How To Get Scorch Marks Off the Outside of Your Dutch Oven
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(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)
The outside of our Dutch ovens can take a beating. That’s where food goes when it bubbles over or splatters — and then it bakes on hard. And let’s say you accidentally left your Le Creuset on the stove a little too long (who, you?) and now there are brown scorch marks on the bottom and/or side. Ugh, don’t worry — you haven’t ruined a $300 piece of cookware. You just need to be gentle (no steel wool!) and grab the baking soda. Here’s how to clean the outside of your Dutch oven.
How To Clean Stains Off the Outside of Your Dutch Oven
What You Need
- Old dish towel
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Dish soap
- A plastic (not metal) scrubber
Instructions
- Get it into position: Flip the Dutch oven upside-down and set it on an old dish towel on the countertop.
- Make a paste: Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water.
- Apply the paste: Use your fingertips to dab the baking soda paste onto the outside of your Dutch oven. Do small amounts at a time, because if you add too much it will slide down the sides. (Bonus: Once you’re done covering the stains, gently rub the paste over your hands and fingers to exfoliate them and buff your fingernails.)
- Wait: Let the pot sit overnight.
- Scrub: Move the Dutch oven to the sink. Add a little hot water and dish soap to your scrubbie, then vigorously scrub the burnt-on bits with the dish soap and baking soda mixture. Rinse and repeat until the pot no longer seems to be getting any cleaner.
- Wash and rinse: Finish by washing the Dutch oven with dish soap and rinsing with clean water. Any last traces of brown should clean right up.
- Let dry: Set the pot on a towel or drying rack and allow it to dry to dry completely before putting it away.