Burnt Nonstick and Enamel Cookware Cleaning Methods
Enamel and nonstick cookware: manufacturer-published methods for cleaning burnt-on food and grease, checked 2026-10-07.
Enameled cast iron cookware; nonstick-coated cookware
What do cookware makers themselves say about cleaning burnt-on food or baked-on grease off enameled cast iron pots and nonstick frying pans without damaging the surface?
| Surface | Soil | Method | Don'ts | Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| surface | soil | method | avoid | product_named | source |
| Enameled cast iron | scorched or stuck-on food residue | Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to water in the pot, bring to a simmer over low-to-medium heat, simmer 8-10 min, cool, drain, then wash with a soft sponge and mild dish soap | metal sponges, abrasive cleaners or utensils; do not plunge a hot pan into cold water | - | Le Creuset |
| Enameled cast iron | stuck-on burnt food | Soak the pot or pan in boiling water with 2-3 tablespoons baking soda for a few minutes, then clean with warm water, liquid dish soap and a soft sponge or brush | caustic cleaning agents, scouring powders, steel sponges; do not run cold water over a hot pot/pan | - | Staub (Zwilling) |
| Enameled cast iron | baked-on food and stains | Boil 2 cups water with 4 tablespoons baking soda for a few minutes, then use a pan scraper to loosen the baked-on food | metal scouring pads and steel wool | pan scraper | Lodge Cast Iron |
| Nonstick cookware | burnt fat or oil marks | Wash in hot water with washing-up liquid after each use; prevent marks by never heating fat or oil until it burns and turns black and by not letting the pan boil dry | letting pans boil dry; leaving empty pans on a heated burner; sharp utensils such as knives and whisks | - | Tefal |
| Nonstick cookware | burnt food, protein shadows, charred residue | Sprinkle the surface with baking soda, add water, bring to a boil, then loosen with a wooden spoon; for tougher marks form a paste with a nonabrasive, non-chlorine cleanser and water, apply with a soft cloth in a circular motion, rinse with warm water and dry immediately | chlorine-based or abrasive cleansers | All-Clad Cookware Cleaner, Bar Keeper's Friend, Bon Ami | All-Clad |
| Nonstick cookware | burnt-on residue | Fill the pan with warm soapy water, boil, let cool, then wipe away; for stubborn marks add vinegar and baking soda and simmer, then finish with a baking soda-and-water paste left to sit before scrubbing | knives, metal utensils, abrasive detergents, steel wool or iron sponges; washing the pan while still hot | - | GreenPan |
| Nonstick cookware | burned-on spots from high heat | Clean with Soft Scrub and a soft nylon or nylon-covered cleaning pad | abrasive cleansers or pads, oven cleaners or other caustic solutions, baking soda, dishwasher detergent | Soft Scrub | Cuisinart |
FAQs
What does Le Creuset's official method say about cleaning burnt food from an enamel pot with baking soda?
Le Creuset's published method is to add 2 tablespoons baking soda to water in the pot, simmer over low-to-medium heat for 8-10 minutes, cool, drain, then wash with a soft sponge and mild dish soap, while avoiding metal sponges and abrasive cleaners (lecreuset.com, checked 2026-10-07).
How do nonstick pan makers say to clean burnt grease?
The methods differ by brand: GreenPan's page describes boiling soapy water then a vinegar-and-baking-soda simmer or baking soda paste for stubborn residue; All-Clad's page describes sprinkling baking soda on the surface, adding water, boiling, and loosening with a wooden spoon; Tefal's page focuses on washing with washing-up liquid after each use and not letting fat burn black or pans boil dry.
Do all cookware manufacturers recommend baking soda for burnt residue?
No. Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge, All-Clad and GreenPan publish baking-soda methods for their enamel or nonstick cookware, but Cuisinart's nonstick instruction booklet lists baking soda among the cleaners to avoid and names Soft Scrub with a nylon pad instead.
What do enamel cookware makers say to avoid when removing burnt stains?
Le Creuset, Staub and Lodge all state not to use metal sponges, steel wool or abrasive scouring pads on the enamel; Le Creuset and Staub also say not to run cold water over a hot pot to avoid thermal-shock cracking.
Resources
- Le Creuset - How to Care for and Clean Enameled Cast Iron
- Zwilling - Cookware Care Instructions (Staub/Ballarini)
- Lodge Cast Iron - How to Remove Stains from Enameled Cast Iron
- Tefal - How to Better Use My Tefal Cookware
- All-Clad - Use & Care
- GreenPan - How to Clean a Burnt Nonstick Pan
- Cuisinart - Instruction Booklet SMB-4SC