Enameled cast iron pots and pans are the heroes of today’s cooking world. Keeping them clean and top-notch is a priority for every user.
While most enameled cast iron utensils come with dishwasher-safe tags, it is not the most ideal way to clean them despite the convenience of just tucking them in a dishwasher.
Here is a guide to help you with how you should handle your precious enameled cast iron utensils.
Can Enameled Cast Iron Go In The Dishwasher?
The simple answer is yes but this comes with a tradeoff. If your concern is to keep the utensil’s original glow and texture intact, then intricate hand washing with soapy water and nylon-based brush is recommended otherwise you can always opt for washing them in a dishwasher.
If you are looking for the easy way out by washing them using a dishwasher, then you will have to compromise and live with a slightly dull version of your kitchenware.
How Can You Use A Dishwasher To Clean Enamel Cast Iron Kitchen Wares?
Even if it is not the most ideal approach, there are a few pointers you need to take in regard before putting an enamel cast iron into a dishwasher.
1. Put the enamel cast iron utensil into the dishwasher alone. Do not put other silverware that can come in contact with it while the wash cycle begins.
2. Ensure it is appropriately placed in the dishwasher, brash movement can cause damage.
3. Always marinate the enamel cast iron wares with a generous amount of water before putting them into the dishwasher. This will significantly help in removing the grease and oils from the pots and pans more effortlessly.
4. Cool the pan before washing them in the dishwasher.
5. Use a soft detergent that is dishwasher friendly and not citrus-based in the dishwasher.
6. At the very end, hands dry the pans with soft towels to ensure that the glaze and beautiful rims of the enamel cast iron pans do not get dull or scratched.
Why Would You Put Your Enamel Cast Iron Cookware In A Dishwasher?
1. It is time-saving. You will not have to scrub away the grease or dip your hands into the oil to get the cookware clean. These cleaning processes require a lot of your time and energy.
2. For a thorough clean-up, the dishwasher can be used to get the grease out of the enameled cast iron cookware efficiently.
How To Wash Enameled Cast Iron Utensils Traditionally?
While there are various kinds of sponges and scrubs available in the market, a nylon scrub can be the best to handle this delicate cookware with utmost care.
For manual and traditional cleaning, you need a few things handy to clean the utensil nicely and easily.
Nylon is the base material for scrubs, pads or even brushes are the best option to clean enamel cast iron utensils.
You will need soapy lukewarm water as a cleaning agent. You can either use a nylon scrub, pad, or brush as needed to clean your pans.
It is recommended to use a non-flavored i.e. non citrus based dishwashing liquid soap to get better cleaning results. Moreover, it is easier to combine washing liquids with warm water for a good cleaning.
Once you get all these handy, you can easily clean your precious enamel cast iron sets without the risk of creating scratches on its enamel surface or damaging its steel knobs and rims. Its beauty of it will remain intact and will be ready for use.
For stubborn greases, we can use 2:1 baking powder and water with warm water to clean the utensils.
Similar to enamel cast iron cookware washed in dishwashers, while manually washing them, you need to cool the pans and dry them with soft towels to keep the wares safe and sound.
Risks Involved In Washing Enamel Cast Iron Cookware In Dishwashers
First of all, unsettling movement in the dishwasher can bring about scratches and spots that will ruin the beauty of these utensils.
Secondly, repeated washing using the dishwasher will make the utensils look dull.
Even though the performance will not be impacted, the glaze and colorful enamel over the cast iron will mellow down and make it look ordinary.
The steel handles may get displaced or broken if the cookware is not well settled in the dishwasher.
The rims will begin to disappear if it is subjected to brash cleaning now and then.
Does Hand Washing Enamel Cast Iron Utensils Bring The Best Result?
Well, these enamel cast iron cookware are exclusive items to have in a kitchen.
Mishandling these items can ruin them. Using metallic or wire scrubs or pads can put permanent scratches and rip the rims off this kitchenware.
Using a citrus-based cleaning agent can make the enamel coating look dull.
FAQs
Can I Put Enameled Cast Iron Pans With Wooden Knobs And Handles In A Dishwasher?
The answer is NO. You cannot use enamel cast iron pans with wooden handles in a dishwasher. They are not dishwasher friendly.
They will ruin the dishwasher and the cookware if put into one.
How To Store Enamel Cast Iron Utensils?
Put them on the spacious ground. Dry them, and hang them appropriately. Do not stack them.
Stacking them will ruin them, create scratches, develop rusts and will not let them dry in the right manner. Store in a cool place.
What Are Enamel Cast Iron Utensils?
These are utensils with smooth porcelain surfaces. It is combined with iron.
They are great cookware to cook, marinate and refrigerate.
What To Do If The Rims Are Rusting?
Scrub them with a nylon pad, oil them a little to get the rims rid of rust, and resist developing rusts.
Make sure the pans are properly dried.
Final Thought
Enamel cast iron can be put in the dishwasher maintaining all the steps as mentioned in this article.
You can also hand wash them if you have the time and want to keep them from becoming dull.
Now, you have a complete idea of both the traditional and modern ways of cleaning this cookware.
Clean kitchenware is a must for having a hygienic and organized kitchen.
Therefore, using either way you can keep your precious pots and pans look spotless and add value to your beautiful kitchen.
