How to Clean a Double Handle Enamel Pot Without Damaging the Surface?

Enamel pots have become the darling of modern kitchens due to their elegant appearance and excellent thermal conductivity. However, many people use improper methods when cleaning double-handled enamel pots, resulting in scratches, matte finish, and even enamel peeling on the surface.
1. Understanding the characteristics of enamel: a must before cleaning
Enamel is essentially a composite material with a metal body covered with a glassy coating. Its hardness reaches Mohs 5-6 (approximately equal to that of steel knives), but the surface microporous structure is extremely sensitive to mechanical friction. Tests in Japanese kitchenware laboratories have confirmed that wiping with a steel wool ball 10 times can form a ring-shaped scratch visible to the naked eye. Therefore, two major principles must be followed when cleaning:
Avoid friction with hard objects: prohibit the use of tools such as steel wool and metal shovels
Control chemical corrosion: Strong alkaline detergents with a pH value of more than 9 will destroy the silicate structure
Two, five-step scientific cleaning method (with international standard verification)
Step 1: Pre-treatment to soften the charred dirt
Pour a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and clean water (pH≈2.9) into a pot and boil. Acetic acid molecules can decompose protein charred products. Experiments by the Department of Materials at the University of Cambridge have confirmed that this method can reduce the physical wiping intensity by 30%.
Step 2: Nano-level gentle grinding
Use food-grade baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water to make a paste. The diameter of its microcrystalline particles is about 5-15 microns (about 1/10 of the diameter of a hair). Use a microfiber cloth to wipe in a circular motion, which can not only break down stubborn stains but also prevent scratches.
Step 3: Deep disinfection and sterilization
Soak in 75℃ hot water for 20 minutes. This temperature can kill 99% of common bacteria (WHO standard) and is lower than the critical temperature of thermal deformation of enamel coating (120℃).
Step 4: Finish repair
German TÜV-certified enamel special maintenance oil (containing aluminum oxide particles) forms a nano protective film on the dry surface, restoring the mirror effect while increasing the surface hardness.
Step 5: Structural integrity inspection
Use an LED cold light flashlight to illuminate the surface at an angle of 45°. The complete enamel layer should show a uniform halo. If irregular dark spots appear, it needs to be sent to a professional for repair in time.
3. Beware of three common misunderstandings
Cleaning in a sudden change of temperature: A temperature difference of more than 80℃ will cause the difference in expansion coefficients between the metal body and the enamel layer to cause micro cracks
Immersion timeout: Immersion for more than 8 hours will allow moisture to penetrate the body and accelerate metal oxidation
Wrong stacking: Silicone gaskets must be used when stacking, and direct contact between metal and enamel will cause stress damage
4. Long-term maintenance plan
Weekly maintenance: Wiping with food-grade citric acid solution (5%) can maintain surface pH balance
Quarterly deep care: Use a UV disinfection lamp with a wavelength of 365nm for 15 minutes to completely kill deep-seated microorganisms
Annual professional testing: Use an ultrasonic flaw detector to detect coating integrity and detect potential damage in advance.