The Complete Casserole Buying Guide

Andi Healey
Web Manager

9 minute read Last Updated: 1 October 2025

Quick Summary: A 24-26cm cast iron casserole suits most households, feeding 3-5 people comfortably. Cast iron retains heat brilliantly for slow cooking, whilst stainless steel offers lighter weight and faster responsiveness.

A casserole is one of the most useful pieces of cookware in any kitchen. From hearty stews and soups to curries, risottos, and even bread, it's a pan that quickly earns its keep. But with different materials, sizes, and brands to choose from, which casserole is the right one for you? This complete casserole buying guide will help you make the perfect choice for your kitchen.

Quick Decision Helper

Short on time? Here's where to start:

Cooking for 1-2 people? Start with a 20-22cm round casserole
Family of 4? A 24-26cm is your everyday workhorse
Large family or love entertaining? Go for 28-30cm
Want lightweight and responsive? Choose stainless steel
Love slow cooking? Cast iron is your friend

Expert Tip: First-time buyer? Start with a 24cm enamelled cast iron in a neutral colour. It's the most versatile option and holds its resale value brilliantly if you decide to upgrade later.

What to Consider When Buying a Casserole

Material & Performance

Enamelled Cast Iron

Traditional, versatile, and built to last generations. Cast iron heats evenly and retains heat beautifully, making it perfect for slow cooking, batch meals, or any recipe where steady, consistent heat matters.

Best for: Slow-cooked stews, soups, bread baking, dishes that need to hold temperature

Weight: Heavy (3-7kg depending on size)
Heat-up time: Slow - needs gentle preheating
Maintenance: Easy-clean enamel, avoid metal utensils
Induction: Yes, compatible
Lifespan: Decades, often handed down through families

Stainless Steel

Lighter and quicker to heat. Ideal for everyday stovetop cooking when you need responsive temperature control. Easier to lift and manoeuvre when full.

Best for: Sauces, quick stovetop dishes, precise temperature control

Weight: Light to medium
Heat-up time: Fast and responsive
Maintenance: Dishwasher safe, can use metal utensils
Induction: Yes, when multi-ply construction
Lifespan: 20-30+ years

Quick Material Comparison

Feature	Cast Iron	Stainless Steel
Weight	Heavy (3-7kg)	Light-Medium
Heat-up	Slow, even	Fast, responsive
Best for	Slow cooking, braising	Quick meals, sauces
Lifespan	Lifetime	20-30+ years
Price	£££-££££	££-£££

Size Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit

Choosing the right size matters more than you think. Too small and you'll be making multiple batches; too large and your food won't cook properly.

20-22cm (2.4-3.3 litres)

Ideal for 1-2 people or side dishes. Perfect for couples, small households, or as a second casserole for sides and sauces.

24-26cm (4.2-5.3 litres)

The sweet spot for most households. Feeds 3-5 people comfortably and handles everything from weeknight dinners to small gatherings. If you're buying just one casserole, this is typically the best choice.

Size Decision Made Easy: Cooking for 4? Buy the 26cm, not the 24cm. The extra capacity is invaluable when entertaining or batch cooking. And remember, you can always put less in a larger pot, but you can't put more in a smaller one!

28-30cm (6.7-8.4 litres)

Built for larger families, entertaining, or serious batch cooking. Brilliant for feeding 6-10 people or making big pots of soup to freeze.

Shape: Round vs Oval

Round Casseroles

The all-rounder. Works brilliantly for soups, stews, curries, risottos, and bread baking. Fits neatly on most hobs and distributes heat evenly. This is the shape most people should start with.

Oval Casseroles

Designed for specific tasks. Perfect for whole poultry, long cuts of meat, or whole fish. If you regularly roast chickens or cook Sunday joints, an oval makes sense as a second casserole.

