Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven, 15 qt.
By Le Creuset · Cookware · Kitchen & Cooking · More from Le Creuset
- Capacity: 15.5 qt oval Dutch oven (Signature line)
- Enameled cast iron, Cerise exterior, light sand interior enamel, brushed stainless knob
- Diameter 19 in, height 9.25 in (retailer specs)
- Oven-safe to 500F
- Dishwasher safe
Price not listed
- Le CreusetView at Le Creuset
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
- eBayView at eBay
- AmazonView at Amazon (paid link)
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Summary
Le Creuset’s largest Dutch oven, a 15.5-quart enameled cast iron oval built for whole birds and big-batch braises, made in France with a limited lifetime warranty. Check three things first: it weighs about 25–26 lb empty, it may heat unevenly on a round burner, and the black phenolic knob’s temperature limit is disputed.
Strengths
- Wirecutter rates Le Creuset the upgrade pick for durability, even cooking and enamel quality.
- Wirecutter reports fewer enamel-chipping complaints than rival brands over years of testing.
- The 75%-off replacement programme covers even owner-caused damage, capping long-term cost.
- The largest Dutch oven Le Creuset makes, sized for a whole turkey, goose or big batches.
- Comfortable wide loop handles, and a limited lifetime warranty.
- Brand-level tests found Le Creuset cooked food more evenly than other enameled cast iron.
Weaknesses
- About 25–26 lb empty, so it is heavy and awkward to lift once full.
- Wirecutter warns oval pots may heat less evenly on round burners and struggle on small stovetops.
- The black phenolic knob is rated 500°F by Le Creuset but only 480°F by Wirecutter.
- No instrumented test of this exact 15.5 qt size exists; the evidence is brand-level.
- Dishwasher-safe on paper, but hand washing is recommended to protect the enamel.
- Enamel is not user-repairable once it chips or cracks; warranty replacement is the only path.
Verified specifications
| Model | Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven, 15.5 qt. |
|---|---|
| Material | enameled cast iron, no seasoning needed. |
| Capacity | 15.5 quarts, rated for 9+ servings. |
| Interior | sand-coloured smooth enamel; exterior: coloured, shock-resistant enamel. |
| Interior dimensions | 15.4" L × 12.2" W × 6.4" H. |
| Exterior dimensions | 19.5" L × 12.8" W × 9.1" H. |
| Weight | about 25–26 lb empty. |
| Heat sources | ceramic, electric, gas, halogen, induction, oven and broiler. |
| Oven-safe | to 500°F; knob in black phenolic or stainless steel. |
| Care | dishwasher-safe per Le Creuset, with hand washing recommended. |
| Made in | France. |
| Warranty | limited lifetime. |
Full research notes and sources
Capacity and size
The 15.5 qt is the biggest Dutch oven Le Creuset makes, which the company markets as the Goose Pot for roasting large poultry. Interior measurements are 15.4" × 12.2" × 6.4", with a 19.5" × 12.8" × 9.1" exterior, so it takes a whole turkey or a large cut of meat with room to spare. It is rated for 9 or more servings.
Weight and stovetop fit
Empty, the pot weighs about 25–26 lb, and retailers list figures of 25.2 lb and 26.2 lb depending on the page. That is more than double the 5.5 qt round model Wirecutter measured at 11.9 lb. Wirecutter cautions that oval Dutch ovens may heat less evenly on standard round burners and can be hard to fit on a small stovetop. If you cook on gas with a large oval burner, or finish braises in the oven, that matters less.
Knob and temperature
The discrepancy is unresolved, so verify with Le Creuset or order the stainless steel knob, which has no temperature limit, if you bake bread at 500°F. Wirecutter also warns against preheating an empty Dutch oven for bread, since thermal shock can damage the enamel and may not be covered.
Enamel, warranty and repairs
Le Creuset’s limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original buyer but excludes abuse, commercial use, neglect and overheating. Wirecutter reports that the company will offer a 75%-off replacement even when the damage is the owner’s fault, citing a staffer’s chipped pot, which effectively caps the cost of a replacement at around $204. Enamel that chips or cracks badly is not something you can repair at home; a big chip exposing the cast iron risks rust, and replacement is the fix.
Is it worth it?
The 15.5 qt oval lists at $815 at Le Creuset direct and at authorized retailers including Abt, Sur La Table and Hubert, which is a lot for any single pot. If you need the capacity for whole birds and big batches and can handle the weight, the heirloom case holds. If you want a standard pot, a 5.5–6.5 qt round is less money and easier to live with.
Which model this is
This is the Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven in the 15.5 qt size, family SKU 21178US, with per-colour SKUs such as 21178040444041 for Oyster. Le Creuset calls this size the Goose Pot. It is not the 9.5 qt, 8 qt, 6.75 qt, 5 qt or 2.75 qt oval, and it is not the round Dutch oven line. The Amazon listing for the Cerise colour is ASIN B00VA5HRVY.
Sources
Manufacturer:
- Signature Oval Dutch Oven, 15.5 qt (Le Creuset)
- The Le Creuset 15.5 qt Oval Dutch Oven (Le Creuset blog)
- Warranty details (Le Creuset)
Independent reviews:
Stores:
