Burned enameled cast iron stock pot
I was boiling soapy water (to help clean it) in my Martha Stewart stock pot, and I forgot about it. It seems pretty burnt. Can it be cleaned and salvaged, or is it headed for trash? Thanks for your input.
Best Answer
Since the enamel on the outside is OK, it sounds like you didn't get it hot enough to damage the pan itself. So, its probably salvageable.
Check the manual for what they say you can clean it with. For example, if you can use steel wool, soak in soapy water overnight, then apply a lot of elbow grease, that will probably remove a lot of it. Even if you can't use steel wool on it, after a soak one of the non-scratch sponges will probably still help.
Google informs me there are specialty cleaners intended to remove carbon deposits from porcelain/vitreous enamel. You could give one a try if the long soak + elbow grease doesn't work. Make sure to thoroughly remove the cleaner after use, as of course you don't want to be eating it.
The pot may be permanently darkened. That shouldn't affect cooking performance.
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Quick Answer about "Burned enameled cast iron stock pot"
Fill your dutch oven with water and bring it to a boil. Then add a few big spoonfuls of baking soda (add them slowly as the baking soda will bubble up and foam). Let the mixture simmer on the stove as you use a wooden spoon to scrape up the blackened, burnt-on stains.How do you fix a burnt enamel pot?
Add baking soda: Add two tablespoons of baking soda and stir with a wooden spoon. Let it sit: Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. Scrape: Use a wooden spoon to nudge the burned bits off of the pot.How do you clean a burnt Le Creuset stock pot?
But plunging a hot pan into cold water is the only other way to easily crack the enamel\u2014it's thermal shock, and it's as bad for enameled cast iron as it is for you. So always wait for the pan to cool down a bit before introducing it to cold water.Extreme Burnt-On Food - Enameled Cast Iron Fail - Can It Be Saved?
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Answer 2
Boiling a vinegar-water solution has worked exceptionally well for me in the past - the enamel may be somewhat darkened or discolored even after cleaning, but that's a mark of pride on my pots - it's a sign they're used and often. Everyone in the cupboard pulls their weight. :)
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