Does enameled cast iron need to be seasoned before every use?

[beenherebefore]

I recently ordered different cast iron pots and casseroles from Le Creuset, one of them is an enameled cast iron skillet as shown in the picture. I've never used cast iron before and seen some videos of people seasoning their cast iron cookware before using it. I'm wondering if I it's a MUST to do the same to the skillet as it has some coating.

[FreyaRed]

No. It looks like that enamel is coated with some anti stick material on those pans.
Personally I recommend iron sheet or high carbon steel skillets for roasting, which need to be seasoned from time to time. For roasting of food that will be cooked after is roast free steel the best option.
Cast iron is too heavy and enamel coating will get sooner or later micro cracks due temperature tensions.

I don't want make you scary but fresh Teflon contains stuff that is used in production, it's very bad for human body, because it's similar to lipids which are essential for living organisms, but those false lipids are made of fluorocarbons which are essentially strongest particles that never decay.

[RavVid]

I agree the inside is not enameled. I have some creuset which is enameled on the inside.

Non stick isn't teflon anymore. The question and your answer re-aroused my curiosity as to what is used now. It is said to be PFA (teflon) free but doesn't say what it is. My high school chem is not really adequate anyway.

Your chem is possibly better than mine so I'd be curious if you have more info. After all you knew teflon is fluorinated lipids and I didn't :).

[beenherebefore]

@RavVid I'm also curious. The main reason why I bought Le Creuset was because I thought it was non-toxic. If someone knows the answer it would be highly appreciated.

[RavVid]

I bought Tefal a not very expensive brand because they have detachable handles and stack neatly to save space. They are non-stick. It is unclear whether the non stick coating is common across all makes and just given a proprietary name. I did see that crueset says non toxic with 0 PFAs so I guess it is ok.

I ended getting felt separators so the coating wasn't abraded. if you are stacking them it would be sensible to get some. I guess we would all appreciate more info.

I was using stainless steel frypans. If they are highly polished they are close to non stick and anything that does stick comes off easily with a soak. I just wanted zero handles to use up less shelf space and I am very happy in that respect..

[slatyb]

Le Creuset is great cookware, and it is not toxic. Follow the manufacturers instructions and it will last forever. You do not have to season it.

There was a factory sale in England not long ago and it caused a huge traffic jam. www.theguardian.com/.../police-called-le-creuset-warehouse-sale-four-hour-queues

[FreyaRed]

@RavVid It's still teflon or PTFE, but teflon doesn't cause any health risk by itself, it does another stuff to encapsulate teflon molecular strings so teflon doesn't explode while production and it can be spree coated. The evil stuff is C8 or PFOA or Perfluorooctanoic acid. They just replaced C8 with another evil stuff.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluorooctanoic_acid
especially "Robert Bilott investigation"

[RavVid]

Thank you for that information. Do you stay away from stick free yourself or are you willing to use such teflon coated frypans now? I am anticipating it is a No.

[FreyaRed]

@RavVid Well, pans and skillets are probably not so heavily contaminated with C8 residue. Some baking papers, popcorn for microwave packaging, stick reduced packaging generally, impregnation sprays for clothes, chemical for cleaning, especially car stuff and lot of other things.
Xenoestrogenes in plastic bottles, Bisphenol A, artificial sweetener... there is much stuff to contract cancer.

[RavVid]

Do you think RFK Junior is doing good work? I have not followed because I am not American but it does seem the stats on autism are alarming in the US.

[purplepoppy]

No only proper cast iron pans need that and that's only periodically. I've a few of the traditional type and find they self season through regular use anyway.

[MrChinaski]

As an owner of more than $2000 of le creuset kit, I have never seasoned. But you should probably follow the manufacturer's instructions not mine.

[slatyb]

No, it doesn't. It needs to be seasoned once. Then after use just wipe clean, maybe just a drop of soap.

[beenherebefore]

Is it okay to clean with dishwashing soap and a sponge after every use?

[slatyb]

About one drop should do it. After seasoning, it's a non-stick pan and should be easy to clean. Never put cast iron in the dishwasher. It will ruin the seasoning and the pan will rust.

by the way, even though everyone calls it soap, it's detergent.

[slatyb]

Ignore everything I said. I was thinking of traditional cast iron skillets. Enameled cast iron does not require seasoning. I have a lovely Dutch oven. For cooking on a range I use All-Clad stainless steel. Easy to clean, cooks evenly, will last a lifetime if used properly. Never ever ever quench hot pans in cold water. They will warp.

[MrChinaski]

If you try to season enamel there is, I think, a non-trivial interest that the enamel coating may crack. I think the manufacturer recommends a moderate heat. We are talking about casserole dishes.

Some le creuset kit does not have an enamel lining... skillets, griddle plates etc. I'm not sure what the best approach there is and seasoning could be valuable, but every le creuset product comes with care instructions.

[MrChinaski]

Cleaning with soap and water is fine. Again, I wouldn't use a scourer on an enamel coating, but on a cast iron coating it is probably fine.

[Jersey2]

We have a large assortment of Le Creuset and we don’t season it. Don’t forget to look into their hardened non-stick which is wonderful.

[jahaims]

Any coating that isn't metal is toxic.

[seeyounexttuesday]

Probably they pre-seasoned it.