Oven Reviews

We enjoy making a Pot Roast on Sunday afternoons in the fall and this French over is just right for a smaller pot roast (up to 2 lbs).

I start by first cooking the onions in it on the stove until they're carmelized, then follow by adding red wine, removing the liquid, browning the beef, throwing everything back into the pot along with a bit of garlic, and a couple of bay leaves, etc. Then into the over at 400 degrees F for 3 hours. About an hour before it's finished, I drop in a package of peeled baby carrots. You can add potatoes too if you want but, if you're watching your carbohydrates, it's fine to leave them out. If you want potatoes, you should get the next larger size (5 qt) as this size can only hold the meat, carrots, and the cooking liquid.

When it's done, pull the hot pot out of the oven and onto one of the stove burners and it'll stay warm in the pot until you're ready for dinner!

When I think of pot roast, I think of this French oven!

If you already know of the reputation and quality of Le Creuset, but just want to know which pot to get if you were to get just one, I recommend the 4.5 Quart Dutch Oven as your first Le Creuset purchase.

It's not so large (and heavy) that you wouldn't use it. Small enough to cook for 2, and big enough to cook for 4 or 5.

It can serve you to boil up spaghetti just as easily as cooking up a large vegetable or meat dish.

This pot, and a great knife, make the beginnings of kitchen necessities.

I loved my 4.5 QT. Dutch oven in Granite (see that review) so much that I bought this one too! I can sear and roast larger cuts of meats and birds in this baby.
I seem to move around some so the neutral granite color is never a "problem" and it is a nice contrast to my copper cookware.
This oven is just as versatile as my 4.5 if not more so and you just can't go wrong with Le Creuset.

I'm laying 5 mojo*z on this one...buy it now!!!

This massive, weighty, cast iron, ovenproof pot is a serious cook's dream. Though expensive, like all Le Creuset cookware, it's high value is proven by the stovetop and oven performance.

In the oven, internal heat distribution is perfectly uniform, eliminating sticking, beautifully cooking large roasts. On the stovetop, long, slow cooking is perfectly executed.

Though there is no "positive" seal between the pot itself and its lid, the high level of fit and finish between the two pieces retains all liquids and moisture.

Clean~up is a cinch..., just soak in warm soapy water and the surfaces wipe clean (you may however need to purchase a larger kitchen sink to accomodate this monster).

The company offers a lifetime warranty on the enameled surface they apply to their high~grade cast iron; the quality of manufacture is so supurb I cannot imagine ever having to make use of it (I own inherited Le Creuset pieces over 40 years old with still~perfect enamel).

If you are a serious home cook prepared to make a serious investment in a lifetime tool, buy this pot.