how to clean discolored enamel cookware

Enameled cooking utensils can stain and discolor over time with regular use. Stains on the cooking surface can sometimes be quickly boiled away from either non-stick finishes or standard finishes. Still, if a stain is persistent, you can remove it using products that are readily available in the pantry.

Everyday household items and basic methods of cleaning will soon see your enameled cookware again look like new. Others prefer enamel cast iron cookware for having its cast iron cooking properties, but not for leaching iron into the food when cooking. Also, in some homes, enamel-glazed cast iron bathtubs are a cherished feature.

Although enamel is relatively easy to clean, food can burn in your cooking utensils. It can also damage the enamel surface, causing the exposed iron to rust and using household products or a mildly abrasive cleaner to remove the stains without causing additional harm by scratching the surface with a harsh cleanser or scouring pad.

Whether your pan is Le Cruset, Staub, or some other brand, it will eventually start staining, and if you burn something on the bottom and have trouble getting it off, this tip will make it look bright and brand new again. It is a two-step process, but it takes absolutely no time to do it.

Here are some easy tips and techniques to know how to clean enamel cookware.

Scrubbing

As with any cookware, regular maintenance will require some scrubbing, and sometimes tough stains will take some serious elbow grease. Regardless of what you're dealing with, whether it's ordinary dirt, food residue that's stuck on, it's best to use a gentle abrasive nylon sponge or similar abrasive material that's not so rough that it could damage the enamel surface.

It is not a great choice to use abrasive materials made from metal. If the burnt residue of the pan is to be scraped, wooden spoons work best, since the wood will not damage the enamel. You'll need to do this after bathing in warm water for the best results.

Baking soda

Baking soda is pretty much the perfect magic solution when it comes to discolored enamel cookware. That is, it won't work exactly like magic, as it takes some effort on your hand, but sometimes this standard household product works better than anything else for stains on enamel cookware.

There are two types of ways you can use baking soda to clean an enamel saucepan or pot, and sometimes both methods need to be combined. First of all, you can attempt to heat some water in the pot or pan you are washing, then add a tablespoon or two of baking soda (depending on the pan size), and let it sit for an hour.

The next thing to do is to form a thick paste from water and baking soda and spread it across the cooking surface if the stains don't come off quickly after this. Take a piece of cloth then scrub until your glass is clean and shiny.

This form of paste will have a mild abrasive effect, so even with rough stains, it's usually helpful. If they linger, though, you can also try adding some coarse salt to the paste to improve the abrasive effect. Wash the cooking utensils with water and dish soap as you do daily until finished.

The most natural technique for cleaning discolored enamel is this form, and coincidentally it is the cheapest and the easiest. But, in case the stains are particularly tough, there are a few other options you might carry out.

Abrasive cleaners

You are probably aware that is a vast range of commercially available such cleansers out there, some of which are in powder form and some in cream form. This type of product can help with enamel cookware cleaning, but you need to be attentive about which one you select and find one that is suitable for enamel cooking.

It is best to avoid unnecessarily vigorous scouring powders and highly acidic ones, as this can affect the enamel color. Your best bet is probably the choice and abrasive cleanser that is labeled as safe for use on cookware made with enamel.

Once you choose a product, it's not difficult to use it. Apply the cream or paste to the stain and wipe with a wet cloth until the surface is clean. If the stain continues, you may want to leave the substance on the stain for an hour or so, then add a few more and start scrubbing.

When done, carefully wash the pot or pan with warm water and mild dish soap to prevent any residue left on the cooking surface from the cleaning product.

Laundry detergent

Another unusual trick that some chefs like to use is to use laundry detergent to help clean the cookware with enamel. First, brush off any food debris you can from the pot or pan gently to do this. Fill the pot or saucepan with water, wait until it heats, then add a spoonful of liquid detergent.

Let the mixture boil for some minutes in the pot or pan, then allow it to cool down gradually afterward. Wash your cookware the same way you do every day once you're finished, and hopefully, the stains will come off easier.

Salt and lemon

Another approach to cleaning enamel cookware is using common household ingredients for cleaning enamel cookware is the lemon juice and salt trick. Firstly, boiling some water in your enamel pot with vinegar or lemon juice can help loosen the stains and residues. Yet there's another thing you can try for tough stains.

Cover with coarse salt over the problem area. Then cut in half a lemon and squeeze the juice directly onto the water. That should result in a thick paste. To clean the contaminated area using a rag. If this doesn't do the trick, you should try to let the mixture stay on the stain for an hour or two, just like all other approaches.

Have a look on our ultimate guide to Clean Old Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter.

Verdict

One of the great things about enamel cookware undoubtedly is how it feels. It's quite easy to be in love with these elegant pots and pans when you come in almost every color. This is all the more reason why on our enamel cookware, we all want to avoid discoloration and stains.