How do I get my Staub back to normal?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (46002)
Staten Island, New York
February 6, 2025 12:36pm CST
I was making some baby lamb ribs on the stove in my Staub la cocotte. This time I decided to add vegetable stock and wine. I usually use water.
The ribs cooked for about 2.5 hours at my husband’s insistence. I would’ve taken them out earlier. I kept lifting the lid periodically to make sure there is enough liquid in the pot. There always seemed to be enough of it with no need to add more.
After I turned off the flame and took everything out into a container I noticed a huge charred black spot on the bottom of the cocotte you see in the photo.
I’m not sure how this happened and if that’s charred food or the liquid or what but it won’t come off. I soaked the pot in hot water and dish washing liquid and scrubbed with a paper towel but that didn’t help much. Decided to soak it overnight in hot water and dish washing liquid but still no luck getting it off. Anyone know what to do? I don’t want to try scrubbing with a scouring pad or anything abrasive as I don’t want to ruin the surface.
7 people like this
7 responses
@kaylachan (77087)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Feb
I have no idea but I agree about the abrasive part.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (77087)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Feb
@lovebuglena Does the bottom feel rough to touch?
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
@kaylachan it does where the stuff still didn’t come off.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
I don’t want to ruin the bottom of the cocotte.
2 people like this
@2ndchances24 (10303)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
6 Feb
I don't know if it will work or not but try lemon juice & baking soda
& let it sit for a few hrs see if that helps OR put water in the pan
& turn on the burner & stir it as the water cooks & see if that helps.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
Baking soda and water and letting it come to a boil and then scrubbing it with a bounty helped a lot but not everything came off. 
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
This is what’s left that didn’t come off.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
Baking soda was very helpful when mixing with water and letting it boil on small flame but there is still stuff left over that hasn’t come off. Scrubbing with a paper towel or sponge doesn’t help. I am afraid to use the scrubbing part of the sponge as I don’t want to potentially ruin the bottom. But I don’t want leave the pot as is. That’s not good.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
7 Feb
@celticeagle that’s what I did. Not everything came off. Trying it again.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (84189)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Feb
I have no idea but I am glad other were able to help you, The only thing I do know is that if my mother burnt the bottom of a pot she sprinkled on a lot of salt and let it soak and could get the burnt part cleaned,
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
6 Feb
Putting baking soda and water and letting it simmer for a bit definitely helped a lot but there is still some stuck on gunk that won’t come off. I did lots of dish washing liquid and hot water and letting it sit. Hope this will help.
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
13 Feb
No way lol. I will keep using it.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (46002)
• Staten Island, New York
13 Feb
@porwest it’s not totally screwed up. Just a little bit. I couldn’t get it completely back to normal.
1 person likes this
@porwest (99075)
• United States
13 Feb
@lovebuglena In that condition? I guess if you can make it work, but that would irk me.
