Le Creuset can fulfill all your cookware and kitchen utensils needs. Each piece in the extensive Le Creuset range is designed to be durable and versatile.
However, like any other piece of cookware, the longevity of Le Creuset products depends on how you use and clean them.
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This makes it important to take the time to learn the right way to clean and care for your cookware.
If you want an overview, scroll down to take a look at how to clean a Le Creuset grill pan like a pro and achieve the best possible cooking results every time you use your premium-quality cookware!
How to Clean Le Creuset Grill Pan
Grill pans are perfect for getting grill marks on your food without firing up an outdoor grill. They are simple and convenient to use – perfect to serve great grilled foods within minutes.
However, cleaning a grilled pan is a whole different story. Cleaning a Le Creuset grill pan is easy as long as you know how to do it properly.
Generally, the perfect cleaning method for your grill pan depends on the type of pan. In other words, different cleaning methods work on different kinds of grill pans.
But don’t worry – we have done the research for you. Here are the best ways to clean a cast-iron Le Creuset grill pan and a nonstick Le Creuset grill pan.
Cast Iron Le Creuset Grill Pan
Follow the steps given below to clean your cast iron Le Creuset grill pan easily with minimum elbow grease.
Step 1 – Get Rid of Excess Grease
Start the cleaning process as soon as you are done cooking. The first step is to pour the grease off the grill pan while it is still warm.
If the pan has cooled completely, put it on low heat for a few minutes until the grease gets warm. Pour warm grease in a separate container or in the trash.
Another option is to clean the grease using paper towels. However, be careful not to burn your fingers.
Make sure you don’t pour excess grease down the drain as it can lead to clogs. Removing access grease first makes it easier to clean the pan.
Step 2 – Pour Salt Water on the Grill Pan
Use hot water and salt to remove the gunk. One way is to mix a handful of salt in a bowl of hot water separately to make a saline solution.
Pour this solution all over the grill pan evenly. The other method is to sprinkle salt over the grill pan before slowly pouring hot water over it.
Either way – the idea is to use a saline solution to removed cooked-on gunk. You can use kosher salt for this purpose.
However, keep in mind that you are not supposed to scrub salt flakes against the surface as using abrasive materials to clean Le Creuset grill pan is not recommended.
Therefore, make sure that that the water dissolves the salt before you move on to the next step.
Step 3 – Scrub the Grill Pan
Use a nylon brush to gently scrub the Le Creuset grill pan. Rub the salt mixture all over the grill pan. This will help loosen and remove gunk from the pan.
You can add more salt if the pan is especially dirty and gunk, grease, or food debris does not come off in the first go.
You can add more salt to the salt mixture already in the pan or rinse the pan with water and start all over again.
Make sure you use a nylon brush with soft bristles to scrub the Le Creuset grill pan. Avoid brushes with hard bristles and never use a sharp object, such as a knife, to scrape off grease or gunk.
Step 4 – Rinse and Dry the Grill Pan
Once the pan is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it using hot water to wash the salt out.
You can use the scrubbing brush to ensure that all salt is washed out. Use paper towels or a kitchen towel to pat your Le Creuset grill pan dry, and then place it on low heat on the stove to air dry.
This is a crucial step that ensures the longevity of your grill pan. It is essential to dry the grill pan completely to avoid rusting.
Step 5 – Season Your Grill Pan
Seasoning is a layer of oil that builds-up on the surface of the grill pan and acts as a nonstick coating as you grill food on the pan.
Cleaning the pan thoroughly removes the seasoning. Therefore, once your pan is clean and dry, it is best to reestablish the seasoning.
You can do that by rubbing some cooking oil into the pan. You can use your hands or a kitchen towel to rub the oil on the cooking surface.
Pour off any excess oil. While the surface should be oily, the pan should not be dripping oil.
Nonstick Le Creuset Grill Pan
Ready to clean your nonstick Le Creuset grill pan? Here’s how you can clean your nonstick grill pan like a pro in six simple steps.
Step 1 – Get Rid of Excess Grease
Just like cast iron grill pan, nonstick grill pans are easier to clean if you get rid of the grease first. So, start off by removing any excess grease.
Pour the grease into a separate container or the trash when the pan is still warm.
Step 2 – Use Dishwashing Soap
Set the pan aside and let it cool completely before using dishwashing soap and warm water to wash the pan. Use a nylon or plastic brush or scrubber to gently scrub the cooking surface of the grill pan.
As the pan is nonstick, the gunk will come right off and you can skip the next step.
However, if the pan is particularly dirty, then soaking may be required.
Step 3 – Soak the Grill Pan
Submerge your Le Creuset grill pan in a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap. This will help loosen the gunk and food debris that may be stuck on the surface.
Do not try to pry stuck gunk off with your fingernails or any sharp object. You should also avoid using hard scrubbers as they can damage the nonstick surface.
The best way is to simply soak the grill pan in warm soap water for at least 30 minutes. However, for the best results, it is recommended to let the pan soak overnight.
Use a nylon brush to wash the Le Creuset grill pan once it’s been soaked for an adequate amount of time.
Step 4 – Boil Vinegar in the Grill Pan
If you are still having a hard time removing residue off your Le Creuset grill pan, try using vinegar. However, if the grill pan is clean, you can skip this step.
Pour boiling water and around a half cup of vinegar in the pan and let the mixture sit for a few minutes. The residue will slide right off the pan.
Step 5 – Rinse and Dry
Rinse the pan with warm water and pat it dry using paper towels. Make sure that the grill pan is completely dry before you store it to avoid rusting.
Keep in mind that there is no need to establish seasoning for nonstick grill pans.
These pans are already coated with a non-stick layer (like Prestige Eco Pan) and do not require additional seasonal like cast iron grill pans.
Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Le Creuset Grill Pan
Now that you know how to clean Le Creuset grill pans, let’s take a look at some few care and maintenance tips and tricks suggested by Le-Creuset.
- Never plunge hot grill pans into cold water. Doing so can result in cracking.
- Avoid using metal or hard abrasive cleaning pads to scrub the pan.
- All Le Creuset pans with integral cast iron, stainless steel knobs, or phenolic handles can be washed in the dishwasher. However, it is not the most recommended practice as dishwashing can dull the enamel finish.
- Do not wash the pans with wood handles in the dishwasher.
- Use Le-Creuset cookware cleaner to remove metal marks or stains that may be caused by metal tools.
- Store your Le Creuset pans in a dry area, away from steam.
The Bottom Line
Le Creuset is renowned for its high-quality cookware. Whether you want grill pans, cast iron skillets, stainless steel cookware, toughened nonstick pans, enamel on steel kettles, or premium-quality enamel on steel stockpots – Le Creuset has got you covered.
They also offer ceramic and nonstick metal bakeware, tableware, glassware, and even kitchen utensils, cutlery, and several culinary accessories.
While all Le Creuset products, including premium-quality grill pans, are highly durable, their longevity depends on how you use and clean the products.
Now that you know the right way to clean Le Creuset grill pan, your cookware will last for a long time.
Plus, you can grill your favorite foods without worrying about excessive scrubbing and cleaning later on!
