Signature Roaster – 28cm Black

Signature Dutch Oven 28 cm Black. The largest in the round series.

The Signature 28 cm Dutch Oven in Black is Le Creuset's classic round cast iron pot with a capacity of approximately 6.7 liters, bright enamel interior, and suitable for all hob types including induction. Not lightweight, not microwave-safe, not a pot for quick high heat.

The Signature 28 cm Dutch Oven in Black measures 28 centimeters in diameter and holds approximately 6.7 liters — the large format for family and dinner parties. Externally, it features black enamel, while the interior has a light glaze, and the lid has a heat-resistant knob. 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 Dutch oven continues to cook with 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 simmers evenly on a low flame, nothing burns at a hot spot. And when the Dutch oven comes to the table, its contents 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, can go in the oven, and even in 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 tolerates long cooking times without anything sticking to the bottom.

The Enamel and its Rules

Inside, the Dutch oven features the light Le Creuset 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 surface. The lid seals tightly and keeps moisture in the pot; its knob is heat-resistant up to 250 °C, but it gets hot in the oven and should be handled with a glove.

Two things to know. Cast iron is not suitable for microwaves — metal does not belong in there. And if you expect feather-light cookware, you won't be happy with a cast iron Dutch oven: the weight is part of its function, because mass is the heat reservoir. While the Dutch oven is dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended — it preserves the patina that develops over the years.

Should something bake on, warm water with a little dish soap soaked in will help — abrasive cleaners and steel wool have no place on enamel. Maintained this way, the surface will withstand decades of daily use.

Cast in One Piece Since 1925

In 1925, foundry technician Armand Desaegher and enamel specialist Octave Aubecq teamed up to produce cast iron Dutch ovens 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 Dutch oven is still manufactured using the sand casting process, 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 interior its smooth surface.

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

The Family Size

At 28 cm and 6.7 liters, this is the largest round Signature Dutch oven: the size for an entire roast, the Christmas goose in parts, the stew for six. In black, it remains formal enough for the long dining table — a pot that accompanies family meals from preparation to seconds.

Some pots you buy for a recipe. This one you buy for the next thirty years.