Many people know the French brand Le Creuset as a manufacturer of elegant cast-iron cookware. Today we want to acquaint our readers with the unique “stone” ceramics Le Creuset: we will tell about the peculiarities of its production, the advantages and disadvantages of such tableware.
Le Creuset collection of ceramic tableware was released in 1998. It successfully complemented the line of cast-iron products, which by that time had already gained world popularity.
To create ceramic dishes of decent quality, the company Le Creuset has built its own plants in China and Thailand – the countries with rich stocks of quality clay. Neat and stylish kitchen accessories, tea ware and other serving items give the table or kitchen a special, inherent Le Creuset charm and inimitable French charm.
Special production features
Le Creuset ceramics, thanks to its production features, have a very high strength and resistance to splitting, for which they are called “stone”.
The production process begins with the design of the product and the creation of molds. The prepared clay batch is put into the ready-made mold.
The composition of the mix, represented by a mixture of high-firing clay, silica and feldspar, ensures that the ceramics will not be porous, durable, insulating and dirt-proof.
To make the future product as dense and solid as possible, excess water and air molecules are removed from the mixture placed in the mold under strong pressure.
The ceramics are then dried in the mold for 12 hours, after which they are carefully removed and transferred to a hot kiln to be fired for 16-18 hours.
After firing, the cooled pottery is covered with two different layers of glaze. The first layer of transparent hermetic glaze covers the product completely, it isolates the ceramics from contact with food and liquids. The second layer of opaque glaze is also applied to the outside and inside of the products.
After glazing, the ceramics are fired again in the kiln at 1180-1200 ° C to make the glossy layer as strong and aesthetically pleasing as possible, and to increase the strength of the product.
Finally, the product is sprayed with a colored pigment enamel, and again fired, this time at a lower temperature of 700-800 °C. The colored enamel coating makes Le Creuset pottery bright and attractive, and the identical gradient allows for a perfect match with cast-iron cookware.
After cooling, the finished product is sanded, polished and packaged for shipment to retail outlets around the world.
What are the advantages of Le Creuset ceramics
- Le Creuset dense ceramics are more durable and resistant to damage. The manufacturer’s guarantee is 5 years.
- Le Creuset stoneware heats evenly and keeps food hot longer than traditional stoneware.
- Cookware is multifunctional and versatile. Products can be used in the oven (up to 260°C), microwave oven, refrigerator, freezer (down to -50°C), grill, and for aesthetically pleasing serving and serving of food.
- A wide variety of shapes and styles will satisfy any cooking style.
- Ceramics are lighter than cast-iron products and ideal for everyday use.
- The enamel coating ensures that the products will not absorb any flavors or odors from the foods that are cooked in them, and they are also very easy to clean. Ceramics can be washed in the dishwasher, although hand washing is still more desirable.
- The colors of ceramic products are fully consistent with the palette of cast iron cookware, which makes it possible to perfectly match the collections to form a kitchen interior in a uniform style.
Care and use
- Before first use, all labels must be removed, washed with detergent and dried.
- This cookware is not designed for use on stoves, burners or other direct heat sources.
- The maximum temperature in an oven or stove should not exceed 260°C.
- To avoid cracking cookware, do not place frozen food in a preheated oven. The dish and the oven must be heated together.
- Wait for the product to cool slightly before rinsing and washing it.
- All ceramic parts may be washed in the dishwasher, but the enamel surface provides easy cleaning when washed by hand.
- When washing by hand, nylon or soft sponges and brushes may be used. Never use metal sponges or washcloths.
- Do not leave the dish completely submerged in water for too long a period of time.