How Different Brands Compare

We've carefully selected brands that represent the best in quality, craftsmanship, and value. Here's how they differ and which buyer they might suit:

Comparing The Casserole Brands We Stock

Brand	Strengths & Characteristics	When a Buyer Might Choose It
Le Creuset	Excellent reputation, strong resale & brand trust. Enamelled cast iron with many colour options. Lifetime guarantee.	For someone who wants a "safe bet" — a brand they know, with supporting content and excellent resale value.
Staub	Premium heavy cast iron with subdued finishes. Self-basting lid design. Strong performance in high-heat braising.	If someone wants that premium cast iron feel but prefers different design aesthetics or the self-basting lid feature.
Netherton Foundry	Traditional spun/cast iron made in Shropshire. Authentic craftsmanship with natural iron that develops patina.	Ideal for buyers wanting UK-made iron cookware with authentic feel and supporting British manufacturing.
Samuel Groves	Classic stainless steel, used by top chefs on "The Great British Menu". Birmingham-based with 180+ years heritage.	A good pick for someone conscious of sustainability as they are a part of the Samuel Groves 'pans for life' refurbishment scheme.
Demeyere	High-performance stainless steel and multi-ply cookware. Belgian-made with advanced technology for induction performance.	For someone who prefers lighter, responsive cookware over heavy heat-retentive cast iron. Different material category.
Grunwerg	Accessible premium brand with the well-finished Commichef Cast Aluminium range. Good value and quality construction.	A good middle ground: reliable performance, respected name, without the extreme price tag of premium brands. And a lot lighter too!

Note: Some brands favour certain materials (e.g. Demeyere is stronger in stainless/clad constructions), so it's not always apples-to-apples to compare a Demeyere "casserole" with heavy cast iron. The buyer should first decide what material suits their cooking style, then pick among brands.

Still not sure? Visit our shops in Cobham or Reigate to see and feel the difference.

Or call us on 01737 222996 to speak with our team.

What Customers Ask About Casseroles

Will a 24cm casserole fit in my oven?

A 24cm casserole typically measures around 32cm total length including handles. Most UK ovens are 60cm wide, so this will fit comfortably. Measure your oven interior before purchasing to confirm.

How does cast iron compare to stainless steel?

Cast iron retains heat more effectively, making it ideal for maintaining steady temperature during slow cooking. Stainless steel heats and cools more quickly, excellent for responsive temperature control but less suited to extended braising.

What makes premium casseroles worth the price?

Premium casseroles use thicker cast iron (4-5mm vs 2-3mm) providing more even heat distribution. The enamel coating is applied more thickly and fired at higher temperatures, making it more durable and chip-resistant.

Should I buy round or oval first?

Start with a round casserole. It's more versatile for everyday cooking - soups, stews, curries, risottos, and bread. Add an oval later if you regularly cook whole chickens or long cuts of meat.

Care & Making It Last

Cast Iron Care

During cooking: Use low to medium heat, let it warm gradually
Utensils: Stick to silicone, wood, or nylon to protect enamel
Cleaning: Let cool slightly, wash in hot soapy water, dry thoroughly
Never: Plunge hot cast iron into cold water (thermal shock can crack enamel)

Common Mistake: Never put cold water into a hot cast iron casserole. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes first.

Stainless Steel Care

Cleaning: Dishwasher safe, though hand washing preserves shine
Stubborn marks: Bar Keeper's Friend works wonders
Utensils: Metal utensils are fine

Why Buy From Art of Living?

Founded in Reigate in 1972, Art of Living has been helping customers choose quality cookware for over 50 years.

Our Guarantees

✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
✓ Price Match Guarantee

Read our full guarantee policy →

Questions? Call us on 01737 222996

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need more than one casserole?

Many keen cooks eventually own two or three. Start with one good 24-26cm round - it'll handle 90% of your needs.

What's the difference between a casserole and a Dutch oven?

They're the same thing. "Casserole" is more common in the UK, whilst "Dutch oven" is the American term.

Can I use metal utensils?

Not with enamelled cast iron - stick to wood, silicone, or nylon. Stainless steel casseroles are fine with metal utensils.

How long will a quality casserole last?

A well-made casserole should last decades. Le Creuset and Staub offer lifetime guarantees. Many families pass cast iron casseroles down through generations.

What if I've used it and don't like it?

Return it anyway. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items - if it doesn't do what you wanted, we'll refund you.

How long does delivery take?

Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4, and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill.

Is it worth buying an expensive casserole?

A quality casserole from Le Creuset, Staub, or Netherton Foundry will last 30+ years (often a lifetime), meaning the cost per use becomes pennies. Budget alternatives may need replacing every 5-10 years.