Our enamel mugs are stainless steel mugs with an enamel finish. The enamel is a protective and usually colorful coating that is baked onto the stainless steel. The vivid colors are fun and reminiscent of vintage camping cups. The enamel colors will not fade on exposure to sunlight. In addition to making the mugs look great, the enamel adds protection to them. The enamel coating helps to prevent corrosion (rusting) of your mug. Enamel mugs are highly heat resistant. When properly cared for, these mugs can last a long time.
How to Use Enamelware
Enamelware is fired at 1700F when it’s made, so our pieces are always safe to use in the oven or on the stove, grill or campfire.
If your enamelware is left empty on a hot burner or oven, switch off the heat and allow the items to cool slightly before adding liquid.
Remember, enamelware can get very hot or cold to the touch like other metallic-based cookware, so remember to use an oven mitt and / or trivet to protect your hands and surfaces.
Protect your enamelware by drying it thoroughly after each washing or use.
Enamelware Don’ts
Don’t use enamelware in the microwave.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners or hard water stain removers.
Don’t use sharp edged metal utensils on your enamelware or it will scratch.
Don’t allow enamelware items to boil dry when using them on the stovetop as that may damage the enamel surface.
Cleaning Tips
Our enamelware is dishwasher safe, and a soap-filled scouring pad or sponge can remove stains and burned on grease – don’t use abrasive cleaners or hard water stain removers as they may dull your shiny piece.
It’s best to empty and dry your mugs and tumblers after each use to keep rust away.
If you do experience a little rusting, try the following method:
Place 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a squeeze of lemon juice into the item.
Add water and bring to a boil.
Let cool and wash thoroughly before using. Good as new!
As with any well-loved and hard-working piece, some scratching and dulling is likely to occur over time.
Chip Talk
If those chips could talk, they’d tell your family’s stories. Like all fine ceramic materials, our enamelware will chip if it’s dropped or handled too roughly – but not to worry, the steel core won’t shatter and any chips are only skin deep. Pieces with these “beauty marks” are still perfectly usable and pose no danger of lead or other materials leeching out. Some people prefer the antique look of chips (in fact, some manufacturers purposely distress their products) and some prefer their enamelware looking hot off the presses. But no matter which you prefer, your enamelware is good to go.
For a quick fix at home, you can purchase a food-safe enamel repair kit and follow the instructions on the package. Campfire Premiums has not verified the long-term effectiveness of enamel repair kits on our products though, so we can’t confirm your piece will be food-safe afterwards.
Some fun facts:
- The making of enameled products on a large scale first began in Germany around 1840. They used a simple method compared to today: they heated the mug to a very high temperature and then dusted it with enamel,they then immediately fired the mug. This often gave them a spotty coat; two coats were always required to achieve the desired surface. Additionally, it could only be applied to cast-iron items, and they could only use it for simple products like mugs, pots and pans.
- From the 1840s- 1930s all enamel applications required two coats of enamel. The undercoat that was needed was always blue. The top coat of the desired color was most often white.
To care for your enamel- we recommend washing by hand as the abrasive action of some dish washing detergents can scratch and dull the surface. Do not put in the microwave! This is a stainless steel mug with enamel coating. You cannot put metal in the microwave! If you drop it on a hard surface, the enamel will chip.