The Rondeau Pan is arguably the most versatile and multi-purpose piece of cookware that can accomplish most cooking tasks to a high standard. However, to find the Best Rondeau Pan for your cooking needs, you must understand the unique differences between the various pans.
They design these pans to be deep enough to cook stews and soups and shallow enough to saute and sear meat and vegetables. The handles are often wide and spacious for hands and oven mitts, and you can generally use Rondeau pans in the oven for braising and roasting.
By comparing the pros, cons, and stand-out features of the highest-rated rondeau pans on the market, we have formulated this short review list of the top-performing products currently on offer. This article aims to help you purchase the best cookware to suit your needs and desires and get the most value potential from your new rondeau pan.
Best Rondeau Pan
Mauviel M’Urban 24cm/9.5″ lid Cast SS Handle Tri-Ply Rondeau
Description
The Mauviel M’Urban offers this 9.5-inch Rondeau pan with cast stainless steel handles and tri-ply construction featuring an aluminum core and stay-cool handles. It also comes with pouring rims and a stylish logo. It is compatible with all stovetops, including gas, electric, halogen, and induction (Mauviel induction stovetop interface disc required; sold separately).
Pros
- Durable construction with tri-ply stainless steel and aluminum.
- Great heat distribution and conductivity with aluminum and stainless steel core.
- Multi-purpose cookware can be used for searing, broiling, and pan-roasting as preferred.
- A large cooking surface enables family-sized cooking and works well as a dutch oven.
- Compatible with all stovetops, including electric, halogen, gas, and induction (disc required).
Cons
- Does not include Mauviel induction stovetop interface disc with purchase.
- May not distribute heat evenly on electric stoves.
Overall Mauviel M’Urban Rondeau Review
The Mauviel M’Urban Rondeau pan is a stainless steel beast that combines with an aluminum core to double up as a durable delight with fast-heating properties. The pan is built with triple layers of stainless steel surrounding a layer of aluminum. As a result, it provides the optimal heat conductivity to cook through your food and leave no hot spots thoroughly.
In addition, the brushed stainless steel lid, pan, and handles are built to last you a lifetime of use with proper care and maintenance. Finally, the loop handles have a great ergonomic design (1). As a result, they can stay cool when cooking at high temperatures, making the cooking process easier and safer for you and your family.
In addition, the tight-fitting lid provides the perfect seal for your rondeau pan, which comes in handy when cooking tender meats that require greater moisturization for best results.
With this pan, you can trap heat well for slow-cooking vegetables and meats while also doubling up as a pure frying pan that delivers superior heat distribution to evenly sear a steak anywhere between rare and well done as preferred.
It’s available at an affordable price and backed by Mauviel’s lifetime warranty for factory defects. The M’Urban Rondeau pan is what every home cook and professional chef needs to take their cooking capabilities to the next level! Even if this specific Mauviel isn’t right for you, check out our Mauviel luxury cookware review for more cooking options.
Made In Cookware – 10 Quart Stainless Steel Rondeau Pot
Description
This 10-quart Stainless Steel Rondeau Pot comes with 5-ply construction for an extra-durable finish. Heat resistant at 800-degrees of oven safety and compatible with all cooktops, including induction. The Rondeau pot provides even and consistent heating for delicious results with your cooking.
Pros
- Extra durability and heat distribution benefits due to 5-ply stainless steel construction with aluminum core.
- Due to its thicker build, it has a slower heat transfer that makes it more suitable for heating stews, soups, and other sensitive foods without burning.
- Larger cooking surface allows you to cook without overcrowding the area.
- Compatible on all stovetops including induction.
- Lid and side handles are looped for ergonomics and easy portability.
Cons
- Handles may heat up at high temperatures.
- Not dishwasher safe.
Overall Made In Stainless Steel Rondeau Pot Review
The first thing you might notice with this product is the name Rondeau Pot instead of Rondeau Pan. In truth, the Rondeau pan is designed to double up as a pan or pot, so Made In has made it clear from the get-go that this is a multi-purpose cookware piece that can tackle a variety of tasks in the kitchen.
Whether it’s searing meats or slow-cooking stews, you’ll find plenty of use with this Rondeau pot. Compatible on all stovetops and oven safe for up to 800-degrees F, you can enjoy the convenience of roasting food in the oven.
Additionally, the thoughtfully designed walls with flared rims make it easy to contain your sauces to make cooking liquid effortless and efficient.
This Rondeau cookware is built with five bonded stainless steel and aluminum layers, making it one of the best Rondeau pans for durability and strength through its sturdy and solid design. As a result of its thicker 5-ply cladding, the cooking surface cooks evenly and distributes heat more efficiently across the entire pot.
Not only that, but due to the extra layering of stainless steel, you can achieve far higher levels of heat retention than with 3-ply cookware. This type of construction means you get a slower heat up time but superior heat distribution and retention. You can also check out our Made In cookware review for more options.
Backed by a strong rating of 4.8-stars on Amazon reviews, you can check out what customers are saying and purchase yours now using the link below!
