Are Le Creuset Dutch ovens worth the ridiculously high price? Or are cheaper brands just as good? To find out the truth, I put Le Creuset along with 8 Dutch ovens from other brands through a series of tests. I measured the durability of their enamel, how well they retain heat, how well their lids lock in moisture, how evenly the moisture drips back over the pot, how hot their knobs get, and much more.
Between these tests and my 8+ years of cooking with Le Creuset, I’ll break down exactly what sets this brand apart – and what doesn’t. By the end of this review, you’ll know whether the premium price is worth it, or if you’re better off saving money with a more affordable Dutch oven.
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Lodge Essential Enamel: https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/OeeG9z (LodgeCastIron.com)
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Great Jones: https://greatjones.sjv.io/bOaM1m (GreatJonesGoods.com)
Made In: https://madeincookware.pxf.io/bOaMr6 (MadeInCookware.com)
Misen: https://shrsl.com/4rrs5 (Misen.com)
Caraway: https://caraway-home.pxf.io/2a1vLG (CarawayHome.com)
Staub: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8744728-13819538?sid=yt&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zwilling.com%2Fus%2Fstaub-cast-iron—round-cocottes-5.5-qt-round-cocotte-basil-1102685%2F40509-358-0.html%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOoqxxt6OiiBn85CeNp_UYCo9X6bG9j17CNXNnC7i-dwpHiQTpAug (Zwilling.com)
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0:00 Test Methods
0:53 Performance
3:41 Design
5:43 Durability
6:49 Warranty
7:58 Worth It?
8:46 How to Save Big
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43 Comments
If you own a Le Creuset, has it lived up to your expectations? Why or why not?
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Le Creuset advertisement or propaganda!
No, I gave mine a way. Hated using it.
I live in South Africa, I told them it keeps burning if I make stew. They just said it was my own fault as the temperature was 2 high. I disagree but can't prove it.
I’ve owned/had a complete set of their pots. Added a baking pan ( lasagna)/covered large skillet for a total of 9 items since the mid 90’’s.All are still doing their job /reliable/heavy-well made to spread the heat efficiently and as much Mother said-“ you should only have to buy pots/pans only once”-spend the money for good stuff-cooking will be fun.The grandkids will inherit the Le Creuset’s.
I dropped my Le Creuset pot and the lid 3’ to the concrete, 15 years ago!! The chipped area did not continue to chip. It still cooks like new. I won’t look at any other brands.
You're skipping the most important part of made in France: labor laws that means their workers are paid a living wage with days off and benefits, like human beings. In a high cost of living country. Not a sweatshop in southeast Asia. That cost difference is what it costs to have a non slave make your product. Anyone who thinks that doesn't matter is invited to Google things like 'triangle shirt waist fire' and 'sweatshops in indonesia' and 'modern day manufacturing slavery. ' it's really reprehensible that the other brands even pretend to change half the price of Le Creuset when they're only paying like 2% of the manufacturing cost because they dont value human life.
For the consumer, I understand being broke. If you buy a $10 pot because you can't afford more, I don't judge you at all. But if you can afford to consider a $200 Dutch oven made by Asian slaves, you can save up for a $400 one made by fairly paid Europeans. The $190 bonus you are paying to the owners of the Asian slaves for their $10 pot is just bullshit.
Made in Chyna, 😂😂😂
I have a Le Creuset, several Lodge’s and vintage Wagners. I use the Lodge every time. It’s heavier so it holds heat better, the lid has dimples and seems to have a better seal. Its made in America and is about 1/5th the coat so I can have multiple sizes for the cost of one of the Le Creuset’s
Wow. You butchered the brand name Le Creuset mercilessly the American way. Is it really that hard to invest 2 seconds into how it is pronounced correctly? 😁
Is it made in China?😂😂😂
I have two LC enameled cast iron pieces (skillet and Dutch oven), and love both of them. I absolutely baby them because I love them and feel like a valued customer (replaced a lid with a dimple in the enamel no questions asked). Just bought the 3 ply stainless uncoated 28cm for 30% off
My general philosophy is buy cheap buy twice so generally I aim for the top quality I can find. It doesn’t always hold true that price equals quality but Le Creuset absolutely hits the quality mark in terms of durability and performance for me.
