Le Creuset Cookware Review 2023

If you’re reading our Le Creuset reviews, you probably now recognize one glaring truth about cookware—they’re not all the same.

Even at first glance, you’ll realize how true this is, especially with a look at the first Le Creuset cookware set you encounter.

The first thing you’ll notice is probably its color. It’s as if the brand doesn’t believe in making any sort of plain-looking cookware.

That has been true ever since Le Creuset came out way back in 1925. They launched an enameled cast iron cochette (pot or saucepan) that year with an eye-catching red color that’s truly hard to ignore.

The problem is that once you get over the color and check out the rest of the specs, it’s also hard to ignore the price. These cookware items aren’t cheap by any means.

They’re so pricey that getting a Le Creuset cookware set is considered an “investment” these days.

Best Le Creuset Cookware Set and Pots

Le Creuset 16-piece Cookware Set (Marseille) – Cookware Set That Has It All

This cast iron cookware set in marseille is another beautifully colored collection to have. The enameled cast iron build is as always efficient in heat distribution and retention. This set comes with the best-selling 5.5-quart dutch oven, which is great for slow-cooked meals. The dutch oven’s lid can also fit on the skillet adding convenience to your kitchen use.

The cookware set is shock-resistant therefore you don’t have to worry when carrying it from the freezer to the stovetop or simply setting the table. The 45% larger handles are smart as they distribute weight evenly and have enough space for a confident grip even when wearing oven mitts. A great addition is a built-in stabilizer in their lids that locks in the heat, moisture, and flavor, and allows air circulation. The off-white interior on all pieces except the skillet, lets you monitor your food to know how well they are seared or cooked; the skillet has a black enamel interior and so it’s harder to supervise the food, but because of the enamel interior it doesn’t require seasoning with oil. 

This comes with pieces from all the bright-colored product lines, with different materials to showcase each type.

Your Set Includes:

• 75-quart cast iron saucepan
• 5-quart cast iron round Dutch oven
• 25-inch cast iron skillet
• 8-quart enameled steel stock pot
• 4-quart stoneware covered rectangular dish
• The Cast Iron Way to Cook cookbook,
• 5-piece silicone utensil set
• Wooden spoon

It’s not enough to just read the Le Creuset cookware reviews. With this set, you’re well on your way to fully appreciating what Le Creuset can really offer.

Final Word

If you really want to try Le Creuset, you should start with their 16-piece Cookware Set, Cerise/Marseille. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 16-piece cookware set is the perfect choice for a wedding gift among other cookwares. Its elegant and colorful look and an ‘all-in-one’ experience are a smart addition to your kitchen. Whether you buy the entire set, or just want a piece or two according to your need, this particular collection has you covered.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Curved Round Chef’s Oven with Silicone French Trivet – Best Professional Pots

Pick fresh vegetables from your backyard garden, chop, slice, and dice them up, and set them free into your chicken broth that has been cooking in this chef’s oven; the results will be top-notch every time. Slowly cooking the gravy that’s going to complement the beef meal will be perfect as well. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Curved Round Chef’s Oven is a masterclass addition to your kitchen.

Le Creuset never fails to amaze the eye with their chic-looking cookware and this chef’s oven in cerise is just the example to set. This is the simmering vessel you’re looking for; the great depth inside makes for lots of space for slow-simmering and the panned walls allow for effortless and efficient stirring and ensuring consistent fluidity in the cooking. The cream-colored interior allows you to supervise the food as it’s cooked and prevents burning. Its looped handles give you a steady grip and they don’t heat up. 

The Enameled Cast Iron build provides even heat distribution and food is cooked evenly, especially those slow-cooked meals, keeping the moisture and temperature inside. Using low heat to cook food, also saves energy.

Final Word

I would recommend this chef’s oven for its exquisite design, durability, and high performance.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven – The Multipurpose Cookware

The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven is a fine work of craftsmanship. A versatile cookware piece that any kitchen needs, it has ample room for cooking. The carefully built enameled cast iron layer provides a seamless cooking experience, with even heat distribution and retention.

The ergonomic handles that are 45% larger provide a firm and safe grip. The snug-fitting lids lock in moisture and circulate air; the flavors are retained in every cooking and the light-colored interior lets you keep an eye on your cooking. This dutch oven is a beautiful pick in cerise. Boil some potatoes, cook family-sized meals, prepare your Christmas chicken roast or simply cook your favorite ramen noodles and this dutch oven will do the job every time.  

Final Word

It is a great piece of cookware to add given it’s a dutch oven; but it stands out because of the eye-catching colors, its durability, and performance in the kitchen. The enameled cast iron build is effective in heat conductivity and retention and gives you evenly cooked food. This is worth choosing because of its versatility; you can get so much done in one piece of cookware it is a must-have.

Top 3 Reasons to Go with Le Creuset

So the question is: do you enjoy any sort of “profit” when investing in a Le Creuset cookware set?

The answer isn’t all that simple, as it depends on whether what you get matches your needs and preferences. However, there are 3 specific reasons for why Le Creuset cookware is so special:

Brand Reputation

The Le Creuset brand has been around for almost a century now, and all this time they’ve established a reputation for elegant excellence. They make these things pretty, but they’re also high quality in terms of performance and durability.

People in the know are aware of the premium Le Creuset reputation, and these sets are admired and treasured. It’s pretty common for one generation to pass on their beloved Le Creuset cookware to the next generation.

