How we pick our products
Welcome to our big Le Creuset pan test 2023. Here we present all the Le Creuset pans that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and tips on which criteria you should pay attention to when buying.
In this way, we would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the most suitable Le Creuset pan for you. Find out what makes Le Creuset pans so special, what the biggest advantages and disadvantages are and what distinguishes them from pans from other manufacturers.
Summary
- Le Creuset pans are available in three different materials. The manufacturer Le Creuset uses cast iron, stainless steel and aluminium.
- All Le Creuset pans have a coating. Le Creuset cast iron pans are coated with a black enamel, aluminium pans have a PFOA-free coating and stainless steel pans have a non-stick coating.
- Most Le Creuset pans are dishwasher safe. However, hand washing is preferable to ensure a longer shelf life of the product.
The Best Le Creuset Pan: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a Le Creuset pan
What is the price range of Le Creuset pans?
If you use the Le Creuset pan frequently and prepare many delicious dishes with it, then the prices of the Le Creuset pans seem reasonable to us.
| Type | Price range |
|---|---|
| Sauté pan | approx. 100-189 € |
| Crêpes pan | approx. 105-119 € |
| Grill pan | approx. 95-179 € |
| Frying pan | approx. 105-205 € |
| Aluminium pan | approx. 90-155 € |
| Paella pan | approx. 129 € |
The Le Creuset sauté pans start at a price of around €100, although of course pans with a larger diameter are usually more expensive than smaller ones. Le Creuset crêpe pans range from around 105 to 119 euros.
The Le Creuset grill pans cover a wider price range. Their prices range from approximately 95 to 179 euros, whereby the different prices depend on the respective model. Le Creuset frying pans are priced from around 105 to 205 euros.
An aluminium frying pan from Le Creuset can be purchased for around 90 euros. However, if you want to prepare paellas, you can buy a special Le Creuset paella pan for around 129 euros.
(Image source: unsplash.com / Monika Grabkowska)
What distinguishes Le Creuset pans from other manufacturers?
In principle, Le Creuset pans are suitable for everyone. Their many advantages make Le Creuset pans a popular cooking utensil used in the home kitchen and by professional chefs.
Le Creuset pans are available in different materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Each type of Le Creuset pan is suitable for certain groups of dishes, but they can also be used flexibly.
Since 1925, Le Creuset cast iron products with internal enamelling in particular have been found in households. These Le Creuset cast iron pans are each unique because they are cast in sand moulds, which are destroyed again after manufacture.
Their appearance is eye-catching in the kitchen with the help of countless colour choices. In addition, many of the le Creuset pans are available in different sizes so that different people can be cooked for.
Do Le Creuset pans need to be baked?
In the past, Le Creuset cast iron pans were baked because the surface was very rough after manufacture. Baking sealed these irregularities, resulting in a smoother surface.
The latest enamelling of Le Creuset cast iron pans creates a smooth surface inside the pan, which is similar to the layer after baking. This enamelling also reduces the rusting of the Le Creuset pan.
What are the alternatives to a Le Creuset pan?
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Grill plate | The grill plate has an even heat distribution. Dishes from fish to steak can be prepared on it. The griddle has a large surface area for cooking and can be stored in a space-saving way. |
| Roasting racks | Roasting racks are used for browning and gratinating. They are a mixture of a pot and a pan. Depending on the material, roasters are suitable for both the cooker and the oven. |
| Roasters | The material, usually iron, heats food quickly because it conducts heat very well. Larger roasters can even hold whole geese and roast them all the way through. |
| Electric grill | An electric grill is a smoke-free grill that can be used indoors or outdoors. The heating element provides heat distribution, which is operated via a power connection. |
| Pot | A wide variety of dishes can be prepared in pots. They are less suitable for frying. They can be lifted easily with the help of two handles and a matching lid enables energy-saving cooking. |
| WMF pans | WMF pans are in the medium price segment. Among other things, they offer wok pans in their wide range. |
| Woll pans | Woll pans are in the medium price segment. Their material is cast aluminium, which is produced by forging or hand casting. They are not suitable for induction cooking. |
Each of the alternatives has certain advantages and disadvantages that are not to be sneezed at. Nevertheless, as a popular kitchen appliance, the Le Creuset pan seems to stand out from the alternatives mentioned in some categories.
