I was very excited to get the carribean blue griddle and couldn't wait to use it. It cooked evenly but the beautiful carribean blue color is now just light blue and it was very hard to clean.

Looking great, cooking deliciously, but not easy maintenance. This grill pan makes gourmet grilled meat and vegetable, but it takes long time to clean up the grill pan. It's a tough job :(

I received the Le Creuset grill pan, which was broken in shipment. The reason, was because it had no packing material to protect it during shipment. When I returned it, there were no more available.

Love the skillet, love the color, love the size. Just right for browning a large piece of meat or grilling a few chops. Finding it on a "special deal" promotion from Amazon made it all the better.

I don't know why so many people gave 4 and 5 stars for this pan. I love to cook and to grill. I have two cast iron pans, and a lot of different brand name pans. I always like to cook fish with a no stick pan. I want the fish crisp and whole, not falling apart. This pan is a nightmare for cooking any kind of seafood. For chicken, beef or pork it's ok, but still sticky. You can't get a restaurant-ready presentation. Any pan or grill will do better than this model.
Cleaning is a nightmare. You must soak it all night and day, and then it's still hard to clean. Soft rubbing never can clean it, unless you want leftover food for your next meal.
Only thing can get 1 star is its look.

I have wanted one of these for so long and could not justify the price -- until I saw this on on Amazon daily special. I jumped rigth on it and I could not be happier!!! Thanks Amazon!

I have always wanted Le Creuset cookware, but the higher price point has kept me from taking the plunge. I couldn't resist when I saw this in the Gold Box for $20 off regular price. It is wonderful! Even heating and easy clean up. Following the directions right out of the box I gave it a quick clean up in soapy water (soap & cast iron is supposed to be taboo right?) and it was ready for use, no heavy seasoning needed like traditional cast iron. It was a great start to a long love affair with Le Creuset!

I'm no wizard in the kitchen but cooking on this is fun. It is a little large and unwieldy but has pretty great cooking properties. I got it on a Gold Box deal for $40 and it's worth it. Eat drink be merry!

I gave this to my husband for Valentine's Day and have since been treated to great steaks and salmon filets!

Bought this skillet along with The Camp Chef BAC-P Seasoned Cast Iron Bacon/Meat Press. The pair do a wonderful job on bacon, burgers, sandwiches, etc. We also use it on the burner of the gas Bar-B-Q. I think Staub brand cast iron cookware has more non-stick characteristics than Le Creuset. However, I have not found that to be a problem with this pan, neither have a non-stick coating. This has become one of our most used pieces of cookware.

I love this skillet. Recently rediscovered the joy of pan broiled steak and the skillet performs perfectly. Nice and heavy - not for the weak.

I love this skillet grill. I have used it to make grill cheese, grill steak and hamburgers. It cleans up nice and browns evenly. It is a bit larger than my large electric burner but has no problems heating up evenly. I purchased it as a "Today's Deal". The price was great for this item. Not sure though if I would pay more for it.

I got one of these for Christmas, and while I like cooking with it, it's too much of a hassle to clean. .. not worth the effort. I cooked some chicken breasts in it a few nights ago, and the drippings that went in between the ribs will NOT come off. they are charred black, and I've tried scraping, scrubbing, boiling water in it, using the "Le Creuset enamel cleaner", all to no avail. Why this pan does not have a non-stick surface is beyond me. I've been soaking and scrubbing this stupid thing for 3 days now, and it's still got black residue at the bottom. And yes, I was cooking on medium heat. Do NOT waste your money on this pan.

Heavy cast iron, this pan sears and grills amazingly well and much better than regular caphalon or nonstick grill pans. Cleans easily by just rinsing under water or fits in the dishwasher. This pan will last you a lifetime just like other Le Creuset products so it's a great investment and addition to your kitchen arsenal!

This is the first Le Creuset product I have purchased and I am very happy with it. I've used it several times and gotten excellent results, plus I love the grill marks it makes!

There have been some complaints about this pan being hard to clean. The manufacturer warns not to turn the heat too high, brush some oil on the pan after it heats up, and do not move the food too soon after placing it on the grill. I followed these directions and have not had problems. There is food residue stuck to the pan but I use one of those plastic scrapers I had from a George Foreman grill and that gets the gunk off, then I am able to wash the pan and get it clean. I have a George Foreman grill without removable plates and that is a big hassle to clean. This LC pan is easier, in my opinion.

Some have also complained that it takes a long time to warm the pan and so maybe that's why they have problems because they turn the heat up too high to heat it faster. LC says don't do it that way! Just have enough sense to start heating up the pan earlier!

