What’s the Best Cookware Material?
As you browse our full product range, you may wonder: Which cookware material is truly the best?
We offer a variety of cooking wares such as enamelled cast iron, non-stick, stainless steel, stoneware, non-stick metal bakeware - each with its unique benefits - not forgetting our essential silicone accessories.
Rather than searching for the single best material, it's all about finding the best kitchen pans or pots to match your personal cooking style.
Let our comprehensive guide help you make an informed decision and elevate your cooking experience.
Our Cookware Materials at a Glance
Pros of Using Cast Iron
Crafted in France since 1925, our enamelled cast iron cookware offers new and experienced home cooks several benefits in the kitchen. It comes in a range of colours to suit every kitchen décor.
- Key benefit: Excellent heat retention and spread
- Best for: One-pot meals or simmering dishes, roasting, braising, or baking (light interior enamel); frying and searing (black interior enamel)
- Heat sources: All hobs and oven-safe up to 260°C (for products with stainless steel knobs)
- Use of oils/fats: Yes
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe, however, hand wash recommended along with use of our Cookware Cleaner
- Guarantee: Lifetime
Pros of Using Stainless Steel
3-ply Stainless Steel heats very quickly and evenly and is perfect for everyday cooking, from searing to blanching or shallow frying. It is available in uncoated and non-stick shapes, making them even more versatile and essential.
- Key benefit: Fast heating, reacts quickly to temperature adjustments
- Best for: Searing, frying, roasting, reducing sauces
- Heat sources: All hobs and oven-safe up to 260°C
- Use of oils/fats: Yes for uncoated pans; little to no fat/oil for coated pans
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe
- Guarantee: Lifetime
Pros of Using Ceramic Non-Stick
A ceramic coating made without PFAS is applied all over the cookware in our Essential Non-Stick Ceramic Collection and provides superior non-stick properties promoting easy food release and cleaning.
- Key benefit: Effortlessly cooks food with easy release and highly resistant to scratching and staining
- Best for: Searing and browning, delicate foods like fish and eggs
- Heat sources: All hobs and oven-safe up to 280C (220C with glass lid)
- Use of oils/fats: Excellent results with or without the use of oil or butter
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe, however, hand wash recommended
- Guarantee: 10-year
Pros of Using Non-Stick
Crafted from aluminium, our toughened non-stick cookware is an excellent choice for beginner cooks and those who prefer lower-fat cooking. Even delicate ingredients do not stick, making cleanup very easy.
- Key benefit: Healthier cooking with superb food release
- Best for: Delicate foods like fish, egg, or flour dishes
- Heat sources: All hobs and oven-safe up to 260°C
- Use of oils/fats: Little to no fat/oil necessary
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe, however, hand wash recommended
- Guarantee: Lifetime
What is Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware?
All our Cast Iron products in the range are already completely encased in an enamel coating, so they do not require seasoning. Enamelled cast iron casseroles, skillets and pans can retain heat efficiently, which allows for use of lower heat settings in stovetop and oven cooking. This allows it to perform well for both higher temperature searing and lower temperature slow cooking. However, this type of cookware needs time to gradually heat up for even and efficient cooking results. Another advantage to enamelled cast iron cookware is that it is extremely durable, and resistant to chipping, rusting and cracking when properly cared for.
You may have noticed that our cast iron cookware comes in two different types of enamel. Most people are familiar with our light-coloured sand interiors, found inside our best-selling casseroles. While you’re cooking, the light-coloured sand enamel allows for easy monitoring of the cooking process and is particularly well suited for moist cooking methods. The black satin interior enamel found on skillets and grills has been specially designed for grilling, searing and other dry cooking methods, and results in a nice brown caramelised crust on your food. With time, the enamel will also develop a beneficial patina (surface film) that enhances cooking performance.
How is Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware used?
While enamelled cast iron cookware is versatile, there are certain cooking techniques that are tailored to this particular material. Enamelled cast iron cookware excels at simmering, braising and stewing. These cooking techniques are designed to slow-cook food until it is perfectly tender, relying on even heat distribution. No matter what you choose to cook, we have a cast iron shape and size that is suitable, along with expert tips on how to use and care for your cookware.
What is 3-ply Stainless Steel Cookware?
Stainless Steel is one of the most popular types of cookware and accommodates several different cooking techniques, including searing, sautéing, browning, deep-frying, or boiling. This type of cookware allows for fast and even heating, making it ideal for searing meat, poultry, or fish. Stainless steel cookware sets typically include different sizes of saucepans, frying pans, stockpots, and more. Whether you need a piece of cookware that simplifies stirring for a risotto, or want to prepare a perfectly seared steak, this range has you covered.
