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What size le creuset?

18 years ago

I have no coated cast iron. DH has asked - if he were to purchase a piece, what would I like?

I say a stock pot - and I'm not sure how many quarts - I don't want to go overboard. But if he's asking, I want to be sure it's enough.

What do you think? Is a 5 1/2 qt enough?

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Comments (13)

robinkateb
18 years ago
There is a Le Creuset discussion on E Gullet where folks said their most used piece is the 5 1/2 (or around there) oval dutch oven. I have a round 7 1/4 and round 3 1/2 and I can see that the other size would be a good compromise.

-Robin
deborah_ps
18 years ago
Stacy,
How many in your family?

It's just DH and myself so I got the 4 1/2 qt, and really like it for a roasted chicken, or soups.
I did end up finding a larger one at a charity store for $10.
Bought a small one for my No-Knead bread, a grill pan and a small frying pan.

So, watch out...they're addictive :)
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scotland1
18 years ago
I use my 5.5 round so often that it lives on the stove. The 7.5 oval is great, but I don't use it as often as the 5.5.
jessyf
18 years ago
FWIW Target and Amazon sell enameled Lodge for a song. Be aware that they are made in China. Booberry has opinions, I hope she posts. That being said I stumbled across this post on an Amazon user review:

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
NO LEAD IN THESE, November 26, 2007
By Laurie Hamilton "ljhamil"

I called Lodge Mfg. They e-mailed me a report showing the testing that they have had done on their enamel coated cookware. All of their non enamel cookware is made here in the U.S. The enamel coated cookware is made in China but has been tested for lead content. That set my mind at ease and thought this review would help others too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lodge at Target
jimster
18 years ago
Get one of the largest size available. It's invaluable. You can make fabulous dishes in it. Wish I still had my huge Copco pot. :-(

Later, get one for your more usual cooking, 3 or 4 quarts or so.
compumom
18 years ago
Stacy, I absolutely adore and use often, my Mario Batali 6 qt pot. I found mine on Amazon, but have seen them other places too. Mine is a great persimmon color and cleans like a dream.
I have the CF friends to thank for encouraging me to buy a cast iron enameled pot, I'd have never done it otherwise.
I have the 2 1/2 qt staub, but it doesn't clean up a nicely as the Batali. DH bought me a large oval Le Creuset at Costco, but I've yet to use it. I'm not fond of braised meats and think that it's too heavy to make soup in. I'm not sure how I'm going to use it, so it's still in the box.

Here is a link that might be useful: Batali Pot
traceys
18 years ago
Stacy, I have the 8qt Chasseur oval which I use all the time. I got a great deal on it otherwise I wouldn't have purchased it. It is heavy but I love it.

Next question...What color?
stbonner
18 years ago
I have lots of LeCreuset cookware - in fact, I rarely use my All Clad pots anymore as I think the LeCreuset cooks so much better. Depending on how you cook, I would say to get a pot between 5 qts and 7 qts. I have a 5.5 qt round and I also have the 7 1/4 qt round and I use the bigger pot much more often. Personally, if I'm going to cook a soup or stew I usually cook a lot of it, so I find the bigger pot gets more use. However, many people say they use their 5.5 qt pot more, so I would suggest looking at what you usually cook and figuring out which size you would use the most. Keep in mind, though, that you can cook a smaller amount in a big pot but you can't cook a large amount in a small pot, so if you are undecided I would go with the bigger pot.

Also, don't be afraid of the oval shape pots. When I first started with LeC cooking I felt like I needed round pots because I do a lot of my cooking on the stove. After adding a few ovals to my collection I find I prefer them, as they cook just as well as the rounds do on my stove and they have the advantage of being a better shape for lots of meats.
User
18 years ago
I don't do a lot of stews and braises so I find the 5.5 much more versatile for meals I make for just us. The larger one I use when I'm cooking for a gang or when I'm going to freeze something like stock.

Actually the way you have been cooking and those gorgeous pictures you've been taking and the fact Scott has been gone so much lately....get both! LOL
seagrass_gw Cape Cod
18 years ago
I cook for 2 people most of the time, but I like to cook more than we eat at one meal, and then have leftovers and stuff in the freezer. My most frequently-used Le Creuset piece is a 7 1/2 quart "bouillabaisse pot". I also have the smaller 4 1/2 quart "soup pot" and that gets frequent use, as well. They're attractive enough to serve from, and I use the large one to make jambalaya for potlucks.

seagrass

Here is a link that might be useful: A monster pot
magothyrivergirl
18 years ago
I agree with stbonner - I have many pieces of LC - have been purchasing them for at least 15 years - 1 pc at a time- my advice is to get the largest dutch oven you can afford. The color is really the biggest decision!
stacy3
Original Author
18 years ago
Sharon I like the way you think.

Maybe it's my relatively "new" interest in cooking...but I am just having a hard time thinking about spending $200 on a pot.

The Batali does look nice, too, Ellen.

Thanks for all the help everyone, now I am watching the other thread about browning...

Stacy
denise8101214
18 years ago
Stacy,

I have a BIG LC enameled STEEL stockpot. Iron might be too heavy for a stockpot.

I also have the Batali that compumom has in the 6 quart. I use that one a lot.

Denise

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