The Best Le Creuset Gear, According to Our Exhaustive Testing
Of course, you know Le Creuset for their range of brightly-colored Dutch ovens (and don’t worry, one is on this list), but they also make plenty of other great cookware, serveware, utensils, and other kitchen necessities. Whether they performed exceptionally well in extensive equipment reviews or staff just love using them in the test kitchen and at home, the below Le Creuset products are the tops of the top. And before you say, “This is an ad!” No, it’s not. We’ve gathered up our favorites for other brands before, including Staub and OXO.
(One blanket note that applies to almost all of these, Le Creuset products can be pretty pricey, and while we genuinely think these are all worth the cash, head to our full reviews for our budget-friendly picks.)
A highly versatile workhorse in many kitchens, not only do these perform extremely well, but if taken care of and used according to manufacturer directions, they can last decades. In our test of 20 cast iron Dutch ovens, the Le Creuset tied for first with Staub. However, Le Creuset has wider looped handles and a beige interior (as opposed to black), which makes it easier to gauge fond development. At 5.5 quarts, this size is typically the best for most home cooks—perfect for about four to six servings and dishes like one-pot meals, chili, short ribs, or a 5-pound chicken.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 10.25 by 6.25 inches
- Weight: 11.4 pounds
- Capacity: 5.5 quarts
- Cooking surface: 7.8 inches
- Induction compatible: Yes
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe, though we recommend hand-washing
- Price at time of publish: $420
Braisers are like Dutch ovens but with shorter, sloped sides that are perfect for shallow-frying, searing and simmering meatballs, cooking a skillet chili, and/or other low-and-slow meat and vegetable recipes. With a large cooking surface that resists chips, scratches, and stains; wide looped handles, and a large lid knob that was easy to grip, Le Creuset’s model placed first in our review when up against seven other braisers.
Key Specs
- Weight: 12 lbs, 11.5 oz
- Dimensions: 16 in x 12 in x 5 in
- Cooking surface diameter: 9.5 in
- Capacity: 3.5 quarts
- Induction compatible: Yes
- Care Instructions: Dishwasher-safe, but we recommend hand-washing
- Price at time of publish: $368
More excellent cast-iron cookware from this brand. This model came in second to Staub’s offering in our enameled skillet review simply because it didn’t heat up quite as fast. But when it does so, it’s able to reach very high temperatures, heat evenly, and sear steaks beautifully. We loved the long handle with its rounded edges that made it easy to grip, and its flared sides allow for steam to get out and utensils to easily get in.
Key Specs
- Weight: 5 lbs, 6 oz
- Diameter: 10.25 inches
- Cooking surface diameter: 8.5 inches
- Max heat: 500°F
- Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe, but we recommend hand-washing
- Price at time of publish: $200
As we say in our review, if you have a Le Creuset Dutch oven of the right size, then there’s really no reason you need this bread oven. After baking a dozen loaves in the bread oven, the good news was they were all great with crispy crusts and an open crumb. The bad news was they were identical to the ones made in a Dutch oven. So, is it worth the $300 price tag when it has only one use and a Dutch oven has several? Maybe not, but it is pretty.
Key Specs
- Materials: Enameled cast iron, stainless steel knob
- Dimensions: 12 3/4 inches wide with handles, 7 inches tall with lid, 9.5-inch diameter
- Weight: 9.7 Pounds
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe, though we recommend hand-washing
- Price at time of publish: $300
This set aced the accuracy test in our review, coming very, very close to the standard weight measurements of a tablespoon, teaspoon, half-teaspoon, and quarter-teaspoon—down to the decigram. Their rounded shape made them easy to clean and scrape out sticky ingredients like honey. However, the tablespoon and teaspoon both failed to fit into a standard one-inch spice jar opening, though the teaspoon squeezes into a 1.25-inch jar opening. We also like how the handle is on the same level as the lip of the bowl, making it easy to sweep off excess ingredients in one clean swipe.
Key Specs
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Bowl shape: Circle
- Set includes: 5 pieces (1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp)
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe
- Features: Easily removable ring, US and metric measurements stamped into the metal, nesting bowls
- Price at time of publish: $24
Although Made In won our test of stainless steel skillets thanks to its affordability, Le Creuset’s model performed just as well. The price for the Le Creuset model is sometimes low enough, though, to be comparable to Made In. We love that Le Creuset stainless steel pans are induction capable, and, anecdotally, they have resisted warping for years in the kitchens of Serious Eats’ staffers.
