Review: Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet
By Curated Experts
Di Doherty and Kate Wilson
10 photos
The Curated Take
4.2/5
The Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet is an excellent kitchen tool for those who enjoy roasting, making cornbread, cobblers, and more. Its even heat distribution ensures ideal browning and cooking results. The skillet is easy to clean due to its enamel coating, which also minimizes maintenance. While it's a bit heavy and has slightly sloped sides, it's well-made and performs well, especially in the oven. It's a high-quality skillet that combines aesthetics with functionality, making it a worthwhile investment for cooking enthusiasts.
Ideal for
- Maintains heat
- Excellent for roasting
- Makes great cornbread and cobblers; the excellent heat distribution leads to wonderful browned edges
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe
Not ideal for
- Heavy and a bit unwieldy
- Sides are sloped, particularly by spouts, meaning it's easy to push things out of it while stirring
- Handle is short, so it's not as easy to grab with a bulky oven mitt
Weight
While the skillet is balanced, it's impossible for a cast iron skillet to be light. If it's full, I need to use the helper handle to ensure I have a...Read more
This skillet is definitely heavy, as I'd expect from cast iron cookware. With a recurring wrist injury, it can sometimes be difficult to transport from oven to table. The bonus...Read more
Heat Distribution
The heat distribution makes it less likely that I'll burn part of my dinner onto the pan and helps ensure a pretty, even browned exterior. It also gets beautiful results...Read more
Heats up relatively quickly and always evenly, and medium/high heat is the sweet spot on the stove. Seared meats and veggies brown wonderfully, again attributed to the efficient heat distribution....Read more
Handle Quality
There's nothing wrong with the handle on this skillet. It's all enameled cast iron, so it's oven-safe. It's comfortable enough and has a hole in it, so it's not too...Read more
The biggest downside to this skillet is the shorter handle. While it's nice for storing in smaller spaces, getting a good grip on it can be difficult if I attempt...Read more
Maintenance
Other than ensuring the skillet is clean, there isn't much maintenance required. Seasoned cast iron requires washing with limited soap, oiling, and the occasional reseasoning. Enameled cast iron can be...Read more
Traditional cast iron can be tricky to maintain, but this enameled version is very easy. I have added feta cheese to sauteed zucchini and let it cook a little too...Read more
Size
I have the 11.75in, and I'm pleased with it. It's smaller than some larger skillets, not quite a full 12in. However, it isn't noticeable in most cases, and the skillet...Read more
That being said, I did not know what I needed. I purchased the 9" skillet, and while it's good for individual meals, I wish I had gotten one size up...Read more
Quality
The brand name jacks up the price, but I'm satisfied with the skillet's construction and performance. It's made entirely of cast iron, has a beautiful red enamel coating, and holds...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Di Doherty
Kate Wilson
About the kitchen products
- Model: Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet
Test conditions
- When I bought this: 2017
- Where I’ve used it: At home
- How many times I've used it: 30
Expert Reviews of the Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet
Di Doherty The Le Creuset signature iron handle skillet is a well-made item. The cast iron is smooth and even, as is the enameled coating. It’s made in France and comes in several attractive colors.
Being cast iron, it’s heavy, especially as I got the 11.75in, making it a sizable skillet. The front handle makes it easier to manage, especially when taking it off a hot stove or out of the oven.
But it performs admirably once I get it where I need it to be. I baked cornbread and a peach cobbler in it, and the even heat distribution made both come out delicious, with browned edges and a nicely done inside. It performs equally well roasting a chicken, creating a wonderfully browned skin, especially on the back, and pan juices that make a tasty gravy.
Its cooking performance is great on the stovetop. However, this skillet made it easy to knock what I was cooking out of the pan; I suspect it’s because the sides are sloped. I’m an enthusiastic stirrer, so that isn’t uncommon for me, but it was worse than usual with this skillet. It wasn’t awful—most of what I was cooking stayed in the pan—but I’d hoped for better considering its price tag.
Overall, it’s an excellent skillet that performs beautifully in the oven. Cooks who are careful when frying may be equally impressed with its stovetop performance, but for me, it falls a bit in that aspect.
Kate Wilson While I love my traditional cast iron skillets, I had to include this enameled piece from Le Creuset. Its smaller size appealed to my frequent solo meals, and I have come to trust the quality of this brand as I've added it to my collection. I often use it to sear meat, mushrooms, and cauliflower steaks because it keeps food warm while finishing up side dishes. It's also a star in the oven; I've experimented with biscuit breakfasts and classic cornbread—all with evenly browned, excellent results. While this pan is on the heavy side, and the handle is a bit shorter than average, the helper handle adds a nice balance.
I have also learned not to cook anything that will potentially bubble up in terms of saucy recipes. I keep liquid levels low due to the lower depth and sloped sides. Once I found the recipes it shines at, this skillet became a shining star in my kitchen. While I do not place my cookware in the dishwasher, it's nice to know that I can if I'm ever in a hurry and need to clean it this way occasionally. Overall, I highly recommend this beautiful, quality piece of cookware!
Product Specs
| Features | Induction safe, Oven safe, Broiler safe |
| Material | Enameled Cast Iron |
| Manufacturer warranty | Limited Lifetime |
| Collection name | Le Creuset Signature Series |
| Country of origin | France |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Weight
3/5
Di Doherty gave 2 of 5 stars. While the skillet is balanced, it's impossible for a cast iron skillet to be light. If it's full, I need to use the helper handle to ensure I have a good grip on it, especially if it's coming out of the oven. It always wants to tilt towards the pan, as that's where all the weight is.
