1925 - 2025
THE ARCHIVE SERIES The Skillet
1925 - 2025
THE ARCHIVE SERIES The Skillet
From stovetop essential to design icon, the skillet has earned its place in the heart of every kitchen. Introduced in the 1950s, the Le Creuset skillet's versatile shape and signature black enamel interior transformed everyday searing and serving. Explore the journey of this enduring piece, from its mid-century origins to today’s reimagined designs, and see how it became a beloved kitchen staple.
1955
In 1955, the Alpine Skillet defined a generation of home cooks. Its gently curved sides made not only for searing and frying but also stirring effortless and its design allowed foods to brown evenly while sauces reduced quickly. A long beechwood handle stayed cool over the heat of the stove and the world-renowned black satin enamel interior eliminated the need for seasoning. A sturdy cast iron helper handle made it easy to transport from stove to table because it was a pan meant to be admired. One rare early piece even featured a graceful pouring spout, signaling the bold innovation that would become synonymous with Le Creuset.
1958
The 1958 Raymond Loewy Skillet departs from tradition with an elongated, elliptical silhouette and dual pouring spouts for effortless left- or right-handed use. A single-piece cast iron body culminates in a long beech-wood handle tipped with an aluminum hanging hook, the perfect example of Loewy’s meticulous focus on utility and form. Reissued in an array of colours, this pan has become quite the collector's jewel and yet still remains a timeless statement of minimalist design that marries artistry with everyday functionality.
1964
In 1964, Le Creuset accelerated its innovation with Le Tostador created collaboration with Raymond Loewy, the “Father of Industrial Design” famed for shaping everything from Air Force One’s cabin to the Lucky Strike logo. In the 60s, a "diet" movement has emerged in France: one must stay slim, avoid fats, and prefer grilling. To achieve this, households only had frying pans that had the disadvantage of either frying meat or boiling it in utensils like Tefal. Le Creuset thus launched the first cast iron household grill, called the Tostador, which was placed on the gas stove, with a pan that allowed the fat to flow into a chute. It was an immediate success, and since then, Le Creuset has multiplied its shapes and sizes to adapt to all grilling needs, whether meat or fish
1972
In 1972, Le Creuset introduced its now-iconic black satin enamel interior, transforming the cooking experience for skillets, grills, and woks. This textured yet non-porous finish delivers superior heat retention and searing performance without the fuss of seasoning. It resists dulling and staining, builds a natural patina of caramelized oils over time, and wipes clean with minimal effort. Though it glistens like pristine cast iron, you’re looking at high-performance enamel engineered for longevity, a standard that endures across our Signature Skillets and Grills till this day.
1990
Echoing Cousances’ oval cast iron cookware tradition, the 1990s Oval Skillet Grill married mid-century aesthetics with modern engineering. Crafted as a one-piece enameled cast-iron pan with the celebrated black enamel interior, its elongated form delivers even heat distribution for perfect grilling. Generous ridges drain excess fats, while the developing enamel patina only enhances non-stick performance with use. It’s an innovative nod to our design heritage, reimagined for contemporary culinary adventures.
2024
Breaking new ground in 2024, Le Creuset’s Alpine Outdoor Collection is the first fully enamelled outdoor cast-iron line on the market. Designed for campfires, grills, barbecues, or even the oven, the collection includes a Round Skillet, Square Grilling Basket, and much more, all capable to sustain unregulated heat up to 842 °F (450 °C). From alpine expeditions to backyard feasts, this collection turns open-air cooking into a no-limits experience.
Discover What Makes it Special
Take a closer look at our iconic Skillet, a timeless piece that reflects 100 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and everyday performance in the kitchen.
