Are you looking to elevate your cooking game with some high-end cookware? Something that heats evenly and efficiently, is easy to clean, and built to last?
Le Creuset’s tri-ply cookware offers the best features of stainless steel and combines them with a highly conductive internal layer of aluminum for fast, efficient cooking along with skillful construction, appealing aesthetics, and a keen sense for details.
After testing 9 pieces, we’re serving up the goods so you can decide if these are a worthy addition to your kitchen. Let’s take a look at what these saucepans, stock pots, and frying pans have to offer!
Tri-Ply Construction
Famed for their enameled cast iron pieces, French cookware specialists Le Creuset have transferred their knowledge and expertise into a beautiful line of tri-ply stainless steel pots and pans.
The heat sensitive, full aluminum core is bonded between two layers of top quality stainless steel for superb heat distribution and precision temperature control.
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan, 10-Inch, available via Amazon
After much boiling, braising, saucing, and sauteing, each vessel was found to be free of any hot spots or scorching, and the side walls dispersed heat nicely to facilitate heating and boiling liquids.
Both the 10-inch fry pan (also available in 8- or 12-inch sizes) and 5-quart brasier did an excellent job of frying vegetables and braising meat, with foods cooked quickly and evenly.
Le Creuset of America Stainless Steel Braiser, 5 quart, available via Amazon
Temperatures were easily maintained from a simmer to searing heat, and a superbly clean food release made deglazing swift and gentle.
Pots like the 3-quart saucepan, also available in 2- or 4-quart options, the 3.5-quart saucier, and the 7-quart stockpot (also available in 9 or 11 quarts) heat liquids in record time due to the full cladding.
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid, 3-Quart, available via Amazon
Heating 5 quarts of water in the stockpot to a full boil caught me by surprise, as it happened in about one third the time of my old copper-disc model.
The sidewall heat was particularly apparent in the bowl-shaped saucier. Designed to keep liquids moving, the saucier’s side heat is important to maintain consistency as a sauce sets.
It rendered smooth, rich, and creamy results for a savory rose vodka sauce and sweet caramel alike.
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucier Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, 3.5-Quart, available via Amazon
Due to the fast, uniform heat spread, you’ll want to moderate heat settings to no higher than medium – a great energy-smart feature that cuts down on cooking time.
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid, 7-Quart, available via Amazon
And unlike many tri-ply brands, Le Creuset’s construction features magnetized exteriors for use on induction ranges, making every piece compatible for all cooktops.
Ovenproof to 500°F, they are transferred easily from stovetop to oven to table.
Ergonomic Handles and Easy-Grip Knobs
The stick handles are hollow to minimize heat transfer and have a comfortable ergonomic design that gives a safe, secure grasp – flat on top and rounded on the bottom to fit nicely between the fingers and palm.
The generous length allows for an adjusted grip – choke up for heavy loads, or back down for tossing and flipping. And some models have a large loop-shaped helper handle to make pouring and transferring foods easier.
Lid knobs are made of the same premium stainless steel and are secured to a welded center post for stability. And robust stainless steel rivets securely attach all handles with well-executed fit and finish.
Tight-Fitting Lids
Generous internal flanges sit inside the pot walls to ensure a snug fit, corraling condensation nicely, for spill-free lid removal.
A small dimple in the lid lip is designed to control and vent the flow of steam, which helps to prevent overflow and secures the lid in place by allowing excess steam to escape.
This is a nice touch that also allows steam to be directed towards the exhaust fan, although some steam still escaped from around the lid.
Clean, Rolled Rims
All pieces have a precision-pour rim that delivers a true dripless pour.
Rolled, sealed, and polished, the rim is well-finished with a smooth, rounded touch, and seals the central aluminum core to prevent food exposure.
Appealing Aesthetics
If you’re investing in high-end pieces, the appearance should reflect their high-end quality.
Le Creuset’s tri-ply pieces feature a well-executed two-tone finish with a brushed interior and a highly polished, mirror exterior. And the iconic three-ring design on a sleek, contemporary profile speaks smartly of innovation, with the heritage of cookware mastery.
Pros
- Clearly marked capacity levels for quick, at-a-glance measuring
- With a moderate weight, each piece is well balanced, maneuverable, and stays in place without skittering
- Fast heating with consistent, even distribution
- The dripless rim and assist handles make pouring and transferring foods safe and comfortable
- Stick handles stay comfortably cool from stovetop heat
- Skilled construction and careful attention to quality control in all facets
- Easy-care exterior layers are infused with titanium to prevent discoloration and scorch marks for a long-lasting luster
- They came out of the dishwasher with flying colors – bright and shiny with no discoloration, stains, or damage
- Includes a well written user manual
- Covered by Le Creuset’s limited lifetime warranty to be free of defects in materials or workmanship
- Made in Portugal
Cons
- The mirror polish is beautiful, but shows fingerprints
- Some steam escapes from around the lid, not just the vents
- They come with an expensive price tag
Are They for Everyone?
Elegant in appearance and substantial in construction, Le Creuset’s tri-ply stainless steel cookware offers a refinement that comes from flawless attention to detail.
Each piece delivered on enhanced performance with efficient, effective heat distribution, easily maintained surface temperatures, and foods release without sticking – provided you’ve followed the recommendation to pre-season frying surfaces.
And thoughtful designs that serve their intended purposes are a definite highlight. The brasier has quickly become a favorite for one-pot meals, and the saucier is a dream for whisking sauces that require constant stirring.
A solid choice for those who appreciate – and can afford – quality craftsmanship, Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware will enhance and elevate your cooking to the next level.
Also be sure to check out our other tutorials and reviews, like this one on choosing the right type of cookware for your needs.
Intrigued? Which tri-ply pieces from Le Creuset fit your needs? Drop us a note in the comments below and tell us what you think!
Photos by Lorna Kring, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Le Creuset. Sample product set provided for review by the manufacturer.
About Lorna Kring
Recently retired as a costume specialist in the TV and film industry, Lorna now enjoys blogging on contemporary lifestyle themes. A bit daft about the garden, she’s particularly obsessed with organic tomatoes and herbs, and delights in breaking bread with family and friends.
I”ve heard you can use your cast iron skillet and pans on a glass cooktop, you just can”t slide them around or they will scratch the top. As long as you set them down pick them up they say supposedly it”s fine on a glass cooktop. But my baby sis has a glass cooktop and she was afraid to use her cast iron cookware too, so she gave all of them to me. Woo-hoo!! ~TMH~
Upon lengthy research and reading your review, I ordered the 7-piece Le Creuset stainless steel cookware set, tired of disposing of cheap pots and pans every couple of years. Once I get my culinary skills up to level, I’ll surely complement the set with other pieces. Thanks so much Lorna!
One thing I have not seen anywhere and looked for like crazy is information on the noise different cookware brands make when used in an induction range. It would be awesome to have some information on this.
Getting 4 or 5 top brands, the help of some engineer and measure the level of noise (humming or clicking) each one makes when cooking: water, rice, whatever (a list of things) would be super helpful. This is a major decision point for some people (at least me) when purchasing cookware for induction ranges.