The Best (and Easiest!) Way to Clean Burnt-on Stains Off Dutch Ovens
The other day I walked away from a pot of sautéing onions for all of two minutes (okay, maybe more like 10 minutes), and came back to find this blackened, burnt-on mess. Not only was my soup ruined, but I worried my Dutch oven was, too. Thankfully, after some online sleuthing followed by some trial and error, I found the best method that worked exceptionally well and required little effort (a win-win)! Not only did it save my pot, it also kept me from having to soak it for hours, or worse, risk ruining the enamel with an abrasive scrub.
The secret weapon? A pantry staple you likely already have in your kitchen. To get my little pot back in perfect shape, all it took was a quick simmer with water and — drumroll, please — a few tablespoons of baking soda!
While there are many tricks and techniques out there, I guarantee this one if your best bet. For our Dutch oven cleaning showdown, in which we tested rigorously tested five popular methods, the combination of baking soda and water was the clear winner. Here’s the best way to clean your burnt Dutch oven in no time.
The Best Way to Clean Your Burnt Dutch Oven with Baking Soda
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 1 lb.
Amazon
$1.39 (was $2.29)
The method I tested and found to be the best is simple: Let the water come to a boil, add the baking soda, and give it a good stir. After a few minutes of simmering, use a wooden spoon (no metal on that enamel surface!) to nudge off the burnt-on bits. Just like that, all that yucky stuff will release from the pot — minimal elbow grease required. Amazing, right?
According to the helpful Reddit thread where I found this tip, this method works not just for burnt-on onions, but also pots scorched with sugary jam and batches of vegetable soup left unattended. Just about any carbonized food stains will release from your enamel when treated this way. As you can see, my pot looks brand new once again! I don’t know what I’d do without this little trick.
How to Clean Burnt Stains Off of Enameled Cookware
What You’ll Need
4 cups water
2 tablespoons baking soda
Wooden spoon
Instructions
1. Place your pot on the stove: Pick a large-enough burner and put the pot on the stove. Then, pour in one quart of water.
2. Boil the water: Set the burner to medium heat, then wait for the water to boil.
3. Add baking soda: Add two tablespoons of baking soda and stir with a wooden spoon. Then, let it sit simmering for a few minutes.
4. Scrape: Use a wooden spoon to nudge the burnt bits off of the pot. After a few minutes, the stains will release completely — you’ll be able to see all the burnt bits floating in the water.
5. Rinse: Pour the baking soda and water solution down the drain, rinse the pot with hot water, then wipe it dry.
Note: If you have a very large pot to clean (or the burned on bits go far up the sides of the pot), just use more of the cleaning solution. For every quart of water, use two tablespoons of soda.
Have you tried this method to clean your Dutch oven? Let us know in the comments below!
