If you have a satin black enamel interior cast iron product then please go to the following page Satin Black Care & Use.
Download The Le Creuset Cast Iron Care and Use Booklet
Introduction
You have just purchased a piece of high quality Le Creuset enamelled cast iron cookware. Each piece, from this extensive range, is individually designed for ease and versatility of use, fitting in with all styles of cooking, all types of cooking appliance and any style of kitchen or dining decor. Please read this section or the booklet with your product before using your cookware for the first time. The information it contains will help you achieve the best possible cooking results.
The manufacturing process
Le Creuset enamelled cast iron cookware has a worldwide reputation for its cooking excellence and the colour it brings to your home. In the northern French town of Fresnoy-Le-Grand, Le Creuset continues to produce all its cookware and now exports to over 60 countries.
The foundry still occupies its original site, which began hand casting cookware in 1925. Today, a combination of the most advanced casting and enamelling technology and individual manual expertise, brings you cookware that is unrivalled in its field.
Because a number of the manufacturing processes still rely on manual skills, each piece has its own individuality and slight variations in finish may occur. None of these, however, alter the overall quality or cooking performance of the product.
The vitreous enamel finish, which entirely covers each piece, including rims, is extremely durable, but more importantly offers the most wide-ranging versatility of use for food storage, food preparation and cooking.
Quality Standards
Every piece of cookware is manually inspected several times during manufacture to ensure that the strictest quality standards are maintained. All the enamels used by Le Creuset conform to current International Standards.
Le Creuset enamelled cast iron in the kitchens of today
Enamelled cast iron is a remarkable material and fits well with modern requirements for food preparation and cooking. For centuries, cast iron has been recognised as one of the best materials for cookware, and today those values can be used in a variety of ways, across many shapes and with many cooking methods. It can be used for almost any recipe, delicate or robust – soups, roasts, grills, rice dishes, casseroles of course and baked recipes such as desserts, cakes, quiches or breads.
When any of these cooking methods are used correctly, they not only produce wonderful aromas and flavours, but can also contribute to a healthy diet by optimising the preservation of nutrients in your food.
Enamelled cast iron is just as efficient for traditional slow simmering as it is for searing – the choice of use is yours. It has the ability to retain heat efficiently, and this can be used to your advantage in lowering settings for both stovetop and oven cooking. At the table, a covered dish will keep food hot for second servings.
Chilled foods can benefit too. Cast iron can be used to keep cold food cold. A short time in the refrigerator will cool a dish sufficiently to make it the ideal server for a chilled fruit salad on a hot summer’s day.
The range
Le Creuset offers a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit your personal cooking and serving requirements. Elegant designs and a galaxy of colours allow complimentary shades to be used in the kitchen or dining room.
For more information about the full range of products as well as recipe suggestions, please explore the website further.
How to use your cookware
Instructions for use
The recommendations for care and use [contained in this booklet ] apply to all Le Creuset enamelled cast iron ranges, whether the inner cooking surface is black, light coloured (sand, white, almond) or non-stick.
BEFORE FIRST USE remove all labels. Wash the pan in hot soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Pans with enamelled cooking surfaces are now ready for use and require no further preparation. Non-stick surfaces should be wiped with cooking oil to condition them
• HEAT SOURCES Le Creuset cast iron cookware can be used on all heat sources. Gas, electric solid or radiant plates, vitroceramic glass, induction, and ranges fired by gas, oil, coal or wood.
When using on any glass stovetops always follow the manufacturer’s guidance for use of your cookware. Never drag pans across the glass, but lift on and off, or from one heat zone to another.
• The enamel surfaces (except for black enamel on grills or products with a non-stick inner coating) are not suitable for dry cooking. Your choice of liquid, oil, fat or butter should completely cover the base before heating begins. Non-stick surfaces may be used dry, but special care must be taken not to overheat the surface and the pan must not be left unattended at any time.
• OVEN TEMPERATURES.
- Black phenolic lid knobs and handles. Maximum use temperature 190°c / 375°f Gas 5 (Europe gas setting 6).
- Integral cast iron handles or stainless steel knobs can be used at any oven temperature.
Wooden handles must not be placed in the oven
• RANGE STOVES WITH CAST IRON OVEN LININGS.
Do not place any cookware on the floor of these ovens. Cook only on the racks provided.
• INTEGRAL CAST IRON HANDLES OR STAINLESS STEEL
KNOBS will become hot during stovetop as well as oven use. Use a dry, thick cloth, or oven mitts, for handling these at all times.
