GoKawiilLe Creuset is to Dutch ovens what KitchenAid is to stand mixers -- the name most people picture first. For much of the brand's 100-year history, that reputation has been well-earned. The pots are colorful, sturdy and classically elegant, and owning one is something of a culinary status symbol, whether you cook with it daily or just let it sit on the stovetop looking impressive. Few kitchen objects say "serious cook" quite so loudly -- and it helps that the brand is French.
At $270 and up, the value question is unavoidable: Is a Le Creuset really worth all that dough? That's real appliance money, enough to buy tools that do far more than braise a roast or collect dust between sourdough ambitions.
With numerous reputable brands such as Staub, Lodge, Milo, Cuisinart, Made In and more all solidly in the Dutch oven game, is it necessary to go all in for an OG Le Creuset? I asked a few professional chefs and culinary experts for their take.
What is a Dutch oven?
A quality Dutch oven will last for decades, as long as you care for it. David Watsky/CNET
Le Creuset offers a range of kitchen implements under the categories of cookware, bakeware and accessories; however, for the purposes of this examination, we're focusing on its classic Signature Round Dutch Oven. A Dutch oven is a heavy-duty, thick-walled pot with high sides and a lid, typically made from cast iron, which may be seasoned or coated with enamel for a nonstick (or at least easy-to-clean) surface.
The 6.75-quart cast iron Dutch oven from Le Creuset is another popular choice. Le Creuset/CNET
The thickness and quality of a good Dutch oven help it retain heat consistently, making it incredibly versatile for stovetop and oven use. Roasting, baking, braising and even frying are typical tasks for a trusty Dutch oven. The question of whether a Dutch oven is worth it is easier to answer if you're partial to cooking regularly using any of the methods outlined here (or if you think you would be, if only you had the right pot). The matter of whether that Dutch oven needs to be Le Creuset is an altogether different one.
Is Le Creuset worth it? Experts weigh in
I asked several kitchen experts for their assessment of whether a Le Creuset Dutch oven was worth it. There's certainly a lot of brand loyalty among those who have owned one, which is an illuminating start. "A high-quality Dutch oven from Le Creuset is unmatched for its ability to capture and generate steady, even heat when making braises, soups and stews, and you can brown in one without burning, too," says chef, recipe developer and cookbook author Priscilla Martel. Plus, "they last," she says. "I have three that all saw time in a professional kitchen and are still in use 30 years later. In my mind, this justifies the cost for a serious cook."
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