How do you clean your Le Creuset? I accidentally burned mirepoix and noticed some very light brown spots that Dawn and a sponge will not work on.

calendargirl added 5 months ago

I use a plastic scrubber (no metal)and elbow grease, after soaking for a while in hot water. For really stubborn stains or burned on food, I add a tablespoon or two of chlorine bleach to the hot soaking water and let the pot sit for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes you can actually watch as the stains disappear in a few minutes. But a stain or two isn't so bad and is evidence of a well-used and much loved pot.

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calendargirl added 5 months ago

Oh, and be sure to rinse well after using bleach. I wouldn't use this in an aluminum pot, but for my Le Creuset dutch oven this method works beautifully.

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Lindsay-Jean is a Contributing Editor of Food52.

added 5 months ago

You could also try some of the suggestions in these threads: http://food52.com/hotline... and http://food52.com/hotline...

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I use a little Bar Keepers Friend in mine. It works great for getting those brown spots out.

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barkeepers is great but careful using it on older enameled pieces - I ruined an old le creuset with barkeepers and over zealous scrubbing!

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pierino is a trusted source on General Cooking and Tough Love.

added 5 months ago

First, appearance matters less than functionality. You can try boiling some white vinegar in there but in the end I would say don't sweat it---who else but you looks at the inside of your pots?

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Baking soda - make a paste and scrub.

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Baking soda - make a paste and scrub.

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i think the spots are how you show your love! a perfectly clean LC is one that's never been used. embrace the spots and call it "well seasoned".
P.S. mine are all a mess! and i love it!

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bugbitten added 5 months ago

I think Le Creuset has cleaning suggestions on their website, or used to.

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Baking Soda,Baking Soda, Baking Soda!!
When I really screw up , And I do, lots, I cover the charred bottom with Baking Soda and then add H2O and boil it off while I wash the rest of the dishes . An air gap will form between the base of the pan & the Baking Soda / scum bussiness. I usaully use one of those long handled scrappy brushes to see if all of it came off . Normal this is good enough but having my skills it can last well into a second round .

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Ginni Kelley added 5 months ago

I make a paste with Baking Soda and Lemon juice ....works everytime!!

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