Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel 4-Piece Cookware Set review

About the Le Creuset 4-Piece

The set has four pieces: a 16cm saucepan, an 18cm saucepan, a 20cm deep casserole and a 24cm non-stick frying pan. John Lewis lists the capacities as 1.9 litres, 2.8 litres and 4 litres for the three stainless pieces. The brand gives diameters only.

Each stainless piece bonds stainless steel and aluminium into three layers, which Le Creuset says spreads heat evenly. The pans have a pouring rim and capacity markings, and John Lewis lists helper handles. The whole set weighs 6.99kg.

It works on gas, electric, ceramic glass and induction hobs, under the grill, and in the oven to 260°C. Keep the pans on a shelf or rack, never the oven floor, and leave 5cm between the grill and the top of the pan. It is not for microwaves. On induction, Le Creuset says to use the ring that matches the pan and to avoid the boost function. The brand recommends silicone or wooden utensils, though it says metal ones can be used with care.

Le Creuset's page lists the four pieces and nothing else in the box. It does not mention lids, so check the retailer listing before you buy if lids matter to you.

What owners report about the Le Creuset 4-Piece

We found little written owner feedback for this exact set, so we can't report a pattern from owners. The retailer pages we opened showed ratings but no review text we could read.

Who the Le Creuset 4-Piece suits

It suits a one- to three-person household that cooks on induction or any other hob and wants stainless pans that go in the oven and the dishwasher. The 4-litre casserole covers stews and pasta, and the two saucepans cover sauces, rice and veg. The lifetime guarantee is the main reason to pay Le Creuset's premium over other tri-ply sets.

Look elsewhere if you want a bigger batch-cooking kit: the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 11-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set 7711G has far more pieces. For a tighter budget, the Tower Cerastone Forged 5 Piece Pan Set costs much less, and the ProCook Elite Tri-Ply Saucepan Set 4 Piece gives you four tri-ply saucepans. Anyone who wants built-in strainers should look at the Judge Vista Draining Saucepan Set J3A1A. The non-stick frying pan is the one piece here with a limited life, so expect to replace it before the steel.

Questions about the Le Creuset 4-Piece