The Essential Le Creuset Buyer’s Guide

Established in 1925, Le Creuset is today celebrated around the world for its enamelled cast iron cookware. Starting out with its now-iconic Flame colour—inspired by the flames of the molten iron used to cast each casserole dish—Le Creuset today offers its products in over 100 colours to more than 60 countries around the world. Read on for an essential guide to Le Creuset whether you’re a first-time buyer or Le Creuset, connoisseur.

#1 Where is Le Creuset made?

Le Creuset continues to make its Signature Cast Iron Products from its foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand, northern France. Over 10,000 Le Creuset cast iron products are made each day at the foundry where the brand has produced its products for over 90 years.

#2 What sizes do Le Creuset casseroles come in?

#3 Which products should I start with?

We would recommend starting off with one of our iconic Signature Round Casseroles, part of Le Creuset’s world-renowned enameled cast iron range.

Ask yourself: What kinds of things do you like to cook? Do you like to make stews and soups, or are you a fan of roasts and braises? This is something to consider because different cooking techniques have different space needs.

Also, how many people do you typically feed? The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 liter per person, and then round up. One liter roughly translates into a typical serving size for most people. So for a family of four, you would want something that is a minimum of 4 liters. And then with rounding up, the ideal size would be somewhere in the 5-6 liter capacity.

But an important point to consider is whether you also often cook for extended family or guests. Or do you like to batch cook or meal prep on the weekends, or are you a big fan of leftovers? If yes, then you might want to add a few liters as well to accommodate those cooking needs.

#4 What colours do they come in?

Ever since we introduced our signature Flame colour in 1925, Le Creuset has been known for high-quality, colourful cookware. Our early artisans transformed the industry by bringing bold colour to the kitchen. That legacy continues, and we now offer an unmatched range of vibrant, durable colours and finishes across a spectrum of materials. Among our most popular colours are:

#5 Why is Le Creuset worth the money?

Le Creuset has been making world-class cookware for almost 100 years. Used by leading chefs and keen cooks around the globe, Le Creuset cookware offers outstanding performance time after time.

With an unwavering belief in the quality & durability of its cookware, Le Creuset offers a lifetime guarantee for the original owner across the brand’s Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, and Toughened Non-Stick ranges.

#6 How should you clean your Le Creuset casseroles and grills?

You should always cool a hot Le Creuset product before washing. Do not plunge a hot pan into cold water. While Le Creuset’s enamel is designed to be the most durable on the market, thermal shock may still occur, resulting in cracking or loss of enamel.

If there are food residues, fill the pan with warm water and let soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing. A brush can be useful for removing small food deposits, or for cleaning between the ribs on grills. Do not use scourers or abrasive cleaners on the cooking surface. Nylon or soft abrasive pads or brushes can be used to remove stubborn residues. To avoid damaging the enamel, do not use metallic pads or harsh abrasive cleaning agents.

A good way to remove burnt-on and stubborn residues is to add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 2-3 Tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into half a pot of warm water and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes – now use a spatula to ease off the burnt food.

Light stains or metal marks caused by metal tools can be removed with Le Creuset cast iron cookware cleaner. Occasional cleaning with this product will also retain the new appearance of your pans.

Never store cookware while it is still damp. Store pans in a dry cupboard or airy space away from steam. Maintain the tightness of all handles and knobs by checking and retightening them regularly.

All pans with integral cast iron, phenolic handles, or stainless steel knobs can be washed in the dishwasher. However, 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 finish before opening the door. This will ensure the pans are dried thoroughly.

#7 Is Le Creuset oven-safe?

Le Creuset’s Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, Toughened Non-Stick and Stoneware ranges are all oven-safe.

The black phenolic lid knobs on the Le Creuset Signature range of enamelled cast iron are heat-resistant to 480°F / 250°C. The black phenolic lid knobs on the Classic range of enamelled cast iron are heat-resistant to 375°F / 190°C. Products with integral cast iron handles or stainless steel knobs can be used at any oven temperature. Pans with wooden handles or knobs must not be placed in the oven.

Le Creuset 3-ply Stainless Steel is oven-safe to Oven safe to 220°C/Gas Mark 7.

Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick cookware is oven-safe to 260°C, or 220°C if used with a lid. Toughened Non-Stick Bakeware is oven-safe to 240°C.

Le Creuset Stoneware, including its mugs, is safe for use in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer, fridge, and oven up to 260°C.

#8 Are Le Creuset casseroles non-reactive?

Le Creuset’s cast-iron products have a porcelain surface that is non-reactive and does not react with acidic foods such as tomatoes, chutneys, pickles, or berries.

#9 Are Le Creuset pans non-stick?

The Le Creuset cookware collection includes its Toughened Non-Stick Range, comprising frying pans, grills, saucepans, and woks all designed with a tough, PFOA-free non-stick surface inside and out.

The Le Creuset Cast Iron Collection is not non-stick but does have a smooth enamel coating that will not stick if used in the right manner. Cast Iron is an excellent conductor and retainer of heat, so we recommend using low to medium heat when cooking. Cast Iron and the enamel coatings of our casseroles heat up and expand and contract at different rates, meaning that if you use a high heat the cast iron can expand faster than the enamel and cause damage to the enamel surfaces—usually fine hairline cracks or crazing lines in the enamel.

Here are a few tips to help protect your Cast Iron and stop food sticking:

• Make sure that the hob ring you use is close to the base size of the casserole – not too big, but large enough to ensure that the heat is spread more evenly across the base of the pan.
• Because Cast Iron retains heat extremely well you could start a sauce or casserole off on the hob – using a low to medium heat and giving the pan time to reach the temperature needed to brown the meat.
• Once your sauce or casserole is at the stage where it simply needs to sit and simmer gently allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavours to develop, you can put it in the oven on a low to medium heat (maximum temp 190°c) to continue cooking. This should help prevent sticking by ensuring the pot is subjected to an even distribution of heat in the oven, rather than a concentrated area on the hob.
• Alternatively, get a sauce or casserole to simmering point then lower the heat right down for a while, then for the last half an hour/45 minutes of cooking you could turn the heat off and leave the food to cook with the lid on. Again, because cast iron retains heat so well the food will continue to cook inside the pot without the need for an external heat source – this method also works for cooking things like rice or potatoes and is an excellent energy saver.

#10 Can you use Le Creuset for induction cooking?

Yes, all Le Creuset cookware is suitable for use on an induction hob (except for the Le Creuset Stoneware Range which should not be used on the stovetop). Always use low to medium heat because all Le Creuset cookware is designed to heat evenly and effectively, providing excellent results even on low heat.

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