How is 3-ply Stainless Steel Cookware used?
Stainless steel cookware is extremely versatile and can be used on any cooktop, including induction, electric, or gas, and is also safe for the oven, up to 260°C. Its aluminium core is responsive to heat, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source and cooking food evenly. You can use it daily without the fear of scorching or rusting. Find out more about how to care for and clean your stainless steel cookware.
What is Non-Stick Ceramic Cookware?
Our Essential Non-Stick Ceramic is a trusted cooking companion in the kitchen and the choice for superior performance and effortless cooking. A heavy-gauge aluminium core produces excellent heat distribution and retention without hot spots, while the advanced ceramic coating, which is made without PFAS, easily releases food and quickly wipes clean.
How is Non-Stick Ceramic Cookware used?
Non-Stick Ceramic Cookware is a great addition to any kitchen. Because of the all-over ceramic coating made without PFAS, it is especially popular amongst those who follow a holistic approach to cooking. The ceramic coating provides superior non-stick performance for easy food release, making it ideal for delicate food like salmon and eggs. It is also excellent for searing and browning, with or without the use of cooking oils. Don’t shy away from tomato-based sauces either; the pots and pans in this range are highly stain-resistant and maintain their appearance. This versatile range is compatible with all hobs, including induction, and it can be used in the oven up to 280°C (220°C with glass lid), allowing you to master all kinds of recipes. Find out more about this range in our Essential Non-stick Ceramic guide.
What is Toughened Non-Stick Cookware?
This type of cookware is especially great for beginner cooks looking to experiment and features a hard anodized aluminium with easy-release reinforced coating. It particularly excels at cooking ingredients that typically stick to the surface, including eggs, batter, and or sticky ingredients like sauces or caramels. We offer a wide range of non-stick pots and frying pans, providing you with the perfect piece of cookware for all your favourite recipes.
How is Thoughened Non-Stick Cookware used?
Toughened Non-Stick cookware is compatible with all types of conventional ovens and stovetops, typically used on low to medium heat settings. This cookware’s surface is ideal for ingredients that typically stick and minimises the need for using oils, sprays, or butter when cooking. Finally, this type of cookware is versatile and can be used for many recipes, including frying, boiling, braising, stewing and more. Find out more about how to use and how to clean Toughened Non-Stick cookware.
Continue reading to find out about more essential ranges you should have in your kitchen, giving you versatility and simplifying your daily cooking routine.
In addition to the three hob-friendly materials mentioned above, Stoneware and Metal Bakeware are excellent choices for baking and creating mouthwatering oven recipes. To complement these options, our silicone spatulas and utensils collection is available in various colours and sizes, providing the ideal premium touch to your kitchen and even more functionality. They will perfectly match your Le Creuset cookware collection while adding a vibrant splash of colour.
Stoneware and Non-Stick Metal Bakeware
Having the right tools in the kitchen can make a world of difference to your cooking. Our kitchen accessories are built with premium materials, ensuring their durability for years to come. Whether you’re looking to save space with a Utensil Jar or need a Cooling Rack to rest your baked goods, our vast catalogue has something for you.
- Stoneware: Expertly crafted in our timeless colours, our Stoneware dishes, bowls, plates, mugs and more delivers unmatched performance from oven-to-table. It is safe for use in the microwave, fridge, and freezer, and oven-safe up to 260°C.
- Non-Stick Metal Bakeware: Great for preparing bakery-inspired items like cakes, muffins, and more, our durable non-stick Metal Bakeware is easy to use (no grease required) and to clean, releasing baked goods effortlessly without sticking.
Silicone Spatulas and Cooking Utensils
Our silicone accessories offer flexibility for all your favourite recipes and are carefully designed to not scratch or damage the surfaces of your cookware. Whether you are looking for a Silicone Trivet or a set of Craft Spatulas that will be gentle on your cookware, we've got you covered. Explore our colourful range:
Before starting your Le Creuset collection, take the time and ask yourself how you intend to use your cookware the most. Each type of cookware comes with its own set of advantages and cooking techniques it is best suited for. Ultimately, having a combination of cast iron, stainless steel, non-stick, stoneware, and non-stick metal bakeware, combined with our silicone spatulas and cooking utensils, is the best way to go, equipping your kitchen for any scenario.
Built with premium materials, our unique cookware ranges and kitchen accessories add style and practicality to your kitchen – they can also be passed down from generation to generation and are a lifetime investment.
More to Explore
Discover more tips on how to get the best out of your Le Creuset cookware.
