Le Creuset Traditional Round

• Handle temperature: This Dutch oven's handles were Good at keeping temperatures low enough to touch without a potholder when used on the stovetop. You'll definitely need a potholder for sets scoring Fair or Poor. We also consider the size and shape of the handle when scoring.
• Speed of Heating: This Dutch oven was Excellent in speed of heating, which gauges the amount of time needed for 4L of water to rise 110 degrees F. Those scoring Excellent require less time; those scoring Poor require much more time.
• Simmering Performance: This Dutch oven was Fair in simmering performance, which gauges how evenly the Dutch oven simmers tomato sauce. Those scoring Excellent can evenly simmer; those scoring Poor cannot evenly simmer tomato sauce.
• Evenness Performance: This Dutch oven was Very Good in evenness, which gauges how evenly the inner bottom of the pot heats.
• Bread Baking: This Dutch oven was Excellent in bread baking, which gauges how well the pot can proof and bake bread. Those scoring Excellent baked bread that had a crispy crust and a nice interior; those scoring Poor had a dense interior along with a yeasty flavor.
• Ease of cleaning: This Dutch oven Excellent in cleaning, which gauges the amount of scrubbing needed to remove baked-on food. Those scoring Excellent require minimal effort; those scoring Poor require lots of scrubbing.

The Le Creuset Traditional Round is part of the Cookware test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Dutch Oven models like the Traditional Round are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Ease of cleaning: A high score means stuck-on food comes off easily with less soaking and scrubbing.

Bread baking: A high score means the Dutch oven bakes bread with a crisp crust, even color, and airy interior. A top-scoring model produces well-risen loaves with balanced flavor and texture.

Sauce simmer: A high score means the Dutch oven maintains a steady, even simmer. A top-scoring model helps prevent burning or uneven cooking when making sauces.