Negatives: the pan is pretty hefty but it's cast iron so what do you expect? If you don't want a heavy pan don't buy a cast iron one.

Positives: it looks beautiful, it is well made and it cooks food very well. This is a keeper.

My goodness. I got this out of the box (and washed it) and I immediately started cooking. I cooked hamburgers that tasted and looked like those from a restaurant (not a fast-food joint). Then, I made braised up some veggies. Finally, I made some homemade pasta and cooked the shrimp, garlic, mushrooms, etc in this little baby. Everything tasted so great, and I love the ease of cleaning. Very happy.

We cooked chicken breasts in this pan and not only did they look fantastic with the grill marks, but they were cooked to perfection. They weren't dry at all and had a great, juicy flavor. Cleaning the pan takes a little work, but it is worth the effort. I would highly recommend this grilling pan.

I bought this pan in red a few years ago at great sale somewhere; perhaps Williams-Sonoma or le Creuset Outlet. When I saw it today as a Gold Box lightning deal, I had to speak up. It is perfect for broiling greasier meats with its ridges. I use it often for combination baking/broiling: heat it from the bottom and then broil the top without flipping. Sometimes I start recipe on the stovetop and move to the oven to bake or broil. It comes in a square dimension also. While the cooking surface is enamel, it has a matte finish and cleans fairly easily; just don't confuse with synthetic surfaces, it is still enamel not Teflon.
I have a lot of le Creuset cookware and use them often. I use this piece
a lot.

Le Creuset 12 2/3 Inch Oblong Skillet Grill, Satin BlackThis was a gift for a future in-law. Good price for the brand but Lodge is comparable for less. Disappointed that this did not come with a press for sandwiches. I have a different brand with press and use it for bacon, sausage, grilled ham & cheese etc.

I have a lot of products from the same brand, theya are all very good.
This one came in the right time to grill my meat.
It stays tender , juice...
PERFECT!!

Look at it. It is what it is. There is so much you can do with this: grill anything, fry bacon, whatever you choose. It is warranted until the Second Coming or 100 years, whichever comes first. I love it and I got it here.

i deducted a star because there really aren't any good directions specific to the care of this pan; it's just the same generic le creuset info.

in the begining, everytime i used it, i smoked up the entire house to the point we had to open the windows and turn on fans, still coughing. now i just cook on medium.

i was having a really hard time getting it clean too. now i know some others spoke about letting a patina build up, but this was much more than that. eventually i had the idea of using an old foreman grill scraper to clean it, and that has been the secret! the grill scraper works like a charm to get all the gunk off! it should really come with one, and it doesn't seem to harm the enamel (it's plastic).

that aside, we love being able to grill indoors. it always leaves perfect grill marks on food. i've found that once you put the food on, you really have to let it sear well, before moving it around, or it will tear at the food. as long as you leave it alone though, it won't stick, and comes out perfect!

ALSO! i use this on my smooth top stove with no problem. i was hesistant to buy this size because my largest burner is about 10" but it has been just fine [i'm sure] due in part to the surface area of the bottom not being the full 12.5". i think this is a better working area than the square too... and it was cheaper!

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here is some useful info i found later on the le creuset website!

Using Your Le Creuset Grillpan

The distinctive ribbed base of Le Creuset's grillpans allows the cook to enjoy the flavor of chargrilled meats, poultry, fish and vegetables.

After a light greasing with oil, no further fat or oil is added, so one can also enjoy the benefits of low-fat cooking. Any fat which escapes from the food is held between the ribs of the base.

The deep-sided design prevents splattering onto the stovetop and the handy pouring lip directs cooking juices and excess fat away, if necessary. The pan can be "deglazed" after cooking with water, stock or wine so the flavors and juices of cooking can be served "au jus" with the dish.

* To check that the grill is hot, scatter a few drops of cold water over the surface. If they gently 'hiss', the surface is not hot enough. If they 'spit' and evaporate almost immediately, the surface is hot enough.
* The surface is hot enough when it produces the distinctive 'char' lines which add to the flavor and character of the food. DO NOT PREHEAT ON HIGH then lower the heat. Cast Iron is a very efficient material and retains heat well.
* Brush the ribs lightly with oil. The surface SHOULD NOT be smoking before the food is added. If it is, remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly before proceeding.
* All meats, poultry, fish and vegetables should be 'dry' before cooking begins, otherwise they may stick to the ribs. Pat dry on kitchen towels. Marinated foods should also have the excess moisture patted dry.
* Once placed on the ribbed surface, foods should NOT be moved immediately, otherwise the distinctive 'char' lines will not be produced. Leave for 1 - 2 minutes to seal and sear the outside before turning over.
* Metal handles on grills will get hot. Use a hot pad for lifting.



