Cast Iron Dutch Oven with carrots and beef
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How To Clean a Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Here’s What You’ll Need:
Cooking oil
Paper towels
Water
Brush scrubber
Chainmail scrubber (optional)
Wipe down your Dutch oven: Cast iron Dutch ovens require regular maintenance. After each use, you should wipe it down with a dry paper towel. You can also use a moist paper towel to wipe out any sticky residue. But be sure to dry it well.
Bring water to a boil: Next, fill the Dutch oven with water so that any food residue that might be burned on is covered. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat and allow the water to loosen the residue.
Scrub the interior: Once the water has cooled, use a brush scrubber to scrub any residue. You may also use a chainmail-wrapped sponge to remove stubborn bits of food. Dish soap is OK, too, but you may have to put a bit more work into your next layer of seasoning. After you’ve removed all the food, give it a rinse.
Dry your Dutch oven: Use dry paper towels to wipe down your Dutch oven. To be extra sure it’s dry, you can heat the oven over medium heat on the stove for 20 minutes.
Give it a new coat of oil: Pour a small amount of cooking oil into the Dutch oven and rub it in using a paper towel. Wipe the excess away with a clean paper towel.
Will Soap Really Ruin My Cast Iron?
How To Clean an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Here’s What You’ll Need:
Hot water
Dish soap
2 tbsp baking soda
Dish scrubber
Dish towel or drying rack
While you don’t have to season an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, you do have to be careful not to damage the enamel when you’re cleaning it. Some enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are even safe for the dishwasher, but we’d recommend hand washing them to lengthen their lifespan.
