Which is the best French cast-iron casserole?

The epitome of a kitchen workhorse, cast iron casseroles are beautiful and sturdy pieces loved by both professionals and home cooks alike. Possessing a cast iron casserole has proven to be a great help in the kitchen time and again, especially when it comes to slow cooking, braising, roasting, and baking. Thanks to its durability and versatility, it not only makes a fantastic cookware piece but also a wonderful serving piece.

The French cast iron casserole, otherwise popularly known as a French Oven, is an enamelled version of the traditional Dutch Oven. With innovation and technology, the French took the traditional raw cast iron pots and gave them a stunning enamel finish to make them resistant to rust.

Both raw cast iron and enamel cast iron cookware share fantastic cooking benefits such as:

• Even heat dispersion
• Amazing heat retention that keeps food warm in the pot for much longer
• Requires only low to medium heat making it energy efficient
• Suitable for use on all hob types, including induction
• Can withstand high temperatures, allowing you to pop it into the oven

By adding an enamel layer, your cast iron casserole will be blessed with all the benefits listed above plus the ability to skip pre-seasoning, cook acidic dishes and effortless cleaning after cooking.

When it comes to French cast iron casserole, nothing beats looking towards the three brands that dominate the market - Le Creuset, Staub and Chasseur. These three brands may look similar to one another at first glance as they produce a range of enamelled cast iron cookware from their respective foundries in France. However, if you take a closer look, you will find that each brand has its own unique features.

Le Creuset Cast Iron Casseroles

Established in 1925, Le Creuset is renowned for being a pioneer in the production of enamelled cast iron cookware. The company produced their very first porcelain enamelled cast iron pots in their foundry located in Fresnoy le Grand, France. They have since expanded their offerings to include various types of cookware, tableware and serving ware in a wide array of eye-catching colours.

Le Creuset takes great pride in offering their cast iron cookware in almost any colour imaginable. From its signature Volcanic orange colour to seasonal fashion colours such as Cool Mint, Mist Grey and Ultra Violet, Le Creuset offers a beautiful pop of colour to any kitchen.  On top of that, Le Creuset’s dedicated R&D department values customer feedbacks in order to evolve and improve their offerings.

The production of a Le Creuset cast iron casserole starts off with the creation of two sand moulds which are secured together to produce the cookware’s desired shape. Raw materials are then melted in a “creuset” (a large cauldron) then poured into the moulds which will be recycled once the shape is cast and the iron cooled. Once removed, each piece passes through the hands of skilled craftsmen for a process called “fettling” before going through the enamelling process.

Other than the French Oven that Le Creuset is famous for, the company also produces shallow casseroles to accommodate recipes that do not require a deep pot. The lower profile of a shallow casserole allows it to fit perfectly into smaller ovens, making it ideal to bake several dishes at once or for serving a buffet-style dinner.

Benefits of owning a Le Creuset Cast Iron Casserole

• A wide array of eye-catching colours to choose from
• Handcrafted in France
• A pioneer in the French Oven industry
• Lighter interior enables you to gauge your cooking progress
• Offers both French Oven and Shallow Casserole
• Stainless steel knob enables you to pop it into the oven
• A wide selection of sizes that range between 18cm to 34cm

Staub Cast Iron Casseroles

Established in 1974 in Alsace, France, Staub combines both traditional and innovative technology in the production of their cast iron casseroles, also known as Cocottes. Out of the three French cast iron cookware manufacturers, Staub sets itself apart by incorporating contemporary designs and accessories to their products.

Each Staub piece is uniquely handcrafted and undergoes strict quality control at every stage of the production process. It all begins with gathering high-quality raw materials which are then melted and poured into single-use sand moulds. Once the shape is cast, it goes through a series of blast cleaning and deburring before it is sent off for enamelling. Staub utilises “Majolica”, a unique colouring method that purely consists of glass. Each piece is coated with 3 layers of enamel with a special final layer that gives Staub cookware pieces the glossy and intense shades that they are unique for.

If you like your cookware to stand out, Staub creates unique cast iron cookware pieces in the shape of animals and vegetables. Think of serving a creamy pumpkin soup in the Staub Pumpkin Cocotte! Not only will your dish be the talk of the table, but the uniquely shaped cast iron casserole will also grab everyone's attention.

The key feature that sets Staub's Cocotte apart from its competitors is the "Aroma Rain". It refers to a self-basting process that provides a continuous cycle of moisture during the entire cooking process - thanks to the little spikes beneath Staub's specially crafted lid. They are proud to note that their Cocotte retains 10% more moisture when cooking compared to other enamelled cast iron casserole.

Adding to the long list of versatility is the steamer insert accessory which is specially designed for the Cocotte. It is the perfect addition for one-pot recipes as it allows you to cook and steam all at the same time!

Benefits of owning a Staub Cast Iron Casserole

• Handcrafted in France
• Slightly cheaper than Le Creuset
• Offers both Cocotte and Mini Cocotte
• An array of unique shapes to choose from such as the Staub Pumpkin Cocotte, Staub Ceramic Artichoke Cocotte, and more
• Stainless steel knob enables you to pop it into the oven
• Rounded spikes underneath a tight-fitting lid help to seal in moisture and will continuously baste your food while it is cooking
• Black enamel interior is great for even roasting and searing. The slightly porous surface creates a non-stick patina over time, making it an even better cookware with age
• A black interior also prevents food from sticking unlike lighter enamelled interior
• A wide selection of sizes that range between 10cm to 28cm

Chasseur Cast Iron Casseroles

Chasseur manufactures their enamel cast iron cookware at the Invicta foundry located in Donchery France, which has been established since 1924. Since then, they have expanded their product range to include bakeware, kitchenware, tableware and many more.

Unlike Le Creuset and Staub that coats their cast iron cookware with three layers of enamel, Chasseur’s products only have two layers of enamel. Chasseur’s cast iron casserole is the most affordable option amongst the three brands. However, that does not mean that they compromise on quality. From design to production, marketing and distribution, the company has full control over the entire process. This ensures that all Chasseur pieces undergo strict quality control before it hits the shelves.

Chasseur offers both the French Oven as well as the Shallow Round Casserole to accommodate different types of dishes. Both can be used in place of the other save for making stew, which the French Oven is much more suited for thanks to its deep sides.

Benefits of owning a Chasseur Cast Iron Casserole

• The most affordable between the three brands
• Handcrafted in France
• A wide array of eye-catching colours to choose from
• Lighter interior enables you to gauge your cooking progress
• Offers both French Oven and shallow Round Casserole
• Stainless steel knob enables you to pop it into the oven
• A wide selection of sizes that range between 10cm to 32cm

A solid cast iron casserole is an essential piece of cookware in any kitchen. It is a versatile piece that is perfect for completing a wide range of cooking tasks. Owning a French cast iron casserole will not only provide you with the benefits of a raw cast iron cookware piece, but it will also enable you to cook acidic dishes such as Bolognese for that perfect Italian night dinner. Kitchenware strives to provide you with a wide range of cast iron casserole for your various cooking needs.

Next Read: What makes a Staub Cocotte Cast Iron Casserole Unique