MEDIUM AND LOW HEATS will provide the best results for the majority of cooking, including frying and searing. Allow the pan to heat gradually and thoroughly, as this will give the most even and efficient cooking results. Once the pan is hot almost all cooking can be continued on lower settings.
• HIGH HEATS should only be used for boiling water for vegetables or pasta, or for reducing the consistency of stocks and sauces. High heats should never be used to pre-heat a pan before lowering the heat for cooking. Cast iron retains heat so well that if a pan is overheated in this way it will contribute to poor cooking results, sticking and discolouration of cooking surfaces. Non-stick surfaces are permanently damaged by this mis-use.
• MATCH THE PAN BASE TO THE HEAT ZONE to maximise efficiency and prevent overheating of pan sides or damage to handles. Long handles should be positioned safely so that they do not overhang the front of your stovetop, or over other heat zones.
• DO NOT HEAT AN EMPTY PAN or allow a pan to boil dry. Either may cause permanent damage to the enamel and pan.
• FOR STIRRING COMFORT and surface protection use Le Creuset heat resistant silicone utensils, heat resistant plastic or wooden tools. Occasional use of metal utensils may leave silver trail marks over the surface. Do not knock metal utensil on the rims of cookware, this will eventually damage the enamel.
• DO NOT CUT foods directly on any enamel or non-stick surface.
• PLACE HOT PANS on Le Creuset silicone mats, wooden boards, or trivets. Never place a hot pan directly on an unprotected surface.
• ELECTRIC HAND HELD BEATERS OR MIXERS should not be used in any cookware. Permanent damage to all surfaces will be caused.
After use always cool a pan for a few minutes before washing in hot soapy water.
Rinse and dry thoroughly. DO NOT FILL a hot pan with cold water or plunge into cold water as thermal shock damage to the enamel may occur.
• If there are food residues fill the pan with warm water and leave to soak for 15 – 20 minutes, then wash in the usual way.
• Nylon or soft abrasive pads or brushes can be used to remove stubborn residues. DO NOT USE metallic pads, or harsh abrasive cleaning agents as these will damage the enamel and polished trims.
• Black enamel cooking surfaces will, over time, produce a patina (a brownish film) DO NOT attempt to clean this off as it enhances the cooking performance and food release from this surface.
• Light stains or metal trail marks (caused by metal tools) can be removed with Le Creuset Cookware cleaner. An occasional conditioning clean with this product will also retain the new appearance and polish of your pans.
Cleaning and care
• All pans with integral cast iron, phenolic handles, or stainless steel lid knobs, can be washed in the dishwasher, but constant dishwashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish. This is not harmful and will not impair performance. When using the dishwasher always allow the cycle to complete before opening the door. This will ensure the pans are dried thoroughly.
Wooden handle pans are not dishwasher safe. Non-stick surfaces may be washed in the dishwasher, but after each cycle the surface should be re-conditioned with cooking oil.
• Never store away pans when they are still damp. Store pans in a dry cupboard or airy space away from kitchen steam.
• Maintain the tightness of all handles and knobs by checking and re-tightening them regularly.
• Le Creuset enamelled cast iron is extremely durable, but it may be damaged if accidentally dropped or knocked against a hard surface.
Our lifetime guarantee* for your Le Creuset enamelled cast iron cookware.
Le Creuset is proud of the workmanship in its products and guarantees its enamelled cast iron cookware, from the date of purchase, for the lifetime of the original owner, whether a self purchase or received as a gift.
The lifetime guarantee* covers faulty workmanship and materials when the product is used in normal domestic household conditions, and in accordance with the care and use instructions provided. It does not cover normal wear and tear or misuse of the product.
To claim under this guarantee firmly attach to the cookware your printed name, address and nature of the complaint , together with the name of the retailer, if known.
Return it to the retailer from which it was purchased, or to the appropriate address given for your country of residence. For customers who live in UK & Ireland please call 0800 37 37 92 (9am - 5pm Mon to Fri. UK only) or e-mail us at helpline@lecreuset.co.uk
LE CREUSET UK LTD
Le Creuset House
83-84 Livingstone Road
Walworth Industrial Estate
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 5QZ
UK
Defective cookware will be replaced free of charge, by a similar product, or one of the equivalent value if the product is no longer in production.
Replacement with the same colour of cookware cannot be guaranteed.
This lifetime guarantee* does not affect your statutory rights.
* The lifetime guarantee does not apply to cookware products with a non-stick coating.