Le Creuset L2501-2609 5 1/2 qt. Round French Oven (Blue)

by Le Creuset

Product Features

• Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware is backed by a Lifetime Warranty, good for the lifetime of the original owner, whether a self purchase or received as a gift.
• No more 'hot spots'! Le Creuset enameled cast iron spreads heat more evenly, and because the base, sidewalls and lid, are all of the same quality and thickness, there are no areas where heat can be lost rapidly.
• Tight-fitting lids and even heating combine to form a blanket of heat, which gently cooks food while sealing in flavors
• Equipped with perfectly angled handles, our cookware is easy to manage for lifting and carrying to the table

Product Details

• Item Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• ASIN: B00004SBH5
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,924 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

This 5-1/2-quart French oven by Le Creuset is a remarkably forgiving pan. If you just happen to forget you're sautéing onions for a soup while you answer the telephone, there's no need to worry--the onions won't burn. Enameled cast iron has been recognized as one of the best materials available for cookware because it retains heat and promotes gentle, even cooking at low heat ensuring that the best flavor is brought out from the ingredients. It's perfect for use on any heat source--gas, electric, radiant, ceramic, halogen, induction, or solid fuel. There's also a tight-fitting, enameled cast-iron lid that helps seal in heat and flavor. Food will be kept hot as you bring it to the table for serving. And you will certainly want to serve out of this beautiful piece--the deep color and shiny finish will brighten any table setting. --Jane DePaolo

Product Description

Le Creuset Round French Oven - This everyday Round French Oven (or Dutch oven, referred by most people) never makes it to the cupboard: it goes from the stove or oven to the table to the dishwasher then back to the stove for tomorrow's dinner. If there are leftovers in the pot, save them for tomorrow. You can store it in the refrigerator or in the freezer and not worry about food reacting to the porcelain enamel surface. For generations, families have come to cherish the classic cocotte - the Round French Oven. This everyday pot never makes it to the cupboard: it goes from the stove or oven to the table to the dishwasher then back to the stove for tomorrow's dinner. If you want to keep leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer, you can store in our Le Creuset pot and not worry about food reacting to the porcelain enamel surface.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

198 of 198 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE dutch oven, July 22, 2003

By 

ringo (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Le Creuset L2501-2609 5 1/2 qt. Round French Oven (Blue)

In the dictionary, next to "dutch oven," is a picture of a le Creuset pot.

This 5.5 quart version is sized to fit typical casserole, soup, and stew recipes, and big enough for a large chicken or pot roast. It will fit on an average-height refrigerator shelf (you may need to replace the lid with a dinner plate), and will heat evenly on a standard sized burner (though, given the heat distribution of the cast iron, it would heat evenly on a birthday candle). This is the size the cooking shows use - if you've ever watched over Emeril's shoulder as he arranged stuff in the pot, you know that this is just the right size and shape.

My only complaint is that le Creuset recently stopped smoothing and under-glazing the rims of their pots, and is now leaving them rough and "rust-proofing" them instead. For my older (heirloom) pots, I invert the lids for stacking and storage. I haven't been able to bring myself to do this with my newest pot, however, because if I do the rough unglazed rim will scratch up the lid. (ecoutez-vous le Creuset?!)

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best out there, December 26, 2000

By 

sherry carey (dallas, texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Le Creuset L2501-2609 5 1/2 qt. Round French Oven (Blue)

I love to cook and really work my pots and pans over. i am so sick of investing in a *high-quality* cookware set that falls apart and looks terrible after 3 or 4 years. even the circulons and calphalons were disappointments. i've had my eye on le creuset for a few years but never had the opportunity to buy one until recently. i bought mine (the blue french oven) at an overstock store for an incredible price, and now i'm here shopping at amazon for more. pot roasts cook in half the time on lower heat, and cleaning is a breeze. if you love to cook they are well worth the investment. i can't begin to tell you how pleased i am!

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Le Creuset 5 1/2-Quart Round French Oven, August 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Le Creuset L2501-2609 5 1/2 qt. Round French Oven (Blue)

If you're one of those people that have long coveted fine cookware but
wonder if the "name" stuff is actually worth the big money. I'm an
avid cook and, a few years ago, I finally gave in to my long time Le
Creuset longing by buying a "starter set" online. I was hooked!

The
enamel on cast iron surface is better than non-stick and nearly
indestructible (Le Creuset provides a 101 year warranty on their
products, covering everything, including chipping of the
enamel). They're the only high end pan that admit they're dishwasher
safe and it is practically impossible to burn anything in these
top-of-the-line cooking tools. Have you ever wondered why so many
recipes call for cooking something "in a heavy saucepan," well use a
Le Creuset once and you'll understand.

These are, bar none, my
favorite pans and I can't imagine cooking without them. Since that
first "starter set" I've replaced all the pans in my kitchen with Le
Creuset. I have faith that it's an investment that will last a
lifetime!

One cavet: While nothing is better than Le Creuset's
classic enamel over cast iron cookware (Dutch Ovens, saucepans, French
Ovens, skillets, griddles, woks, etc.), I don't know if you need to
spend the money on some of their other items. The "potterie"
(stoneware) cookware is fine, but really no better than any other I've
tried (including the much more modestly priced Corning Ware), and
their enamel on steel stockpots ARE more heavy duty than most (a real
plus if you like to brown meat right in your stockpot, instead of a
seperate pan), but you can find nice imitations (or Granitware) that
will work equally well for a lot less.