How To Clean Porcelain Cast Iron

February 17, 2021

I'm going to begin this post with a warning. This article, tips for cleaning enameled cast iron, is only for enameled or lacquered cast iron cookware. BKF heavily advises AGAINST using BKF on regular, run-of-the-mill cast iron. So, please don't attempt this on standard cast iron products. This is only for cleaning enameled cast iron.

Pro Tip: If you're uncertain about the coating on your cast iron cookware, test a small spot on the pan with BKF. This is always a good plan but especially if you're unsure of the pot's composition.

cleaning enameled cast iron - how to clean a dutch oven - before pic

Before & After submission from BKF fan Archer G.

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron with BKF

What You'll Need

BKFPowder Cleanser
An empty sink
Nonabrasive sponge
A soft cloth or paper towel

Cleaning Enameled Cast Iron

Rinse the pan with water and leave it wet.
Sprinkle a tablespoon or so of Bar Keepers Friend on the bottom of the pan.
Using a soft, damp sponge (no abrasives), scrub small areas in a circular motion.
Rinse
Dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Repeat as needed.
Next, follow the same procedure with the sides of the pan.

Does BKF Work on the Inside of the Pot?

Yes, you can use BKF to clean the inside of your enameled cast iron pan just follow the procedure above. Here's what leading culinary magazine Bon Appétit had to say, "Bar Keepers Friend powder is also quite handy if you have burns that just don't seem to budge—mix it with a tiny bit of water, and scrub away. Just remember to avoid that steel wool."

Bon Appétit senior food editor, Rick Martinez, demonstrated the power of BKF on enameled cast iron back in 2017. Watch it below:

How to Clean a Dutch Oven the BKF Way

Many Dutch ovens are enameled or lacquered cast iron, which makes them very durable but also vulnerable to scratching or cracking.

If you have an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, you know not to use metal utensils to stir, steel wool to clean, or abrasive cleaners. So, what do you do when you forget about a pot of beans and bake them into the sides of your Dutch oven? The answer is … BKF it. Hear from BKF fans how to clean a dutch oven below.

Here's What a Few BKF Fans Shared about Cleaning a Dutch Oven

BKF is my Dutch Ovens BFF!

"Bar Keeper's Friend is my Dutch oven's new BFF. Now, I'm a relatively new user of BKF — I had honestly never tried it before researching it for this site last year. Well, let me tell you, I'm a convert now! It has just enough scrubbing power to really get to baked-on debris, without harming the enamel. It's also scrubby enough to easily remove a film of built-up food stains that, say, you might not have noticed on your Dutch oven until you sat down to write an article about how to clean it. Whoopsie." — Ayn Monique K.

It's Magic!

"If you're short on time, try using Bar Keepers Friend. This stuff is kind of magical! Simply wet the inside of your Dutch oven, sprinkle in a little powder, and start scrubbing. Almost instantly, the burned pieces and stains will fade away." — Readers Digest –"How to clean a Dutch oven"

Our Soft Cleanser Works Too!

"A highly recommended product is to use Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, along with a non-scratch and all-purpose dish scrubber for stunning results.

The Bar Keeper's Friend Soft Cleanser is a nonabrasive cleaning product that won't damage your Le Creuset's enamel. It makes it easy to remove burned-on stains and films of food in your cookware." — The Crown Choice

Is it Time to Clean YourEnameled Cast Iron?

If your enameled cast iron pot has a dull patina from years of use or your $250 Le Creuset's enamel Dutch oven has chili burned into the bottom, then it's time for some BKF. We can make that enamel finish shine like it's new! Make BKF your BFF!

About the Author

Randy Clark - Headshot

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He's a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He's the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager's Workbook: A crash course in effective management.