Le Creuset Buffet Casserole

very dissatisfied…does not last long – we paid a lot for this pan , close to $500 , maybe 8 years ago believing we were buying something long lasting …..no it is not,…has hot spots and burns food in middle ….a cheap regular cast iron , a fraction of the price that we paid for this supposedly top quality product does a better job ….i don’t use it anymore and how stupid i feel for investing my money is supposedly a pan that would last you 25 plus years as cast iron … i hate it now as just burns food …rubbish …

Superb cast iron casserole buffet pan – This review is for the 30cm casserole buffet pan, coffee colour. I love this pan, I love it a LOT. I used to use a 24cm french oven for most meals but this pan is much better suited to most tasks due to the broader base and shallower rim. That's not to say I could live without my cocottes, but they are semi-retired now. I use this pan for just about everything that ends up cooked in a sauce: casseroles, soup, stews, pasta sauce, curry, baked beans etc.

Firstly, it is cast iron. If you don't know how to cook with cast iron then you will have to learn or you will be in for some pain and disappointment. Low/medium heat only. Preheat the pan. Use some oil/fat. Choose the right pan for the job. I wouldn't try to make an omelet or pancakes with this pan unless I was willing to use a lot of oil/butter. A non-stick pan is better for these tasks. There is a small hint to be found as to which meals are best suited to this pan by looking at its name.

Enameled cast iron is not non-stick. If you use the pan properly you will have very few issues with sticking, but it does take some changes of bad habits brought about from non-stick cookware.

But if you do know how to use cast iron, then the Chasseur casserole buffet pan is a must have. It is much shallower than a dutch oven/cocotte but it is better for making casseroles assuming you don't need more than 2.5L capacity. The broad base increases the heating area and makes cooking more efficient. It also reduces the number of batches required for browning meat etc.

It can go from the hob to the oven to the table and look damn fine on each leg of the journey.

The coffee brown enamel finish is superb and the matte cream-coloured cooking surface performs well and makes a beautiful backdrop to the food. It cleans up easily, assuming you haven't used too high a heat, and anything that is slightly stubborn will come up with a good soak.

I used to have a $30 Aldi, Chinese made buffet pan and it was alright to use. There were a lot of imperfections in the surface and the pan wobbled on a flat surface (causing inefficient heat transfer on electric hobs). My sister also has a chinese made cocotte (a celebrity chef branded one) and it has a terrible cooking surface that didn't wear well. The fit and finish on the Chasseur is flawless, the French know how to do enameled cast iron better than anyone..

If you are going to buy cast iron cookware, save yourself some headaches: avoid the cheapies and grab a Chasseur. I rate the Chasseur buffet pan very highly, but not quite as highly as Le Creuset (if you have enough money) or Staub (the best I have seen, superb value when it is on sale).

I'm guessing my Chasseur products will last a few decades, and LC and Staub will last a few lifetimes with their extra enamel coatings. Very worthy investments if you know how to use and look after your pots. Great performer, beautiful, excellent fit-and-finish. Can be pricey, get it on sale.