Buy Le Creuset Dutch Oven ((LINK))
Lodge's enameled cast-iron Dutch oven outperforms expensive competitors. Large handles and a spatula-friendly shape make it a breeze to move from oven to stovetop, and the finish cleans up easily. Even after years of regular use, its performance has not faltered.
buy le creuset dutch oven
Le Creuset's iconic colorful Dutch oven has been a go-to for serious cooks for nearly a century. While it's much more expensive than most of the models we tested, its perfect heat distribution, easy handling, high performance and durability make it an heirloom piece you'll hand down to your children.
French cookware company Le Creuset is one such name, representing the height of craftsmanship and style, and accordingly, price. Its enamel cast iron Dutch ovens are widely considered the best in the industry, which is why many people are willing to commit to the $200+ investment and few ever regret it.
The cast iron cocotte, also known as a French oven or an enameled Dutch oven, was their first product. Its Flame color, a Le Creuset signature, is said to have been modeled after the vibrant orange hue of molten cast iron inside a crucible ("le creuset" in French).
After World War II, as competitors flocked to steel and aluminum to make their cookware, Le Creuset doubled down on its enameled cast iron efforts, expanding into a range of other pieces and experimenting with exciting new colors. Today, you can shop its iconic Dutch oven alongside specialty cookware like woks and Moroccan tagines, bakeware like casserole dishes, and dinnerware.
Enameled cast iron was and will remain Le Creuset's specialty. Its slow heat distribution and strong heat retention make it great for medium and low-heat cooking, from slow-cooking meats to roasting vegetables to baking rich desserts. The smooth interior encourages beautiful, delicious caramelization, plus it prevents sticking and is easy to clean. This material is safe to use on all heat sources, including electric, gas, induction, outdoor grill, and oven. Whether you're a first-time Le Creuset buyer or expanding a decades-old collection, this versatile, high-performing cookware is the main one to shop. All cast iron pieces are made in the original French foundry and each is hand-inspected by 15 people. They come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Infuse your meal prep routine with style when you cook using Le Creuset cookware. A trusted name in premium cookware for nearly 100 years, Le Creuset was founded in France in 1925 and has been producing their durable, iconically colorful cookware ever since. Today, the brand offers a full range of kitchen necessities, including pots and pans, skillets, grills pans and Dutch ovens as well as bakeware, kettles and utensils. An array of finishes, such as cast iron, ceramic, hard-anodized non- stick and aluminum-core stainless steel ensure that no matter what dish you're cooking, you'll have the right tools for the job. Read on to learn more about Le Creuset cookware and bakeware.
Since a Dutch oven is an investment that will last a lifetime, you want to make sure you buy the right one. But, the sheer number of options out there can be overwhelming. Le Creuset alone has over fifteen styles (and that's not counting the myriad colors they each come in). Below, we'll delve into important details like what size and shape Dutch oven you should buy based on your cooking needs. For our product review of the best Dutch Oven brands, read here:
Dutch ovens commonly come in both a perfectly-round circle shape and an oblong oval shape. A representative from Le Creuset tells us that the round shape is more popular than the oval shape. "A round fits much better on a burner, which means more even heating," says Senior Food Editor Anna Stockwell.
Now that we've got shape cleared up, let's talk size. Teeny tiny Dutch ovens can get down to 1/4-quart, while the biggest sizes are around 13-quarts. There's a use for every size on the spectrum, but given the cost, you'll most likely want to buy the perfect one and leave it at that. Here, we'll go through the advantages and best uses of commonly-available Dutch oven sizes.
The smallest size of Dutch oven offered, these little guys are as much for high-style table settings as they are for cooking. Because of their size and the fact that you'll likely use them as individually-portioned servingware, they are really best bought in a set: each one is just the right size for single servings of shakshuka, bread, mac n'cheese, or cobbler.