It is not without reason that Le Creuset pans are also used by professional chefs and are also a popular helper in private kitchens to prepare delicious food.
(Image source: unsplash.com / Getúlio Moraes)
Decision: What types of Le Creuset pans are there and which one is right for you?
If you want to buy a Le Creuset pan, there are several types to choose from:
- Sauté pan
- Crêpe pan
- Grill pan
- Frying pan
- Aluminium pan
- Paella pan
The different Le Creuset pans each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the dishes you want to use your Le Creuset pan for or the materials you like, a different type will be suitable for you.
With the help of the following section, we would like to make your choice a little easier.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset sauté pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The sauté pans are in the upper price segment of Le Creuset products. They are suitable for sautéing vegetables or other dishes that require a lot of liquid. A counter handle and a handle make it easier to handle the Le Creuset sauté pan.
The Le Creuset sauté pans can be used as all-round pans, as they also have a large cooking volume. The Le Creuset models are available with a lid, which is already included in the price or can be purchased separately.
Le Creuset sauté pans are available in three different material versions: Cast iron, aluminium and stainless steel. All products are dishwasher safe and can be placed in the freezer.
The cast iron sauté pan from the Le Creuset brand is suitable for electric and gas hobs, as well as glass ceramic and induction hobs. The inner enamel is designed for frying at high temperatures. The material ensures that the heat is evenly distributed inside the dish.
Aluminium sauté pans, on the other hand, are made for use in the oven. They are also used on electric and gas hobs, as well as glass ceramic and induction hobs. Le Creuset aluminium sauté pans are ovenproof up to 260 °C and are for everyday use in the kitchen.
Stainless steel sauté pans from le Creuset are also known as 3-PLY sauté pans. They are used in ovens, electric and gas hobs, as well as ceramic and induction hobs. Le Creuset stainless steel sauté pans are made up of three layers with a non-stick coating.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset crêpe pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Le Creuset crêpe pans are specially designed for preparing crêpe dishes. They are circular and have a very low rim. Their bottom is smooth so that the crêpe cream can be evenly distributed and removed without leaving any residue.
Le Creuset crêpe pans are made of either cast iron or aluminium. However, both are suitable for the dishwasher.
Le Creuset cast iron, as well as aluminium crêpes pans can be put in the oven, but also use on the electric cooker, gas cooker, glass ceramic hob and induction hob is no problem for this crêpes pan.
Their space-saving design allows them to find a suitable place in many kitchen cabinets. The weight of the models ranges from 1.0 to 2.17 kg, making them lighter than other pans, especially in the cast iron range.
Cast iron crêpe pans from the Le Creuset brand allow for quick baking of the popular crêpes. Their low rim prevents spills. The black enamel inside the Le Creuset crêpe pan makes it easy to clean after cooking. The diameter is 27 cm.
Le Creuset aluminium crêpe pans are non-stick so that as little as possible sticks to the pan. Their models include a 24 cm and 28 cm specimen. The Le Creuset aluminium crêpe pan can be used at up to 260 °C in the oven.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset grill pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Le Creuset grill pans are made of aluminium and cast iron. Both materials have special features that are visible in the construction of the different models.
Le Creuset grill pans are used for grilling low-fat and low-calorie food. These can include meat, fish and vegetables.
The grill grooves inside leave an authentic pattern, as if the dish was prepared on the garden grill. Furthermore, the fat remains between the grill grooves and thus does not come into direct contact with the food.
The cast iron grill pans by Le Creuset are available in oval, square or round shapes. All models have two lugs on the side walls. Excess fat or liquid can be easily poured off via these recesses.
In addition, most models of Le Creuset cast iron grill pans have an ergonomic handle, as well as a counter handle to hold the pan securely.
They can be used in ovens, ovens with grill function, electric and gas hobs, glass-ceramic and induction hobs, but even the freezer does not bother them.
