What is “Shocking” to your Enamel Cast Iron?

September 5, 2008 on 12:41 pm | In Consumer Questions and Answers, How To's and Helpful Tips, Money Saving Ideas | No Comments

There are so many different tasks to keeping your Enameled Cast Iron in great condition. It is always best to add ingredients into your Enameled Cast Iron pot when the liquid has reached room temperature. Even the littlest mistake can be the start of serious damage. Going from one extreme to the other, whether it be hot to cold or cold to hot . . . should always be avoided. If you do experience shock/damage to your cast iron, discontinue use immediately. Here are a few tips.
Visual signs of shock to your Cookware:
1. Some beginning signs of shock are appearances of bubbling under the surface of the enamel on the pot. Once that bubbling occurs if the pot is heated or cooled it can cause the bubble to burst open which causes cracking.
2. Chipping of the enamel coating. Chipping can occur by sharply hitting the surface of the cast iron. If your cast iron has a chip – it does not always mean that it has been shocked. Carefully check the area for any signs of cracking in the cast iron before using. If there are none – you can still use your cast iron if it is chipped. After washing, gently rub a small amount of oil on the exposed area. This will prevent rusting.
3. Any time you see lines or cracking – you have shocked or damaged cast iron. Discontinue use immediately. Heating the metal will cause the cast iron to break apart and could result in personal injury.

Here are examples that you want to always avoid:
1. Do not pour cold liquid into a heated pan. If you are using cold liquids – bringing the liquids and the pan up to heat together, starting on a cold burner.
2. Do not take an Enameled Cast Iron pot directly from the refrigerator to range top or hot oven to heat. Allow the pan to sit at room temperature until most of the chill is gone. Place the pan on a cold burner or in a cold oven and slowly bring up to temperature.
3. Do not immerse a hot, or cold/chilled pan in water or run water over pan until it has completely come to room temperature.

For cleaning instructions: let cookware, lids and utensils cool completely before attempting to clean. Enameled Cast Iron Cookware is dishwasher safe but because of its weight and the ease of cleaning we strongly suggest washing by hand.