Review: Le Creuset Signature Braiser
By Kitchen Expert
Leo Cocchiara
12 photos
The Curated Take
3.8/5
The Le Creuset Signature Braiser, available in three sizes, offers unsurpassed quality for braising and one-pot meals. Its oval shape is ideal for braising large cuts of meat, while its enamel coating ensures non-stick properties and easy cleaning. Despite its weight, its dual handles ensure secure grip, although protective gloves are recommended as the handles get hot. The heat distribution and retention of the cast iron material contribute to efficient cooking, while the enamel coating doesn't require seasoning. A worthwhile investment, this versatile braiser can handle a variety of dishes, from curries to bread baking.
Ideal for
- Goes from stove to oven seamlessly
- Great for long, slow cooks
- Excellent non-stick enamel
Not ideal for
- Heavy
- Handles can get hot
- Isn't ideal for cooking at super high heat
Size
The oval shape of the Le Creuset Signature Braiser is actually the classic shape compared to the circle styles. That's because it's a shape better suited to braising large cuts...Read more
Quality
There's a reason why the name Le Creuset has become synonymous with high quality enamel cast iron. The manufacturing processes that made them what they are has yet to be...Read more
Non-Stick Coating
Enamel coated cast iron has yet to be unseated as king of non-stick materials, in my opinion. It's nearly impossible to mess up if cared for properly. You still want...Read more
Handle Quality
It's heavy, so the dual handles with the holes to wrap your fingers around are key for getting a good grip and moving. It's not something that you can carry...Read more
Heat Distribution
Cast iron is known for its excellent heat retention and heat distribution. It can take a little longer to heat than other materials, so it's good to preheat it, and...Read more
Weight
There's no getting around the fact that cast iron is heavy, whether it's enamel coated or not. That can make it difficult to handle around the kitchen for some people....Read more
Expert Reviews of the Le Creuset Signature Braiser
Leo Cocchiara The Le Creuset Signature Brasier absolutely delivers on the promise of offering a lifetime's worth of quality and versatility for the investment. This is a statement piece in my home that lives right on my stovetop, which shows just how often this is used in my kitchen---nearly every night---and it showcases my love for cooking.
The variety of uses was one of the main draws of this cast iron because there's pretty much nothing I can't do with it! On the daily, I am using it to make soups, chilis, meatballs, pastas, roasts, rice, mashed potatoes, beans, and more! Thanks to its enamel coating, I don't have to worry about acids being affected the way you do in raw cast iron.
The other benefit of the enamel coating is the easy clean-up. A simple handwash with a cloth and soap takes less than a minute, and it's even dishwasher safe if you're pressed for time.
Not only is Le Creuset the oldest manufacturer of enamel cast iron, but it's also the lightest, which helps offset one of the bigger disadvantages of cast iron---the weight of it. The lid itself makes up 2/3rds of the weight, however, so removing the lid when moving it around can help make that more manageable as well.
Product Specs
| Features | Induction safe, Oven safe, Broiler safe |
| Material | Enameled Cast Iron |
| Manufacturer warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Collection name | Le Creuset Signature Series |
Review Ratings
Size
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. The oval shape of the Le Creuset Signature Braiser is actually the classic shape compared to the circle styles. That's because it's a shape better suited to braising large cuts of meat. It comes in 3 different sizes: 2.35qt for 1-2 servings, 3.5qt for 3-4 servings, and 5qt for 5-6 servings. I find that the 5qt is more than generous, and I've easily served 7+ people a stew out of it. The surface area on the bottom of the pot is limited though, so it's hard not to cramp things you're browning before braising.
Quality
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. There's a reason why the name Le Creuset has become synonymous with high quality enamel cast iron. The manufacturing processes that made them what they are has yet to be replicated to the same quality or surpassed by any other brand. Their motto is the first and the finest, and their warranty backs that claim up.
Non-Stick Coating
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. Enamel coated cast iron has yet to be unseated as king of non-stick materials, in my opinion. It's nearly impossible to mess up if cared for properly. You still want to be careful when using metal utensils, and you don't want to shock it with extreme temperature fluctuations, though. While it's dishwasher safe, it's really easy to clean with a light hand wash, and that will help that coating stay perfect over time. Even when I've accidentally over heated the pan and got fond stuck on the bottom, a good soak and gentle scrub was all that it took to get it back to perfect.
Handle Quality
3/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 3 of 5 stars. It's heavy, so the dual handles with the holes to wrap your fingers around are key for getting a good grip and moving. It's not something that you can carry with food in it with one hand. The handles also get hot along with the rest of the pot, so make sure to have protection.
Heat Distribution
4/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 4 of 5 stars. Cast iron is known for its excellent heat retention and heat distribution. It can take a little longer to heat than other materials, so it's good to preheat it, and it cooks best on medium heats. Enamel doesn't require seasoning the way raw cast iron does so that helps keep the distribution even as well. It does take a long time to cool down though, and you don't want to shock it with water, so just let it sit on the stove until it's cool to the touch before washing it.
Weight
2/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 2 of 5 stars. There's no getting around the fact that cast iron is heavy, whether it's enamel coated or not. That can make it difficult to handle around the kitchen for some people. However, out of all the enamel coated cast irons on the market, Le Creuset's manufacturing process has yet to be beaten at creating the lightest option in its class.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Leo Cocchiara I love a good one pot meal. There's just something really satisfying about the simplicity of cooking all of your ingredients together and developing flavor. One of my favorite things to make is curry, and the Le Creuset is my go-to vessel for it.
Why did you choose this product?
Leo Cocchiara I picked the Le Creuset Signature Braiser for a number of reasons. The reputation for quality is well proven, the piece is really attractive and versatile, and it's actually the lightest enamel coated cast iron out there.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Leo Cocchiara A Le Creuset is a purchase that you can expect to enjoy for a lifetime. Its value is in its well proven reputation for quality. The expansive color options can be tailored to your taste, as can the interchangeable knobs. They're also lighter than any other enamel coated cast iron brand on the market, making them more accessible. 2/3 of the weight comes from the lid, so that can be removed for easier transport.
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara I love the versatility of this braiser, as well as the color. I rarely actually braise meats with it, and instead use it for a lot of soups, pastas, chilis, mashed potatoes, and bread baking. There's not a lot I can't do with it. Plus, it's so attractive that it primarily lives on the stove as a center piece of the kitchen.
