How to Clean a Dutch Oven Properly

Wondering about the proper way to clean a dutch oven? From cast iron to stainless steel, here are some techniques that will keep your kitchenware around for the long haul.


The dutch oven is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware around. Whether you’re braising, stewing, or cooking in one of many other fashions, odds are the dutch oven can accommodate. This utility is likely why many dutch ovens cost anywhere from $50 to $300. With prices like these, it’s important to get as much bang for your buck as possible, and the easiest way to do that is to learn how to clean a dutch oven properly, as proper maintenance will keep your oven working as intended for its entire lifespan.

Dutch Ovens Differ

Before you jump straight into our cleaning procedures, it’s important to note that dutch ovens are made of lots of different materials, and the cleaning technique we’ll recommend varies based on this, so if you don’t already know what your oven is made of, take the time to conduct some quick research before coming back here. Since the most common materials are cast iron, enameled cast iron, ceramic, and stainless steel, those are the ones we’ll be going over.

How to Clean a Cast Iron Dutch Oven

If you ended up here because you’re trying to figure out how to clean a cast iron dutch oven, you’re definitely not alone. As the original dutch oven material, cast iron is known for even cooking and longevity, and because of this, it’s still one of the most popular varieties today. However, it is also the heaviest type of oven and requires specific upkeep like occasional seasoning.

After each use, wait for your cast iron dutch oven to cool off and wipe down the entire interior and exterior with apaper towel. Starting this process when the oven is still a bit warm can make for an easier job than if you wait until it’s completely cooled off to start. This step is sometimes the only step, but if some stuck-on food remains or the interior feels oily…

Put a few drops ofdish soaponto a wet, non-abrasive sponge and wipe down your oven. If this also doesn’t finish the job, try using a non-abrasive plastic scraper. The “non-abrasive” descriptor is very important here, as you’re trying not to scratch up your oven’s finish, so also avoid steel wool, metal scrapers, or anything else that might cause scratching. Cast iron ovens are also susceptible to rust, so be sure that water is never in contact with your oven for too long.

Lastly, season your oven before its first use or any time its finish doesn’t appear glass-like. You can accomplish this by simply pouring half a teaspoon of vegetable oil into the oven and using paper towels to rub it into the entire inside and outside until everything is absorbed.

How to Clean an Enamel Dutch Oven

Now that you know how to clean a cast iron dutch oven, you pretty much know how to clean an enameled cast iron dutch oven too. These ovens aren’t exactly the same, however. Enameled cast iron ovens are often valued more highly than regular cast iron ovens because they’re easier to clean and don’t require seasoning.

After each use, begin your cleaning routine by wiping down the exterior with a non-abrasive sponge and some dry baking soda. Next, wipe down the interior with the same sponge, but this time add dishwashing soap and hot water. A non-abrasive plastic scraper can act as your last resort against stuck-on food, but the beauty of enameled cast iron ovens is how rare it is for food to actually get stuck.

Just like the pure cast iron variant, finish the job by thoroughly drying your oven, but this time you’re mostly just trying to prevent water spots since enameled cast iron isn’t prone to rust. It’s best to not take chances, however, as some enameled cast iron ovens have bare cast iron borders, so don’t leave any sort of cast iron oven wet for extended periods of time.

How to Clean Ceramic and Stainless Steel Dutch Ovens

Outside of cast iron, many buyers decide to purchase ceramic, stainless steel, or other dutch ovens for aesthetic, cost, or ease of use purposes. For example, many love the look of ceramic ovens, but stainless steel ovens are hard to beat if you’re looking for a lightweight and cheap option.

To clean a non-cast iron oven, all you need to do is scrub everything down with a non-abrasive sponge, dish soap, and hot water after each use. For stuck-on or burnt-on food, it is acceptable for non-cast iron ovens to be left to soak in water for extended periods of time. Add a little dish soap and this technique will make removing any stuck thing easy. If a soapy water soak isn’t enough to remove something that’s sticking, try filling your oven with water and adding two or three tablespoons of baking soda, then boiling the mixture for about a minute.

Advice for All Dutch Ovens

While this article has spent a lot of time talking about differing dutch oven care, there are a couple of things that everyone should be aware of when cleaning a dutch oven, regardless of what it’s made of.

1. No dutch oven should be put in the dishwasher if longevity is your goal.
2. While rust only affects cast iron ovens, scratches are the enemy of all dutch ovens. Always clean and handle your oven with care, and as an added measure, store your oven with a paper towel resting between the base and the lid.

We hope this article helped you learn how to clean a dutch oven with ease. However, the step-by-step cleaning help doesn’t stop here. Visit thePublic Goods Blogfor advice regardingdishwasher cleaning,microwave cleaning, or really any sort of cleaning you might need to do, with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable methods and products.