Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? What is going to be the best, inexpensive option for a sturdy, fireproof casserole size dish that can go from stovetop to oven?
130932
Lodge Color Enameled Cast-Iron 6-Quart Dutch Oven, Island Spice Red I love my lodge! I'm not going to bother with Le Creuset
1172046
I have the 4 square cookware by HealthSmart. Purchased one piece from a salesman. Spent the next day experimenting cooking lots of stuff with that one pan. Next night called salesman and ordered more. Absolutely worth the money!
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.
2112270
This Pyrex casserole is a great cooking item because it cooks evenly; and after you remove the dish from the oven, the contents remain hot for 20-30 minutes. Both the casserole dish and the contents are extremely hot, so be very careful handling. You may even remove the dish from the oven a few minutes early to allow the heat to continue cooking your contents.
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.
1802227
I don't agree with part of this answer. On Thanksgiving, I took a casserole dish straight from the oven and it melted a nice ring in the carrier :-( Luckily, I caught it before it was burned through. I then put a dry hand towel underneath the dish.
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!
1872492
My experience is that they were only useful for mildly warm handles. Definitely not oven safe! I ended up purchasing some Le Creuset brand that are far superior but not oven safe either.
1255212
I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&u;rl=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords;=le%20creuset&sprefix;=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 . I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere.... » Read More I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&u;rl=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords;=le%20creuset&sprefix;=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 . « Show Less
927494
The one I purchased (L12DCO3) would work. But remember; the Dutch Oven itself is very heavy...and once filled with a soup/stew will be too heavy to move around. Be prepared to serve from the oven. and hopefully one of the men will offer to clean it. Also don't forget to season the oven prior to the first use. All that being said... this is a great item at a great price that should last a lifetime.
1222593
I have a small Le Creuset for almost 2 years and it is still perfect . The surface does not have scraches or other damages. It is a very high quality pan. It is easy to clean - just use a soft cleaning sponge with detergent and water and your pan will last for several years like a new one. I am very happy with my pan. Hope you will be happy with your as well. Just one tip: do not use metal cutlery in any kind of pan, just wood or silicone.
168945
I would contact Le Creuset directly. They are pretty good with replacement and warranty items.
2123710
No problem, your welcome. I found that if the size is adequate for the meal this particular Dutch oven is a good choice, being just heavy enough to maintain heat, and the enamel coating allows use on stoves where raw cast iron scratches the glass top. Personally I wish it did not have the non-stick coating on the interior, but finding quality cast iron with enamel on the outside and raw cast iron on the inside is either cheap (thin) castings or more expensive that I would care to spend.
137474
a LC pot should not be left unattended, since you are cooking either on the stove or in oven (unless your oven has auto-shutoff); a crockpot will turn off automatically. otherwise, i think cooking process and results are pretty close.
1487383
I own all three brands. All-Clad is my favorite...with exception to Le Creuset's dutch oven...my other favorite pot.
514757
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 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... » Read More 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 « Show Less
1013503
I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would... » Read More I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. « Show Less