Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser, 5 qt., Garnet

UPDATE 8/29/13 I am giving an update because of the few negative reviews posted stating that they had trouble cleaning Le Creuset. Last night I made a Potato/Kohlrabi Gratin which really turned out excellent in spite of my mishap. I don't know what I was thinking, but I filled the liquid/cheese mixture up too high in my 3.5 Qt. Braiser which caused an overflow in the oven. I started the gratin out with the lid on so that the potatoes and kohlrabi would steam in the liquid so when it bubbled over not only was the sides and bottom of the braiser a mess, but so was my lid. I took the lid off so that the dish could continue to cook and brown, however, that made the overflow on the outside of the braiser also brown and stick more to my pan. Since I was browning at 415 you can imagine the browning on the outside of the braiser. My pan had quite a crust on it inside and out and especially on the rim. I let it soak for about 15 minutes in hot water with Dawn and then starting the cleaning. For what the pan looked like I really did not have that much trouble cleaning off all of what was stuck on it. I used Dawn and a Doobie scrub pad and before I knew it my pan was like new. Maybe I worked on it for about 5 minutes or so...on and off. Many pans would require allot more elbow grease for such a job and much more time. This overflow took the most time to clean up of any of my cleanups on LeCreuset enameled cast iron cookware. Also, yesterday, I roasted a major batch of our fresh picked tomatoes in my 5 qt braiser where again I had a good amount of browning (no overflow) which I want. Again, I am roasting at about 425 for a good hour + and my cleanup for that was minutes. I soaked the pan for a few minutes in hot water and Dawn. I suds up and rinsed several times and the pan was like brand new. I don't know what could be easier. The Le Creuset line of enameled cast iron cookware is just a gem. It is not delicate or difficult to clean. Anyone who likes to cook should consider at least trying one piece and then go from there. I warn you that more than likely you will want more and they are pricey, but well worth it! FIRST REVIEW: I purchased the 3 1/2 quart LeCreuset braiser in December, 2009. I have had the 2 1/4 quart for many years and love it. Since purchasing the 3 1/2 qt I am using it constantly and don't even put it away, but leave it on the stovetop. I've done eggs over, omelets, roasted vegetables, baked pasta dishes, caramelized onions and allot more and the pan is wonderful. As far as roasting veggies in the pan you won't get a better flavor to the vegetables. Even after caramelizing onions over a flame for quite a while the pan required barely any effort to clean. There is a previous review stating that LeCreuset is delicate which is ridiculous. This line is far from delicate and the truth is that the line is a workhorse. If you have sticking you are cooking at too high a temperature. Should you have sticking just soak in hot water with a little Dawn and the pan should wash right up. The style of the braiser is invaluable and I can't imagine anyone not using this pan constantly. I have at least a dozen pieces of LeCreuset and the line is wonderful. If you can spring for the money give it a try. If you are able to purchase LeCreuset and All Clad you won't be disappointed. Check out the new All Clad d5 line which right now is only sold at Williams Sonoma. 1/11/13 Updating my earlier review. Basically...I am reviewing all 3 of the LeCreuset Braisers (a/k/a buffet casserole). At the risk of sounding uppity, I would say all that know me would regard me as a extremely good cook. I have all 3 sizes of the LeCreuset braiser with my latest being the 5 quart which is great. These braisers are invaluable. Yes..the 31/2 & 5 qt carry a little weight, but afterall...they are cast iron. I cannot understand some reviewers of LeCreuset calling these products "delicate" & "hard to clean" as it makes no sense. There is nothing delicate about LeCreuset. Although I mention that I have all 3 of the braisers, I have many other pieces that I constantly use for all kinds of things. These products are work horses in the kitchen and clean up beautifully. I don't care what gets stuck to them...a little soaking with some Dawn dish detergent and you barely have to wipe. If you have heavy duty browning stuck to this cookware you may need to give a slight rubbing, but nothing of any consequence. As an example...yesterday afternoon...1/10/13...I roasted allot...and I mean allot...if sliced up beets in my 5 quart braiser to which I add many other ingredients to the beet mix. I roasted at 410 for about two hours...because I had so much....with the lid on until the end when I then do the last 20 minutes with the lid off. Yes...there was significant browning on the bottom and sides of the braiser which one would have looked at and thought that it would be time consuming task to get all of this off. Truly...after removing the beets I soaked the braiser in hot water with Dawn detergent for maybe 5 minutes at the most and then with the rough side of my sponge I was easily able to lift all that had stuck and my braiser looked like brand new again. I would suggest not to listen to the reivewers who give LeCreuset negative comments and at least give one piece a try and a good piece to try is one of the braisers. I would start with the 3 1/2 quart or if you like to roast high quantities of food go for the 5 qt. Also, the dutch ovens are fabulous. Remember, there are people who nothing can please them....nothing....so I would not pay much attention to the negative LeCreuset reviews. Chefs all over the world use LeCreuset and Chefs are not investing in very expensive equipment that is delicate and is a problem to clean.