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
Description
This dutch oven by Le Creuset comes in at 7.25-quarts and delivers superior heat distribution and retention with an enameled cast iron construction. It also comes with a tightly fitted lid, ergonomic handles, and a light-colored interior for easy monitoring when cooking.
Pros
- Excels when cooking large batches of food such as stews, stock, and roasts.
- Enameled cast iron construction provides durability and resists dulling, staining, chipping, and cracking.
- Compatible with all cooktops including induction.
- Oven-safe for up to 500 degrees F and features inbuilt lid stabilizers.
- Easy to clean and safe for dishwasher use and metal utensils.
Cons
- Not as effective as a pan, works better as a pot.
- Does not conduct heat as well as stainless steel.
Overall Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Review
The Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven is built with a stylish cast-iron design in various colors to brighten up your kitchen. However, we recommend you go for a bright color as the lighter interior can make it easy for you to monitor your cooking progress. It also makes cleaning more straightforward.
This is one of the few enameled cast iron pans that are dishwasher safe, so you will want to take advantage of this feature as much as possible. It is great for oven roasting, browning meats, and preparing large batches of delicious meals with ease. The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is a must-have for home cooks and professional chefs everywhere.
Le Creuset makes this versatile pan large enough to avoid overcrowding as a leading cookware manufacturer. With this 7.25-quart Rondeau pot, you can achieve the results of a professional-grade pan while also enjoying the benefits of a deep pot.
This outstanding cookware piece is built to maximize durability and corrosion, resulting in a long-lasting pot. This gives the Le Creuset cookware brand its reputation on the market as a top-tier manufacturer of professional cookware.
While it may not be as conducive as stainless steel or as oven-safe as aluminum, the true benefits of this product lie in its ability to outlast any other Rondeau pans on the market. It is also an induction-compatible cast iron pan, which is a great benefit. In addition, it has a design and warranty intended to keep this pot by your side for a lifetime!
Coming in hot at 4.9-stars with over 4,400 global customer reviews to verify its quality, the Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven is available in various colors. It is loved for its versatility, heat distribution, and giftable nature. Check out what this overwhelming number of customers are saying about it using the link below:
Related: Le Creuset Cookware Review
Tramontina 6 QT Covered Braiser
Description
The Tramontina 6-quart Covered Braiser works the same way as a rondeau pan for versatile cooking. It features premium 18/10 stainless steel tri-ply clad construction and an aluminum core. Also featured are a mirror-polished finish, secure-tight lid, and up to 500-degrees F of oven safety.
Pros
- Perfect for braising meats and vegetables in sauce and curry.
- Tri-ply construction provides fast heat conductivity, durability, and sturdiness.
- Cast stainless steel handles are riveted and stay cool under high temperatures.
- Lid has loop handles for easy operation and provides secure closure for your braiser, trapping in heat and moisture for delicious results.
- Lifetime warranty for any manufacturing defects encountered.
Cons
- Not as durable as 5-ply construction.
- Surface area is not as wide as other cooking surfaces.
Overall Tramontina 6 QT Covered Braiser Review
Tramontina offers this 6-quart Rondeau pan that excels in braising for a stunning mirror-polished finish. This is because its smaller size works well for dishes that contain mild amounts of liquid combined with huge chunks of meat—for example, roast beef with gravy or a chicken tikka curry.
The tri-ply construction features an aluminum core wrapped between two sheets of stainless steel layers. This gives the pan excellent heat conductivity upon interaction with your stove. It also provides a great amount of durability with its stainless steel construction.
In addition, the stainless steel makes for a shiny silver finish that provides lasting results, making it fit well with any interior design for a nice modern look. Finally, the enhanced heat conductivity (2) of aluminum can heat up the braiser quickly. As a result, you can cook up timely meals that don’t compromise on quality when it comes to the taste of the food.
The Tramontina Braiser is the perfect hybrid that delivers top-quality results across various recipe options. It has the speedy cooking results of brazier pans and the even heat distribution properties of a half-height dutch oven.
In fact, its heat distribution feature is a key component that gives this braiser a resounding 4.8-stars on Amazon reviews. More than 50 customers have averaged out this impressive score for an overwhelmingly positive consensus. Its perks of being sturdy and easy to clean significantly contribute to this high score.
There is plenty to be excited about with the Tramontina Braiser, but you can also check out more of their products in our Tramontina cookware review.
Rondeau Buying Guide
Size
The idea of the Rondeau pan is to be a well-balanced cookware piece that emphasizes its versatile cooking properties as opposed to being too extreme in any one direction. Taking that into account when considering size, it is best to go for an average size between 6 to 9 quarts when purchasing a Rondeau.
Any smaller, and you could compromise its ability to cook large pieces of meat. Any larger, and you could ruin its capability to cook richer stews and curries.
Lid
It’s hard to miss the mark when it comes to lids, as thankfully, most Rondeau pans come with a secure-tight fitting lid with a well-looped handle for easy operation. So you should settle for nothing less in that regard. The other thing you want to look out for as lids go is a stay-cool handle. That way, you can avoid harming your hands when cooking at high temperatures.
In addition, the lid should encapsulate your rondeau pan well enough to trap heat and increase the moisturization of your foods. This allows you to cook tender meats delicately.
Features
Rondeau pans are relatively simple in design, so there aren’t too many standout features that give one product an edge. However, some basic features to look out for include 3-ply or 5-ply construction, stay-cool handles, secure-fit lids, and conductive heating properties. You will also want to ensure your pan is within a good cooking surface range, as detailed in the size section.
As a bonus, you may also opt to look for brands that offer a greater variety of colors with their cookware. This is quite rare to find.
Material
Most Rondeau pans come with 3-ply or 5-ply stainless steel construction and an aluminum core. This is optimal for stainless steel Rondeau pans, which provide high heat conductivity, durability, and even cooking distribution.
However, you may also opt for cast-iron options, which take longer to heat up but provide excellent heat retention as a payoff. In particular, glass-enameled cast iron can also give off quick food release, reducing the need for seasoning before cooking.
Care
When purchasing a Rondeau pan it’s important to read the product description and user manual. This is where they will tell you how to care for it so they can last as long as possible.
People’s most common mistake is cleaning their cookware with a dishwasher when the guidelines state it’s not dishwasher-safe. Unfortunately, this often leads to irreversible damage not covered by a warranty.
It is always best to handwash your Rondeau pan as good practice to avoid permanent burn marks on the cooking surface.
Braiser pan vs Rondeau pan
A braiser pan is quite similar in looks and design to a Rondeau pan, but some notable differences exist. While both are designed for braising, a Rondeau pan provides more capabilities such as pan roasting, sauteing, and searing.
This is often a result of the differences in materials used, with the braiser pans usually coming in an enameled cast-iron build. In contrast, the Rondeau usually comes in stainless steel. That said, there are enameled cast iron rondeau pans available on the market.
All things considered, a braiser pan can prove to be more affordable in cost and specialized in its use when it comes to braising. On the other hand, the Rondeau offers more versatility in cooking but often comes at a higher price point.
Rondeau vs Sauté Pan
The best way to differentiate between a Rondeau and a sauté pan is by their handles. The Rondeau comes with two loop handles, much like a dutch oven or stockpot, while the sauté pan comes with one loop handle and one extended “frying pan” handle.
This is because the sauté pan is designed to be a pan first and a pot second, while the Rondeau pan is equally a pot as much as it is a pan. Regarding the pot-to-pan ratio, I would say the Rondeau is a 50:50 even split while the sauté pan is a 25:75 in favor of the pan.
Hence, I recommend sauté pans for more dry cooking, such as steaks, eggs, and lightly marinated chicken in lemon juice. Also related are sauteuse pans, for which we have a list of the best sauteuse pans, which combine many features of the two for even greater versatility.
Rondeau pan vs Dutch oven
In the same way, the Rondeau pan and sauté pan are similar yet different. The same formula applies to the Rondeau pan versus the Dutch oven but in the opposite direction. If the Rondeau pan is a 50:50 split between a pot and a pan, then the Dutch oven is a 75:25 split in favor of being more of a pot.
Indeed, the Dutch oven excels with thicker stews and more prominent sauce-based dishes such as curry or soup. However, it still retains some pan-like properties that make it great for browning meats before adding in your sauce.
The Dutch oven is still at a reasonable height for dry cooking some meats and vegetables. However, it does not reach the maximum height of a full-blown stockpot.
Hence, I’d recommend the Dutch oven for more curry-based cooking that is heavier on liquids and has enough dry cooking to warrant the pan properties. Some recipe examples include Massaman beef, Mexican chili, or Indian butter chicken.
Rondeau Pan Sizes
Typically, you would need a Rondeau pan size of about 7.5-quarts for a well-rounded piece of cookware large enough to cook for a family. Yet, it’s also small enough to retain the richness of its flavors.
I would not recommend going too far past 9 quarts as a general rule. You start to enter a “danger zone” in terms of losing the unique properties that make Rondeau pans amazing.
Rondeau Pan FAQ
What is a Rondeau Pan used for?
A Rondeau pan is primarily designed to be versatile, meaning it performs equally as well as a pan as it does as a pot. Typical uses of a Rondeau pan include braising, pan-frying, broiling, searing, sauteing, and slow cooking.
Related: Check out the best slow cookers
How should you clean a rondeau pan?
The best way to clean a Rondeau pan is by handwashing it with soap and water. Some brands claim to be dishwasher-safe, but you want to stick to handwashing to maximize their longevity.
Related Reading:
Best Cookware Under $100: Pots and Pans
Sources
(1) – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/ergonomic-design#:~:text=Ergonomics%20involves%20designing%20the%20workplace,well%20as%20worker%20well%2Dbeing.
(2) – https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/thermodynamics/specific-heat-and-heat-transfer/a/what-is-thermal-conductivity