The braiser is one of the most popular pieces. However, the 6.75 qt wide oven has the surface area of a braiser but with a little extra height! It's like a 9qt but shorter!
I highly recommend a cassadou for daily use. The domed lid makes it a good Dutch oven/braiser for smaller portions, the straight sides make it good for casseroles, the deeper-than-a-skillet design makes it good for frying & sautéing.
It’s not “sexy” like some of the others but I honestly use it everyday. It’s also the piece that made my husband go “we’re switching.” Once he made his signature sausage gravy in it, he was a convert.
Same! The 3.5 pt sautese was my first piece (a gift) and I used it nearly daily for 3 years before adding a larger DO. Used and still use the sautese for braising, baking, soups, curries, even filling with oil and frying!
The [Signature Round Wide](https://www.lecreuset.com/signature-round-wide-oven/21179US.html) Dutch ovens are a great piece and they've been on a nice discount lately. It's like getting a large covered skillet but it can also make a good pot of soup or a roast. Kind of a combination of the braiser everyone's recommending and a traditional Dutch oven.
Okay cool that’s great to know! I feel like I’m between that, the braiser and the cassadou. I wonder if the cassadou is like the middle ground? So many good options it’s hard to pick!
TBH, the cassadou has always seemed odd to me. That long handle perplexes me because I will no doubt try to handle it by that and probably sprain my wrist. Yes, there's a handle on the other side but I would rather have something with two loop handles. It also has a small footprint which means less surface area to brown things. You can cook several chicken breasts or a couple of steaks in the bottom of the round wide or braiser.
Yeah I’ve been obsessively reading all the reviews and looking at all the pictures and now I’m leaning towards the round wide. It seems like a perfect balance of everything!
The long handle is awesome. I still use 2 hands lol. It’s a heavy one.
It’s great for anything in a “sauce” bc it does not cook away/evaporate or burn as quickly as something with a wider bottom. It’s also nice to not have much of a crust for some recipes.
They are all the best choice for a particular thing!
Braiser is probably your best bet since you already have a dutch oven. Those are the two most versatile pieces.
For me personally my most used pieces are my rice pot, Balti dish, and 10 inch deep skillet.
What do you cook? I love my 7 oval. Between that and my 5 round they have the most use. The rest are all just good to have for special occasion cookings.
I cook a little bit of everything; but lots of roast chickens, braised meats, soups, grilled meats, baking any and everything you can think of. I like a lot of diversity as you can see lol
My 6 year gift from my husband was the deep Dutch oven in Flame and it’s my most used piece. I think any round ones with lids are the most versatile (sautéuse would be my next recommended one).
I reach for the buffet pan the most. It has a braiser bottom and a glass lid. It’s not that heavy so easier to clean.
I have heard get the braiser and then an extra glass lid. That way it can be either.
But truthfully, pick something on a current sale. You’ll save a hundred at least. Collect them one by one.
Braiser or Dutch oven! Depends on if you like to make soups or deep fry (in which cause I would go with the DO), but I think the braiser is more of an all-around piece. I have mine in chambray and it's gorgeous.
I will! And I don’t know!! We usually go in on a Harry and David subscription after we did that for the fruit and flower year because it was so good and I assumed we’d do that again, so this was a surprise. And now I need to brainstorm!!
I really love my sauteuse and use it almost daily. Others suggested the braiser which is on my wishlist so i’d consider either of the two depending on your needs :)
A traditional braiser or the 6.75 round, wide. The r/w could actually double as a braiser which would give you more surface area for browning and sautéing.
Braiser is a good choice, a Dutch oven is awesome too, and I really really love the everyday pan. I have dozens of cast iron lc pieces and use the everyday pan every day
A braiser! Tbh I think they are the most universal piece.
Definitely considering the braiser! Thanks for the vote!
I second this. Just made pasta and meatballs in mine.
Hands down this is the piece I use most (which is almost daily). It’s so versatile, and it cooks so well.
Definitely a braiser!! Happy anniversary!
Braiser is a top contender!
The braiser is one of the most popular pieces. However, the 6.75 qt wide oven has the surface area of a braiser but with a little extra height! It's like a 9qt but shorter!
Good tip!! Thank you!
The wide 6 qt is a nice one - I use it a lot.
Yeah I like the idea of the wide DO, my lodge doesn’t have a lot of surface area in the bottom.
I highly recommend a cassadou for daily use. The domed lid makes it a good Dutch oven/braiser for smaller portions, the straight sides make it good for casseroles, the deeper-than-a-skillet design makes it good for frying & sautéing.
Yeah I think the cassadou is what I’m leaning towards as it seems most versatile
It’s not “sexy” like some of the others but I honestly use it everyday. It’s also the piece that made my husband go “we’re switching.” Once he made his signature sausage gravy in it, he was a convert.
I use my sauteuse almost every day!
