Signature Braiser – 24cm Pearl Grey

Signature Casserole Dish 24 cm Pearl Gray. The Classic Understated.

The Signature Casserole Dish 24 cm in Pearl Gray is Le Creuset's classic round cast iron dish with a volume of approximately 4.2 liters, with light enamel inside, suitable for all hobs including induction. Not lightweight, not microwave-safe, not a pot for a quick hot flame.

The Signature Casserole Dish 24 cm in Pearl Gray measures 24 centimeters in diameter and holds approximately 4.2 liters — the medium size for a small household. On the outside, it features the pearl gray enamel color, and inside, the light glaze, with a heat-resistant knob on the lid. From searing to simmering to serving, everything stays in this one pot.

Cast Iron Works with Time

Cast iron absorbs heat slowly, distributes it evenly from the base to the walls, and retains it there. This is precisely what differentiates it from lightweight cookware: Once heated, the casserole dish continues to cook at low to medium heat — it doesn't need more, and you shouldn't give it more, as gentle heat preserves the material.

This saves energy and changes the way you cook. A braised dish will simmer evenly on a low flame, with nothing burning at a hot spot. And when the casserole dish comes to the table, its contents will stay hot for a long time — the pot is also the serving dish. It works on all hob types, from gas to ceramic to induction, and can go in the oven and even the freezer.

Searing also works well in the enamel: sear meat over medium heat, deglaze the fond with wine or stock, put the lid on — the rest is patience. Because the pot retains heat so evenly, it forgives long cooking times without anything sticking to the bottom.

The Enamel and its Rules

Inside, the casserole dish features Le Creuset's light enamel. Its smooth surface is easy to clean and shows how far the fond has developed during searing — something you wouldn't see on a dark base. The lid closes tightly and keeps moisture in the pot; its knob is heat-resistant up to 250 °C, but gets hot in the oven and should be handled with an oven mitt.

Two things to know. Cast iron is not suitable for the microwave — metal should not be put in there. And those expecting feather-light cookware will not be happy with a cast iron casserole dish: the weight is part of its function, as the mass is the heat reservoir. While the casserole dish is dishwasher safe, handwashing is still recommended — it preserves the patina that develops over the years.

If something does get baked on, warm water soaked with a little dish soap helps — scouring agents and steel wool have no place on enamel. With this care, the surface will last decades of daily use.

Cast from a Single Mold Since 1925

In 1925, foundry technician Armand Desaegher and enamel specialist Octave Aubecq teamed up to produce cast iron casserole dishes with colored enamel — the birth of Le Creuset. The round cocotte was one of the first products and remains the heart of the brand to this day.

Each casserole dish is still manufactured using the sand-casting method, where each mold is used only once — no two pots are identical down to the gram. This is followed by several layers of enamel, which give the cast iron its color and the inside its smooth surface.

Le Creuset offers a 30-year guarantee on the casserole dish. This is not a marketing number, but a statement about its lifespan: a Signature casserole dish is more likely to be inherited than replaced.

Pearl Gray for Modern Kitchens

Pearl Gray is the architectural answer among the Signature colors: cool, modern, understated. The 24 cm in Pearl Gray fits into kitchens with concrete, steel, and light wood, without being obtrusive — and proves at the table that a cast iron casserole dish doesn't have to be red to be recognized.

Some pots are bought for a recipe. This one is bought for the next thirty years.