Kitchen Helper – Burnt your Dutch Oven? Here’s how to rescue it.
An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is an invaluable piece of kitchen equipment and one which gets a fair amount of use over the winter months. They are expensive and so it’s worth knowing now to care for one properly - and to rescue one if you accidentally end up with burnt-on residue. Here’s how.
For burnt-on food in a Dutch oven:
- In the pan, bring 4 cups of water to the boil.
- Reduce to a simmer, add 2 tbsp bicarb soda, and simmer for a few minutes.
- Use a wooden spoon to gently remove the burnt-on residue.
- Finish with a non-scratch nylon sponge and some dishwashing detergent.
- Rinse with hot water.
- Dry with a microfibre towel.
Dutch oven Dos and Don’ts
- Always wait for your Dutch oven to cool before washing it. Cold water in a hot pan can craze the enamel and cause irreparable damage.
- Always use a gentle non-scratch sponge and NOT steel wool. Scraping the enamel surface with metal or steel wool will damage the surface.
- Use hot water and normal washing up detergent, and rinse with hot water when you are done.
