Le Creuset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the cookware. For the fictional character, see Rau Le Creuset.
Le Creuset is a French cookware manufacturer best known for its colorful enameled cast iron dutch ovens (which the company calls "French Ovens"). The company also makes many other types of cookware, from both enameled cast iron and enamel over steel, and sells a line of corkscrews and wine openers under the "Screwpull" brand name. The name "Le Creuset" is French for "The Crucible".
The Le Creuset foundry uses standard sand casting methods. After hand finishing, items are sprayed with two coats of enamel, each fired at a 800°C. The enamel then becomes extremely hard and durable, making it almost completely resistant to damage during normal use.
French ovens are particularly useful for cassoulet, and other long-baking stews such as chili con carne, cholent, and bouillabaisse. The company does not recommend using them for deep frying or making an oil-based roux (as for gumbo), however, because some oils can become hot enough to damage the enamel.
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[edit] History
Cast iron has been used for cooking utensils since the Middle Ages and Le Creuset is best known for its cast iron cookware, but the company only started manufacturing in 1925. The Le Creuset factory is located in Fresnoy-Le-Grand in Northern France.
[edit] Cleaning and Care
The following comes from the customer service dept.
[edit] General Use & Care
Always use nylon or wooden cooking and serving utensils with Le Creuset cookware. Never use metal utensils or cleaning pads. Never tap the rim of cookware with metal cooking utensils as this can chip the un-colored enamel on the rim.
Always use medium to low heat settings when cooking with Le Creuset cookware to prevent burning during the cooking process and damage to your cookware. Cast-iron is a very efficient conductor of heat – never turn heat source on high to preheat cookware.
After use, allow pot or pan to cool to room temperature. Never fill a hot pot with cold water, or plunge into water for soaking.
Wash in hot soapy water, using a nylon brush or pad to remove cooking residue. Le Creuset Cookware Cleaner is also available through most retailers who carry the Le Creuset product lines.
Always completely dry the pot and lid before storing.
To restore luster to the enamel finish (interior or exterior), wipe surface with white vinegar on a paper towel after cookware is washed and dried.
[edit] To Remove Lightly Burnt Food Residues
Occasionally scorched or lightly burned food will happen. To remove a light residue, apply a thin layer of straight dish soap over the residue and allow to “soak”. This usually will soften the residue so it can be lifted off with a nylon cleaning brush or pad. Also, the residue can be soaked for several hours in hot soapy water before cleaning with nylon brush or pad.
[edit] To Remove Heavily Burnt-on Residue
When dish soap and hot water fail to remove heavily burnt-on food residue, a light application of oven cleaner can be applied to the residue and allowed to sit for 10 – 15 minutes to “work” before removing with a nylon brush or pad.
[edit] To Remove Stubborn Stains on Enamel
Most cooking stains can be prevented with the cleaning procedures above. However, over time, discoloration of the enamel can occur. To remove these stains, soak the interior for several hours in a bleach bath solution of 1 tsp bleach per pint of water. If the stain is particularly stubborn, the process can be repeated as needed.