Le Creuset aluminium grill pans are available in sizes 23 and 28 cm. They are not suitable for the freezer and an oven with grill function can also do damage to them. Their design is in square shapes.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset frying pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Le Creuset frying pans impress with their reduced design and ease of use. All models have a handle to hold the pan comfortably. Le Creuset frying pans are particularly suitable for frying vegetables and meat.
Stainless steel or cast iron are used as materials. All Le Creuset frying pans are suitable for the dishwasher and the freezer.
The stainless steel frying pans from Le Creuset are available in the 3-PLY version, which is made of three different layers. They impress with their light weight compared to cast iron frying pans.
The material is also very easy to clean because it has a non-stick coating. With it, food residues do not stick to the frying pan so easily. In addition, its silver design is an eye-catcher in every kitchen. The Le Creuset stainless steel frying pan can be used in the oven, on electric and gas hobs, as well as glass ceramic and induction hobs.
The Le Creuset cast iron frying pan models have a wooden handle and a special frying and serving pan is also available. A counter handle ensures better balance.
An even heat distribution and heat storage capacity characterise these Le Creuset cast iron pans. However, they should not be used in the oven, but on electric and gas hobs, as well as on glass ceramic and induction hobs, they can perform to their full potential.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset aluminium pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Le Creuset aluminium pans offer simple solutions for cooking and frying. Matching glass lids, which are available separately, allow you to prepare a variety of dishes.
All Le Creuset aluminium pans are suitable for the oven. But they also like to be used on electric and gas cookers. In addition, use on glass ceramic and induction hobs is also possible. If the food needs to be stored cold, you can also put the Le Creuset aluminium pan in the freezer.
The non-stick coating makes the Le Creuset aluminium pan easy to clean. They can also withstand up to 260 °C in the oven. The handles and stems are made of hollow construction, so they stay cold longer while frying.
The models are available with a flat rim, a high rim and as a professional pan. The flat aluminium pan is particularly suitable for making omelettes or pancakes.
However, if you want to cook for more people or dishes with sauces, the Le Creuset aluminium pan can be a solution. It can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes, from pasta sauces to tortillas. All sizes, except the 24 cm diameter, have a counter handle.
The Le Creuset aluminium pan in the professional range is suitable for cooking, frying, gratinating, braising, but also for serving on the dining table. The included glass lid ensures energy savings. Instead of a handle, the Le Creuset aluminium pan has two riveted side handles.
What distinguishes a Le Creuset paella pan and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
The Le Creuset paella pan is a special type of pan. It is modelled on the real paella pans from Spain to enable authentic cooking.
It has a diameter of 32 cm and a width of 41 cm when the handles are added. Its surface area is only 22.5 cm and it is 5.4 cm high.
Because the Le Creuset paella pan is made of aluminium, it has a very light weight of only 1.38 kg, making it easier to handle. The paella pan also has a non-stick coating, but it is also dishwasher safe to make it even easier to remove food residues.
It can be used in ovens up to 260 °C. But it also shows its advantages on electric and gas hobs, as well as glass ceramic and induction hobs. The Le Creuset paella pan also has two riveted handles, which are designed with a hollow construction so that they heat up more slowly during cooking.
Buying criteria: You can compare and rate Le Creuset pans based on these factors
Weight
The weight of Le Creuset pans depends on their size and material. In general, a Le Creuset pan made of cast iron is heavier than a pan made of aluminium.
The heaviest model is the Le Creuset cast iron grill pan, which measures 30×30 cm. Its weight is a hefty 3.8 kg, but if you want to prepare large portions, this pan may be suitable. The other cast iron pans from Le Creuset range in weight from 1.15 to 2.86 kg.
The stainless steel pans from Le Creuset are a little lighter. They start at 1.03 kg for a 20 cm diameter frying pan. The heaviest stainless steel model weighs 3.16 kg. This is the professional pan from le Creuset with a 30 cm diameter and a capacity of 4.8 litres.
Le Creuset pans made of aluminium have the lowest weight that can be found in the Le Creuset pan range.
