Product Description

Mario Batali 6qt porcelain enamel cast iron essentials pot is a traditional and strong material, perfect for low heat cooking. Retains heat better than any material, including stainless steel and aluminum. Equal distribution of heat will eliminate hot spots, allowing you to cook the most delicate dishes. Cast stainless lid knob. 16 page cookbook included. Available in persimmon.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13210 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: 6 qt
• Color: Persimmon
• Brand: Mario Batali
• Model: 0-49010
• Released on: 2005-09-01
• Dimensions: 16.40 pounds

Features

• 6-quart pot made of cast iron with porcelain-enamel interior and exterior
• 2 looping side handles ensure safe transport to and from the oven
• Self-basting spikes on interior of close-fitting lid; cast stainless lid knob
• Washing by hand recommended; oven-safe up to 500 degrees F
• Measures 13 by 13 by 7 inches; limited lifetime warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Combining old-world charm with modern-day accent, this 6-quart pot nicely accommodates hearty stew or soup, pastas, roasts, and more. The cookware's durable cast-iron construction provides exceptional heat retention, while its porcelain-enamel interior and exterior requires no seasoning, cleans easily, and comes in a variety of classic colors for a beautiful presentation on virtually any dining-room table. Self-basting spikes on the interior of the pot's close-fitting lid ensures continuous, natural basting, and its cast stainless lid knob makes for easy lid removal. Oven-safe up to 500 degrees F and safe for use on gas, electric, and ceramic-top ranges, the pot comes equipped with two looping side handles to ensure safe transport to and from the oven. Washing the pot by hand is recommended for best results, and a 16-page booklet with recipes from Mario Batali's latest cookbook, Molto Italiano, is included. The 6-quart pot measures 13 by 13 by 7 inches and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Customer Reviews

GREAT PRODUCT...GREAT PRICE!!!
I received this pot for Christmas (but in the Espresso color--BEAUTIFUL) and I absolutely love it!! It provides very even, steady heat and only requires a low flame to keep its heat. The enameled coating is great. It browns beautifully with minimal sticking and the light color allows you to see the fond very well (little brown bits on the bottom of the pan). The braising spikes on the lid are a bonus as well. To my knowledge Le Creuset does not offer those on their pans. I love the size, too. It is very roomy, but not so mammoth that you cringe having to lug the pan out. And the clean up was very easy. I have always wanted a pan like this but could never afford the hefty price tag of the Le Creuset or the Staub. I am so grateful to Mario Batali for coming out with such a wonderful product at such a reasonable price. I am usually skeptical of celebrity cookware, but this one is a true gem. I can't wait to try some of his other cookware.

Great Pot At A Fantastic Price
Having had a 4 quart Le Creuset dutch oven for over 20 years, I was looking for the larger size, but just couldn't justify the price right now on Le Creuset in the 6 quart size. I happened to catch the Amazon ad on the Mario Batali, and immediately went to the reviews to check out what my fellow Amazon reviewers thought of it. Priced at $64.99 it seemed too good to be true.

After reading the reviews I went ahead and ordered the dutch oven in persimmon. To my delight this pan more than fulfilled my expectations based on other reviewers opinions. The color is gorgeous!. It is a hefty pan that more than stands up to Le Creuset in most areas. The smooth enamel lining over cast iron is slow to heat, but once ready it cooks evenly and with a minimum of sticking. Spraying the interior with a light coating of PAM avoids most of the sticking problem. The enamel allows me to cook the tomato based pasta sauces I love, which require long slow cooking, without interacting with the tomato acids.

The lid is tight fitting, creating a good tight seal needed for slow braising of tougher cuts of meat. Coq au vin, chicken and dumplings or a fine cacciatore can all comfortably be created using this high quality cookware. Based on my experience with this particular pan, I am going to purchase a larger one for homemade soups, which normally in winter I start early in the morning and simmer all day. Just set it on low after the initial medium setting to sautee your vegetables, add your stock, lower the heat, and cover.

Clean up on this pan is very quick and easy. You must let this pan cool completely before washing to prevent warping-the only drawback to this cookware. But once cool, anything that may have stuck is easily removed using hot sudsy water. It comes with 2 rubber cushion plugs to place between the lid and pot when storing, to prevent cracking and chipping.

The persimmon color is perfect for serving at table in the Fall. Does it measure up to Le Creuset? Yes, in all of the areas that truly count. Even heating, stovetop to oven cooking, attractiveness and ease of cleaning. So if you can't afford your first Le Creuset, this is an inexpensive and perfectly acceptable substitute for the pricier pans. Give the Mario Batali a try, it's worth twice what I paid for it, and is already a staple in my kitchen.

B000AAYDJO

As good as Le Creuset at half the price!
I am a big fan of Le Creuset cast iron enamel cookware, so I never thought I'd buy a dutch oven of any other sort. A salesperson at a Sur La Table store recommended this item, saying it was "amazing" and "an incredible value". No surprise it was sold out in all SLT stores in my area, so I ordered it from Amazon (do yourself a favor and save the sales tax...with the free shipping it was a no-brainer).

It was with some skepticism that I opened the box, but when I did: wow! In terms of construction and weight, it is indistinguishable from Le Creuset. It's even manufactured in the exact same manner (cast from an individual sand mold). The quality is excellent, and I absolutely LOVE the color. If you own a lot of Le Creuset, you start to get tired of the same colors (blue, flame, red, dune...).

I made a slow-braised ropa vieja last night, which turned out beautifully. I am thrilled with this purchase!