Le Creuset Sizing Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

Le Creuset began producing its signature porcelain enameled cast iron in 1925 and has been making worship-worthy products ever since. People collect not only their different sizes but colors as well. Building your collection could help level up your kitchen, but getting the right size can be tricky.

Most people purchase their pieces in a mix of online and in-store shopping. We’ve got a handy guide to all things Le Creuset sizing to help you get the right product when you aren’t holding the piece in your hands at the store. Let’s find you exactly the right piece.

Le Creuset Markings

For many cookware companies, markings signify the company, the batch number, even the location where the piece was made. Le Creuset markings, on the other hand, tell you the size of your piece.

When you turn your piece over, you’ll find a number on the bottom. That number tells you the diameter in centimeters. On a handful of models, you’ll find just a letter, which corresponds to a particular measurement.

The tops also have these types of markings on the underside. If you’re looking at lids and pots from roughly the same time period, they should fit. Be aware, however, that the shape and fit of lids and pots has changed over Le Creuset’s long history and the best way to match them is to try them out in person.

Le Creuset Sizes

The line has standard measurements for each of its different pieces, so let’s go over what options you have when choosing your perfect piece.

Le Creuset Round Dutch oven sizes

The classic Dutch oven is round and comes in a variety of sizes and colors. This option is one of Le Creuset’s most popular choices, and the sizing variety backs that up.

Le Creuset Oval Dutch oven sizes

The Oval Dutch Oven is another classic Le Creuset model that offers flexibility with cooking and allows you to handle oddly shaped dishes. It follows a similar model concept as the round, but with a slightly different sizing guide.

Le Creuset Saucepan sizes

A Le Creuset saucepan offers durable cookware with even cooking. It’s excellent for simmering stews for extended periods because cast iron holds heat and distributes it evenly throughout whatever you’re making. Sizing follows the typical saucepan model.

Le Creuset Skillet and Grill Pan Sizes

A great skillet and grill pan can mean the difference between a breakfast that wows and one that flops. Le Creuset’s models are robust and offer that even, high heat perfect for cooking bacon or that perfect dinner side. Here is how that sizing measures up.

Le Creuset Braiser sizes

The enameled braiser line’s unique shape and design help transform tough cuts of meat into tender bits through long, slow cooking. Heat remains even throughout the whole process so you never have uneven spots and the shape is designed for adding in veggies and other ingredients for a fully flavorful meal.

Le Creuset Saucier sizes

Finally, a saucier or two can round out your collection. They have rounded bottoms and wider lips, both of which are perfect for stirring up every last bit of sauce and pouring it easily into its rightful dish. At least one saucier can make your sauces better, more even, and easier to whip up. Le Creuset has several sizes, perfect for each type of dish.

How Do I Choose the Best Size for Me?

Sizing is a delicate question when you’re talking about cast iron. It’s such a heavy material, so you’re continually balancing the need for space with the weight. While you do need to make sure you have a big enough piece to handle the type of cooking you do, you don’t want to go automatically for the most significant size.

Here’s what a typical capacity looks like in real terms:

• 18cm = serves 2
• 22cm = serves 3-4
• 24cm = serves 4-5
• 26cm = serves 6
• 28cm = serves 6-8
• 30cm = serves 8-10

If you’re a family of two, there’s no need to invest in the largest size unless you regularly (i.e., once a week) cook for more. Likewise, choosing the smallest size will only offer frustration if you’re a family of 6. Choosing the right size depends on a combination of these things.

Serving Size

Like we said, choosing your cooking size depends on your typical meal serving needs. Consider how many people are in your family that eat a meal with you regularly. Thanksgiving or other holiday dinners shouldn’t be part of the equation unless you’ve got room to store a barely used dutch oven during the rest of the year.

If you’d also like to have leftovers, you may consider going one size up so you’ll always have something to put back in the fridge. If you aren’t the leftover type, sizing directly to the serving size could help keep those leftovers to a minimum.

Storage Options

If your kitchen is small, storing an enormous dutch oven is not only inconvenient, it could be dangerous. The weight of a large dutch oven can be tough to lift and difficult to stack in a tiny kitchen. It’s best to go with a size that can be easily stored in the space that you have, or left on your stove until it’s time to use it.

When Should I Size Up?

As your needs change, your cast iron cookware should evolve too. The best way to tell if it’s time to size up is deciding holistically. Are you frustrated at how little space you have when you add your ingredients? Do you have to add a bunch of sides that you didn’t intend before you can create a meal that will feed everyone?

We recommend starting with a standard size such as the 24 centimeters round dutch oven. This option feeds 4 to five people or possibly up to six with the right recipe. That covers a typical family or small dinner party but doesn’t cause huge issues with storage.

As you add to your family, or if you find yourself hosting dinner parties regularly, opting up a size could give you space for what you need. Going more than one size up is a big step, so consider carefully if you need the extra space before making that leap.

FAQ

• How do I clean my Le Creuset products? – The enamel is designed to outlast any other option on the market, but even Le Creuset enamel is stressed by cold water. Always make sure you allow your pot to cool down before attempting to wash it so that you don’t weaken the enamel over time.

For stubborn residue, allow the pot to soak for a little while before washing. Use gentle cleansers and brushes only, never scouring. The company makes a cleaner designed to remove the marks made by metal utensils.

• How do I care for my Le Creuset products? – Metal is one of the biggest damagers of the enamel finish, so you must use something gentler when cooking. Choose wood or other materials that won’t scour the pot and be gentle when stirring. Store your enamelware carefully and try not to stack pots if you can help it. Liners could be a great idea if you don’t have a choice on that.
• Are they oven-safe? – Certain materials are oven safe. Pots with incorporated cast iron handles are always oven safe while lids with black knobs in the Signature series are safe up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. The classic series knobs are a little more sensitive and should only be used up to 375 degrees. Never put cookware with wooden handles in the oven.
• Are they dishwasher/microwave safe? – You can use all the crockery in both the microwave and the dishwasher. Be sure to check for hot spots when handling directly after, but they’re all easy to wash and easy to reheat.

Even if Le Creuset products are dishwasher safe, but we recommend hand washing to help preserve the integrity of the lining. The dulling of the lining is normal if you do end up washing your pots in the dishwasher, it won’t affect the performance of your cookware at all.

Build Your Le Creuset Collection

Le Creuset is an excellent addition to your kitchenware. It’s versatile and effective. Having just a few key pieces around could up your kitchen game. Once you find the right size and shape, your dishes will just pop. They’re classic pieces you can pass down through your family.

Last update on 2021-05-29 / This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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• A problem with Creuset sizing is they do not state the diameters for the top and bottom. I bought a 23cm skillet thinking 23 cm was the base diameter, but instead this turned out to be the top diameter, which mean the base was too narrow. I returned the piece and bought the 26 cm instead. Really annoying.

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• I have a camp oven ,or duch oven with a ring top lid the markings on the bottom
  Are LE CREU8ET. 26 made in France ,don’t understand the 8 in creu8:eat& no it’s not a s 🙂

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• Sophie, Do you know where I can buy a lid for a #35 oval Dutch Oven. Absolutely do not care about the color, just need the lid. Thanks Dana

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  • Keep your eyes out on ebay and Mercari. Many lids are sold separately. You may not find exact color match, but you will find a size that fits eventually if not now. You have to keep watch, especially on Mercari.

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• I have a Dutch Oven with 24 D stamped on the lid. These numbers and letters don’t match any of your charts or anything else I can find about them. Can you shed any light?

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