The weight of Le Creuset aluminium pans ranges from 0.76 kg for a flat 20 cm diameter pan to 2.68 kg for the professional pan with a 30 cm diameter.
You should keep the weight in mind and decide which advantages and disadvantages outweigh the disadvantages for you. But don’t forget that the material can also influence the cooking result of your food when frying.
Coating
The Le Creuset brand uses three different coating options to protect its pans from external influences. These are matched to the material used.
Le Creuset cast iron pans are coated with a black enamel. This resists high temperatures, which occur especially during hot frying.
The black enamel, in combination with the heat-conducting properties of the cast iron, helps the frying aromas to spread through the food. In addition, this coating is hard-wearing, so that the risk of scratches during use is reduced.
(Image source: unsplash.com / Dan Edwards)
Stainless steel pans from Le Creuset are equipped with a non-stick coating. Low-fat cooking is recommended because the food can still be easily removed from the stainless steel surface of the 3-PLY pans.
The Le Creuset aluminium pans also have a non-stick coating. A PFOA-free coating is used. This is applied to the inside and outside of the Le Creuset pan.
Dishwasher safe
Not all models of Le Creuset pans are suitable for the dishwasher. However, Le Creuset stainless steel pans with 3-PLY and aluminium pans with the PFOA-free non-stick coating can generally be put in the dishwasher.
However, it should be noted that the Le Creuset pans mentioned are classified as dishwasher safe. When used in the dishwasher, this can cause the product to wear out over a longer period of time.
Some of the Le Creuset cast iron pans on offer are also dishwasher safe. However, you should read the description of the respective pan carefully to see whether this also applies to your model.
As a rule, you should not put cast iron pans in the dishwasher. This applies in particular to frying and serving pans, frying pans, crêpe pans and square and square-high grill pans.
Facts worth knowing about Le Creuset pans
How are Le Creuset cast iron pans made?
Each Le Creuset cast iron pan is unique and handmade. There is a production workshop in Fresnoy-Le-Grand in France where Le Creuset cast iron products are made.
Two moulds made of sand are used, which are specially made for each Le Creuset cast iron pan. Liquefied cast iron fills the sand moulds and cools over a longer period of time.
After the iron has cooled, the sand moulds can be detached from it. The reduction in size of the sand moulds ensures that their sand can be used for new moulds.
In this state, the cast iron product still has overdue residues. Cleaning and smoothing of the sharp edges takes place by hand.
The application, drying and firing of the enamel on the Le Creuset cast iron pan takes place in several steps until the finished product is revealed at the end. This final product has two layers of enamel, which makes it more resistant.
What is the guarantee on Le Creuset pans?
The Le Creuset brand provides its own manufacturer’s warranty on all its pans. However, the period covered varies for each individual product.
Le Creuset cast iron pans of all types have a guarantee of up to 30 years. This period for the manufacturer’s guarantee also applies to almost all Le Creuset stainless steel pans and aluminium pans.
These exclusions apply to aluminium paella pans, the aluminium oval pan, the square grill pan with two aluminium handles and the aluminium grill pan. Le Creuset provides a manufacturer’s guarantee of up to 10 years on these products.
In addition, as a customer you are entitled to the legally regulated warranty, which extends to two years. This covers damage that has occurred since delivery or problems that have arisen as a result.
If you have specific questions about Le Creuset’s warranty, contact their support service directly or consult a specialist solicitor.
How should Le Creuset pans be cleaned?
All Le Creuset pans made of stainless steel and aluminium can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher after cooking. This also applies to selected models of Le Creuset cast iron pans.
It is best to clean the pans by hand in hot dishwater. Soft sponges and cloths are acceptable as cleaning aids. Careful drying helps to maintain the life expectancy of the pans over a long period of time.
There are also special cleaners for cast iron pans. Just make sure that you do not use sharp objects for cleaning, as these can damage the non-stick coating or enamel.
After cooking, allow the pan to cool thoroughly. Under no circumstances should you immerse hot pans in cold water or fill them with cold water. Le Creuset cast iron pans are particularly sensitive to this action.
Picture source: Gabdrakipova/ 123rf.com
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