Comparing Tefal and Le Creuset's cookware performance for the best cooking results
The Tefal Ingenio Performance set of cookware was innovatively designed to save space and cook more efficiently at home. But how does this range of pans stack up against the all-time classic and elegant all-rounder, Le Creuset? Interestingly, Tefal is also a French brand, well known for a wide variety of affordable yet durable cookware.
We tested the two very different brands on several factors while making three warming winter curry dishes:
Appearance
- Tefal Ingenio Performance comes with 8 pieces in total: a frypan, 2 sauté pans, 1 removable handle for all pieces, and 2 kinds of lids (one kind for cooking and the other for storage).
The pans themselves appear sturdy and durable, yet are surprisingly lightweight to hold. The detachable handle and lids are certainly unconventional! The cooking lids feature a hinged pinch grip to lift them, and the durable plastic storage lids fit snuggly to create a seal. The handle takes a little trial and effort to figure out at first, with 2 buttons on the sides to release and clamp the sides.
- Le Creuset remains to be one of the most attractive brands of cookware ever created. The iconic enamelled pieces are beautiful enough to simply sit out on the stovetop as a decoration in the kitchen before functional use is even considered. The Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick range is the most similar to the Tefal, so a better comparison perhaps. However, these pieces are also simple, timeless and elegant, with long, curved lines and stainless-steel handles and rivets.
Another mark for Le Creuset being that the pieces look equally as stunning sat directly on the table.
Storage
- The Tefal Ingenio set comes into its own with an innovative design for storage. The whole set fits into one small square box. Cupboard space is saved by the pans stacking inside each other. The storage lids allow for keeping leftovers directly in the fridge, however, it does take some getting used to storing the cooking pots in the fridge.
- One possible downside to Le Creuset is that the pan is very wide and heavy, with a long and curved handle. This takes up a lot of room in the cupboard.
Usage
- Tefal has really thought through the usability of this cookware. Perfect to use together as a set – a 3 or 4-course dinner can be easily managed and juggled between stove, oven and worktop with the removable handle. The glass lids are easy to see food bubbling away inside, fit snugly inside the pots, and are easy to lift with the butterfly grip.
- Le Creuset Toughened Non Stick is great for confidence in a dish turning out well. I do find myself reaching for my frypan time and time again, for the fantastic size that is capable of family-sized, all-in-one-pan dinners. See our Rigatoni Meatball Pasta recipe.
Non-Stick Performance
- Tefal uses their “Expert” non-stick technology, along with the Thermo-Spot on each piece which tells you when the cooking surface is hot and ready for cooking. The cooking surface heats fast and even, creating crisp and golden-brown results.
- Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Frypan has been steadily creating wonderful results in our home kitchen for over 5 years now. The heat distribution is excellent, and the frying pan base has enough capacity that frying or searing large quantities all at once is possible without overcrowding the pan – this can save up to 20 minutes per dish.
Roasting Performance
- Tefal’s removable handle makes shuffling pans from stove to the oven a cinch, with no concerns of burned hands or warped handles. The potatoes didn’t brown as much as expected, however. The pans are oven safe to 250C.
- The Le Creuset Toughened Non Stick is oven safe to 260C. The only downside is the width and the large, curved handle doesn’t allow our oven to close fully, so I’ve never been able to test it out!
Clean Up
All of these pots are dishwasher safe, however, I never clean my cookware in the dishwasher to better preserve the cooking surfaces. Washing up both non-stick varieties was literally no trouble at all – a simple rinse is all that is needed.
Conclusion
- Tefal Ingenio is a great set for value, space-saving and convenience. Great for cooking several dishes at once, such as a curry with rice. I love the removable handle – to be able to shuffle the pots around as needed feels natural and convenient... however the handle is a little awkward to use with the click system. I am not sure the look of the lids are to my liking, and storing cooked food in the fridge right in the pot it was cooked in does not feel right.
- Le Creuset is definitely more expensive but just feels and looks more elegant and durable. I prefer the clean lines and simplistic design. These pieces will last a lifetime, so I feel it is worth a splurge for a Le Creuset piece if possible.
Next Read: How to Clean Enamelled Cast Iron Cookware
