Easy Tips to Clean Scorch Marks on Enameled Cast-Iron (And Prevent Them)

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Enameled cast-iron has a lot going for it: it’s safer against rust than its bare counterpart, you don’t have to season it, and it can look really nice (some enameled cast-iron dutch ovens are just stunning). But this material doesn’t handle high temperatures well – anyone who’s taken their enameled frying pan off the stove only to find unsightly scorch marks on the bottom knows that. Enameled cast-iron is easier to clean than regular cast-iron, but it needs cleaning more often so gunk, including scorch mark residue, doesn’t build up and damage the coating. Luckily, all you need to clean off scorch marks 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, then make a cleaning solution with water and baking soda. Cover the scorch marks with the baking soda paste, wait at least 15 minutes, then rinse and wash the piece again. Since you’ve got the baking soda handy, you might as well use it for these kinds of cleaning tasks.

Throughout the cleaning process, you should only scrub the enameled cast-iron with a soft kitchen sponge – no abrasive materials like steel wool. Even some cleaning powders can damage the enamel if they’re coarse enough, and using a metal scraper is a surefire way to wreck the coating. These tools can all scratch your cookware, which not only ruins its appearance, but can also be dangerous. Enamel coating is similar to glass, so when it breaks, it can create tiny shards that are hard to see. Cooking with scratched or chipped enamel can send these shards into your food, which is a major hazard.

To prevent this, be gentle 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 get a specialized enamel cleaner from Amazon. These methods are mostly for enameled cast-iron – if you have regular cast-iron, the cleaning process is a bit different.