If you don't have le creuset what do you casserole with?

[Flickoffboris]

Please stop me going down a rabbit hole here and remortgaging the house for the le creuset (which looks far too heavy, I'd break a bloody toe I expect).

I was tempted by an aluminium casserole dish like this one maybe
www.marksandspencer.com/cast-aluminium-5l-casserole-dish/p/hbp60108495?color=IVORY#intid=prodColourId-60187306

Or a cast iron one like this
www.vonhaus.com/vh_en/4-5l-cast-iron-casserole-dish

I've an induction hob. I've realised that my slow cooker just churns out joyless gruel and I want to slow cook properly.

Any tips gratefully received.

I’ve been doing research on this and believe the amazon basics pre-seasoned cast iron dutch oven may be for me.

Have a look at Greenpan. Seems they have some stuff on sale (& no doubt you’ll find it elsewhere too)..... www.greenpan.co.uk/products/promotions?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkcuVqdqw7gIVE7LtCh2RlgoTEAAYASAAEgKPQvD_BwE
Got one 3 years ago and it’s brilliant - works on the induction too...

The instant pot....

An Aldi version of a Le Creuset casserole. It is brilliant, probably won't last as long as a genuine Le Creuset but I don't have grandkids so that's fine!!

I've used pyrex but it isn't as good and you end up with more washing up as you need a separate pan to brown things.

I’ve never understood what an instant pot or slow cooker does over a Dutch oven or casserole pot

I use Denby cast iron (hob or oven) comparable to the le creuset stuff I've picked up from TK Maxx. I couldn't afford it full price but they triple your clubcard points so I use them to buy nice pans now all the hotels are closed.

@Onedropbeat

I’ve never understood what an instant pot or slow cooker does over a Dutch oven or casserole pot

They can be left on all day while you’re at work, and are safer as they’re electric and don’t use much power - so if there’s a problem the fuse will blow before your house will.

All you need 'to casserole' is an ovenproof dish with a lid.

We bought our le cruset when we got married nearly 20 years ago. I remember it being expensive, but no idea how much they cost now. I just googled! I don’t think we would be buying another at that price!

But, I do love it and use probably a couple of times a week. Looking at it, I’m not sure you’d guess it was 20 years old, it is ageing well.

I ave a large casserol dish .

Argos and Dunelm both do their own versions - Argos are 3.5L or 5.3L. Haven’t tried them but they’re good prices.

I have a small actual le Creuset and a large Sainsbury’s one. Used to have a large oval le Creuset but I dropped it and it BROKE

Someone upthread mentioned pyroflam, if you see one with the removable handle they are worth the cash.

Not as good as cast iron for a really good casserole but incredibly versatile and much better than normal pyrex.

I don't use mine much as it is a bit small but my mum use to use hers daily when we lived at home.

I have a massive IKEA one as when I'm cooking this sort of thing I like to batch cook. For smaller things straight into the oven I have a Pyrex one, makes the best rice.

(Oh, meant to add, I think the knockoffs are actually heavier. Last time Aldi had them in I compared the advertised weight of theirs with the actual weight of mine and relative to capacity mine was lighter.)

I've no idea what make they are but I've got my grandparents casserole dishes.

Hardly ever use the Le Creusets - too heavy to lift, and I was warned!
I've got some Pyrex dating back almost 50 years and they're fine!

I bought 2 Aldi cast iron with nice coating about 2 years ago. I had intended to give one to my sister but I decided to keep both as DH is veggie so I do 2 meals some days but his meal makes 3 or 4 portions and I freeze some.

Pyrex & the Aldi fake Le Cruset.

I use a slow cooker. Never had a problem with the food not being nice either.

I have Le creuset and it's gorgeous but it's very heavy, it stains and it doesn't go in the dishwasher. Bought a wok like thing in Wiliko which they don't do any more - light as a feather - non stick so really easy to clean and cost £25. My dd has taken it to Uni and I replaced it with similar from Sainsbury's. My Le creuseut was a wedding present which 4 of my work colleagues cubbed together to buy 25 years ago - I probably used it every day for 5 years but for some reason after I had dd it was just too much of a faff. Now I would go for lightweight aluminium every time.

Just got a couple of Aga casseroles which are stainless steel and fit your criteria I think - I can hardly lift the le creuset. Not used them much yet but seem good so far.

I have three le creuset of varying sizes all about 20-24 years old and used often. I have a shallow cast iron lidded casserole which is probably about five years old from Homesense which is never going to last as long as the others.

I think Le Creuset have a lifetime guarantee on their cast iron ware.

I would never buy their cast saucepans though, far too heavy with a single handle.

I use a cast iron pan that I would guess is probably at least 80 years old. Inherited from my grandparents. It says "drip top dutch oven" on the top. Still looks new, although I did clean it with oven cleaner when I got it years ago, then re-seasoned.. It makes good sourdough type bread too.

I have two ancient Le Creuset casserole dishes in different sizes, both bought in sales. I also have a shallow cast iron casserole which came from Aldi. I honestly cannot tell the difference, it is just as good as Le Creuset.

I have a Denby shallow cast iron casserole which I use all the time. It cost a fraction of le creuset but is fantastic.