Kate Wilson gave 4 of 5 stars. This skillet is definitely heavy, as I'd expect from cast iron cookware. With a recurring wrist injury, it can sometimes be difficult to transport from oven to table. The bonus is that there is a helper handle, which comes in handy.
Heat Distribution
5/5
Di Doherty gave 5 of 5 stars. The heat distribution makes it less likely that I'll burn part of my dinner onto the pan and helps ensure a pretty, even browned exterior. It also gets beautiful results in the oven, with cornbread coming out with crispy, browned edges, and an even top crust. Roasts and whole chickens also fare well, and I get drippings that make a delicious gravy.
Kate Wilson gave 5 of 5 stars. Heats up relatively quickly and always evenly, and medium/high heat is the sweet spot on the stove. Seared meats and veggies brown wonderfully, again attributed to the efficient heat distribution. I use this primarily to saute meats and veggies, although I will cook the occasional pancake in this skillet as well.
Handle Quality
3/5
Di Doherty gave 3 of 5 stars. There's nothing wrong with the handle on this skillet. It's all enameled cast iron, so it's oven-safe. It's comfortable enough and has a hole in it, so it's not too heavy. It's not especially pretty, comfortable, or heat-resistant. I expected that the handle would be fantastic for an expensive skillet. Instead, it's just solid.
Kate Wilson gave 3 of 5 stars. The biggest downside to this skillet is the shorter handle. While it's nice for storing in smaller spaces, getting a good grip on it can be difficult if I attempt to toss certain foods. It is also not easy to get a grip on it if I have a puffy oven mitt on, although the helper handle does assist with transporting well enough.
Maintenance
5/5
Di Doherty gave 4 of 5 stars. Other than ensuring the skillet is clean, there isn't much maintenance required. Seasoned cast iron requires washing with limited soap, oiling, and the occasional reseasoning. Enameled cast iron can be treated like stainless steel. It's fine with acidic foods, soap, and scrub brushes. I have to be careful not to chip the coating, but I haven't damaged it in the years I've had it.
Kate Wilson gave 5 of 5 stars. Traditional cast iron can be tricky to maintain, but this enameled version is very easy. I have added feta cheese to sauteed zucchini and let it cook a little too long. It was a bit tricky to get off with just water, but I put it on the stove to simmer for a few minutes, and it cleaned up nicely. No seasoning, dishwasher safe—this is a step up from regular cast iron.
Size
4/5
Di Doherty gave 4 of 5 stars. I have the 11.75in, and I'm pleased with it. It's smaller than some larger skillets, not quite a full 12in. However, it isn't noticeable in most cases, and the skillet handles larger recipes with aplomb. But I have noticed that I tend to knock things out of it when it's full if I'm doing something like browning hamburger. Some of that is because it has much more sloped sides than my Lodge skillets, but I suspect the slightly smaller size is also a factor.
Kate Wilson gave 4 of 5 stars. That being said, I did not know what I needed. I purchased the 9" skillet, and while it's good for individual meals, I wish I had gotten one size up because it would make a nicer portion of cornbreads and other oven recipes and offer the ability to make more than one pancake at a time.
Quality
5/5
Di Doherty gave 5 of 5 stars. The brand name jacks up the price, but I'm satisfied with the skillet's construction and performance. It's made entirely of cast iron, has a beautiful red enamel coating, and holds up well to standard usage. The cooking surface is smooth, the enamel has no defects, it's oven-safe, and the ceramic coating makes an excellent nonstick surface. What more can I ask for in a skillet?
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Di Doherty One of my favorite things about this skillet is that it's beautiful. Yes, that's not what's most important, but it does matter. The other thing I love about it is how well the ceramic coating creates an effective nonstick surface. While it shouldn't go in the dishwasher, it's easy to clean it up with soap and warm water, even when I've made eggs or charred my food a bit.
Kate Wilson What I love most is that I can leave this skillet on the stove, and it looks incredible. Le Creuset offers some of the most beautiful cookware on the market, in my opinion. The bonus is that this skillet is also durable, efficient, and easy to clean, too.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Di Doherty My favorite moment with this skillet was making skillet cornbread in it for Thanksgiving. The pan came with a recipe booklet, and I had to try the recipe. The cornbread came out gorgeous and delicious, and I got to show off the pretty skillet to my entire family while I was at it.
Why did you choose this product?
Di Doherty I gave this skillet as a gift to my dad. I live with him now, so it's not misleading to say that I own it, but I didn't pick it out for myself. He loves cast iron, and he's always loved to make large recipes. This beautiful skillet fit the criteria.
Kate Wilson I chose this skillet because it had great reviews, seemed perfect for my frequent solo meals (I chose the 9"), and came from the trusted Le Creuset name.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Di Doherty Le Creuset, in general, isn't great value for the money. Their products are well-crafted, high-end, and attractive, but consumers pay for the design and brand name. It's on par with other premium brands like Staub, but other brands make similar skillets for much less money. Do they perform as well? Most likely not. However, this skillet is about twice the price of many other enameled skillets, and it's unlikely it's twice as good.
Kate Wilson While this skillet may be more expensive than others with the same specs and features, it is worth every penny because of the guaranteed quality of Le Creuset pieces. It's durable, beautiful, and backed by an excellent warranty.
Di Doherty
Kitchen ExpertKate Wilson
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