This size is just right if you're cooking for one to three people. Our senior food editor, Anna Stockwell, says her Dutch oven at home is 3-1/2-quarts and it's just right for her. This size is easy to maneuver (key for taking your Dutch oven from stovetop to oven) but not too big or cumbersome to whip out just for a bowl of oatmeal for one. Go a bit smaller, and you're relegated to sides, sauces, and reheating single servings of soup. Plus, this Dutch oven is small enough to sit out on your stovetop most of the time, meaning you won't have to haul it in and out of your cabinets and will always have it at the ready for cooking weeknight dinners.
Don't go larger than a 7-quart oven unless your family has six or more members, or you love to batch cook. If you're in either of those camps, make sure you can lift a full one, and that it fits in your oven comfortably. Staub's 9-quart would be just the size for a big pot of chicken and tomato stew for a crowd. A bonus idea? Fill it with ice and use it as a wine cooler/giant ice bucket at your next party.
Le Creuset's two best-selling Dutch ovens are the 5 1/2 qt. Round Dutch oven and 6 3/4 qt. Oval Dutch oven. According to Le Creuset, these two sizes offer the most flexibility to scale up or down when cooking. Those two sizes are not small by any means, but they are also not too big where you'll feel like you're feeding an army. The brand calls those its Goldilocks of sizes.
In a smaller Dutch oven, you can make sauces, gratins, and even a pie! Those mid-sized dishes are what you'll cook stews, one-pot meals, and side dishes in. Bigger Dutch ovens are what you can use to roast a whole chicken or make a large loaf of no-knead bread.
I love my very old HUGE french oven. The inside finish is very rough and seems to me has become pourous. I want to send back for replacement under warranty but am afraid to part with my beloved pot which is over 40 years old. So I guess the answer will be a new pot replacement or a credit to purchase replacement.
I just purchased a new LeCreuset dutch oven. I was so very excited to put it into use and have used it three times. After the second use I noticed the finish on the bottom exterior of the pot was coming off in places. After the third use, the inside bottom and sides of the pot where cracked and dark shadowing had appeared in numerous places. This was an expensive piece of cookware and I am really dismayed. I contacted LeCreuset who have taken my complaint but done nothing more. Well there is $300 down the drain. This disappointing little number was purchased just over a month ago
I have an old Dutch oven bottom, different brand, Copco, and the inside is full of crazing. Does anyone know if I can season it with olive oil and use it? Also, I only have the bottom (found this at goodwill) and planned on using it to braise some short ribs in the oven and cover it with foil.
I returned a number 35 9.5 quart very old and dear oval French oven in 2013. I did get it replaced but I did pray and was very reluctant to give up my pot after so many years. But today three years later the replacement pot is cracked down the side both inside and out side. What has happened to quality? And I question if they replace with seconds. I do not misuse my pots. So I guess I will try to replace again.
I returned an almost 50 year old 5 qt enamel cast iron dutch oven because it does not sit flat on my new smooth glass top cooktop. They sent me a replacement, but its a smaller size and I am hoping they will exchange it for a comparable size. So far customer service has been excellent.
Well, is my face red! Finally reached customer service and it turns out I sent Le Creuset a 3.5 qt and that is what I got as a replacement. Their customer service, in my opinion has been excellent. It was all my mistake. The main point is they honored their warranty on a dutch oven that was bought in 1972! That is remarkable to me.
I cannot thank you enough for this post. I had a very similar problem with my 7 1/4qt Dutch oven and I would never have thought to try and return it under warranty. I had s great customer service experience and my replacement pot is in my kitchen waiting to make its first pot of soup. Thank you!
We just purchased a 29 cm LC Dutch oven just after Christmas. We have used it twice and LOVE it but the inside and lid have defects. I have contacted the shop where we purchased it and am awaiting a response.
The Homes & Gardens edit of the best Le Creuset buys explores the Le Creuset must-haves that are used and loved by our team every day. From the iconic Dutch Oven, voted the best overall in our best Dutch oven guide, to the dreamy Le Creuset stoneware cafetière and matching mugs, we have it all covered.
Mis-matched dishes do not look great, inside your oven or out. The Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Rectangular Dishes (opens in new tab) are pretty enough to bring to the table, and they come in three sizes. Our shopping editor owns a set of three of these in the classic Volcanic Orange... 041b061a72