When it comes to investing in cookware, few materials offer the versatility, durability, and timeless appeal of enamelled cast iron cookware. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef, or are simply looking to upgrade your existing cookware collection, you probably have a lot of questions, especially if you’ve never used it before.
How do you clean enamelled cast iron cookware? Is seasoning required? And what types of enamelled cast iron cookware are available?
Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware has been the world’s quality benchmark for almost a century and is built to last a lifetime of delicious meals. Ideal in the oven, on the stove, or at the table, our iconic enamelled cast iron cookware offers superior heat retention and even heat distribution at every turn.
From familiarizing yourself with enamelled cast iron cookware and what it can do to assessing your own cooking needs, these nine questions ensure you will make an informed choice.
Benefits of Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware
There are a number of reasons why enamelled cast iron is the cookware choice of professional chefs across the world. For one, enamelled cast iron cookware is considered to be among the most durable materials, embodying the buy-it-once-for-life nature of Le Creuset’s timeless pieces.
Our enamelled cast iron cookware is as durable as it is versatile, moving seamlessly from the stovetop to the oven to the table. Whether you need to slow-cook a stew, or achieve an inch-perfect sear on a steak, Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware accommodates a vast range of cooking techniques.
Best of all, enamelled cast iron cookware caters to both experienced and novice home cooks alike, opening up endless culinary possibilities. Durable, versatile, and beginner-friendly, Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware has all the makings to become a staple in your kitchen, from one generation to the next.
What to Ask Before Buying Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware
Equipping your kitchen for the first time can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to choose cookware that best suits your cooking needs. These nine questions will help you find the perfect fit for your cookware collection.
Understanding the types of meals you prepare the most is crucial when purchasing enamelled cast iron cookware. Whether you often make delicious, one-pot meals, layered casseroles, or are looking for the perfect piece to batch-cook soups and stews, there is the ideal piece of enamelled cast iron cookware for you.
Indeed, identifying your go-to recipes and what you cook most often on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis will ultimately dictate which enamelled cast iron pieces of cookware you need. Curating your cookware collection based on what you cook the most is the best way to make the most of Le Creuset’s legendary enamelled cast iron. For example, our cast iron Dutch Ovens are best suited for slow-cooked stews, creating the perfect environment to tenderize ingredients until they are ready to be served.
Once you’ve assessed your cooking needs, the next question you have to ask yourself is: How many people will I be cooking for? This seemingly simple query can make a world of difference in choosing enamelled cast iron cookware that will serve you well for years to come. Indeed, every home cook's needs are different.
For instance, whereas a family of four may need a multipurpose Stockpot for large-scale meal preparation, a couple living in an apartment might find more value in a versatile Iron Handle Skillet. It is equally important to think beyond your day-to-day needs. Do you host occasional dinners or family gatherings? It might be worth investing in one larger piece for these special occasions, even if you usually cook for a smaller group.
While Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware is built to last a lifetime, it is, nonetheless, important to properly care for it. Doing so ensures your enamelled cast iron cookware can be passed from one generation to the next, establishing itself as a family heirloom.
When finished cooking, be sure to let your enamelled cast iron cookware reach room temperature before cleaning. Plunging a hot enamelled cast iron pan in cold water can be a recipe for disaster, resulting in thermal shock and cracking or damage to the enamel. Once cooled down, fill the pan with warm, soapy water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing away stubborn food residue.
Le Creuset offers a number of enamelled cast iron pieces of cookware for all your cooking needs. Whether you need a multipurpose Dutch Oven for all your slow-cooked stews and soups, or are in the market for an everyday frying pan like our Iron Handle Skillet, we have you covered.
Additional enamelled cast iron essentials include, our versatile Braisers, Sauciers, Roasters, Grills and Griddles, and a number of specialty pieces of cookware like our Tagine and Paella Pan, to name a few. Le Creuset also recently launched its Alpine Outdoor Collection, perfect for searing, sautéing, stir-frying and griddling outdoors.
