I Test Kitchen Products for a Living, and This New Le Creuset Pan Is the Best One I Have Used in Years

In my kitchen, pans reign supreme. I use cast iron skillets, frying pans, or my beloved aluminum Zwilling wok, whether I’m throwing together a creamy alfredo pasta sauce, searing a steak, or frying an egg. Pans are my favorite type of cookware because they can be stored right on the stove so they are always handy, and as long as you treat the nonstick surface with care, they’re easy to wipe clean. Although I own a Dutch oven, which is just as versatile as most pans, I find myself rarely reaching for it (unless I need to roast a chicken).

So when I saw that Le Creuset launched a new piece of cookware, a rarity for the brand, I leapt at the opportunity to try it out, knowing it would fit right in with my regular cooking routine. The brand was generous enough to send me one to test, and after using it for two weeks, I have found myself reaching for it everyday. Good thing they named it the Everyday Pan.

Le Creuset Everyday Pan

As soon as I removed the pan from the box, I could sense its quality. Made from enameled cast iron, it felt heavy-duty and durable. The pan has a generous 3-quart capacity, and it measures 11-inches across, with 2-inch high and straight sides, and a wide base. These measurements immediately expand its versatility beyond that of that typical frying pan or wok, which are limited by low sides and a narrow base, respectively. In fact, I’d say that it's a cross between a skillet and a Dutch oven (although it doesn’t come with a lid, which is one its few drawbacks).

However it does come in all of the iconic Le Creuset colors, including Marseille, sea salt, and artichaut, as well as the brand’s newest addition to its lineup, thyme. I opted for thyme, and I couldn’t wait to start cooking with it, so I decided to go for an ambitious dish: bone-in chicken thighs braised on the stove and then finished in the oven (my partner Cory is behind this recipe). With a generous coating of oil on the surface of the pan (remember, enamel cast iron is not entirely nonstick) the skin crisped up perfectly after an initial sear. We braised the thighs in the pan, and then placed it right on the dinner table when we were ready to eat — the only additional dishes we had to deal with that night were the utensils and plates.

I was impressed how evenly the chicken was cooked, thanks to the wide surface area of the pan, which wasn’t overcrowded despite me searing six thighs at once. So far, it has produced juicy, tender, evenly cooked meat every time I’ve cooked with it.    

I’ve been using it a few times a week for two weeks now, and overall, I think it is a do-it-all pan that could easily replace superfluous pots and pans rusting away in your cupboards. At $180, it carries a much higher price tag than the typical pan, so it’s definitely an investment, but I can assure you that this pan is functional enough to use everyday, and will simplify your time in the kitchen. 

Cleaning it is perhaps the best example of its practicality. It has not once required a soak . I just use warm water, soap, and a sponge to wipe out any stuck on bits, and I am not exaggerating when I say it looks as though it just came out of the box even though I’ve cooked with it six times already.

Once again, Le Creuset has designed a stylish piece of cookware that lives up to all the hype surrounding the brand. I would recommend the Everyday Pan to the frequent homecook who wants to cut down on clutter and replace all their extra plans with the one that can do just about anything.

Shop More Le Creuset Cookware: 

Le Creuset Stoneware Covered Rectangular Casserole

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Oval Griddle

Le Creuset 9-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Le Creuset 7-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Rectangular Roaster

At the time of publishing the price was $180.