Last week on Friday, we dozed off while cooking pizza in the oven. Okay, that was careless, but we still can’t comprehend how it happened. We woke up several minutes later to find a blackened mess.
We are lucky the house didn’t burn down, but our cast iron dutch oven was completely blackened! Luckily, we managed to clean the oven without soaking it for many days. Furthermore, we made sure that we didn’t ruin the surface during cleaning.
Have you also burnt your cast iron dutch oven? Well, don’t worry; this article will highlight the steps you can follow while cleaning your burnt dutch oven without ruining its surface.
Let’s begin!
How To Clean Burnt Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
Step 1: Collect All The Ingredients And Cleaning Equipment
Before cleaning the cast iron dutch oven, ensure that you have the cleaning equipment in place.
The cleaning Equipment is:
- Wooden spoon
- Baking powder
- Water
- Non-scratch sponge
Buy These Requirement Equipment
You need a soft sponge to avoid scratching the surface. Once the oven is scratched, it loses its attractive look, and you will not want to use it anymore. Furthermore, exposed iron can quickly rust or make its way to your food leading to health complications. Therefore, stick to a soft sponge.
Step 2: Soak The Iron Dutch Oven In Baking Soda
It is almost impossible to clean burned iron Dutch oven with only dish soap and water. Instead of wasting time trying to wash it in soapy water, soak the oven in baking powder.
Note that it is more efficient to soak in hot water. Therefore, put three cups of water in the oven, add two tablespoons of baking powder, and mix. Give the mixture some minutes to simmer, then turn off the heat. Let the mixture sit in for 10 minutes, then empty the oven.
Once the oven is empty, you will notice that most of the burnt bits have detached. If you still have some stuck bits, use the wooden spoon to scrape them off. Then, allow the oven to cool and clean it, usually with soap and water.
Step 3: Rub Baking Soda Paste On The Iron Dutch Oven
If the above instructions don’t yield positive results, don’t give up. Just try something more substantial. For instance, rub baking powder paste in the oven.
Start by making a paste. Mix a few drops of water with four tablespoons of baking powder. Then, coat the oven with the paste and leave it overnight. (Make sure that the coating is evenly done on the inside and outside of the oven).
In the morning, rinse off the paste. If you can still see some built–on grime, use the wooden spoon to scrape it off. Now you can clean it normally using a soft sponge and soap. Repeat the process until the dutch oven is sparkling clean.
Step 4: Dry The Oven
As soon as you finish cleaning the oven with water, dry it to avoid rust. Cast iron is easily prone to rust, especially in humid areas.
There are several methods of drying the cast iron. You can place it upside down in a dry area or place it near a fire for quick drying. Make sure you pay attention to flanges to prevent moisture droplets from building up.
Step 5: Season The Oven
This step is optional. Nonetheless, we recommend it to all cast iron users. If you want to enjoy tasty food, season your oven.
To season the oven, apply a coat of oil, then wipe off the excess oil. You can use any oil, but we recommend that you stick to olive oil or vegetable oil. In addition, make sure that you use your oven frequently to prevent the oil from going stale.
Step 6: Store The Oven
Store the cast iron oven in a dry place to prevent it from rusting. In addition, place papers or towels between the cast iron to prevent them from sticking into each other.
Step 7: Look For Special Cleaners
By now, your iron dutch oven should be sparkling clean. Baking powder is effective and able to clean 99% of your stains.
However, we have another option for you. If you have a busy schedule and less time to clean the oven, contact some proprietary cleaners within your residential area.
Step 8: Replacing Your Dutch Oven
A well taken care of oven can last you for many years. Most people are using their grandparent’s ovens, passed down generations. Nonetheless, every object has an expiry date.
Therefore, if you notice some rusting or chippings in your oven, replace it! The last feeling you need is a rusty taste in your food.
At A Glance! The Top 5 Best Dutch Ovens
Can You Use Vinegar To Clean The Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
Yes, you can use vinegar to clean the cast iron Dutch oven! Vinegar is also an efficient product for cleaning burnt cast iron ovens.
To clean the oven, submerge it in vinegar water for an hour. Afterward, use a wooden spoon or spatula to remove the burnt residue.
If the residue doesn’t come off ultimately, soak it in the water again, and then scrub. After all the burnt residue is off, rinse the oven with warm water, dry it, and store it.
Nonetheless, ensure that you don’t mix the vinegar with any cleaning bleach. Some people are very impatient and may decide to increase the cleansing power by combining the two ingredients. The result will be dangerous.
See, most cleansing bleaches consist of chlorine atoms. When the atoms react with vinegar, they release chlorine gas harmful to your eyes, nose, and skin.
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Final Thoughts
Cast iron Dutch ovens are durable and versatile. You can make soup, roast chicken, and even make pizza in them. Due to their versatility, they tend to be used a lot in the kitchen, making them dirty.
In some cases, the oven may get burnt, making it difficult to clean. So what happens in such cases? Should you throw away the oven? Well, the answer is no.
The trick to cleaning the burnt areas is following appropriate steps. Don’t worry; we have outlined the steps in the article above. Just follow the steps, and your cast iron Dutch oven will be sparkling clean!
