Oven Reviews

This is such an improvement over the standard stainless pots most people have. I love making soups and this is just perfect for that. It is quite heavy, but that's one of the nice things - it's solid! Great purchase - well worth the money!

This is a really good size.
Believe it or not we use some Le Creuset at work and because of the performance quality I bought this particular Dutch oven for my home. I love it. It is so very versatile... I can make soups, stocks, sauces and braise on the stove top or sear and roast meats or birds in my oven (the lid handle is good up to 500 degrees) and it makes a wonderfull rice pot. This is a good size for making a gallon of anything for two to twelve people. I have professional copper cookware at home so my choices of color were limited to "flame" or this...I like the contrast.
Although pricey and heavy (for the "home" cook ;-) you can't go wrong with this piece and the "granite" matches almost any decor. I liked this one so much that I bought an oval 6+ qt. also.
This will be a lifetime investment for you...enjoy
I'ma givin' dis babe 5*z

I received this Le Creuset 4-1/2-Quart Round French Oven as a birthday gift and it is perfect in every way. I cannot recommend enough the overall quality of le Creuset products. They are also very attractive and add enjoyment to all forms of cooking. This particular 4-1/2-Quart Round French Oven is a great size and shape and can be used for a variety of things. It also fits perfectly upon the le Creuset trivet. Other products of similar quality you might try are Global knives and Cuisinart appliances. You won't be disappointed.

I am 83 years old, widowed, and live alone, cooking most of my meals from ingredients, not prepared items. I have had three microwaves over 25 years and have developed quite a few recipes for the microwave. I was attracted to the Panasonic by its Inverter technology that actually modulates the power during cooking, not timed bursts of full power. It also allows programming up to four cooking steps at differing power levels and cooking times. Starting with the oatmeal I cook for breakfast, everything is cooked uniformly throughout. It is a superior device.

I recently purchased this microwave after my old one bit the dust. I'm really happy with it. It's large enough to hold just about anything, and the high wattage makes cooking and re-heating quick and easy. My favorite feature is the invertor defrost....no more frozen in the middle/cooked on the edges defrosted meat. I also like the fact that the "beep" on this oven is not too loud or obnoxious. This oven is very large, if this is your first larger microwave purchase and you don't have alot of counter space you will need a microwave cart or somewhere else to put this.

I was happy with my old microwave with 900 watts. I didn't realize the big difference in getting more wattage. With this microwave, I have to adjust my thinking because items cooks even faster.

I love the "reheat" button. It is so simple. All you do is tell it how many servings you are reheating. The book tells you that 4 oz is a serving and you go from there. I used to over heat things, but I don't now.

I also like the Inverter Turbo Defrost. Food seems to defrost more evenly. You have to convert ounces to hundredths of a pound. In the book there is a chart. I just made a copy of that page and put it next to the microwave to be handy when I need the conversion to defrost something. It seems to be a much better way to defrost items.

I like the choice of three sizes of popcorn. With the "more" or "less" button you can really get most of the kernels to pop.

The extra large size seems to be convenient for even smaller size dishes because you have more room to move around in the oven.

One thing I would like that I had on my other microwave is a "reminder beep" every minute to remind you you have something in the oven. This oven just beeps at the end and doesn't remind you. And upon occasion I have forgotten I have had something in the microwave.

I would recommend this oven. I am very satisfied with my order.

I bought this 6.5 qt roaster at Shopko on sale for only $23.88. I think I might as well retire my crock pot! Like the last reviewer, I don't know why more people don't use these small roasters for their everyday cooking. They work just like the large 18-20 qt roasters that are "en vogue" right now for Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey roasting. Like a regular oven, the temperature range is from 200 to 450 degrees - use for both slow-cooking and regular cooking. The metal insert pan is much lighter and therefore easier to handle and clean than the heavy ceramic crock-pot inserts. Also, the oval design allows you to spread out foods a little more for cooking than the standard round slow-cooker design. Anything I've roasted is done as fast as it would be in my regular oven, even though you don't preheat. (Example: meat loaf in 45 minutes.) I guess since you don't preheat, it's acutally done faster. I'm sure it's definitely using less electricity than heating the entire oven also. And, you could theoretically bring it on an extended road trip to cook in your hotel or RV instead of eating out! Much easier than toting around a heavy crock-pot or 20 qt roaster oven. The biggest plus for me is that since this is only counter-top accessible, my toddler can't be accidentally burned like with the regular oven that she can reach. It's also a lot easier to baste foods and check for "doneness" without burning myself, too!

