or Burned Stains
Scrubbing will not be enough to remove burned stains. This old-fashioned DIY method, however, takes care of them in a cinch.
Steps:
Step #1. Fill your enamel cast iron skillet with water halfway to the brim and add approximately two tablespoons of baking soda.
Set the water to boil and stir to mix the powder into the water. Once you’re done, rinse and dry.
Step #2. Create a baking soda paste by mixing water with baking soda until the mixture starts to thicken.
Step #3. Spread the paste over the burned areas of your cast iron skillet and let it sit like that overnight.
Step #4. The next day you can expect to see a hardened formation over the burn stains. That’s the paste absorbing the stain all night long. Loosen this by spraying or sprinkling some vinegar over it.
Step #5. Use an old toothbrush or anything with soft bristles to scrub down the skillet while the vinegar is neutralizing the paste.
Do this in a circular motion until the paste starts to disappear.
Step #6. Rinse dry your enamel cookware. You should see a significant change in the intensity of the stain by now.
Method 3: Soak in Bleach Water
Alternatively, you could use bleach or a mixture of any laundry detergent and water instead of baking soda for the same results.
Just add two to four tablespoons of bleach or detergent to the water. Fill the skillet a little over halfway to the brim.
Since bleach is strong, you don’t have to boil the solution. Let the mixture sit overnight.
The bleach will dissolve the stains, so by morning, you should have a near spotless base.
Method 4: Cleaning the Outside for Fat Deposits and Grease Stains
The methods listed before won’t help you remove stains that have been set on the outside of your enameled cookware.
These stains are unsightly to look at and can grow a fungus layer or attract bacteria over time.
Here’s how you can get rid of stubborn stains on the outside:
Steps:
Step #1. Wait for the pan to cool after use.
Step #2. You can use a diluted mixture of dishwashing soap or mild detergent to clean the stained areas. Don’t use an abrasive metal pad—stick to a nylon pad, sponge scrubber, or a cleaning brush.
Be careful while handling the pan from the edges and scrubbing because they often slip and fall, cracking the fragile enamel.
Step #3. Rinse the skillet under a running tap and let it air dry. Now, your pan is clean from the outside as well as the inside.
Maintaining good hygienic practices also contributes to the longevity of your cookware.
Method 5: Finding the Right Commercial Product for Extra Strong Stains
If you’ve tried all DIY methods but can’t seem to get rid of that stain, it might be time to search for the right commercial solution. Le Creuset has offered its own as well.
If you own multiple le Creuset cookware, you may benefit from purchasing an enameled cast iron care kit. It includes tools like a spray bottle and a cleaning brush that are highly effective.
Care Guidelines For Your Le Creuset Iron Skillet
Cleaning Le Creuset cast iron skillet is an important part of care, but you can minimize stains by following some simple care guidelines during use:
- Try to use low to medium heat more often.
- Lift metal-handled pans with a potholder or oven glove.
- Set hot pans on a paper board or cloth for a layer of separation between the blazing hot pan and the countertop.
- Pans with wooden handles should not be used in the dishwasher.
- Preheat the pan for 2 – 3 minutes before adding oil or any liquid to it during cooking.
- If your handle or knob has become loose, you can either tighten it or avail your lifetime warranty.
- If you’re using them in the oven, do not exceed 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Thoughts
Ceramic-coated cutlery is beautiful and has many practical advantages in cooking. However, it is expensive and needs a little care.
Please read the label or packaging of your cookware to ensure you’re following all the care and usage guidelines prescribed by the company.
I hope you found this guide on how to clean Le Creuset cast iron skillet insightful.