Customer Reviews

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 5-Quart Buffet Casserole, Dune

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this casserole last year after debating over all of the Le Creuset pots and casseroles on which one would be the most versatile - and believe me, this casserole is the one! It handles any kind of stovetop cooking with ease (it's a FABULOUS risotto pan) and it goes into the oven with no problems, lid or no lid. It also serves as a beautiful pan to bring to the table but be sure to put something under it to protect your table surface because this pan is cast iron and retains heat very well. It is incredibly heavy but it's performance easily makes up for that. Be sure to follow the manufacturer insrtuctions (hand wash and dry immediately, no metal utensils, and no harsh scrubbing) and your pan will certainly become your new favorite piece of cookware you own.

A great pan, as usual with Le Creuset, but VERY HEAVY. Our household is used to Le Creuset (the 7-quart round is probably our most-used size), but this 5-quart and it's lid are deemed extraordinarily heavy. We use it, and we're glad to have it, but wouldn't recommend it for weaklings.

I bought the very wide 5 quart size with some trepidation, since we usually cook just for the two of us. To my surprise we use it all the time. Even cooking for two, very often you'd like to be able to cook something in a single layer in the pan. For instance, in this wide pan you can braise an entire bunch of asparagus spread out in one layer. The iron conducts the heat out to the edges. Perfect.

Our kitchen is black, white and stainless, like many. If yours is like that I highly recommend the Flame color. I thought it might be too strong and it's not. It's warm and happy. This was our first Le Creuset pan and we have continued with that color.

As for the pan being heavy, I'm not sure it is heavier than a big round casserole, but it is less stable to carry because it is wider and shallower. If you have it full of a stew, yes, you might want to plate that dish from the stove :-) I also carry the lid separately if at all.

When you preheat the pan, if you will be using the lid preheat the lid too. Putting the heavy cold lid on something you are cooking sucks up a lot of the heat until the lid warms up.

Baking powder can be helpful for cleaning the enamel without scratching or hazing, inside or out. Avoid cleansers, green scotchbrite, metal tools. Pink scotchbrite is fine.

Definitely the most used piece of cookware in my home. I use this pot every day - literally. I would give it 10 stars if I could. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat if I lost mine. I may even buy another one soon. I have made 2-3 meals a day in this for months - plain ol' scrambled eggs, spanish rice, dry-roasted lamb shanks, braised meats, paella, risottos, chicken and dumplings, and a plethora of stews and casseroles in this pot, and I don't know why, but food has never tasted so good. There are only two of us and 5 qt is perfect: we cook and eat one meal and freeze leftovers for work lunches.
I still use my Lodge seasoned cast-iron for some things, but it's really nice to be able to just leave the leftovers in the pot and put it in the fridge to reheat for the next day.
The pot IS HEAVY and I sometimes have to ask for a hand to hold it up and scrape all the goodies out of it. Also can't use metal utensils or the finish will get those metallic streaks on it like my old Fiesta ware has on it from years of silverware - it won't damage the surface, per se, but it will make it unattractive. I also use a "Tuffy" to clean it - the orange and yellow plastic mesh scrubby - that and some Bon Ami and it cleans up like new and the finish is still looking great. Le Creuset sells a cleanser but it seemed expensive and Bon Ami works really well.

Le Creuset makes the most well known and loved cast iron cookware. This is my absolute favorite piece, the depth is perfect that my boyfriend the chef isn't able to get my stove top dirty with sloppy stirring, it's deep enough to braise 15 chicken legs. This really is my favorite piece of Le Creuset, safe in the oven up to 450 degrees, you can grill with your Le Creuset. Be sure to follow the instructions for preparing your Le Creuset for it's first run on your stove. If you can afford to make the investment on Le Creuset, do so, you won't regret having at least a few pieces in your favorite sizes and styles to enhance your joy in the kitchen.