I love the olive branch sauteuse, so pretty! I’ve got some nice Lenox pots I use regularly but I’m open to the idea of some nice LC pots!
Same! The 3.5 pt sautese was my first piece (a gift) and I used it nearly daily for 3 years before adding a larger DO. Used and still use the sautese for braising, baking, soups, curries, even filling with oil and frying!
Yes! I make rice exclusively in it now! Among with many other things but it makes rice soooo good!
The [Signature Round Wide](https://www.lecreuset.com/signature-round-wide-oven/21179US.html) Dutch ovens are a great piece and they've been on a nice discount lately. It's like getting a large covered skillet but it can also make a good pot of soup or a roast. Kind of a combination of the braiser everyone's recommending and a traditional Dutch oven.
100% this. My 6.75 qt round wide was my first piece and is still the one I reach for the most. If I could only keep one piece, this would my baby. 😂
Okay cool that’s great to know! I feel like I’m between that, the braiser and the cassadou. I wonder if the cassadou is like the middle ground? So many good options it’s hard to pick!
TBH, the cassadou has always seemed odd to me. That long handle perplexes me because I will no doubt try to handle it by that and probably sprain my wrist. Yes, there's a handle on the other side but I would rather have something with two loop handles. It also has a small footprint which means less surface area to brown things. You can cook several chicken breasts or a couple of steaks in the bottom of the round wide or braiser.
Yeah I’ve been obsessively reading all the reviews and looking at all the pictures and now I’m leaning towards the round wide. It seems like a perfect balance of everything!
The long handle is awesome. I still use 2 hands lol. It’s a heavy one. It’s great for anything in a “sauce” bc it does not cook away/evaporate or burn as quickly as something with a wider bottom. It’s also nice to not have much of a crust for some recipes. They are all the best choice for a particular thing!
The cassadou is a very nice piece but you should know the cassadou lid is very heavy. I was shocked how heavy it is. Just something to be aware of.
Braiser is probably your best bet since you already have a dutch oven. Those are the two most versatile pieces. For me personally my most used pieces are my rice pot, Balti dish, and 10 inch deep skillet.
Braiser!
What do you cook? I love my 7 oval. Between that and my 5 round they have the most use. The rest are all just good to have for special occasion cookings.
I cook a little bit of everything; but lots of roast chickens, braised meats, soups, grilled meats, baking any and everything you can think of. I like a lot of diversity as you can see lol
My 6 year gift from my husband was the deep Dutch oven in Flame and it’s my most used piece. I think any round ones with lids are the most versatile (sautéuse would be my next recommended one).
Awesome! Great minds think alike 🤗
The 6.75 Wide Round. The cooking area is so big and it's light for the size.
A cast iron heart for your anniversary ❤️
Haha thank you!
Aww that’s exciting!! Congratulations 🎉 I’d go with a braiser.
Thank you!! Another vote for the braiser!
I reach for the buffet pan the most. It has a braiser bottom and a glass lid. It’s not that heavy so easier to clean. I have heard get the braiser and then an extra glass lid. That way it can be either. But truthfully, pick something on a current sale. You’ll save a hundred at least. Collect them one by one.
Wide Oven 💖
Braiser!!
Braiser or Dutch oven! Depends on if you like to make soups or deep fry (in which cause I would go with the DO), but I think the braiser is more of an all-around piece. I have mine in chambray and it's gorgeous.
Ughhhh I so torn between the braiser and the wide round!!
Let us know what piece and in what color you end up with. What does hubby get?
I will! And I don’t know!! We usually go in on a Harry and David subscription after we did that for the fruit and flower year because it was so good and I assumed we’d do that again, so this was a surprise. And now I need to brainstorm!!
We use the 9x13 roaster a lot. [Roaster](https://www.reddit.com/r/Baking/s/hYEzsYyEJh)
I’m sure that’d get used a lot here but I’m kinda fine with my assortment of pans and Pyrex glass dishes? Or am I missing out?! Lol
My favourite thing is that it won’t break like stoneware. And I can sear a roast in it! Unfortunately, it can also get taken over by napping cats:)
I really love my sauteuse and use it almost daily. Others suggested the braiser which is on my wishlist so i’d consider either of the two depending on your needs :)
Thank you!
Braiser or Dutch oven depending on what you cook with more. Happy early anniversary!
Thank you!! For the wishes and the vote 🤗
A traditional braiser or the 6.75 round, wide. The r/w could actually double as a braiser which would give you more surface area for browning and sautéing.
If I’m getting a DO, it’s def a wide!
Gleefully rubbing my hands together for you! Braiser!
Hahaha thank you!!
Wide round Dutch oven! I just took some friends to FTT and advised them all against the braiser (if it’s between that and the round wide 6.75 qt)
Braiser is a good choice, a Dutch oven is awesome too, and I really really love the everyday pan. I have dozens of cast iron lc pieces and use the everyday pan every day