Deciding on adding a new piece of cookware, like a braiser, to your collection can be a big decision. How much you will use it or even what to cook in it are just some of the questions you may be wondering about. We have outlined the 8 most frequently asked questions you will need to ask yourself before deciding to add a braiser to your cookware collection.
The braiser is among the most versatile pieces of cookware available, elevating traditional meal preparation. From how it works and the different materials they are available in, to picking the right size braiser to accommodate your needs, we are here to help simplify your purchasing decision.
Le Creuset’s Braisers are carefully constructed with Enamelled Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, and Toughened Nonstick Pro, offering superior heat retention and top-quality performance for years to come. This iconic piece of cookware is built to last daily use, helping you tackle a number of new recipes. But what exactly should you know before buying a braiser?
Here are eight questions to ask yourself before buying a braiser.
What to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Braiser
Debating whether or not to buy a braiser? Luckily, we have you covered. From common braiser uses and recipes to understanding exactly how this iconic piece of cookware works, Le Creuset has all the answers you need before getting started.
What is a Braiser?
A braiser is a piece of cookware that uses wet- and dry-heat to tenderize ingredients, notably tough cuts of meat and hearty vegetables. This versatile piece of cookware typically comes equipped with a shallow base and a domed lid, locking in heat and moisture while ingredients slow-cook to perfection. Le Creuset’s Braisers have been carefully constructed to deliver superior heat retention and even heat distribution at every turn, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source.
Braisers serve a number of crucial functions around the kitchen, elevating everyday meal preparation. From braising and browning ingredients to cooking your favourite pasta dish, this piece of cookware accommodates with ease.
Do I Need a Braiser?
The braiser has established itself as an essential piece of cookware. A welcome addition to every kitchen setup for its versatility and ability to tackle a range of new cooking techniques and recipes. Ultimately, this piece of cookware is great for home chefs looking to expand their cooking horizons and incorporate new ingredients into their everyday meal preparation.
Le Creuset’s Braisers are a beginner-friendly pot, regardless of your experience in the kitchen, or lack thereof. Featuring a domed lid and a shallow base, this iconic piece of cookware has been carefully designed to lock in heat and moisture, tenderizing tough cuts of meats and hearty vegetables, which means it does most of the cooking for you.
Beyond braising ingredients, the braiser serves a number of crucial purposes around the kitchen, including browning, poaching, serving as a casserole dish and even mixing pasta dishes.
In many instances, this piece of cookware also doubles as a bold serving dish and is available in a number of Le Creuset’s iconic colours. Before purchasing a braiser, be sure to ask yourself exactly what you intend on cooking the most. Simply put, this piece of cookware complements your existing cookware collection, fitting in seamlessly alongside your favourite pots and pans, including the versatile Dutch Oven.
How Often Would I Use a Braiser?
A multi-purpose pot by nature, the braiser makes for a great addition to any cookware collection. Crafted with a blend of premium materials, which vary from Enamelled Cast Iron to Stainless Steel and Toughened Nonstick Pro, this piece of cookware is built to last everyday use.
Whether you want to prepare fall-off-the-bone ribs for the whole family, or simply want to tenderize a side of artichokes for dinner, our braisers offer you the versatility and flexibility you need in the kitchen.
Our braisers are compatible with all cooktops, including induction, ensuring this versatile piece of cookware can be used for all your favourite recipes. Equally capable of going on the stovetop or in the oven, the cooking opportunities are truly endless with Le Creuset’s Braisers.
Simply put, a braiser can be used on a daily basis depending on your cooking habits and preferences, serving a number of integral purposes. From slow-cooked stews to browning and tenderizing meats, this versatile piece of cookware can be used to ease your daily cooking needs.
How Does a Braiser Work?
Braisers use wet- and dry-heat to surround ingredients, creating the ideal environment to tenderize tough cuts of meat and vegetables. The first step when braising involves searing at a medium temperature, to brown the exterior of ingredients. This is done to enhance both the flavour and texture profile of your dish. Next, ingredients are partially submerged in an aromatic liquid and allowed to slow-cook on low heat for several hours.
