cleaningstove
I have not been wiping the stove top after cooking for several years. Last month I tried to clean it by taking some baking soda + water and scrubbing with steel wool. I did manage to get a lot of the dirt off but it is not clean enough. Any suggestions about how I can remove the grease off the stove top?
A patina is expected in this type of cookware. Even the Le Creuset web site discusses it at this link:
http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/Help-Advice/Care--Use/Care--Use-Cast-Iron-Satin-Black-Enamel/
Don't try to remove it. It's the sign of a seasoned pan and is helping, not hurting.
If you really feel the need to try to remove it, Le Creuset makes a cleaner for their enamel cookware you could try. We've used it on our pots and it works quite well.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/le-creuset-enameled-cast-iron-cookware-cleaner/s242309
Good news: I finally got 'round to cleaning the strainer, and it's clean and works well again. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.
Works well now! Thanks to all.
Pictures follow!
Best Answer
I'd try dish soap first with a scrubby sponge. Then, a cleaner like Formula 409 with a scrubby sponge if that doesn't work -- this usually works with a bit of elbow grease/a few tries.
And if that doesn't work, you can always go nuclear with something Easy Off Oven Cleaner (This is inconsistent with the manufacturer instructions, so I would not recommend it even though I've done it before and it worked).