How is a Le Creuset French Oven made?

The Le Creuset Dutch Oven - an icon and worldwide kitchen cookware favourite Le Creuset is one of those iconic brands that you just know has a rich history behind every hand crafted French oven and casserole dish made in its artisan French factory. Having recently celebrated their 90^th anniversary and in honour of the popular French Oven we thought to ourselves - what better time to educate our Le Creuset enthusiasts on the origins and future of the much loved cookware brand? Established back in 1925, Le Creuset (translated 'The Cauldron') continue to produce their iconic French Oven, along with a number of cast iron cookware products, in the same factory that it first called home (see below - even the factory is painted with their flagship flame colour!)

Le Creuset Factory in Fresnoy-le-Grand, Aisne, Picardy

Over the past 90 years, Le Creuset’s unique and artisan nature has seen the production process remain largely unchanged. What sets Le Creuset apart is the unique and personal story which each and every French Oven holds.

Casting Process

New and recycled iron (for example old train tracks or recycled iron from light industry) is melted down in the "creuset" or melting pot. Some secret ingredients are added before the molten iron is poured into individual sand moulds. Once melted, each piece is casted in its own personalised sand mould which transforms the raw cast iron into an individual French oven and leaves behind a unique product that has its own personal story and identity. Each individual French oven from start to finish is handled by a team of up to 15 experienced artisan craftsmen ensuring both the highest quality craftsmanship throughout the process. Only the best pieces make it to the end of product with any rejected items recycled by being melted down and started again, minimizing waste. Adding the Colour Colour chart displaying the range of colours of Le Creuset's products When it comes time to adding colour, there is no shortage of inspiration in the Le Crueset factory.

Once completed, each piece is examinded and must pass a final inspection by a Le Crueset craftsman before being carefully packed. From there they are distributed for sale across 60 countries worldwide.

Originally focusing on cast iron, over the decades Le Creuset have continued to expand their range into stainless steel, stoneware and silicone products whilst maintaining their brand quality and integrity throughout their entire range. At Everten we love our Le Crueset French ovens where we cook most of our meals, from roast lamb to braised artichokes with white wine and capers, the French oven is the perfect cooking vessel that can do just about anything from stewing, roasting, searing and braising. The self-basting lid creates the perfect seal, enclosing flavours and aromas, while retaining moisture and nutrition throughout the cooking process. Le Creuset has perfected their cast iron range down the precise thickness of each oven and its enameled layers to ensure optimum, even cooking results with a superior finish that with correct use and care will present beautifully in your kitchen for a lifetime. Many of these ovens becoming prized ornaments that are passed on through the family, generation to generation. This is most notably why Le Creuset is loved by both professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Whats next for Le Creuset?

We suspect some new colour collections along with some new and innovative bakeware products. One thing is certain - they will all offer superior performance and quality which how the company has been able to transform a simple kitchen piece of cookware into a world famous icon.