Have I killed my le creuset?

[PuraVida]

I've been chucking my ancient but perfect le creuset saucepans in the dishwasher. Now the rims, where there's no enamel or whatever the coloured bit is, has gone rusty. Does it matter? Will they ever recover? Should le creuset not be dishwashered

i don;t think they are dishwasher safe

maybe a scrub and some olive oil to get rid of the rust.

I used to have some pre kids but i just cannot lift them ...i imagine them now, with enough potatoes for five of us and laugh!

I inherited some volcanic orange le creuset and am yet to use it as not sure how too look after it so will watch this for tips.

I don't think that you are meant to dishwasher them. Neither are you meant to soak them. They're pretty hardy though so I doubt that you've done them too much harm.

ive been dishwashing my le creuset for 17 years......

My family have always put ours in the dishwasher - it says on their website

"All pans with integral cast iron, phenolic handles, or stainless steel lid knobs, can be washed in the dishwasher, but constant dishwashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish. This is not harmful and will not impair performance. When using the dishwasher always allow the cycle to complete before opening the door. This will ensure the pans are dried thoroughly".

Le Creuset have a Lifetime Guarantee so if you're bothered I suggest you call customer services to ask and they can advise you if it's a problem.

I think it's a superficial thing though, rather than anything more serious.

My orange one has done that too and I don't even own a dishwasher. I am also feeling a bit worried as the rust seeps a liquid if I store the pan without dring it thoroughly. My more expensive older Le Creuset pot would never have this problem though

Always stick ours in the dishwasher. Occasionally a tiny bit of rust on the rim of one but I just oil with kitchen paper and its fine. They've been going strong for over 8 years so far...

you can get a cleaning liquid specifically for le crueset made by them in dept stores like John lewis in the LC area- worth a try.

the enamel on rims might have been chipped off against some other hard thing. If there is rust you can clean it off with a green scourer (no water) and then rub with a bit of cooking oil on kitchen roll to prevent rust in storage.

If you also rub oil on the inside and polish off, it will reduce sticking (this also works with non-stick pans that have been in the dishwasher).

Metal implements will do more damage to the glaze than a dishwasher. Chances are the iron will outlast you.

if the enamel is chipped the underlying cast iron will rust. I dishwash mine sometimes. I would investigate the company's life time guarantee.

I dishwash mine but am concerned at the thought of rust getting into food (no probs so far though)

If there is rust you can clean it off with a green scourer (no water) and then rub with a bit of cooking oil on kitchen roll to prevent rust in storage.

(still true)

Oh excellent I shall scour and oil them

Theyre not chipped, it's just the very rim

They're older than me. They were a wedding gift for my neighbour who must be 70

Incedentally my dishwasher makes other things rusty too, I guess it's the salt. Perhaps that's another thread

I wouldn't worry about a bit of rust getting into food. It won't harm you in the slightest as iron is, after all, a vital part of a healthy diet.

Mine have got a bit of rust on the rims as well.

I just scrub it off and put oil on it (I have a skillet which does this as well).