Review: Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven
By Curated Experts
Melissa Brunetti and Grace Vogel
8 photos
The Curated Take
5.0/5
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is great for those who frequently cook large meals, such as roasts, stews, or soups. Its durable, nonstick enamel coating and heavy bottom ensure even heat distribution, making it ideal for searing meat and poultry on the stovetop before simmering in the oven. The Dutch oven's heavy weight can make handling challenging, especially when transferring from stovetop to oven. This quality cookware, available in various sizes and colors, is an investment piece for serious cooks and those looking to enhance their kitchen aesthetic.
Ideal for
- Ideal for larger roasts and stews
- Good for simmering in the oven
- Sears meat and poultry very well
Not ideal for
- Not recommended for delicate cooking
Weight
The weight of this pan is very heavy. In my professional opinion, that is the best-case scenario because it will provide excellent heat distribution and retention. It almost acts like...Read more
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is a very sturdy piece of kitchen equipment. This is usually a good thing in the kitchen. However, because the Dutch oven is...Read more
Non-Stick Coating
It has the most ideal nonstick coating available. It is very durable, resistant to scratching, functional, and extremely easy to clean. I have used metal utensils on it, and it...Read more
I have had my Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven for several years. Initially, I had no problems with the nonstick coating. However, after many years of heavy use, it...Read more
Heat Distribution
Because this Dutch oven is so heavy, it has great heat distribution. I have not noticed any hot spots; rather, the cooking is even throughout. When the lid is on,...Read more
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is built to reach high heat, retain it, and distribute it evenly. This Dutch oven is of the highest quality and evenly distributes...Read more
Handle Quality
I would prefer that these handles were larger. With the Dutch oven being so heavy, it would be helpful if there was more to hold on to. Also, keep in...Read more
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven handles have a thin design that is easy to grasp bare-handed. There is easily enough room within the handle to slip my fingers...Read more
Size
This Dutch oven comes in a variety of sizes, but I personally love how large this one is. I can sear a large ribeye in there or roast a whole...Read more
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven comes in several sizes:
- 5 quarts (serves 5-6 guests)
- 6.75 quarts (serves 6-7 guests)
- 9.5 quarts (serves up to 10 guests)
- 15.5 quarts...Read more
Quality
I have owned this Dutch oven for the past four years, and it has held up quite nicely. It still looks almost brand new. I expect, based on what I...Read more
The Signature Oval Dutch oven is Le Creuset's signature piece of kitchen equipment. This flagship item is made with high-quality cast iron and coated in long-lasting enamel, making the product...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Melissa Brunetti
Grace Vogel
About the kitchen products
- Model: Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven
Test conditions
- When I bought this: 2020
- Where I’ve used it: I've used it mainly in my home kitchen but also on some outdoor trips.
- How many times I've used it: 70
Expert Reviews of the Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven
Melissa Brunetti The oval Le Creuset Dutch oven is ideal for larger projects with bigger cuts of meat or poultry, hearty stews or soups, and whole roasts. Start by searing on the stovetop and move it to the oven to simmer and stew. It has a durable, nonstick enamel coating that does not scratch and is heavy-bottomed, providing great heat distribution and retention. I love that it is offered in various fun colors to match any kitchen. I would not recommend using this particular pan for any delicate cooking, such as custards or flaky fish, or as a water bath.
Grace Vogel This Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is a great product for those looking to up their kitchen aesthetic and cook for large groups. I highly recommend this product for people who often find themselves cooking one-pot meals and want a high-quality piece of cookware to do so in. I also recommend this product to people who are interested in purchasing a Le Creuset item but still need to figure out where to start.
The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is an excellent, versatile piece of cookware. It can be used to braise proteins, make stews or soups, or make casseroles. These are just a few examples of what the Dutch oven can be used for. I have also used it to make sourdough loaves of bread and cook protein on the stovetop. This Dutch oven retains heat incredibly well, making it great for all these uses. The only issue I have encountered with the Dutch oven is that it can be quite heavy, making it difficult to transfer from the stovetop to the oven or vice versa. Also, after several years of use, I have started having some issues with the nonstick coating not working.
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
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Weight
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 5 of 5 stars. The weight of this pan is very heavy. In my professional opinion, that is the best-case scenario because it will provide excellent heat distribution and retention. It almost acts like its own cooking environment, even long after taking it out of the oven or turning off the burner.
