Cast iron casserole
Good looking, good cooking casserole. Perfect for chicken and a small duck. Easy cleaning. Best for the price (comparing to another "cast iron" brands)



Great Pot
We have the smaller Rachael Ray casserole and it works great on camping trips in the RV, but the oval casserole is better in that it can hold a whole chicken, a large gumbo or most anything we use to make in the dutch-oven at home -- with these two added features of being easier to clean and looks great as a serving dish. In addition, the shape makes it easy to stir and serve in.

Rich



Some problems emerging with the casseroles.
These "made in China" casseroles are pretty, and similar to Le Creuset in appearance, enamel over cast iron, however people are noticing the enamel does not stand up well to heat, and it cracks. (See reviews on "Rachael Ray 3-1/2-Quart Cast-Iron Covered Round Casserole, Blue", and talk with people who handle returns at your dept. store.)

Additionally, the casserole has a cheap phenolic (plastic) handle on the top cover, which the manual says are "oven safe" ONLY up to 350 F temperature. This makes no sense, when recipes may call for 350-400 degree temperatures! A 350 degree handle is just as hot to the touch, be it made of cheap plastic or cast iron. Batali's handles are good to 500 degrees, Le Creuset's handles are good to 450 degrees, Rachael's cheap plastic handle will be melted slime, long before then at just 350 degrees!

Quite a few bakers know that oven temps may vary from 50-75 degrees from what is "set", at times! While using plastic handles saves a small expense for Rachael, it may limit oven temp setting to 300-325 for some, to put in a margin of safety, to avoid lid handle meltdown. It just gives one more thing to worry about while cooking-to not let the handle melt into a puddle of goo.

Rachael, get better quality control with the next batch, and please give matching cast iron handles instead of cheap plastic, and make it easy on customers!

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Rachael Ray 5-1/4-Quart Cast-Iron Covered Oval Casserole, Orange