Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best, inexpensive option for a sturdy, fireproof casserole size dish that can go from stovetop to oven? Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best,... » Read More Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best, inexpensive option for a sturdy, fireproof casserole size dish that can go from stovetop to oven? « Show Less
82764
Just in case this confuses anybody - scotchbrite will UTTERLY DESTROY the enamel on a le Creuset pan. Enameled pans have no problem cooking liquid, and soak clean. Lodge bare cast iron is a very different surface (and Lodge enameled cast iron is made in China...)
82765
There's a replacement knob for the Le Creuset that's stainless steel. Although it doesn't tell you anywhere what the max temperature is for the stainless steel. I googled it and nothing. Just that the Phenolic knob is good up to 375. Why is it so hard for people to give us information we need? Why do you have to buy a replacement knob? Why don't they just use a knob that can withstand up to 500 degrees if one already exists...questions questions...Le Creuset L9403-45 Stainless-Steel 2-Inch Replacement Knob
82766
I bought the Sam's product about a year ago. The bottom soon developed horrible brown stains, which could be cleaned only with bleach. Rust spots developed. Imam discarding it. Too bad my dog died. I might use it for his water bowl.
82767
Try one of the Imusa casseroles. Imusa Enamel Dutch Oven, 4.5 Quart, TurquoiseThey don't do heat diffusion very well (you will appreciate the difference when you get the LC), but they have the same easy-to-clean enamel advantage, they're made in Mexico, not China, and for the price of a LC dutch oven you could buy ten of them.
82768
World Market or Cost Plus as it was called has a good substitute. It works great for about $49.00.
82769
The phenolic knob will only go up to 375 in the oven, but it won't get hot on the stovetop. The stainless knob can tolerate a hotter oven, but it *does* get hot on the stovetop (I found this out the hard way). LC used to have cast iron knobs that had a little rubber cover for stovetop use, but that was 30 years ago.
82770
Lodge Color Enameled Cast-Iron 6-Quart Dutch Oven, Island Spice RedI love my lodge! I'm not going to bother with Le Creuset
328187
Yes Le Creuset prides itself on making cookware minus the toxins. I believe that only certain lines of Le Creuset do this though. Please do a search on Le Creuset to see their policy. I would have provided a link to search but Amazon blocked me from doing that. Nice play, Amazon. You want me to help customers but you block any searching that a client provides. :-/ Also, cast iron is a great way to cook anyway. Pans are heavy, but my health is more important!
36909
Not in my world, I have the Cuisinart round and oval enamel over cast iron dutch ovens and they are fantastic. I got them from Woot, Amazons closeout sibling lol. They only cost about $50 when they have them on Woot. If you are not famaliar with Woot, just go to Woot.com Woot also has apps for your phone. If you have patience this is the way to go, in the two years I have been a Woot member they have had the Cuisinart dutch ovens twice that I know of, once when I bought mine, and again not too long ago. HTH.
19883
I do lot's of chilli on the stove top and since the burners are round, I went w/ the round base model. If you're going to do casserole in the oven, perhaps a oval model would work well.
1255213
I refer to it as a Dutch Oven...and it is fantastic! They are usually much more expensive elsewhere - that's why I bought it at Amazon. It is very versatile - stove-top to oven. Cooks evenly and cleans easily. This is smaller than most Dutch ovens, so be sure of the size when you order...
1902307
I got the non stick, have owned two of this type and I'm very satisfied with them. I think the stone top looks nicer but: I doubt it ever gets hot enough just with the heat of the raclette, so you'd need to preheat it in the oven or the stove, and also it is much heavier, if transporting the unit is at all a consideration for you.
761522
This is the newest model that Sunbeam made but unfortunately they have been discontinued as stated. Fortunately, they are still widely supported and parchment pouches are still being manufactured. I recently purchased a package of 3 reusable teflon pouches that are supposed to be good for 50 uses. I accidentally damaged one of them the second time I used it so the jury is still out on those. Personally, I own 3 of these. One for the kitchen that we probably use no less than twice a week, one I bought for my buddies boat so we can cook quick, easy meals after a hard day fishing (LOL) and one that sits in the closet just in case either of the other two should fail. I haven't ever had a dial break but I have seen them for sale so I'm thinking I may grab one or two of those based on what you have told me. And you are absolutely right when you said they are the best appliance ever!
