The Best Rondeau Pan has large handles, weighs a ton and conducts heat fast. In America most people dont even know what a Rondeau pan is. But it is actually a choice of many kitchen professional. A Rondeau Pan is like a dutch oven but wider and shorter. Some manufacturer attaches two loops handles to their saute pan and call it a rondeau. However, these are more of a Braiser Pan than a true Rondeau. True Rondeau are larger and can carry more liquid/volume, they are also a little taller. This article will go in depth on what makes the Best Rondeau Pan.

Best Rondeau Pan List

Here is a list of some of the Best Rondeau Pan. I have listed them based on categories. Choose one that best suit your need.

Le Creuset Signature Round Wide 3-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven (Best Cast Iron Rondeau)

Le Creuset is the best in this category. They are beautiful and perfect for the oven to table presentation. The heavy cast iron construction means that once they get hot, they will stay hot. This means food will keep warm even on the table side. The only downside to this model is that it takes a while to heat up.

All-Clad TK Brushed Stainless-Steel 5-Ply 8-Qt Tall Rondeau (Best Stainless Steel Rondeau)

All Clad makes the Best Rondeau Pan in this category. Their rondeau uses a fully cladded construction. The aluminum core ensures that it heats up fast and eliminates heat spots. The handle is comfortable and its relatively affordable. It is also lighter than either cast iron or copper. Perfect for those who want something more nimble. Be aware, that the diameter is larger than 12 inch, make sure your stove can accommodate something that big.

Mauviel M’Heritage M250C 2.5mm Copper Rondeau with Lid, 5 quart (Best Copper Rondeau)

No one makes better copper cookware than Mauviel. They are the creme de la creme of rondeau. Professional French Chef love the M’Tradition line. They tend to be really thick at 3mm and above. However, tin is fussy and can melt if you are not careful. A good alternative would the 250 line. That uses a stainless steel lining and wont wear down like tin. If you want the best of the best, copper is the way to go. Just dont have a heart attack when you see the price…

Why Use a Rondeau Pan?

The great thing about Rondeau Pan is its versatility. You can cook on the stove top and use it in the oven. The shorter loop handle means that you can fit it in a smaller oven. This means its great for braising or roasting. Not only that, they are perfect for a oven to table presentation. In the professional Kitchen, they would often use these massive rondeau pan to make giant batch of food. The large wide open space makes it easy to turn and move food around. Where as shorter and taller pot are more cramp and harder to stir food.

Rondeau Pan Sizes

The Best Rondeau Pan size really depends on you. For a home kitchen, I recommend one that is at least 9 inches. This will give you more room to cook stuff and not crowd things. Generally, you want one with taller sidewalls, but the shorter than a dutch oven. If you are serving a large group of people, I recommend you go big. All Clad makes a giant 14 inch one that is great for this occasion. It holds 8 qt of liquid and it has a massive cooking surface area.

Just be aware, that the bigger you go, the larger the burner you need. If you have one that is too small, the outer edge of the pan will have some problem getting hot. You can circumvent this by using a more heat conductive metal. Copper and Aluminum are good choices.

Metal

Different metals have different heat transfer value. Stainless Steel for example is a poor conductor of heat. A pan that is just made with stainless steel will have heat spots and take longer to heat up. However, a pan that uses aluminum or a combination of the two will conduct heat a lot better. Copper is considered to be one the Best Metal in terms of heat conductivity. They heat up fast and sear better than the other metals. They can also cool down quicker. They are great if your home range is on the weaker side. Using a Copper Pan can compensate for this. Just be aware, its also a lot more expensive.

Manufacturer like Mauviel are known for their hand crafted copper cookware. They command a high price are highly respected. Their products are often seen in top French Restaurant.

Aluminum is much cheaper alternative and works for most people. All Clad makes many good option and are also used by Chefs around the world.

Cast Iron are poor conductor of heat. If you buy one that is too large, it might have trouble reaching the proper cooking temperature. You should stick to smaller one especially if your home burner is weak. If not, the outer rim might still be cool while the center is hot. Luckily, the smaller models works just fine and once it gets hot, it stays hot.

For smaller Rondeau, I recommend using cast iron. However, if you need something a bit larger, Aluminum or Copper would be a better choice.

Lids

One of the most annoying thing about Rondeau are the lid, most of them dont have one…The lid trap in moisture and prevent oil splatter. Rondeaus by Le Creuset have a nice and heavy one. However, for Brands like Mauviel and All Clad, you need to find a substitute.

If you have a giant plate, you can use that. Or you can just not use one at all. Letting the food get exposed to hot air is one of the best way to carmelize the exterior. This helps the dish develop more flavor.

Best Rondeau Pan Thoughts

A Rondeau pan is incredibly versatile tool. If you want a pan that can do it all, this is the way to go. For a smaller kitchen, the one by Le Creuset works well. They stay hot and look pretty on your table. However, If you want something larger, get the one by All Clad. For the best of the best, go for Mauviel. They are perfect heat conductor and will outperform all the other models. The only issue is the price. The good thing though is that you cant go wrong with any of the models.

I hope you like this Best Rondeau Pan Article, If you would like to see more, please visit our Pots and Pans Review page.