How To Remove Scorch Marks From Enameled Cast-Iron (Plus Solutions To Avoid)

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Enameled cast-iron has a lot going for it: it is safer against rust than its bare counterpart, you don't have to season it, and it can be incredible eye catching (there are some excellent enameled cast-iron dutch ovens that make affordable alternatives to Le Creuset cookware). Despite all its strengths, this kitchenware material does have a major weakness in that it doesn't handle high temperatures well. Anyone who has taken their enameled frying pan off the stove only to find unsightly scorch marks on the underside can attest to that fact. Enameled cast iron is easier to clean than regular cast iron, but it needs cleaning more often so gunk — including the residue from scorch marks — doesn't build up and damage the coating. Luckily, all you need to clean scorch marks off enameled cast-iron is soap, water, and baking soda.

To clean a scorched enameled cast-iron pot or pan, first wash it with soap and hot water. Let it dry, and in the meantime, add water and baking soda together to make a cleaning solution. Cover the scorch marks with the baking soda paste, and wait at least 15 minutes before rinsing and washing the piece again. As long as you have the baking soda lying around, you may as well use it for these 25 other worthwhile cleaning hacks.

Throughout the cleaning process, it's imperative that you only scrub the enameled cast-iron with a soft kitchen sponge and not anything abrasive such as steel wool. Even some cleaning powders can damage enamel if they're coarse enough, and taking a metal scraper to the coating is a recipe for disaster. These tools can all scratch your cookware, which not only ruins its appearance, but can potentially cause harm to you. Enamel coating is very similar to glass in composition, so when it breaks, it can create shards too small for the eye to see. Cooking with scratched or chipped enamel can be very dangerous since these tiny shards can easily make their way into your food.

To prevent this hazard, make sure to use a gentle hand when cleaning your enameled cast-iron, and check it regularly for scratches. If baking soda and water isn't enough to tackle the scorch marks, you can upgrade the paste by adding vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. As a last resort, you can go to Amazon and pick up a cleaner made specifically for enameled cast iron. These cleaning methods are mostly for enameled cast iron; if you have scorch marks on your cooktop, you'll need a different method to remove them.