Le Creuset’s 12 inch non-stick skillet

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Cast iron is heavy. It’s cumbersome to store. It’s finicky to clean. And yet it is a dream to cook with. I love cast iron beyond a reasonable amount and I cook with it more nights than not. Once you get the hang of taking care of it and showing it lots of love, I guarantee it will love you back.

I’ve been cooking with this Le Creuset non-stick pan for 13 years and I’m still in the honeymoon phase with it. It’s a 12 inch diameter and perfect for about 4 pieces of chicken at a time. I fry in it, sauté, simmer, and even transfer to the oven to bake in it.

The only thing I don’t do is serve the food in it. There’s a few important reasons for that. The first is a fear of someone using a metal utensil on the non-stick coating and scratching it. The second is it’s very big (especially when you consider the handle) and it’s VERY HOT even on the accidental bump. The most important reason however is cleaning it and seasoning it. Notice that beautiful shine on the non-stick coating? That doesn’t just happen on it’s own unfortunately. That shine is a result of good care and that is crucial to this pan’s ability to make the magic happen when you cook in it.

When I’m done cooking I transfer the food to a serving a dish and immediately wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Next I pour about 3 tablespoons of course Kosher salt into the pan and rub it around, scraping any remaining bits from being stuck on. Then rinse the pan under hot water and make sure all of the food is out and the surface is smooth and dry. Then apply a small amount of cooking oil to a paper towel and cover the entire non-stick surface with a thing coat. Place the pan in a 325°F oven for about 20 minutes. THEN and only THEN do I serve dinner and sit down to eat. It sounds like a chore but it really only takes 5 minutes tops and the it’s 110% worth the effort.

The color I have is called Caribbean. You can pick up this pan on Amazon by clicking this link. If you decide to purchase a pan let me know in the comments below so I can share more tips on getting the most out of your new pan! I would also love to know what the first thing you plan to cook in it is!