tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post7841720385244905940..comments2024-02-20T04:43:47.934-08:00Comments on Eco-novice: Goodbye, Teflon. Hello, Le Creuset.Betsy Escandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-7494916994330665802017-02-24T11:07:58.887-08:002017-02-24T11:07:58.887-08:00I'm sorry your pancakes are sticking. I know t...I'm sorry your pancakes are sticking. I know that is very annoying and frustrating. I have the most success with a long preheat and plenty of fat. My favorite choices for pancakes are ghee (clarified butter that doesn't brown/burn) and coconut oil. I think canola or avocado oil would work well too. The seasoning builds up a bit even on Le Creuset, so if you've had lots of burnt on food and had to scrub and scrub, you might want to use your pan with some oil for some lower stick foods first, like grilled cheese or quesadillas. <br /><br />You might also want to check out Le Creuset's own recommendations:<br /><br />COOKING HEATS<br />Medium or low heat will provide the best results for cooking, including frying and searing. Allow the pan to heat gradually and thoroughly for even and efficient cooking results. Once the pan is hot, almost all cooking can be continued on lower settings.<br /><br />High heat temperatures should only be used for boiling water for vegetables or pasta, or for reducing the consistency of stocks or sauces. High heats should never be used to preheat a pan before lowering the heat for cooking. Cast iron retains heat so efficiently that overheating will cause food to burn or stick.<br /><br />OILS AND FATS<br />With the exception of Grills, the enamel surface is not ideal for dry cooking.<br /><br />Your choice of liquid, oil, fat or butter should completely cover the base before heating begins. Do not leave the pan unattended, and do not allow a pan to boil dry, as this may permanently damage the enamel.<br />http://www.lecreuset.com/care-and-use/#ci-fats<br /><br />Hope that helps!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-32984743330834615142017-02-24T05:32:23.203-08:002017-02-24T05:32:23.203-08:00Im teying hard to love my Le Creuset skillet but m...Im teying hard to love my Le Creuset skillet but my pqncqk3s keep sticking and i get so frustrated!!! Please help with detailed tips on how not to stick your pancakes on le creuset skillet! Monica Mellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13392352244431048217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-59599409748549843642016-11-28T22:27:49.416-08:002016-11-28T22:27:49.416-08:00Wonderful! So glad they are working well for you.Wonderful! So glad they are working well for you.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-49177623628786909202016-11-25T21:27:23.276-08:002016-11-25T21:27:23.276-08:00I love my Le Creuset pots and pans. They work beau...I love my Le Creuset pots and pans. They work beautifully for me and worth every cent! They are costly but l bought everyone of mine from sales or in Spain. On top of that, they make a lovely display on my bare kitchen wall. Eggs anyway works well especially following Betsy's recommendation. Thanks! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03752740710304283136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-62959261503939827712016-10-28T00:20:59.758-07:002016-10-28T00:20:59.758-07:00I'm very sorry they haven't worked out for...I'm very sorry they haven't worked out for you. I still use my Le Creuset and Lodge Logic every week for eggs, pancakes, etc. Definitely not the same as Teflon, but they work for me.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-54881944303517864932016-10-27T11:12:10.049-07:002016-10-27T11:12:10.049-07:00Don't waste your money on these pans. they wor...Don't waste your money on these pans. they work for a few weeks, but after that you'll be using more and more oil to keep food from sticking. Eventually even the oil won't help. One of the worst kitchen utensils I ever bought. <br />Ana johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02630535901635304524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-60374938425646442772013-09-17T14:12:09.623-07:002013-09-17T14:12:09.623-07:00Thank you! That is what I was doing (spatula), and...Thank you! That is what I was doing (spatula), and will try adding more oil (or butter) between. I appreciate it, Betsy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-1527322644519234842013-09-17T12:01:04.784-07:002013-09-17T12:01:04.784-07:00P.S. I use coconut oil for the long preheat (b/c b...P.S. I use coconut oil for the long preheat (b/c butter would burn), and then butter between batches. Not sure the type of fat you use matters for sticking, but I think the butter does taste good :)Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-76659458316117146882013-09-17T11:55:10.320-07:002013-09-17T11:55:10.320-07:00I have a plastic (silicone?) spatula. I don't ...I have a plastic (silicone?) spatula. I don't dare use metal on it and I think it's pretty tough to flip pancakes with a wood spatula. I use wood implements for most other ventures, but plastic (with a nice fine edge) for pancakes/ eggs/ french toast. Scrapes off the bits quite well.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-91462855651931740602013-09-17T05:14:05.022-07:002013-09-17T05:14:05.022-07:00Thank you, Betsy, for your thorough reply (especia...Thank you, Betsy, for your thorough reply (especially on such an old post!). I did preheat for awhile, but you're right, it gets worse as I go along. I used coconut oil but next time I'll try something else. What do you scrape it with? <br /><br />I don't have an induction (though I would love one!) but I have a glass-top, and heat it to just under medium, then turn it a little lower (not too slow, though). I did re-grease each time, but I didn't scrape off anything that might have been left. I'm terrified of ruining the pan because I had one before and it did get ruined (though the saleswoman at the Le Creuset store said it was likely defective, since she had never seen before what had happened, and I had only made pancakes in it).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-90346467333911890152013-09-16T21:24:46.959-07:002013-09-16T21:24:46.959-07:00I try to always do a thorough preheat and make sur...I try to always do a thorough preheat and make sure the pan is plenty hot before beginning. I also use butter between each batch, which is my preference for taste as well. If I have a little sticking, I do find it only gets worse (next batch sticks even worse) unless I really scrape it off and grease it well. I'd say the number one culprit for me is not waiting for it to get hot enough. Esp. since I'm always pressed for time. I have an induction stove now (rather than electric coils) and I find the cast iron heats up much faster now which is wonderful. Hope this helps, Laurie!