Premium Production Methods

Le Creuset has adapted with the times, so they do use some modern manufacturing methods. But their methods still involve handcrafting and unique molds. That way, each piece (especially with their Dutch ovens) are never really the same.

They use only the highest-grade cast iron, and these aren’t the recycled stuff that may come with weaknesses and impurities. They also cover the cast iron with 3 layers of enamel, so they won’t chip or wear down even over time.

Quality Control

Once they’ve made their cookware, they each undergo fussy inspection by 15 French artisans for each item. Those cookware items that these people don’t think deserve the Le Creuset brand are set aside and not sold at all.

How to Pick-Buying Guide

When it comes to picking Le Creuset cookware sets, the usual criteria don’t apply. Instead, focus on the following factors:

Color

Some families love the colors, and they may go with colors that match either modern trends or their personal preferences. In fact, there are even guides about choosing the color that matches your personality. Here are some color examples that should suit certain personality traits.

• You’re passionate, unabashedly opinionated, and care more for results.
• You’re a sophisticated, analytical thinker, who’s also dependable and loyal.
• You’re calm, gentle, authentic, and helpful. You’re also open to trying new things.
• You’re artistic, spiritual, and maybe even eccentric. You’re also driven and like to seek adventure.
• You’re a creative thinker full of joy. You’re also a people person who can be quite persuasive.
• This is the first classic color that Le Creuset came up with in their cast iron cookware, and it remains a favorite. This is for unique people with sensitivity and insight, and who come off as both confident and cheerful.

As you may have noticed, plain colors aren’t really part of the Le Creuset deal. You’ll find colors here that you won’t find in any other cookware sets.

Materials

Le Creuset offers several different materials for their cookware. Each one offers a different set of advantages.

Enameled Cast Iron

These come with chip-resistant enamel to preserve their terrific colors. But it’s not all about the looks.

The cast iron works with all types of stovetops, including induction. It distributes the heat evenly, and it retains heat well. The nonreactive interior doesn’t affect the taste of the ingredients.

The recessed-edge lids lock in the moisture and heat, while the handles and knobs are all ergonomic.

Stainless Steel

These have a stainless-steel exterior that’s been infused with titanium for added strength, while it also resists scorching and even discoloration after so many years. The core is aluminum, for even heat distribution.

This material is best for induction, but it works for everything else too. They’re also oven-safe up to 500 degrees F.

Each one comes with a drip-free rim, ergonomic “stay cool” handles, and fitted lids with relief vents. You also get laser-etched markings for convenient measuring. It’s dishwasher-safe too.

Enamel on Steel

Basically, you now get the colorful sets normally found in the cast iron for your stainless-steel cookware. This uses carbon steel, with quick heating.

Toughened Nonstick

This isn’t like the temporary nonstick you find in cheaper cookware. Instead, you get 3 layers of reinforced nonstick coating that’s also free of PFOA. Their process prevents any warping, and the nonstick really lets the food go very easily. You can even use this with metal utensils.

Stoneware

This gives you excellent heat distribution and retention, and you can set this in the freezer broiler, microwave, and the dishwasher. The glazed exterior works like nonstick, but it resists stains and scratches.

 

How to Clean le Creuset Grill Pan

Although convenient for making tasty treats, the le Creuset grill pans seem like the universal gatherer of oily gunk. It’s designed ridges that help cook food evenly also catch all the burnt food bits, grease, and spices, and every le Creuset owner knows what a task it is to clean these out!

However, it is not impossible to exorcise the dirt out of these bad boys. You just need to follow the correct techniques and tactics given below:

Clean before you dirty it:

A little known technique for your le Creuset grill pan care is to clean the pan before you even start cooking. Check the seasoning of your pan first. The le Creuset grill pan comes pre-seasoned, but you can never be too sure.

If it seems like the seasoning isn’t adequate, simply wash it off with water to remove any dust from, put it on the oven with a medium flame, let the water evaporate, and finish by applying a fine and well-spread coating of vegetable oil. You can do this step whenever necessary. The oil layer will preserve the “non-stick” feature of the pan.

le Creuset Cookware Using Tips

Unpack properly: 

It is necessary to prepare your pan thoroughly before its first use. Remove all the packaging materials and stickers from the pan, soak in warm soapy water for a bit to remove adhesive from the stickers and/or any dust, wash with running water, and air-dry. Voila! Your Le Creuset pan is ready to go on top of the oven.

Cook a bit differently:

We know that special things need special treatment. Your Le Creuset pan is a sophisticated item, so you need to customize your cooking methods while using it. But it’s worth the trouble when you see the delicious food cooked with the pan right in front of you.

The official website of the Le Creuset band provides detailed instructions on how to cook using this grill pan. Some of them include controlling the temperature, using the correct amount of oil, preparing the pan, etc.

Use a special sponge:

I know the kitchen towels do an abysmal job of removing the food residues, or rather, they do nothing at all. But don’t get frustrated and start scratching the pan’s protective enamel layer with steel wool or steel pad. Use a soft sponge or a nylon scrubber to reach all the narrow ridges and remove the gunk effortlessly. Make sure to not use any abrasive detergent while cleaning.

Heat/Steam the pan:

Sometimes warming up your pan gets the job done. When you see the right amount of oily bits stubbornly collected onto the pan, pour some warm water into the pan and let it sit for a while. Then use a soft brush to remove the food bits from it.