Have three Le Creuset casseoles, one 7.5 liter enameled and two smaller cast iron, 5 and 3.5 liters I think. The beige enamel is discolored after having forgotten it on the stove top. 😂
Could we use real measurements, who uses imperial? The real world uses metric… get with the programme.
All rubbish. If you want the best cookware then the only choice is pure bronze.
My Masterchef Dutch oven burns even at low temperatures
Short answer: Yes.
Le Creuset is worth it
Wanted to just say it's a cast iron pot…….Weight should be the most important part about it and how airtight it is :))…..
I have a "no brand" artisan cast iron pot with no enamel 😛 and you need to go to the gym to use it…..other than that it was 150E and I can't say I need a better one :D….
Le … not La Creuset
Can't beat my mums hand down Le Creuset dutch oven, 50 years old now and cooks the best beef burgundy hands down every time.
Please stop saying La it's Le 🤣
About 10 years ago I bought a cheap supermarket brand Dutch over, just after I was given a Creuset dish. They are both used the same amount.
The cheap one is black inside and the enamel is failing, the Creuset is still spotless.
You’ve cooked only dozens of meals in 8 years in your Le Creuset?
Please…its LE Creuset – not LA Creuset….
Le creuset is fantsatic value for money. Lifetime garantee
My French Father-in-Law passed some Le Creuset dishes down to us, we have a 1936 Terrine dish in perfect order. We have tried other cast iron products but what this test doesn't tell you is the consistency of the heat throughout the pot or oven. Le Creuset are made with high quality cast iron that ensures a completely even heat, the cheaper ones do not. We have quite a collection of 40's, 50's and 60's Le Creuset ware and would never change them.
I believe the most critical evaluation criteria is missing – does it make my wife happy or not? And guess how many points I scored but buying the various colourful Le Creuset items on offer.
I have an induction stovetop. All of my Lodge cast iron pans work without issues. They get hot fast. But when I tried a Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven, it wouldn't ever get hotter than about a 4 out of 10 while set to 10. I got a Le Creuset and it gets hot fast and works as expected. No idea why the Lodge wouldn't work. I haven't tried Staub.
I have a Swedish brand (half price compared to LC), no I know why the dimples on the lid are there..
I have a Le Creuset 27 I just inherited from my mother. My Grandmother used it through her life and it was my mother's go-to pot. I'm a construction guy and only recently started some serious cooking. I've always used cheaper pots and pans and was shocked at how well this pot cooks. It's amazing!
It’s Le Creuset not La Creuset …. French things are either male or female Le for male La for female
Go figure ?
The answer is marketing.
Le creuset is perpetually on sale in my local department store. If you’re not particular with colour then this is the way to go.
I also have staub and is also as good.
omg … imperial units … 😂
Honestly,…..all your tests doesn't matter. What matters is that your guests see the "Le Creuset" label and believe you are a genius in a kitchen.
It´s branding.
None of my Le Creuset is old (< 5 years) so I can’t speak to longevity, but I buy it from HomeGoods/TJX which saves a lot of money. I inspected them before purchasing and didn’t find any defects. Says a lot about their QA when their rejected materials are this good.
It looks like this video has been sponsored by Le Creuset
I bought a Le Cruset during the pandemic. Mine started to chip in 3 places inside. They are replacing it but claim it doesn’t fall under their LIMITED lifetime warranty. I don’t think the quality is what it used to be. I couldn’t help but notice all of people claim how their super old Le Cruset is still in perfect shape. I suspect the quality was much better before than what it is now. I have an email from them stating that their warranty does not cover chained enamel. They said they would offer a one time replacement.
Thanks for yoru detailed review. The thing with humans is that most will never admit they made a mistake. Just like B&O in stereos, they look great but there are better choices when it comes to performance, and that, to me, is the utmost important criterion.
I bought an orange steam ketttle when we got married in 1992. The spring on the whistle flap was getting a bit weak a couple of months ago, so i went to the LC shop to ask if I could buy another spring. They didn't have any in stock, so they took my details. Eight days later, i received a brand new kettle by courier. Now i have two – one with an anemic whistle and another for use if Dame Helen Mirren comes by for tea.
Customer for life!
I can already tell you: it's not worth it.
Years ago, I've bought some of their wares. One "frying pan" was defective and I had to fight to get a refund.
They've since been on my no-buy list.