Grace Vogel gave 4 of 5 stars. The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is a very sturdy piece of kitchen equipment. This is usually a good thing in the kitchen. However, because the Dutch oven is usually used for cooking stews or braises that need to be transferred from the stovetop to the oven, it can become quite heavy.
Non-Stick Coating
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 5 of 5 stars. It has the most ideal nonstick coating available. It is very durable, resistant to scratching, functional, and extremely easy to clean. I have used metal utensils on it, and it does not scratch. I can use a more abrasive sponge when cleaning it, and it holds up well.
Grace Vogel gave 4 of 5 stars. I have had my Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven for several years. Initially, I had no problems with the nonstick coating. However, after many years of heavy use, it has deteriorated slightly. I have had some slight sticking to the coating in my last couple of uses. I still highly recommend this product.
Heat Distribution
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 5 of 5 stars. Because this Dutch oven is so heavy, it has great heat distribution. I have not noticed any hot spots; rather, the cooking is even throughout. When the lid is on, it retains heat very well, almost acting like its own oven. It is a beautiful environment for soups, stews, and roasts.
Grace Vogel gave 5 of 5 stars. The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is built to reach high heat, retain it, and distribute it evenly. This Dutch oven is of the highest quality and evenly distributes heat, making it a great piece of equipment for browning my proteins before braising them. The even heat distribution also makes for a great casserole or bread oven.
Handle Quality
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 4 of 5 stars. I would prefer that these handles were larger. With the Dutch oven being so heavy, it would be helpful if there was more to hold on to. Also, keep in mind that the pan heats up as one unit, so make sure to use pot holders or a towel with the handles and lid.
Grace Vogel gave 5 of 5 stars. The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven handles have a thin design that is easy to grasp bare-handed. There is easily enough room within the handle to slip my fingers through. When the Dutch oven is hot, the handles are still wide enough for me to use a kitchen towel or pot holder to grasp the handles easily.
Size
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 5 of 5 stars. This Dutch oven comes in a variety of sizes, but I personally love how large this one is. I can sear a large ribeye in there or roast a whole chicken. I can also make larger batches of soups, stews, and roasts for up to 15 people.
Grace Vogel gave 5 of 5 stars. The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven comes in several sizes:
- 5 quarts (serves 5-6 guests)
- 6.75 quarts (serves 6-7 guests)
- 9.5 quarts (serves up to 10 guests)
- 15.5 quarts (serves up to 15 guests)
The most commonly sold size is the 6.75qt Dutch oven, which is incredibly roomy.
Quality
5/5
Melissa Brunetti gave 5 of 5 stars. I have owned this Dutch oven for the past four years, and it has held up quite nicely. It still looks almost brand new. I expect, based on what I have seen so far, that it will last me for quite some time and that I will be able to pass it down to my children.
Grace Vogel gave 5 of 5 stars. The Signature Oval Dutch oven is Le Creuset's signature piece of kitchen equipment. This flagship item is made with high-quality cast iron and coated in long-lasting enamel, making the product very durable. The Le Creuset Dutch oven can withstand decades of use, only showing slight signs of wear and tear.
FAQs
Why did you choose this product?
Melissa Brunetti I chose this oval Dutch oven because I wanted something that would have the capacity to make larger batches of soups, stews, and braises.
Grace Vogel I have always admired the enamel finish of Le Creuset pots and decided to invest in the oval Dutch oven because it is such a versatile product. I was excited to be able to pick out my favorite color that could also make a statement when I used it as a serving utensil.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Grace Vogel The Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven is an expensive piece of kitchen cookware. However, it is comparably priced compared to other high-quality Dutch ovens on the market. Because of the craftsmanship and high-quality material that goes into the production of the Dutch oven, it is worth the price.
What do you love about this product?
Melissa Brunetti I love this product because I am able to use it almost anywhere: on the stovetop, in the oven, or even outdoors.
Grace Vogel I love that this product has many color options, allowing someone to find the best Dutch oven to fit their kitchen aesthetic. I also love how many different uses this Dutch oven has, making it worth the high price.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Melissa Brunetti My favorite moment with this Dutch oven was making my family a Christmas Eve roast.
Grace Vogel My favorite moment with this Dutch oven was making my first loaf of sourdough with my homemade starter. The Dutch oven was the ideal environment to maintain the heat the loaf needed, and the loaf came out perfectly.
Melissa Brunetti
Kitchen ExpertGrace Vogel
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