You may already have a few Le Creuset pieces dotted around your space, but if you are looking to expand your collection and further invest in some of the best cast iron cookware, then you’ve come to the right place for inspiration. The Homes & Gardens edit of the best Le Creuset buys explores the Le Creuset must-haves that are used and loved by our team every day. From the iconic Dutch Oven, voted the best overall in our best Dutch oven guide, to the dreamy Le Creuset stoneware cafetière and matching mugs, we have it all covered. For further information about how we conduct our reviews and for our product-testing process explained, explore how we test on Homes & Gardens.
The best Le Creuset buys
So, why invest in Le Creuset cookware? This handcrafted, oven-to-table cookware is made to the highest quality and will last a lifetime with the proper care. It’s also no secret that Le Creuset win all the points in the looks department – who wouldn’t want to make a statement and display their matching Le Creuset cookware proudly when planning kitchen shelving ideas and kitchen storage ideas? And let’s not forget that this iconic cookware is non-stick, with the majority of Le Creuset designs also suitable for use on all hobs and for the dishwasher. Read on to discover our 15 best Le Creuset buys for 2022.
Le Creuset Black Friday
For the best Le Creuset Black Friday deals currently on offer, see our roundup of Le Creuset sales. A mug cupboard filled with Le Creuset Stoneware Mugs (opens in new tab) is the stuff of our dreams. Tea drinker or coffee lover, enjoying your morning drink in one of these will keep your beverage hot for longer, and, they are nice to look at. ‘I’ve been building up my collection of Le Creuset stoneware mugs since buying my first home. Each one, in its different hue, scrubs up well by hand and in the dishwasher with no tea or coffee stains ever-present. They’re also resistant to chips (so far) and just feel really nice to hold, with a good weight to them.’ – Jennifer Ebert, H&G Digital Editor It should come as no surprise that the Le Creuset Casserole Dish (opens in new tab) is on our list. We often spot it in friends’ kitchens – and for good reason, too. Use it on your hob, in your oven, and then pop it on your table for serving up. ‘This is the perfect size for cooking a casserole, soup, or stew for two (hungry) people, or for when I want to make a big portion to freeze. I love that I can take it from hob to oven to table and with the lid, it retains heat well – perfect if you are always going back for seconds.’ – Lindsey Davis, H&G Ecommerce Editor. We like to picture the Le Creuset Traditional Kettle (opens in new tab) atop an AGA stove. Not only does this kettle get five stars in the looks department, but feature-wise it’s induction-compatible, it heats up fast and it has a heat-resistant handle. How to know when your water is hot enough? It’ll whistle! ‘I love the stove top kettle, which I have in the classic orange. It’s really sturdy and durable so it’s lasted for years and years, and it looks fabulous.’ – Lucy Searle, H&G’s Global Editor-in-Chief There are quite a few Le Creuset frying pans to choose from, but we love the Toughened Non-Stick Deep Frying Pan with Helper Handle (opens in new tab): it’s easy to use with not one but two handles, and it has an incredible non-stick coating. When it comes to the clean-up, it’s dishwasher-safe so you needn’t get your hands dirty. See our review of the Le Creuset stainless steel pan. Should you be a serious tea drinker, and prefer to have a pot on the go rather than to make several trips back and forth to the kettle, the Le Creuset Stoneware Grand Teapot (opens in new tab) is well worth the price tag. In fact, it can hold up to five cups of tea or coffee and it has a large handle for easy pouring. Not just that but a locking lid prevents accidents, and a drip-resistant spout will keep your tablecloth clean. ‘A friend of mine swears by hers – and I have noticed that our usually extended tea-drinking sessions aren’t spoiled by a pot-gone-cold.’ – Lucy Searle, H&G’s Global Editor in Chief Mis-matched dishes do not look great, inside your oven or out. The Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Rectangular Dishes (opens in new tab) are pretty enough to bring to the table, and they come in three sizes. Our shopping editor owns a set of three of these in the classic Volcanic Orange… ‘These oven dishes make batch cooking a breeze, not to mention that they are efficiently non-stick and they wash up in the dishwasher so well. They look nice when taken to the table, and the fact they come in all different sizes is great. I get the most use out of the medium-size one.’ – Annie Collyer, H&G’s Shopping Editor Investing in some new saucepans? The Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick 3-piece Saucepan Set (opens in new tab) will last you a lifetime and are some of the best saucepans out there. Three pans measuring all different sizes, all with lids – and they are non-stick and compatible with all hob types. Pop them in your dishwasher after use, and stack them when storing them to save cupboard space. Again, these are tested and we’re impressed so far. Available in all of the classic Le Creuset colors, the Stoneware Butter Dish (opens in new tab) is easy, and definitely better looking, way to store butter – both on the table and in your fridge. It is microwave-safe, and on warm days, it really comes into its own as it retains cooler temperatures with ease. ‘Butter dishes are unremarkable, except when the weather is hot. That’s when the Le Creuset butter dish stands out from the crowd. Lift the lid and, rather than being greeted by a pool of melted butter, you have a more solid pat that’s protected from the worst of the heat by Le Creuset’s classic design.’ – Lucy Searle, H&G’s Global Editor in Chief Salt and pepper mills are often overlooked when it comes to shopping for the kitchen, but we actually think they are one of the most important buys. They go from the kitchen to your table, and they are quite often used by your guests. ‘I own both the small and normal-size versions of the Le Creuset salt and pepper mills. The small ones are plastic, but they are great for keeping in a second dining room or in my case, my home office for when I am eating lunch at my desk. The large ones we use every single day are ceramic. You can adjust them both to make salt or pepper finer or coarser, too.’ – Annie Collyer, H&G’s UK Shopping Editor The Le Creuset Stoneware Cafetière (opens in new tab) is easy to use, it looks great on display and it also makes a great gift for a coffee lover. It can make up to one liter of coffee at one time, and you can use it for hot or cold brews. ‘The cafetiére is much easier to clean than glass and does keep coffee warmer for longer. The lid has chipped in a few places over the years, but that’s down to my careless handling of it – if it had been glass I’d have shattered it long ago. As it is, it just goes on serving up hot coffee every morning.’ – Jaclyn Turner, H&G’s US Ecommerce Editor Not just great for cooking meat, the Le Creuset Cast Iron Square Grillit (opens in new tab) is a must-have for healthy meals since all of the fat gets collected in the ribs of the pan. Use it to cook steaks, chicken, vegetables, fish, and more. ‘I inherited this from a family friend who found it too heavy, but the thickness – and thus heaviness – is what makes it retain heat well. The heat is also well distributed through the pan so I don’t find you get cold spots around the edge as I have had with other griddle pans. It is dishwasher safe but I like to soak mine to remove anything burnt on, then clean very carefully to avoid removing the seasoning to the non-stick coating.’ – Lindsey Davis, H&G Ecommerce Editor We don’t need to say much about these Le Creuset Stoneware Espresso Mugs, except that they are perfectly sized and can also be used for serving desserts. ‘I’ve had my Le Creuset espresso cups for years, they were a treat to myself when I moved out of an apartment share (no mug survived in that house). I got them in a set of three and they are perfect for well… espressos but they are big enough to add a tiny bit of steamed milk on top if, like me, you aren’t always hardcore enough for an espresso.’ – Hebe Hatton, H&G’s Style Editor Whether it’s sweet or savory pies, cheesecakes, quiches, or casseroles, the Le Creuset Heritage Pie Dish (opens in new tab) can act as the perfect foundation and serving dish for your creations. We love how versatile this product is, and how good it looks when set down on the dinner table. It can be put in the oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher - ideal for adapting to a modern kitchen. Available in a collection of Le Creuset glazed colorways, the design is finished with elegant scalloped edging, with the durable stoneware construction allowing for superior heat distribution and retention. It doesn’t get cuter than the Le Creuset Mini Round Cocottes (opens in new tab)! Utterly adorable, these small designs can be used as individual serving dishes at dinner parties, or are ideal for creating the perfect portion when cooking a meal for one. ‘I started with just the one Le Creuset Mini round cocotte to add a colorful, decorative accent to my kitchen space – rather than using it for cooking! But over time I’ve purchased a selection of cocottes in different colors, and now I have a set of four. I mainly use them when I have friends for dinner as they can make any dish look good – no matter how good a cook you are. My go-to dish to create in the cocottes when hosting is a mini moussaka.’ – Zara Stacey, H&G’s Content Editor Tried and tested by H&G’s Ecommerce Writer, Molly Cleary in our Le Creuset vs Staub review, the Le Creuset Dutch Oven (opens in new tab) is a true icon of cookware. A multipurpose piece that can be used for slow-cooking, roasting, baking, braising, frying – and more – the Dutch Oven is a must-have for those who love to cook. ‘Once you have a Le Creuset Dutch Oven, there is no going back. The design is probably one of my most used products in the kitchen as it can be used to cook so many different kinds of dishes. I love that the white enamel inside the pot allows you to properly assess your cooking and monitor exactly what is happening inside the pan. The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is ideal for slow cooking stews, casseroles, and braising.’ – Molly Cleary
What is the difference between classic and signature Le Creuset?
The Le Creuset signature collection is a newer, improved selection of the classic Le Creuset product designs and is more expensive. The signature collection features products with larger handles, an improved enamel construction, heat-resistant knobs, and tighter fitting lids with larger raised rims. Even though there are differences between the two collections, they’re subtle, with both the classic and signature embodying high-quality, expert craftsmanship.
What is the most popular color of Le Creuset?
The most popular color of Le Creuset is their iconic Flame, which was introduced way back at the start of Le Creuset in 1925 and is labeled as their trademark hue. Impactful, striking, and fun, the Flame orange finish can really make an impact in your kitchen space. This bold color choice paved the way for Le Creuset to become synonymous with vibrant, colorful cookware designs, with their products available in a huge selection of finishes.
Do people mix and match Le Creuset?
There are no rules when it comes to the colors of your Le Creuset collection, so of course, you can mix and match – the decision completely depends on your style and how you want the designs to look in your space. Whether you have a large collection of Le Creuset and have set color themes for different product types, or want to purchase a new set of mugs in a rainbow of colors, the choice is completely yours! Le Creuset pride itself on being color (as well as cooking) connoisseurs, and champion bringing in individuality and beautiful color into the kitchen; allowing you to fully celebrate your distinct style and personality through your cookware.
How long will Le Creuset last?
With the right care, Le Creuset can last a lifetime. Their stoneware, enameled cast iron, stainless steel, and nonstick technology have been expertly made for long-lasting, everyday durability. Products made from stainless steel, cast iron, and hard adonized materials, as well as their bakeware and nonstick products, come with a lifetime guarantee. Stoneware, salt and pepper mills, and wine accessories come with a ten-year guarantee, with kettles having a five-year guarantee.