Key Specs
- Compatible with induction cooktops: Yes
- Oven-safe temperature: Up to 500°F
- Material: Tri-ply stainless steel with a full aluminum core
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Price at time of publish: $190
This unique spoon combines the functionality of both a silicone spatula and a wooden spoon. Kenji appreciates its deep bowl (great for scooping) and flexible head (excellent for scraping the bottoms of pots or scraping out mixing bowls).
Key Specs
- Materials: Silicone, nylon
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe
- Price at time of publish: $30
In our review of 10 stovetop kettles, this model boiled both 1.5 quarts and .75 quarts the fastest, the latter a full 30 seconds faster than the second-place finisher. Its high, plastic handle meant it didn’t get too hot to grasp after boiling, and its wide opening made it easy to fill and clean. Its spout produces a steady, precise stream of water that doesn’t come out too fast or splash into the cup. One thing we didn’t like: The handle design requires you to angle your arm and wrist slightly uncomfortably to pour.
Key Specs
- Materials: Lightweight carbon steel, porcelain enamel
- Stated capacity: 1.7 quarts
- Weight (when empty): 3 lbs
- Weight (when at capacity): 6 lbs 10.1 ounces
- Compatible cooktops: Gas, electric, induction
- Price at time of publish: $115
Thanks to its flared sides and wide handles, you can carry this serving platter from counter to table securely while avoiding spills of juices, sauces, or the like. It’s nice and big and comes in a variety of gorgeous signature colors.
Key Specs
- Materials: Enameled stoneware
- Length: 16 inches
- Weight: 4 lbs, 12 ounces
- Cleaning and care: Broiler-, oven-, and microwave-safe; dishwasher-safe
- Price at time of publish: $75
This ladle was our favorite non-metal model in our testing. While the 9.5-inch handle was slightly short, we loved how the silicone was flexible but also sturdy enough to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot. It scooped sturdily and was comfortable and secure to grip.
Key Specs
- Materials: Silicone, nylon
- Bowl capacity: 100 milliliters (a little less than 1/2 cup)
- Handle length: 9.5 inches
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe
- Price at time of publish: $30
The pieces in this dinnerware set are very sturdy but lightweight, beautiful but also casual-feeling. Our tester remarked that her set of mugs from the collection have stayed looking new even after years of use.
Key Specs
- What’s included: 4x dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and pasta bowls or cereal bowls
- Material: Stoneware
- Care instructions: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe; oven- and broiler-safe up to 500°F
- Price at time of publish: $296
FAQs
How is Le Creuset pronounced?
A French word for ‘crucible’ or ‘cauldron’, Le Creuset is pronounced “luh-CROO-zay,” with the emphasis on “croo”.
Where is Le Creuset made?
Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron products are manufactured at their foundry in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France. Many of their ceramics and utensils products are made in Thailand or China. Their stainless steel products seem to primarily come from Portugal.
Can Le Creuset go in the dishwasher?
It depends on the material! According to their site, all pans with integral cast iron, phenolic handles or stainless steel knobs can be washed in the dishwasher. However, they warn that constant dishwashing may dull the enamel finish, which they say does not impair performance. Their metallic-toned knobs have a coating that is not dishwasher-safe.
Pans with black satin interior are dishwasher-safe, but the company warns that this reduces the development of a patina on the pan, which means grills and skillets will require oiling for a longer period.
You can find a full list of the care and cleaning directions for all Le Creuset materials here.
Can Le Creuset go in the oven?
Yes, but their cookware and bakeware have different maximum temperatures. Products with integral cast iron handles or stainless steel knobs are safe for any oven temperature. The black phenolic lid knobs on their Signature range of enameled cast iron are heat-resistant to 500°F / 250°C, while the ones on the Classic range of enameled cast iron are heat-resistant to 390°F / 190°C.
Why We’re the Experts
- Eric King is a recipe developer, writer, and social media creator who has run the baking blog easygayoven for four years.
- Eric has written many equipment reviews for Serious Eats, including rolling pins, wine tumblers, and meat pounders.
- We’ve tested many Le Creuset products, including in our reviews of Dutch ovens and stainless steel skillets.
