Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red

Customer Rating:
Summary: A pot for a lifetime
Comment: The first one I purchased was on my daughter-in law's wish list for her birthday. She is a beautiful, young and phenomenal cook. Always believing that the cooking process is an ongoing learning and exploring procedure, I put a pot on my birthday list the following year. There are some things that just must be made in it...for instance...chili, meat or marinara sauce, pulled pork, soups. While the first purchase was the color Dune, mine was a beautiful red. I don't even have any red in my kitchen but this pot called out for red for me. All the colors are lovely.

Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite pot
Comment: Even though this blue beauty clashes somewhat with all my black appliances, it's usually sitting on top of the range, even when it's not in use. I use it for almost everything. The great thing about an enameled oven like this is that you can prepare just about everything for a dish in it, from browning the meat to slow simmer or baking in the oven.

It's weight may be intimidating to some (as well as the cost), but that's what cast iron is all about, after all.

Besides being easy to use on the stove and in the oven, cleaning it is an absolute dream. That's probably the biggest difference between these and my beloved Lodge cast iron cookware. These require zero maintenance. As with any cast iron cookware, they are NOT indestructible. The enamel will chip if you abuse it. Even Lodge recommends not dropping their stuff.

Bottom line, if you can afford it, you should get at least one of these. I own three different sizes (3 1/2 qt, 5 1/2 qt, and this 7 1/4 qt) but I usually find myself reaching for this big one.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Product!
Comment: I purchased this item on March 1, 2006. Since that time we have used it to make chicken soup, tomato sauce, and chili. We have also braised chicken and boiled corned beef and cabbage. It heats VERY evenly -- unlike cheaper alternatives. The pot itself is pretty heavy -- something to consider if you have carpal tunnel or arthritis in your hands/wrists. The lid is also pretty heavy -- but I like that because it forms a tighter seal. After 2+ years it still looks like new.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Too much money to be disappointed
Comment: I am disappointed in the Le Creuset round 7 1/4 qt french oven. It spewed water from under the lid the entire time while cooking a chicken stew and the pot was only little over half full. I certainly expected more from such an expensive item." I should not have to constantly wipe water from a dripping lid on a pot that cost this much. I had to stay close by the entire time because of this. The pot is sturdy, easy to clean and looks good but this problem took all the fun out of using it. This is my first piece of Le Creuset cookware and it may well be my last.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Pricey, but worth it
Comment: The 7 1/4 Quart Round French Oven is my first foray into the world of Le Creuset and I've been nothing but pleased with this item. It appears to be of exceptional quality- a recent trip to a popular "home & kitchen" type store provided plenty of opportunity for comparison, and the quality of the Le Creuset piece was obviously superior to anything the store had for sale.

I intend to replace my current cookware piece by piece with Le Creuset items. Which, while seemingly expensive, might actually *save* money in the long run. The high quality of Le Creuset cookware and the lifetime warranty certainly suggest that I may never actually *need* to purchase these items again. Buy well (once)and keep forever. Sounds like a bargain to me.

We've used this french oven several times and have thoroughly enjoyed each experience. From stovetop to oven, this product is a beauty. Cooking is a pleasure and (I'm not entirely sure how this happens, but it's true) food actually TASTES better coming from this beautiful product.