In 1925, two Belgian industrialists met at the Brussels Fair — one, a specialist in enamelling; the other, an expert in casting. Jointly they 'cracked the code' to enamelling cast iron and brought colour to the kitchen. The pair went on to establish a foundry in the village of Fresnoy-le-Grand, about two hours north of Paris. The factory site stands at a transportation crossroads, making it easier to source the iron, coke and sand needed for production.
"A modern classic, Le Creuset's cast iron casseroles are the product of nearly a century of refinement. Passed down through generations, they get better with age."
A RECIPE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Le Creuset's cast iron casseroles are made from the highest quality ingredients including 85% recycled iron and steel, creating enduring classics.
Raw material is melted down into the furnace, then poured into a melting pot, or ‘creuset’, from which the brand takes its name.
Once the metal cools, skilled craftsmen break away the individual sand moulds to reveal the newly cast casserole. Each piece is completely unique as the mould is broken down after each use. The sand is reused again and again, to create thousands of pieces.
SKILLED HANDS AND KEEN EYES
Every Le Creuset Casserole is hand-inspected at every stage of the process by 40 craftsmen, responsible for scrutinising every curve and detail. This ensures outstanding quality, durability and performance.
COLOUR RICH PIGMENTS
Mixing rich pigments is done with the utmost precision to ensure consistency. The iconic volcanic orange colour was inspired by the fiery orange of the molten iron used in the casting process, and it was the first colour Le Creuset produced when it launched in 1925.
HARDWEARING ENAMEL
The pots are sprayed with a minimum of two layers of enamel, to protect the piece inside and out and to add the colour. They then move along the production line for hand-finishing.
Finally, the finished pieces are hand inspected and safety tested to the highest standards. Spare parts like knobs and handles are added for that finishing touch.