When choosing enameled cast iron cookware, you may notice that some pieces have black interiors while others feature sand-colored ones. This difference isn't just aesthetic — it can affect your cooking experience in subtle, yet important ways.
For instance, black interior enamels are known for their superior heat retention and distribution, making them excellent for high-heat cooking and searing. They also develop a natural patina over time, which enhances their non-stick properties. Sand-colored interiors, by contrast, offer their own set of advantages. They make it easier to monitor food as it cooks, allowing you to keep a close eye on browning and sauce reduction.
Indeed, sand-colored interiors are often preferred for slow-cooking and braising, where visual monitoring is key. Ultimately, both types perform well for most cooking tasks, and the choice often comes down to personal preference and cooking style.
Contrary to popular belief, unlike bare cast iron, which needs regular seasoning to maintain its non-stick properties and prevent rust, Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron cookware comes with a smooth, non-porous surface that doesn't require this extra step.
The enamel coating acts as a protective layer, preventing food from coming into direct contact with the iron beneath. This means you can start cooking right away without the need for initial or ongoing seasoning.
Best of all, this coating develops a natural patina over time, giving your essential enamelled cast iron pots and pans somewhat of a nonstick property over many uses. However, it is worth noting that while seasoning isn't necessary, proper care and maintenance are still important to keep your enamelled cast iron cookware in top condition.
Absolutely! Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware is renowned for its versatility, seamlessly going from the oven to the stovetop with ease. In fact, our enamelled cast iron cookware is oven-safe up to 260ºC / 500ºF and is compatible with all cooktops, including induction. When using your enameled cast iron in the oven, it's best to avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause thermal shock and potentially damage the enamel.
Gradually heating the cookware and allowing it to cool naturally will help ensure its longevity. With proper care, your oven-safe enameled cast iron cookware can be a reliable kitchen companion for everything from slow-cooked stews to crusty artisan breads, offering the perfect blend of versatility, ease of use, and durability.
Choosing the right kitchen utensils when cooking with enamelled cast iron cookware can go a long way toward ensuring its top-quality performance for years to come. Le Creuset’s silicone tools and kitchen utensils are ideal, however, wooden or heat-resistant plastic tools may also be used.
Metal tools, balloon whisks, and spoons can also be used. However, it is recommended to exhibit special care, as they could scrape and potentially damage the enamel surface. Even if the damage isn't immediately visible, small scratches can accumulate over time, potentially affecting the cookware's performance and appearance.
The storage space you have available in your kitchen plays an important role when purchasing enamelled cast iron cookware. If space is limited, outfitting your cookware collection with versatile pieces like our Dutch Ovens, Skillets and Stockpots that can accommodate multiple cooking techniques and recipes is a good idea.
If space is not a concern, you might want to consider our buy-it-once-for-life enamelled cast iron cookware sets. Our 10-Piece Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware set has all the essentials you need to simplify and elevate daily meal preparation, featuring a 6.7 L Round Dutch Oven, , 3.5 L Braiser, 2 L Saucier, 30 cm Iron Handle Skillet and 4.9 L Rectangular Roaster.
Add Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware to your Collection
There are a number of reasons home cooks across the globe turn to Le Creuset’s legendary enamelled cast iron cookware. It’s durable, versatile, easy to use, and can accommodate all your cooking needs, whether you are the ultimate hostess, an avid baker, or an experienced grill-master.
Each piece of Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware features a rich heritage design and is individually cast in sand moulds, embodying timeless elegance. Built to last with its chip-resistant exterior enamel, our enamelled cast iron cookware sets make for a smart addition to any cookware collection.
These were just nine questions you should ask yourself before purchasing Le Creuset’s enamelled cast iron cookware. For more inspiration, be sure to visit Le Creuset’s Culinary School or our blog and learn how you can make the most of your cast iron cookware.