Braisers typically come equipped with a tight-fitting lid and shallow base, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source. In many ways, this piece of cookware embodies the set-it-and-forget-it nature of cooking, taking care of much of the work for you.
Braisers are exceptional retainers of heat, making them perfect for searing and browning ingredients. In some instances, braisers can also be used to poach ingredients, offering ample space to partially immerse food such as eggs.
Do I Use a Braiser on the Stovetop or in the Oven?
Before buying a braiser, you might be asking yourself where this versatile piece of cookware can be used – and rightfully so! Le Creuset’s Braisers are compatible with all cooktops, including gas, electric, halogen, ceramic, and induction burners. This iconic piece of cookware can also be used on the broiler and in the oven, establishing itself as an essential multi-purpose pot.
In fact, our braisers are oven safe up to 260ºC / 500ºF. When using the braiser on the stovetop, be sure to use low- to medium-heat, ensuring all ingredients slow-cook evenly without burning its base. Overall, the braiser makes for a convenient addition to any cookware collection, ensuring you are equipped with the essentials to tackle your favourite recipes and cooking techniques.
What Material of Braiser Do I Need?
Le Creuset’s Braisers are carefully constructed with premium materials, ensuring their durability and even heat circulation for years to come. We currently offer three different braisers: the Enamelled Cast Iron Braiser, Stainless Steel Braiser, and the Toughened Nonstick Braiser.
Deciding which braiser to purchase typically comes down to one simple question: What type of cooking techniques do you anticipate turning to the most? Our Stainless Steel Cookware, for example, is built with a proprietary blend of professional-grade metals and comes equipped with a heat-responsive aluminum core. This ultimately ensures it can be used for recipes with higher temperatures.
Toughened Nonstick Pro Cookware offers all the benefits of nonstick cookware, featuring a surface that will never chip or flake, creating the perfect environment for delicate ingredients to slide right off. Our Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware is the world’s quality benchmark for the last century and is beloved by home cooks and chefs alike due to its chip-resistant enamel exterior and superior heat retention.
Can I Make More Than Just Meat in the Braiser?
The Braiser can be used for a variety of different recipes and cooking techniques you are not already familiar with. Beyond meat, the Braiser can tackle your favourite pasta and casserole recipes, locking in heat and moisture with its domed lid. Additionally, this versatile piece of cookware is particularly ideal when shallow-frying, given its shallow base.
While not commonly associated with vegetable dishes, the braiser is also particularly ideal for breaking down heartier veggies, delivering a flavourful and tender final meal. It can also be used for preparing hassle-free fish dishes, creating the ideal environment for tenderizing fish.
Equipped with a domed lid and a shallow base, the braiser is crafted to lock in heat and moisture, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source. When it is not being used to elevate traditional meal preparation, this versatile piece of cookware can serve as a bold centerpiece at the dinner table, highlighting its versatility.
How Do I Clean a Braiser?
Le Creuset’s Braisers come with a limited lifetime warranty, however, it is nonetheless a good idea to take proper care of this piece of cookware, ensuring it becomes a mainstay in your kitchen for years to come. Our Cookware Cleaner makes for a smart purchase when looking to care for your Le Creuset collection, eliminating stuck-on food residue with ease.
Typically, the best way to clean your braiser, whether it is Enamelled Cast Iron, Toughened Nonstick Pro, or Stainless Steel, is to soak it in water and baking soda, and let it simmer for approximately five minutes. However, the braiser must be at room temperature before this step, to avoid thermal shock.
Once brought to a simmer, begin scrubbing stuck-on food with non-abrasive brushes and rinse out any cookware cleaner that remains.
Purchasing a Braiser
There are a number of considerations to make before purchasing a braiser. Whether you have to decide between the different shapes or sizes, or simply wondering exactly how you can make the most of this versatile piece of cookware, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Ultimately, Le Creuset’s Braisers are a great way to familiarize yourself with an age-old cooking technique and inject some much-needed flavour into everyday meal preparation. Shop Le Creuset’s Braisers to get started!
We hope we answered all your questions about our braisers, but in case we did not, be sure to get in touch with us! You can also check out our Complete Guide to Braising for more information!
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