I have had this roaster oven for over a year. I never leave home for any extended time that I don't take it with me if I will be preparing meals. The heat comes from the sides so never any burned on the bottom foods. Predictable low temperatures to very hot temperatures which can brown the foods. Different from a fry pan and much more versatile than a slow cooker. I am puzzled that more people don't use these. Probably just not very well known. I think its a gem.

I am very impressed with the Hamilton Beach 32600S 6 1/2-Quart Roaster Oven. It's so very versitile and easy to use. It makes the best roast chicken you've ever tasted! Just wash your chicken, put it into the roaster oven, sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder and Mrs. Dash... then set the timer. It's so good and good for you since the rack keeps the grease away from the chicken. I hope I have been of some help.

Le Creuset makes the best cast-iron cookware, and cast-iron cookware is the absolute best for heat distribution and retention. Therefore, I believe that one cannot do better than Le Creuset for food preparation. It may be a relatively expensive purchase initially, but Le Creuset is a wise long-term investment. I have had one piece, the 3-1/2 quart French Oven, for over 7 years and it still looks new.

I love the heft of the 7 Quart French Oven. It has a very stable feel, especially when cooking substantial dishes, or pot roasting meat. It is a dream to work with. Pot roasts, Osso Bucco, Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, Chilli Con Carne, pasta sauces, soups - everything cooks up beautifully in this pot....ooops, excuse me, French Oven. When put on simmer, your food simmers, without hot spots that cause food to burn in places. All Le Creuset cookware can be used in the oven for roasting and baking, and the lids are ovenproof. The enamel finish is attractive enough to bring food directly from the stove, or oven, to the table. And it washes up easily.

I have given this particular item as a wedding and shower gift many, many times, and don't think it has ever been returned. I can't think of a better way to inspire creative cooking than with Le Creuset. Cudos, bigtime!

The product manual is in several languages (0k) but there is a plastic handle on my pot, so I was worried about whether this pot could go into the oven.

Manual states "...pans with metal or heat-resistant plastic may go into the oven". My question is: How do I know that my handles are heat-resistant? I am guessing it is, but would be nice to know before I ruin it.

Does anyone else know?

Just wanted to add something here that I haven't seen noted about this product. I have the "Matte Black" version of this pot, which I believe is the same as the "Granite" color. The exterior is truly a matte finish, not glossy like most Le Creuset (except for the bottom exterior of the pot - it has a glossy finish). The inside of mine has this same matte black finish, while I think most of these pots have a glossy interior. I haven't had a problem with foods sticking any more than the glossy finished Le Creuset products I own, nor has there been any problem with keeping it clean. The finish looks similar to a plain cast iron pot without the enameled surface. Nothing wrong with it, just different!

I bought a no name microwave last time around, I am very happy with this one.

This is a great powerful, easy-to-use microwave. I highly recommend it.

Well, I'm no expert on these things, but this microwave seems to do the job pretty damn well by warming/cooking my food quickly, efficiently, and consistently.

I have had no problems at all - it's a breeze to use and has more than enough power for everyday use.

Definitely recommended.

excelent product. more people should get into low heat cooking.

I've owned this dutch oven for 3 years now and I must say, I use it at least 3-4 times a week. It is so versatile that you can make anything from soup to chili to even stir-frying when necessary. Although after using it for about a year the bottom looked really yucky, I bought some of the Le Creuset enamel cleaner and it was as good as new again. I love this pot and recommend it to anyone who wants a piece that they can use for almost anything. My only complaint about Le Creuset items is that it is extremely heavy due to it being made of cast iron. However... that's what makes it so durable and will last you a life time!

It seems as though there are few things left in the world that are truly great values. However, these Le Creuset classics undoubtedly qualify. While a little more expensive than the competition, they offer uncompromising quality and exceptional performance.

When you pick up one of these pieces the weight sends a message: this is substantial, no-nonsense cookware that will last. Plus, they are a joy to cook with. The French/Dutch ovens are perfect for braising, simmering and roasting. They are the equal of any of the anodized aluminum cookware at low heat and much better at higher temperatures. I routinely sear meats on a high gas flame in them before adding vegetables and stock for braising.

If you're someone who cares about food and cooking, you'll want a couple of these Le Creuset pieces in different sizes. But pick your colors carefully . . . you're going to have to live with them a very long time! -- Scott Loban