Cast iron casserole / cocotte for batch cooking?

[SinkGirl]

I have quite a small Le Creuset that I got as a present and use to make casseroles, stews etc but it’s annoying as I can only make enough for one meal when I’d prefer to make two at once and have it ready in the fridge / freezer.

For people who do this, what size / brand do you have?

A large le creuset.

I like Staub personally

Staub are excellent, but expensive. I have a couple of French supermarket cast iron casseroles which were a fraction of the price but excellent quality so, if you’re planning a trip to France, the supermarket is a good bet. If not I have a 3l round and a 4l oval Le Creuset which are perfect for batch cooking.

Staub is spendy but less than Le Creuset. Agree with the generic French ones being good too. I bought a Chasseur medium sized half price in the sale and that’s still going strong 10 years later. I love cast iron casseroles mmmm.

Sainsbury's ones are just as good IMO.

I've got a le Creuset (wedding present), a Staub (excellent charity shop buy!) and 2 Sainsbury's ones and I honestly can't tell the difference between them.

I've got a large Le Creuset, and it's still like new after more than 16 years.

A couple of really large stainless steel steel catering pans. Not attractive but I have 2 teenagers and need to cook vast quantities to make enough for 3 meals.

Thanks all. I do have one that came from a supermarket but it’s nowhere near as good (wouldn’t expect it to be). Will have a look but good to know what size others use, I always struggle to visualise what size something will be and how much it can accommodate!

Look at the measurement given on the base. My smallest is an oval 23, in which I could perhaps make a bolognese sauce for 2; or a deep round 28 in which I make vats of chilli or carbonnade flamande.

I agree that the Sainsbury cast iron offering is very good for the price. I use it alongside my Le Creuset.

I have 2 Le Creuset 3litre pots in blue (wedding presents 20yrs ago and still brilliant) one round and one oval. The perfect size for the kind of batch cooking you mean, and I love that I can use them in the oven and on the gas hob and they look smart enough on the table too! TK Maxx sometimes have them at knockdown prices.

I've got Le Creuset, Staub, Berndes, Aldi and Sainsburys. I do notice the quality of the enamel is poorer on the supermarket ones, especially around the tops, but they all do a good job. I've got a range of sizes but 20cm (2.4l) Le Creuset is a good 2-person size. I have a huge Le Creuset cauldron for big meals in satin black (we have a big family). The satin black range is lighter, and really excellent.