Beautiful enough for the table yet durable enough to outlive its lifetime limited warranty, this 5-1/2-quart round French oven blends a large capacity with a stovetop-friendly size that makes it easier to work among crowded burners while preparing classics like coq au vin or beef bourguignon, and everyday favorites like pot roast. Like all Le Creuset cast-iron products, it's hand cast in a one-of-a-kind sand mold and hand finished at the Le Creuset factory in France. The heavy cast-iron oven provides a colorful, long-lasting exterior enamel that resists chipping and cracking and a durable, nonreactive sand-colored interior enamel that offers a smooth surface for cooking, as well as an optimal palette for food presentation. As cast iron is unexcelled for even heat distribution and superior heat retention, and enamel is impervious to acids and odors, the oven browns and cooks food uniformly and gently without hot spots and can be used for marinating, cooking on the stovetop, or finishing in the oven. Two loop cast-iron side handles help ensure safe transport and a steady grip even when wearing oven mitts, and the unit's secure-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture while cooking. The lid's phenolic knob withstands heat up to 350 degrees F, and the vessel can be safely used on any stovetop, including induction. Though dishwasher-safe, the French oven should be hand washed for best results.
