The Dangerous Mistake You Could Be Making with Enameled Cast Iron
Dutch ovens, like Le Creuset or Lodge, can last a lifetime—if you treat them properly.
There’s no doubt that a good Dutch oven is a versatile kitchen workhorse. Whether you’re simmering soups, braising meats, or baking bread, enameled cast iron is excellent at conducting and retaining heat. But, there’s an important thing to keep in mind when preheating enameled cast iron—a mistake one TikTok user learned the hard way when the bottom of her Dutch oven apparently exploded on the stovetop.
What is Enameled Cast Iron?
Le Creuset is the most famous example of enameled cast iron, but other brands like Lodge, KitchenAid, and Staub offer excellent options as well. Enameled cast iron is often favored over traditional cast iron because the enamel coating prevents rust, eliminates the need for seasoning, and helps the pan last a lifetime.
However, that helpful enamel coating requires some care. It can chip or scratch if exposed to abrasive tools, and most importantly, it can crack or rupture if exposed to extreme temperature changes—a phenomenon known as thermal shock. This is the potential cause of the « explosion » seen in the TikTok video.
Can You Preheat Enameled Cast Iron?
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