586328 Thu Jan 08 17:56:27 -0800 2009 7 41 Cookware 0 4309291 I just bought a new Mario Batali enameled dutch oven. Before buying, I made sure to check the enamel for imperfections. Last night I cooked a stew, left it overnight and found a bit of rust along the rim of the pot the next day. Has this ever happened to you? Thu Jan 08 17:56:27 -0800 2009 160840 can_i_try_some 1 4309312 Well, although it's not a Batali, my dutch oven's (LC) rim is exposed cast iron -- if I don't dry it carefully after washing, rust is what happens. I'd expect yours is the same. Thu Jan 08 18:03:18 -0800 2009 4309291 128761 AustinJen 1 4309316 I have the MB dutch oven and love it. If yours is like mine, the rim of the pot is NOT emameled. If you don't dry it well, it WILL rust. It's raw, unseasoned, cast iron and will rust if not dried thoroughly. Good luck. Thu Jan 08 18:04:42 -0800 2009 4309291 56780 Monch 1 4309318 I have the MB 6 qt Dutch oven - or as he calls it the "Essentials Pot"... and have been cooking with it about twice a week for 5-ish months with no rust or any other blemish. It is very heavy though, isn't it? I really like it. Perhaps you should think about taking it back... if you have kept the receipt, that is. Thu Jan 08 18:05:18 -0800 2009 4309291 75332 Gio 1 4309866 Thanks for the quick responses. The rim of the pot looks like it has a rough enamel finish on it to prevent slipping against the lid. Maybe this means that it's a bit porous. I'm going to cook with it a bit longer and see if it keeps up. Otherwise, I'll take advantage of Costco's generous return policy and return it. This is the pot: http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Batali-Cast-Iron-Essentials-Persimmon/dp/B000AAYDJO Thu Jan 08 22:09:38 -0800 2009 4309291 160840 can_i_try_some 2 4309900 After you dry it just put a bit of oil on your finger and run it along the rim of the pot. That should prevent any rust problems. Thu Jan 08 22:34:07 -0800 2009 4309866 63331 blondelle 3 4310209 Agreed - this is the best way to deal with the pot. It will develop a seasoning over time just like a regular cast iron pan. My guess here is that can_i_try_some left the lid on the pot on the stove overnight, which is fine, but in doing that there was condensation that dripped down the inside of the lid and some collected at the meeting of the lid of the rim of the pot. I've done it before. I wouldn't worry about returning this pot, just use a little more caution this time. Fri Jan 09 05:55:18 -0800 2009 4309900 42270 HaagenDazs 1 4311125 Hmmm... I have the 6qt round, and have had no rust on rim develop. When you say you left it overnight, do you mean left the stew in it and put it in the fridge, or do you mean left it out on the stove? I'm not sure it makes a difference, but I've made soups, stews, ragus in it and then put it in the fridge, and have never had any rust develop along the rim. If it's not going in the fridge, then one of us washes it within a few hours of use. After it's washed, I do let the top dry for a few hours separate from the bottom, and then when I put it away, I either use protective spacers or place a kitchen cloth between the top and bottom pieces. Maybe it's overkill, but I also haven't had any rust develop on the MB or the larger LC pot I have. Fri Jan 09 10:23:41 -0800 2009 4309291 153308 souvenir