970311
The Le Creuset are not non stick. I am not sure if they are marketed that way but if you spay them with a little oil then they work like a charm. We have Calphalon and Le Crueset and both are great brands but the Le Crueset is in a much higher league than Calphalon. You will never retreat buying one!
514755
Le Creuset pots work nicely, but do require more time to heat the pot, lid and food through, so keep that in mind. Stainless steel is another great option. Use with copper, steel, aluminum, enameled cast iron, or glassware pots in standard sizes with short handles and tight fitting lid. Use the right sized pot for the food you want to cook in order to best retain heat.Also, glass lids work, but do not retain heat as well as the metal lids. Also, we always recommend placing a dish towel and a potholder (silicon is best) beneath the pot to protect your bag from the heat and spillage, Hope that helps! Feel free to email us with any questions: ussales@nb-wonderbag.com
788193
You may be comparing the casserole to the regular dutch oven. The casserole is wide and shallow. The Dutch oven is deeper. The Dutch oven would be better for a large piece of meat, like a pork shoulder (pork butt). The casserole is great for smaller pieces like chicken thighs. I have both, and use them both.
93289
I got a Swiss Diamond 12" skillet as a gift, and I loved it! It stayed flat and never warped, and the non-stick lasted pretty well. I used it so much I wore it out in 2 1/2 years. I want to buy another, but it's $130 so I'll have to save up.
1401588
I love using these enamelware pans in the oven but not on the stove top. The bottoms are too thin which of course, is an advantage in the oven but not on top of the burners. Use mine for stew and baked beans, scalloped potatoes, etc and then pop on the lid and store the leftovers in the refrigerator.
168945
I would contact Le Creuset directly. They are pretty good with replacement and warranty items.
73754
I had a less expensive enameled dutch oven before this one. The enemel had a tendency to chip very easily. So far no chips in this one and it tends to cook more evenly on the cook top. Is it worth the price....yes, if you use a dutch oven often as I do.
196233
I bought a remanufactured unit, which was less then the new unit. 349.00 new and 279.00 remfg. I don't know where you found the new unit for 249.00? I have to tell you that I am very pleased with the one I bought. Have not used my regular stove oven since. The convection feature is great. Pizza is the best. Pies are wonderful Cookies are even better. VERY PLEASED.
1268533
It will NOT fit snug on the Le Creuset 2 and 3/4 quart enamel-on-cast-iron SAUCEPANS. I'm not sure if you meant a casserole specifically or if you really meant the saucepan, but it does not fit the enameled saucepans. You can balance it on the saucepan and get it to work, most of the steam will enter the steamer and not escape around the edges, but because it's just balanced in place and not snugly attached, there is risk of the steamer sliding off if you jostle it during cooking. And you have to be careful when removing the lid to get at the food. This was made for their stainless steel line and works fine there, but not really meant for the enameled cast-iron. It will NOT fit snug on the Le Creuset 2 and 3/4 quart enamel-on-cast-iron SAUCEPANS. I'm not sure if you meant a casserole specifically or if you really meant the saucepan, but it does not fit the enameled saucepans. You can balance it on the saucepan and get it to work, most of the steam will enter the steamer and not escape around the edges, but because it's just balanced in place and not snugly attached, there is risk of the steamer sliding off if you jostle it during cooking. And you have to be careful when removing the lid to get at the food. This was made for their stainless steel... » Read More It will NOT fit snug on the Le Creuset 2 and 3/4 quart enamel-on-cast-iron SAUCEPANS. I'm not sure if you meant a casserole specifically or if you really meant the saucepan, but it does not fit the enameled saucepans. You can balance it on the saucepan and get it to work, most of the steam will enter the steamer and not escape around the edges, but because it's just balanced in place and not snugly attached, there is risk of the steamer sliding off if you jostle it during cooking. And you have to be careful when removing the lid to get at the food. This was made for their stainless steel line and works fine there, but not really meant for the enameled cast-iron. « Show Less
2043327
Since Cuisinart will not answer this question in their literature, I went to their website. No help there either. I did download their pdf manual and it basically turns their lifetime warranty into a very limited liability.Cuisinart avoids any reference to the use of this pan in an oven.Bottom line. I personally would happily throw this pan into a 350 oven for 7 to 10 minutes. It's a very good pan and logic tells me that this would be fine.The ideal solution would be to pick up a stainless or cast iron pan just to pick op the fond and avoid the bs.