Few things beat the aroma of a slow-cooked dish that has been simmering for hours or freshly baked Dutch oven bread straight from the oven. A cast iron casserole dish in your kitchen opens up plenty of possibilities for cooking delicious food – but should you choose an enameled or unenameled casserole dish? In this guide, we’ll go through the differences, how to care for each material, and which option is best suited to your cooking.
What is an enameled cast iron casserole dish?
An enameled cast iron casserole dish is made of cast iron and has a protective enamel coating. The enamel makes the dish easier to clean and reduces the risk of rust, while the cast iron retains and distributes heat evenly. An enameled cast iron casserole dish is ideal for slow-cooked dishes, soups, casseroles, and baking bread.
What is an unenameled cast iron casserole dish?
An unenameled cast iron casserole dish does not have a protective enamel coating, which means the food comes into direct contact with the cast iron. It therefore needs a little more care and should be kept dry and regularly coated with oil to protect it from rust and preserve the surface.
What is the difference between an enameled and an unenameled cast iron casserole dish?
The main difference is that an enameled cast iron casserole dish has a protective enamel coating, while an unenameled dish has an untreated cast iron surface. This mainly affects care, rust protection, and which ingredients the dish is best suited to.
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Enameled cast iron casserole dish |
Unenameled cast iron casserole dish |
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Surface |
Coated with enamel |
Untreated cast iron |
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Seasoning |
Usually not needed |
Needs to be maintained and seasoned |
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Acidic ingredients |
The enamel protects the iron from contact with acidic ingredients |
Acidic ingredients can react with the cast iron |
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Rust protection |
The enamel helps protect the iron |
Needs to be kept dry and oiled |
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Care |
Relatively easy |
Requires a little more maintenance |
What can you cook in a cast iron casserole dish?
A cast iron casserole dish is good for much more than classic slow-cooked dishes. Use it for hearty casseroles, soups, and meat that simmers for a long time, or place the whole dish in the oven when the recipe calls for it.
Craving freshly baked bread? A cast iron casserole dish is also great for baking bread! Check out our recipe for bread in a cast iron casserole dish and bake a loaf with a light, airy inside and a wonderfully crispy crust.
How do you clean a cast iron casserole dish?
An enameled cast iron casserole dish is relatively easy to care for, but a few good habits will help keep both the enamel and the dish looking great for a long time. Here’s how to clean an enameled cast iron casserole dish:
Enameled cast iron casserole dish
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Let the dish cool before washing it. Avoid sudden temperature changes immediately after cooking.
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Wash by hand with warm water and dish soap. We recommend hand-washing our Gretl cast iron casserole dishes.
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Use a soft sponge or dish brush. Avoid utensils that could scratch the enamel.
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Let burnt-on residue soften. Fill the dish with warm water and leave it to soak for a while before washing.
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Dry the dish thoroughly afterward. This reduces the risk of water spots and helps keep the dish looking great between uses.
An enameled cast iron casserole dish usually does not need to be seasoned or regularly oiled. The enamel is durable, but can be damaged by hard knocks and impacts, so handle the dish with care.
Unenameled cast iron casserole dish
An unenameled cast iron casserole dish needs a little more care to protect it from rust. Wash it after use, dry it thoroughly, then coat the inside with a thin layer of cooking oil. Spread the oil with a paper towel so the surface is lightly coated without becoming sticky.
The oil helps protect the cast iron from rust and preserve the surface between uses.
Buy the product online: Gretl red cast iron casserole dish, Gretl black cast iron casserole dish, Gretl green cast iron casserole dish.
Enjoy delicious slow-cooked dishes with the Gretl cast iron casserole dish from Dorre
The Gretl cast iron casserole dish is an enameled dish that’s perfect for everything from hearty slow-cooked dishes and soups to casseroles and baking bread. It holds 4 liters and comes in several colors, so you can choose the option that best suits your kitchen.
The enameled interior makes the dish convenient to use and easy to care for, while the cast iron helps maintain an even temperature during cooking. Perfect for dishes that need a little time so the flavors can really develop.