Product Description

5.5 QT, Red Colored Enameled, Cast Iron, Round, French Oven With Lid, Goes Easily From Freezer To Oven/Stovetop To Table, Distributes Heat Evenly, While Retaining Heat Longer, Ideal For Cooking Techniques Like Searing, Braising, Sauteing & Broling.

Le Creuset has been the mainstay of French chefs as long as anyone can remember. Since 1925, the skilled craftsmen at Le Creuset have perfected enameled cast iron cookware. Each shape is one of a kind, made from molten steel and cast in a unique mold, and then expertly enameled. No other procedure yields cookware that so evenly distributes heat, browns and caramelizes food to perfection, and creates a masterpiece at the table.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1080 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: 5.3 L
• Color: Cherry Red
• Brand: Le Creuset
• Model: L2501-26-67
• Dimensions: 4.00" h x 10.75" w x 10.00" l, 10.50 pounds

Features

• Handmade enameled cast-iron construction; works with all cooking surfaces
• Dishwasher-safe
• Allows you to bake, broil, braise, saute, marinate, refrigerate, and freeze
• Food will not react with porcelain enamel surface
• Lifetime warranty

Amazon.com Review
This 5-1/2-quart French oven by Le Creuset is the most forgiving pan I've ever used. If you just happen to forget you're sautéing onions for a soup while you answer the telephone, there's no need to worry--the onions won't burn. Enameled cast iron has been recognized as one of the best materials available for cookware because it retains heat and promotes gentle, even cooking at low heat ensuring that the best flavor is brought out from the ingredients. It's perfect for use on any heat source--gas, electric, radiant, ceramic, halogen, induction, or solid fuel. There's also a tight-fitting, enameled cast-iron lid that helps seal in heat and flavor. Food will be kept hot as you bring it to the table for serving. And you will certainly want to serve out of this beautiful piece--the deep color and shiny finish will brighten any table setting. --Jane DePaolo

Customer Reviews

THE dutch oven
In the dictionary, next to "dutch oven," is a picture of a le Creuset pot.

This 5.5 quart version is sized to fit typical casserole, soup, and stew recipes, and big enough for a large chicken or pot roast. It will fit on an average-height refrigerator shelf (you may need to replace the lid with a dinner plate), and will heat evenly on a standard sized burner (though, given the heat distribution of the cast iron, it would heat evenly on a birthday candle). This is the size the cooking shows use - if you've ever watched over Emeril's shoulder as he arranged stuff in the pot, you know that this is just the right size and shape.

My only complaint is that le Creuset recently stopped smoothing and under-glazing the rims of their pots, and is now leaving them rough and "rust-proofing" them instead. For my older (heirloom) pots, I invert the lids for stacking and storage. I haven't been able to bring myself to do this with my newest pot, however, because if I do the rough unglazed rim will scratch up the lid. (ecoutez-vous le Creuset?!)

Soup's on
I cook mainly soups and stews (they can be reheated over a few days so I don't have to cook every night.) But my stainless pots tend to burn if I leave them to simmer. I love this pot because it heats evenly and slowly, and the enamel is non-stick or nearly so. I keep mine out on the stove all the time because I like the way it looks--the red is very cheerful in our white kitchen.

My first test run was a batch of minestrone. My recipe takes three days as I make a double beef boullion to start, then finish off with the strained stock and added vegetables. The results were great.

This is a heavy pot and the enamel can chip if you drop the top (not to mention ding your floor.) So be careful.

the best out there
I love to cook and really work my pots and pans over. i am so sick of investing in a *high-quality* cookware set that falls apart and looks terrible after 3 or 4 years. even the circulons and calphalons were disappointments. i've had my eye on le creuset for a few years but never had the opportunity to buy one until recently. i bought mine (the blue french oven) at an overstock store for an incredible price, and now i'm here shopping at amazon for more. pot roasts cook in half the time on lower heat, and cleaning is a breeze. if you love to cook they are well worth the investment. i can't begin to tell you how pleased i am!