Get info about new reports and updates
Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Round French Oven
Luxury Dutch oven
- Even heat distribution
- Excellent at browning foods
- Durable
- Lots of color choices
- Expensive
- May require soaking to get clean
Le Creuset is preferred by many chefs for its superb heat distribution and high-quality enamel finish. One professional reviewer says the Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast Iron Round French Oven browned meat with a golden crust and created a flavorful fond. Owners are happy with their Le Creuset pots, with no reports of chipping as is the case with less costly brands. Le Creuset's array of sizes, colors and optional oval shape are also unmatched by cheaper brands. Le Creuset is dishwasher-safe, but the manufacturer recommends hand washing to prevent the finish from dulling. If Le Creuset is outside your budget, reviews recommend the Lodge 6-Quart Color Enamel Dutch Oven (*Est. $50).
Le Creuset Dutch ovens are included in professional reviews by Cook's Illustrated and Fine Cooking magazines. We read numerous posts from owners providing opinions about Le Creuset vs. Staub at Chowhound.com. We turned to Amazon.com and Cooking.com to see what owners like and dislike about their Le Creuset French ovens and to see how the oven performs over time.
| Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red | |
(53 reviews) |
|
Our Sources
1. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Editors compare the Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast Iron Round French Oven and nine other Dutch ovens, including stainless-steel and uncoated cast-iron products. Testers use the pots to cook white rice and beef stew in the oven after browning the meat on the stovetop, and to fry frozen French fries in 2 quarts of oil. Testers prefer Dutch ovens with at least an 8-inch diameter, which allows larger batches of beef chunks to be browned on the stovetop. Five of the 10 Dutch ovens included in the review are recommended.
Review: Dutch Ovens, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, Jan. 2007
2. Fine Cooking
Although the Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast-Iron Round French Oven isn't specifically covered in this review, the smaller 5.5-quart version is compared to five other Dutch ovens. Testers complete several cooking tasks and evaluate the dimensions and weight of each pot. Testers pick a less expensive Dutch oven as their favorite, but they like Le Creuset's lighter weight, stay-cool handles and wide base.
Review: Equipment Review: Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Ovens, Molly Stevens
Editors of TheKitchn.com offer recipes for Dutch ovens and recommend five favorite models, including the Le Creuset 3.5-Quart Cast-Iron Round French Oven, a smaller version than the 7.25-quart model recommended as a best buy. Editors appreciate the extra-wide base, which makes it easy to brown meat.
Review: 5 Great Dutch Ovens: And 10 Recipes to Put Them to Work, Faith Durand, Sept. 7, 2011
Nearly 450 owners debate whether Le Creuset or Staub enameled cookware is better. One contributor who owns cookware from both brands gives Staub the edge, saying that the studs on the underside of the lids really do baste food. Some owners also say that Le Creuset can stain over time, while Staub's black interior does not. The Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast-Iron Round French Oven is not specifically mentioned.
Review: Le Creuset vs. Staub, Contributors to Chowhound.com, As of Nov. 2011
5. Amazon.com
The Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast-Iron Round French Oven averages 5 out of 5 stars from nearly 80 owners, but there are other listings for this product bringing the total number of reviews closer to 200. Owners say that after years of frequent use, their Le Creuset still looks as good as the day they got it. They agree that it heats up quickly and retains heat extremely well.
Review: Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-¼-Quart Round French Ovens, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Nov. 2010
6. Cooking.com
The Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Cast-Iron Round French Oven receives a near-perfect score from nearly 60 owners posting comments to Cooking.com, and the smaller models are also highly rated by owners. Owners agree that their pots make terrific meals and that the enamel is nearly nonstick. A few say they think the lid should have a higher-quality knob for the price. Like many Dutch ovens, this model has a plastic knob, which could become damaged once the oven temperature exceeds 400 degrees.
Review: Caribbean Round Dutch Oven Enameled Cast Iron by Le Creuset, Contributors to Cooking.com, As of Nov. 2011