Cleaning burned LeCreuset

[berkleybabe]

Burned onions making soup. Having a very hard time getting the dark residue off the bottom of the pan. Help!

[tanuki soup]

Before considering more "nuclear" options, I would try the following:

1. Fill with warm water containing some mild detergent and let it sit overnight.
2. Scrape with a wooden spatula.
3. Scrub with Le Creuset Pot and Pan Cleaner (a thick orange liquid cleanser made by LC).

[foiegras]

I would also throw some vinegar into the soak ...

[pdxgastro]

if you have powdered dishwasher detergent, try using it as a scrub. It will not harm the enamel coating. Even if your detergent comes in little blocks, you can break them down into granules.

[janniecooks]

Bring some water to a boil in the pan, add some baking soda, a couple tablespoons or so, and let it simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the residue. It should come clean eventually. I once scorched the bottom of an LC making jam, and eventually with multiple boilings and scrubbing I succeeded in getting the burned sugar off the bottom with no harm to the finish.

[groover808]

Thanks again for the tip! I caramelized onions for french onion soup and had really faint light brown/tan spots (nothing black or burnt on). I did a soapy boil a few times and scraped with a wooden spoon to no avail. The baking soda worked perfectly. I was worried it wouldn't bring it back to just like new but it did and the enamel is still nice and shiny.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Alternating between boiling baking soda solution and boiling vinegar solution. Some resiude dissolve well in basic solution and some in acidic solution, thus the alternation.

[berkleybabe]

Thanks, trying the multiple boiling methods with baking powder alternating w/ vinegar. Will report back!

[berkleybabe]

First boil w/ baking soda, about 2/3 of black stuff gone. Thanks!!

[Chemicalkinetics]

Good to know. Glad it worked out.

[runwestierun]

I did exactly this--caramelized the onions into incredibly adhesive charcoal. I soaked and scraped and soaked and scraped, but nothing, literally nothing was letting go.

I found this thread in a search and tried the boiling baking soda method. I did it 3 times and it got rid of about 2/3rds after scraping with a wooden spoon. I didn't have any cheap vinegar that I wanted to boil away, so I gave it to the husband and he used the pressure washer on it. Voila! I think the baking soda loosened it enough that it all came off. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[s marie]

Bless your souls! I just burnt apricot jam all over the bottom of my pretty red Le Creuset Dutch oven. I thought that I had ruined my favorite piece of kitchen equipment forever. But no! I just employed the boiling water-baking soda method twice, and it came off! My Dutch oven will live to see another batch of jam. Thank you.

[juliesocoolie]

My mom made me some veggie soup in her little orange La Creuset and we forgot about it and burned the whole thing, after 2 weeks of scrubbing, I finally found this page, and 3 minutes boiling with the baking soda and scrubbing with the spoon, it looks like new. Thank goodness! She would not have been happy!!!

[Azizeh]

I usually just boil the majority of it off, but a paste of kosher salt works well for me, too. A little tedious, though.

I regret buying the 5 quart dutch oven in White. The outside looks like crap and I don't have the patience to scrub it out. I may have to look into that LC cleaner.

[gloryah]

I've had 3 Le Creuset pots for at least 4 years that I use regularly, and they still look brand new. When I'm done cooking and the pan is still warm, I pour water in it with some dish soap, heat it till the water is hot, and then clean the big stuff out with a kitchen sponge. If there is any discoloration or stains, they wipe out easily with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I never use a scrubber on it because it can scratch the clear coating over the enamel, and once that is gone the cookware looks all dull and stains easily. Because I don't want to scratch the clear coat, I also make sure to only use silcone utensils. Another factor in keeping LC looking new is properly preparing the surface before you cook, it makes cleanup a lot easier. Before adding any food to my LC cookware, I heat the cookware over no more than medium heat until the pan is hot (if a drop of water dances on the surface, it is ready), then I put some oil on a paper towel and wipe down the interior of the pan with it. I've never had a problem with food sticking to the cookware, and like I said, my cookware looks shiny and brand new even though it gets used regularly.

[Azizeh]

That's good advice. The discoloration on my white piece is on the outside. Namely on the bottom and the lower parts of the side.

If I do a kosher salt scrub or use the Barkeeper's Friend, it comes out. I just don't have the interest in doing that often. My red piece looks brand new, it's just the white that shows everything.

[jarona]

Gloryah--thank you for that advise. I started a new post before I saw this having had a stickiness issue with my LeCreuset. Your advice is very valuable.

[cbayly]

The boiling baking soda method worked to remove the burnt on residue, but there were still stains. I used Oxiclean, one scoop in a few inches of water, then boiled for about half an hour. ALL the stains were gone . . . even the ones that had been there for years. My big dutch oven looks brand new inside and out. I hadn't seen Oxiclean mentioned anywhere, but use it for other stain removal, so gave it a try. I used it in the same way others suggested for baking soda, just substituted the Oxiclean for baking soda..

[Mcm080203]

Oxiclean! Pure genius!!! Thank you!! Oxiclean method worked the first time. Went searching for a fix after I burned two LC dutch ovens during a snowstorm cooking spree. Pots which I treasure as they were inherited from my beloved late uncle. One actually burned in the oven with nothing in it... preheating it to bake bread. Actually joined Chow Hound just so I could post a reply and thank you! Pots look brand new!! Awesome idea!

[surfereddie]

Oxiclean it is! I've used a little bleach and that works but don't leave it in the pot for over night. It will remove the shine if you leave it in a long time. Somebody mentioned pressure washer which should work. 3000 psi should get it down to the pot in a flash. Problem is you need to be in your bathing suit.
Btw if you're going to do the bake bread in pot just leave that one for bread baking and let it get brown.

[Mcm080203]

You know on second thought, while the pots look brand new again I think the oxiclean did alter the clear coating. Things are sticking and the bottom doesn't feel smooth anymore. Was so excited but I think I've messed up my treasured pots!! Maybe stick with the baking soda!

[MeganInMadison]

FWIW, I've had great luck getting scorched fondue cheese out of enamel-cast iron pans by using a TBSP of Cream of Tartar in water (enough to cover the stained part of the pan)-- bring to a simmer, then turn off heat, and let it sit until water is just warm. A simple soapy dishrag removes any remaining brown residue bits. I don't know if scorched cheese burned onto enamel is similar to burned onions, but it worked great for me.

[EM23]

Thanks to everyone for the baking soda recommendation. Did it twice and the Farina that burned into my Cousances pot lifted right off. A word of warning though - adding baking soda to the boiling water will create a science experiment on your stove. On the plus side the boiled over baking soda and water made it easy to clean the stovetop.