Le Creuset

I have some LC; but now that the children have left I don't use them as much as before (they are large).

Sainsbury's do a range of cast iron cookware for half the price, however, and IMO it is just as good as LC. I got one recently to use at our lodge, and it was about £30 in the sale, reduced from £60, which is already half the price of LC. It is worth looking out for the sales and getting one then if you would like one.

I love my Le Creuset casseroles (Ler croozay is not exactly, but close- ish!) I have a medium casserole and a big shallow paella pan plus lid in cream. Also a saucepan with a lid you can turn upside down to use as a small frying pan oh and a rectangular gratin dish.
Sorting out the garage a few weeks ago and some boxes which had come from MIL’s house in 2000 I was chuffed to find a huge blue casserole which I have used several times since! (Finders keepers)
Yes it is heavy but most pieces have two handles, one either side so not a problem.
I put them in the dishwasher without problem and they will certainly see me out!

How to write le phonetically

Luh (say it short, not drawn out) Croozay

How do you pronounce the name. Is it lay crew set. Pls enlighten me

I have several le creuset pans cast iron and stainless steel. The food tastes good when slow cooked in a cast iron casserole. I wouldn’t be without them.

They are heavy but I've had mine for years, and managed to claim them following my divorce.

I agree, they are heavy, but they are very good - I have a couple of the casserole dishes. At the moment, I can manage them, so will continue with them for the time being.

I use le creuset tri ply as my everyday pans on an induction hob. I also have 3 coloured le creuset casserole dishes and I used one today. I did strt off with a pan but the pan filled quickly, so I transferred to the very large casserole dish. I made a lovely minestrone in that, enough for 8 portions to freeze. Not too heavy for me, from hob to sink to storage on the bottom shelf of a mobile island

I loved my Le Creuset but it is far too heavy now!

I have a couple of the smaller Le Creuset pans, which are well used and not too heavy.
I have a LC smaller frying pan, which I use for omelettes, frittata and the like and it’s v good (but the handle is very long for the dishwasher).
I have a LC roasting tin, which makes wonderful roast potatoes, but I don’t use it much because it’s heavy.
My favourite is a LC casserole dish which is used every week.

My LC ware is blue and about 20 years old and it looks like it could go on for another 20... The interior of the casserole dish has certainly discoloured from cream to a sort of light caramel colour, but that doesn’t trouble me.

I consider my Le Creuset to have been a good investment and I recommend them.

I had a set of the orange saucepans which seemed to get heavier as I got older. Our son burnt the base of the large one boiling spaghetti dry and the coating was destroyed beyond use. When we moved I bought a couple of cream LC casserole dishes and they are excellent in the oven. They hold the heat for a long while after cooking and need heavy table mats under them when transferred to a table.

I have a Sainsbury's cast iron saute pan, a lot cheaper than Le Creuset. It is heavy, but does look nice sitting on the hob! And it cooks well too.

I have two casserole dishes by Le Creuset inherited from my mum which I have used when the family where living at home but not used for a while now as far too heavy.I have a 2 x person LC smaller casserole dish which I bought in a charity shop the ladies in the shop obviously did not know the value as it was priced at just £3 even though it is smaller it is still very heavy when full.

I'd pined for a set of Le Creuset for a lifetime . My friend was moving in with her son and his family so I got her set !
But they're too heavy for me - be careful what you wish for !

My daughter has a lot of Le Creuset and it does weigh a ton. I think she had most of it as wedding presents (we had to make do with pyrex!) but I dread doing the washing up at hers as it is so exhausting!!

I have several cast iron casseroles, which I use regulalry (I will use one tonight). None are Le Creuset. Le Creuset is merely a (expensive) brand name, whose manufacturer probably pays for product placement on cooking shows.

If you want to cook in cast iron there are plenty of cast iron casseroles available other than Le Creuset and a lot cheaper.

If you have any problem lifting weights cast-iron is not the matrial for you. There are a range of alternative hob to oven solutions that can be found in any good cook shop or kitchen departments in John Lewis and the like.

I have a wonderful hob to oven casserole thing, I bought it in a local Home Hardwares store, after buying one for my boss when he was struggling to lift heavy pots.

The range is called Masterclass and is made by Kitchencraft. It has a non stick interior (although quite tough looking) so I do take care not to use metal utensils

I had a charcoal coloured set and liked them but I can no longer lift them in or out of the oven due to carpel tunnel and so I had to keep asking dh or one of my ds's but they were not always around so I gave them to my dd who loves them and uses them. I use the slow cooker now and dish out the food straight on to the plates.

Apparently I can fry food on the hob in my slow cooker pot before putting it in the outer electric part.
I also have a small stainless steel 'marmite' shaped pot which can go from hob to oven (TK Maxx).

I think my slow cooker is a Morphy Richards.
However, I've never tried that.

Thanks for the replies. I think I shall save my money and my wrists!

My Sis-IL developed a bad wrist from using them, shysal.

They are heavy and, when full of food, impossible to lift.
I have a cast iron French 'marmite' and never use it.
The oven rack bent alarmingly last time I put it in the oven!

I can only use the medium sized one now ( too heavy, as others say.)Gave the large one and a frying pan to DD who loves them.Have lots of happy family memories of using them though.

My son had a set and I couldn’t cope with the weight of them. I have a couple of Stellar stainless steel hob to oven casseroles; had them years and they are brilliant.

So very heavy, not to mention incredibly expensive. I have a large casserole one that belonged to my MiL but TBH I never use it - I have similar sized dishes that are rather more user-friendly.
BTW I wouldn't be surprised if the TV chefs get paid to use, i.e promote Le Creuset.

I used them when I was younger and stronger but they weigh a ton even when empty, with hot liquid in them even worse, so not worth the premium you pay for the name.