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-43025605686431420062013-09-16T17:41:05.860-07:002013-09-16T17:41:05.860-07:00Hi, Betsy! I have a question -- I make pancakes in...Hi, Betsy! I have a question -- I make pancakes in mine and sometimes they are fabulous, and sometimes they stick a lot (even in the same batch). Any advice? It's driving me nuts having to scrape off a few in each batch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-79233432524558054822013-06-10T08:59:33.433-07:002013-06-10T08:59:33.433-07:00I emailed Le Creuset once about their enamel on th...I emailed Le Creuset once about their enamel on their enameled cast iron. They told me the Le Creuset enamel consists of: <br />1 Nitrates<br />2. Potash<br />3. Agile<br />4. Aluminate<br />5. Bentonite<br />6 Clay<br /> <br />The coatings are fired on to the cast iron at over 1400 degrees to adhere to the product. They also told me that the really bright exterior colors contain lead (it is necessary to create those brighter colors, but that the interior enamel does not contain lead or cadmium.<br /><br />Personally, I only buy cast iron and enameled cast iron made in the USA or somewhere comparable (like France) b/c you are taking their word for it on what the enamel is made of.<br /><br />I have never asked about their nonstick, but since it isn't marketed as PFOA-free, I'm guessing it isn't.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-86163471112932689492013-06-10T04:53:00.245-07:002013-06-10T04:53:00.245-07:00thanks for this info- Do you know if the Le Creuse...thanks for this info- Do you know if the Le Creuset toughened non stick pans are non toxic and just as non stick as the cast iron enamelled pans? are the enamelled pans safe and completely non toxic too? thanks Melissamelissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797179512252303349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-85983491576335121082013-03-25T12:05:25.069-07:002013-03-25T12:05:25.069-07:00I've never seasoned enameled cast iron, and as...I've never seasoned enameled cast iron, and as far as I know, you don't need to. They do say that over time a "patina" can develop on the enamel and i have seen some color change. I think sunny side up is far easier than scrambled eggs b/c I find moving the eggs around is what causes the sticking. I've made sunny side up with no problem on both enameled cast iron and preseasoned cast iron (that has been used for other things first).<br /><br />No seasoning, but I would definitely use some fat (butter or oil). I'd start with a good amount (tablespoon) until you figure out how much you really need.<br /><br />The good thing about enameled cast iron is even if the eggs stick, you can soak it. I usually put some water in while the pan is still hot, and by the time it's cool enough to handle, it's easy breezy to get any stuck-on food off.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-26265773538089433692013-03-25T11:40:47.773-07:002013-03-25T11:40:47.773-07:00I was wondering if you ever seasoned your enameled...I was wondering if you ever seasoned your enameled cast iron skillet before using or just went ahead with eggs(or whatever) right away. I usually find that making omelet or scrambled eggs are really easy(without sticking) in a very heavy stainless steel skillet. But every time I try making eggs sunny side up, it creates a holy mess :)<br />I just bought three of the enameled cast iron skillets. I'm wondering if they'd do well with eggs sunny side up without seasoning. And if I do season, I'm wondering how to go about it..Nabeelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16427603443774316317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-59718391549920721552013-01-10T08:25:20.304-08:002013-01-10T08:25:20.304-08:00I LOVE my Le Cruset. I now have 2 pieces and they...I LOVE my Le Cruset. I now have 2 pieces and they are my favorites. Everything cooks so well in them. For some reason I never though about a skillet! My last hold out for keeping my Teflon pans is too cook eggs. I may be getting a third Le Cruset. Lodge has enameled cast iron as well for about half the price of Le Cruset. I have a Lodge pre-seasoned griddle that I love for pancakes. I wonder how these compare.<br /><br />One tip - watch for sales on Le Cruset at Sur La Table. I bought my second Le Cruset - 3 3/4 deep covered skillet - for $100 including shipping. I think it's retails for at least $150.Kristina (The Greening Of Westford)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04206863454228687558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-73832797017834524192011-02-18T20:11:35.767-08:002011-02-18T20:11:35.767-08:00Hmmmm-I might have to give Le Creuset a try. I ha...Hmmmm-I might have to give Le Creuset a try. I have all stainless and everything sticks. Good to hear from someone who actually has used the pots and pans!Lori Alper aka Groovy Green Livinhttp://groovygreenlivin.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-74356041561875906222011-02-17T07:52:44.296-08:002011-02-17T07:52:44.296-08:00To all of the above, do it! Save yourself from mi...To all of the above, do it! Save yourself from misery and just buy the Cadillac. <br /><br />I would also like to add that before buying the pricey Le Creuset, I consulted with my friend Lys (who worked as a chef once!!!). She told me that she has one piece of Le Creuset and that it is her favorite to cook with. And, yes, it was very expensive. That was the final encouragement I needed to make the purchase.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-90213654205256241662011-02-17T07:31:36.777-08:002011-02-17T07:31:36.777-08:00Thank you for this post! I have had the same prob...Thank you for this post! I have had the same problems with my cast iron pan and was looking for an alternative for cooking eggs. I think I willl invest in le Creuset!Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16351968770358865366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-56581627288469644592011-02-17T04:47:54.457-08:002011-02-17T04:47:54.457-08:00I totally needed to read this post! Thank you for ...I totally needed to read this post! Thank you for all the info!!!Sharon Beesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-48357297329611545052011-02-17T03:15:21.029-08:002011-02-17T03:15:21.029-08:00I've drooled over Le Creuset for years... You...I've drooled over Le Creuset for years... You may have convinced me to "invest"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com