Buying Le Creuset Cookware

You may have searched for Le Creuset cookware before and had a bit of sticker shock. It is quite expensive, especially if you are used to the cheap aluminum cookware that is found in most stores. Why is it so costly?

For one, cast iron pots and pans are still forged and crafted by hand. In fact, each sand mold that is used to make a Le Creuset pot is broken in order to release the pot, meaning that each piece is one of a kind. That in itself is quite unusual! They then coat each pan in two coats of enamel that is treated at very high heat in order to make it supremely versatile.

They use cast iron because it is well known for it's ability to retain heat and spread it evenly across the pan. This means that you don't need as much heat over time. You can get it up to temp and then lower the gas in order to use less energy. It will keep food warm during serving. They are also known for keeping their shape. No more warped frying pans!

They also have a lifetime guarantee. That is no joke! Their warranty is good for 101 years! I challenge you to find anyone else that stands behind their work with such confidence. It is pretty much guaranteed that if you buy a Le Creuset cookware set, you will never have to buy any pots or pans again. Your grandchildren will be using this set!

Le Creuset is perhaps best known for their French Ovens. These pots are amazingly versatile. They can be used to marinate meat in the refrigerator without fear of contamination. The enamel keeps out any and all bacteria, stains or food odors that may be absorbed in other containers. They can be also used on the stovetop, no matter what type of stove you may have, and then put into the right into the oven. No switching pots if you need to sear the meat before roasting it!  They can even be stored in the freezer. In short, these pots can be used for almost all of your cooking needs!

Now this is ingenious! Le Creuset has created a Dutch oven that has a concave lid. Why is that good? If you roast a chicken or a pot roast in one of these ovens, you can fill that dent with ice cubes and it will baste itself.  As the meat heats up it creates steam which hits the cold lid.  This creates condensation on the dimples inside the lid which then drip back onto the meat.  So not only do you have the benefit of it being a Le Creuset French oven that can be used on the stove top as well as the oven, you also have the benefit of a self-basting roasting pan that will produce the most delicious and tender meat you have ever tasted.

Le Creuset also makes an excellent quality stoneware line. They have created baking dishes that can be used in the oven or the microwave; storage containers that are as beautiful as they are functional, as well as serving bowls, ramekins, and mortars and pestles  The surface is enameled just like their cast iron cookware so it is also impervious to stains and odors. This also means that they can create the same colors as their cookware, so you can have an entirely matching set if you wish.

I realize that this is a lot of money to lay down on some cookware.  However, if you are someone who really enjoys working in the kitchen and would like to create delicious dishes with reliable cookware, then I can't recommend Le Creuset enough.  It is beautiful to behold, solid enough to handle anything you can do to it, and capable of any task you deem to give it.  You can certainly buy a whole set at once, but I recommend buying one piece at a time.  Allow your kitchen to tell you what you really need.  If you are cooking for two, then perhaps you don't need a 9 quart French oven, but a 5 quart might come in handy when you want to roast a chicken.  You may not necessarily need every single size pot and pan that is available.  Take your time and, above all, enjoy cooking!