So glad I discovered this small braiser from Le Creuset. My 3.5 quart braiser has long been one of my favorite pans. This smaller size is perfect for savory sides like stuffing and garlic cheese grits as well as sweets like an apple crisp. Perfect as well for a main course for one or two -- a nice frittata, baked chicken breasts, and more. From stovetop, to oven, to table, this piece is a workhorse and destined to much regular use.

I love le creuset. I have decided to use it as my primary cookware, mainly because it is both healthy and a good way to cook. I needed one more pan to use it primarily, and this is it. I had to learn and heed the instructions, but le creuset is easy to use and, surprisingly, extremely easy to clean. It’s beautiful, too.

I love my Le Creuset! I just cooked my Butterball Thanksgiving turkey breast in the oval cast iron pan today. I haven’t used this beautiful cast iron and enamel pan yet but I intend to tomorrow for breakfast. It is the PERFECT size that I needed. I have several other Le Creuset pans but two of them are awfully large cooking for just me. This one (1.75 qt) is what I was looking for. The oval cleaned up beautifully even with dried and a little burned on spices that stuck to it. Soaked it in warm sudsy water (after the pan cools down!). It was only soaking for a minute or two and I just decided to go ahead and clean it now. It came out shiny clean as if never used. I do love these beautiful pans! Makes me feel like a chef even though I’m great at burning water! Hahah!!

This is a wonderful little brazier. The thick, cream colored, enamel interior lets me see how the cooking is progressing. And I can move the brazier from stovetop to oven without worry. When I'm brazing just for 2 and don't want to drag out big, heavy pots/pans, the little brazier is ideal. Still I manage to fit 3 chicken breasts OR 4 thighs OR 6 drumsticks (smallish chicken). Always laugh when people say the pan is heavy; well, of course, it's caste iron. Bought the little 2.25 qt. brazier because it was small and therefore lighter than most caste iron braziers. Generally use fully clad stainless steel pots/pans because they are extremely versatile, lighter weight, and non-toxic. Sometimes, however, a slow braise is necessary and caste iron fills the bill. The large handles make gripping the brazier with large silicone oven mitts and/or doubled towels easy. Clean up is just as easy as with my stainless steel pans--hot soapy water and scrubby sponge or dish brush. Haven't had any burnt food issues or sticking. However, I have many years experience cooking with caste iron, so I knew what to expect. The little brazier is wonderful. Though I've only had it for a month if it's like my other LC caste iron pots and roasters, I expect to pass it down to the next generation.

Great! Heavy duty.

I want to demystify this product a little bit. I got the 3.5 court and let me just say that you can feed a family of four with it without any issues. I am glad I got the one that I did, as I had wondered if the larger model would be better for us...it is not. This is perfect. It is 12 inches wide. Withoug the lid, the bottom is 2 inches deep. If you add the lid the it holds 3.5 inches. Heat distribution is absolutely perfect. There are no hot spots or cold spots. I cook on a Thermadore range, that is gas and I have had no issues at all. Heat retention of the cast iron is a match for any of the Griswold stuff that I have. OK...now let's talk looks. I got the red, and IT LOOKS GREAT! It looks so good that it is going to live on my stove all the time. In short, this is flawless. If you need one buy this one. Sure, it is a lot of money, but you get what you pay for here.

Cooks soups and beans perfectly. Easy to clean and no stains in my pot. I bought 3 more in different sizes. Love’em!

Article tres mal emballée on dirait un retour, rayures les plastiques entre le couvercle et la base ́ n etaient pas present .... bref une cata pour ce prix

I had always lusted after Le Creuset's casseroles and when Amazon had their Prime sale, I bough this one to add to my collection. I used it for the fist time today to make Hungarian Stuffed Peppers and I couldn't be more pleased. It cooked on 'Simmer', no sticking to the bottom of the pot despite high sugar content in the tomato sauce, so it turned out as I had hoped. Pot is easy to clean, great to look at and perfect for both cooking and serving at the table. Expensive, but worth every pence!

This is a beautiful cast iron casserole, the colour is a beautiful deep green and it's big enough to cook for a family of 5

Perfetto per cotture lente e in forno

Como todos los envíos, llegó rápido y en buen estado. En cuanto al producto me ha encantado, en esta cacerola preparé un arroz negro, que quedó muy bueno. Tengo que decir, que yo no era partidaria de hacer los arroces en la vitrocerámica de inducción, pero en esta ocasión lo hice, y me ha gustado el resultado. En cuanto a la limpieza de la cacerola, la limpié sin problemas, es cierto que todavía la he usado poco, pero de momento muy contenta con la compra.