Le Creuset Lid in Oven at 450 degrees??

Question

I bought Elizabeth Yarnell's Miraculous One-Pot Meals and a Le Creuset dutch oven. She sells my model--which has a plastic lid--on her website. 

It concerns me that some of her recipes say to stick the dutch oven, covered, into the oven at 450 degrees. Won't this melt the lid? Le Creuset says it's safe up to 350.

I don't want to melt my lid! Has anyone done this?

Answer

I wonder if you wrap the knob in foil if that would help?

Answer

I've used my 6 qt. Le Creuset dutch oven for 10 years and just recently had to replace the knob. No big deal, and it shouldn't hurt it for a long, long time.

Answer

I wouldn't do it. Not only may the knob melt, but it can crack later on. My mother used to do this all the time. Replacement knobs are available, but they are a nuisance to obtain. The real issue here is what temperature your oven really is, as some run hotter or colder than the setting actually is. If, as the poster who made no-knead bread says, you are using it at 500 with no ill effects, and since 500 degrees is normally be the equivalent of low broil, I doubt your oven is really that hot. It's probably more like 450-460 before you opened the door. You shouldn't even consider putting an LC in a 500 degree oven, forget worrying about the lid. 

There are brands of enameled cast iron, and in fact some legacy LC, that have metal handles -- sometimes loop handles, and sometimes ornamental. Those are usually okay to about 450 because the handles are not the black phenolic type. If you really want to go higher, invest in a plain cast iron Dutch oven and season it well before using. You can even try a good quality stainless steel Dutch oven if you have one.

Answer

I've put mine in the over above 375 and never had a problem. But if you are concerned, you can buy metal replacement knobs that are good at any temperature: http://www.chefcentral.com/product1.aspx?Product_Id=1720&utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=dfeeds&utm_campaign=general

Answer

If you are really worried about the handle on the lid, then you can get replacement handles (in metal!) from many cookshops; any WS will have them for about $10? Or, you could even go to the hardware store and get a door or cabinet pull (stainless steel, no paint, or you have problems) and install one on the lid instead...

Answer

Don't you mean knob, not lid?

You can unscrew the knob and thread a thin roll of aluminum foil through the hole to plug it up and give yourself an oven-proof handle. Very simple solution.

Answer

Are you saying that the WHOLE LID is plastic? On a LC french oven? That's a new one to me.

Or are you just concerned with the knob?

I put mine in the oven at 475-500 all the time, but if you are worried just remove the knob. Replacements can be hard to come by.

Answer

Done. For 88 cents.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100145541

Answer

When did Le Creuset start using plastic knobs? All mine are from the '70s and they have metal knobs. They used to have little plastic semi-heatproof slipcovers for the knobs but those are long gone.

Answer

Replacement knobs are available here: 

http://www.cutleryandmore.com/prodlist.asp?BrandID=8&FamilyID=57

And, by the way, the knobs are made of phenolic resin (like Bakelite,) not plastic.

Answer

Sur Le Table sells the little metal knob for the top as do hardware stores

Answer

While using the lid in an extremely hot oven may slightly damage the finish on the knob, it will certainly not melt or cause serious problems. I did it for years.

However, it did make my knob slightly brittle and a piece chipped off, so I recently bought the SS LC knob from Amazon. I love it! 

http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Stainless-Steel-Replacement-Knob/dp/B0014JRN0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1261327614&sr=8-1

Answer

I'm afraid the plastic knob on our casserole dish melted at around 190 C.

To be fair Le Creuset's instructions for users say explicitly that around 190 C is the upper limit for this component, which is strange considering that 190 C is hardly at the top end of the range for temperatures your average casserole dish may regularly encounter when doing the job for which it was designed.

Being less fair my assumption is that Le Creuset know they sell mostly to middle-class people who are willing to pay a very hefty price for their cooking vessels and that therefore they are also dealing with people who would think nothing of laying out another $30 to Le Creuset every time the knob on their casserole lid is ruined.

My solution, however, is a $4 small iron door knob from the local DIY store. That baby ain't gonna melt however hot the oven gets....

Answer

The knob is plastic, not the lid.
The knob should withstand the 450 degree temperature but if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. It's not like you can no longer use the pot.
You go to a harware store and purchase a cabinet knob that you like... there are dozens to choose from and replace it.
No need to pay Le Creuset $20+ for a replacement plastic knob.

Answer

The knob can be unscrewed.

The ladies at the LC outlet say that people come in and steal them all the time.

Answer

Reading this thread just answered my question which I was searching on Google. My LC Dutch oven w lid and knob is now in a 350degree oven and will be for the next 6 hrs w a 6.3lb pork shoulder, bone in, for playoff game pulled pork tonight. That said, thanks for all the info I now need to ask - what's with all the mention of no-knead bread and can you please share a link to the recipe?

Answer

Did nobody think to look at the manufacturer's FAQ?

Oven use

The black phenolic lid knobs on our Signature range of enameled cast iron are heat-resistant to 480°F / 250°C. The black phenolic lid knobs on our Classic range of enameled cast iron are heat-resistant to 375°F / 190°C. Products with integral cast iron handles or stainless steel knobs can be used at any oven temperature. Pans with wooden handles or knobs must not be placed in the oven.

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Le Creuset Lid in Oven at 450 degrees??

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