Two Dutch ovens with burnt-on stains.
How To Clean A Dutch Oven With Burnt On Stains

NEWS

By HELENA NICHOLS
Two clean Dutch ovens on an electrical stovetop.
Whether you’re restoring a thrifted Dutch oven or maintaining your trusted one, adhering to a few simple steps can help preserve its appearance and keep it looking shiny and new.
Baking soda being added to water in a Dutch oven.
To remove burnt-on stains from your Dutch oven, fill the pot with enough water to cover the stains, place it on the stovetop, and add approximately two tablespoons of baking soda.
Dutch oven filled with filthy water.
Bring the solution to a boil and let it simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes before turning off the heat. You can choose to keep the pot covered or uncovered during this stage.
Dutch oven stains being scraped with a wooden spoon.
Next, scrape the pot’s bottom with a wooden or plastic spoon. Then, drain the solution and let the pot cool down. If your oven is now stain-free, skip to the wash and dry step.
Hand using sponge to clean a Dutch oven.
However, if the stains persist, rinse the oven and sprinkle some baking soda over the affected areas, followed by using the rough end of a sponge to scrub them off.
Bar Keepers Friend being poured into a Dutch oven.
If the additional baking soda doesn’t help, rinse your oven again before sprinkling powdered Bar Keepers Friend on the wet Dutch oven to form a paste and scrub.
Bleach being poured into a Dutch oven with stains.
For stubborn leftover stains, mix one part bleach to three parts water in the oven and leave it for a few hours or overnight. Rinse away all the other cleaners before this step.
Soapy water in a Dutch oven.
Once you’ve removed the stains to your satisfaction, wash and dry the Dutch oven as usual. Be sure to remove any remnants of baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, and bleach before use.