Cookware Usage

Q: How do you season the grills?

A: Coat the new grill lightly with vegetable or olive oil using a pastry brush or paper towel. Don't use butter. Place the grill in the oven for 20 minutes at 225°F. Let the grill cool and store it. Repeat this procedure for the first 10-12 uses to build up a more "Nonstick" finish.

Q: What temperature should you cook on?

A: Start on medium, which is the halfway point on the dial (5 out of 10) and decrease. Never cook above medium heat.


To clean:

* Cool all pans or grills for a few minutes before washing.
* Then pour HOT tap water on the grill and let it boil out the residue of the prepared food. A wash brush is particularly good for cleaning between ribs on grills. Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly.

I rated 4 stars for this pan as is not easy to clean. It is heavy and the handle gets hot also. Since it is cast iron enamel, I expected it to be heavy.

It is a beautiful pan. It does leave great grill marks and the food turns out good. I am not sure that it heats evenly on my glass top round burner.

It was on sale with free shipping so I will say, I got what I paid for and for the most part I am satisfied.

I did not want to purchase a grill pan with a non-stick finish, as they produce fumes that can be toxic to pet birds.

I recently bought this pan. I wanted to buy the Le Creuset because I knew that it would be the best choice for my new black glass cooktop. I had looked at the square one in the stores but found that the oval was priced 40% less. I'm so glad I have the oval shape as I think it holds more.
These are amazing pans, I'm finding that I use it everyday. Chicken has never tasted as good or cooked so easily and vegtables are fabulous.
Cleaning the pan is more time consumming than I would like but I think it's worth the effort given the ease and quality of the cooking.

I am building up my collection of Le Creuset since it lasts longer, performs better and has a great look. The skillet grill that I purchased a while ago is one of the coolest pieces around. I read all the other reviews and noted the warnings about cleaning, etc. But I find it to be the very best way to cook meat indoors. Cleaning only requires an overnight soaking - so easy - followed by a simple brushing or sponging. The meat comes out fantastic and the grill lines are exquisite. I highly recommend this product. The size also is perfect for kitchen use and a family dinner. I am so glad I purchased it. Thanks!

Burgers and chicken tastes great after cooking it on this pan. Can't use the round grill press though - too big. If you cook meat on the pan until its well-done, you will have to put a bit of water in it to soak before washing. It can be difficult to wash; but, I still like this pan.

This is a great grill pan because it leaves perfect thin grill marks and the shape accomodates almost any slice of meat desired. The pan works well to start with grilling, then transfers to the oven for finishing, and straight to the table for a sizzling presentation. Since it is oval shaped, it looks more like a platter than a pan so it is really well suited to serve from.

I've made fajitas, fish fillets, shimp, and chicken breasts in it so far. Everything is wonderful, is just requires a different way of cooking. The searing is amazing with the chicken breasts, then I put them in the oven to finish. The shrimp I did the way I always do, but with this pan everyone raved because it cooked so perfectly. They begged for the recipe, and wouldn't believe I hadn't done anything different other than the new pan.
I intend to get the blue one for my friend as a Christmas gift, she loved it so much!

This pan works well when you first put the meat on it. It leaves lovely grill marks, however, after the meat starts cooking for a while, let's say after you turn it over, the grill marks start to lessen. When you get to the next batch of meat, the grill marks get less and less prominent and the pan starts to get bits stuck to it.

I like to use it only if I'm cooking for 1 to 2 people. If I'm cooking for more, I tend to not use this grill pan because of the way heat is retained. I don't know whether it's my stove or not, but when I use a cast iron skillet, I still get seared marks on my meat, so I'm guessing it's not my stove.

A fan of the grilled-food taste, I looked long and hard for the perfect grill pan! After researching other grill pans, I chose the Le Creuset 12-Inch Oblong Skillet Grill for it's reputation for superior results. Le Creuset does NOT disappoint! I've seared steaks, grilled vegetables and cooked many other scrumptious things to eat. The grill pan really does make everything taste so good (not exactly duplicating the summer bbq) but for someone who lives in an apartment in a city, NOT BAD NOT BAD!

I would've given the pan 5 stars but a few things need to be addressed. The pan is very heavy so you have to be very careful with it. It's easy to make perfect meals but a little harder to actually clean! Make sure to use a nylon brush to keep your pan in tip top shape! It's hard to perfectly clean the grill ridges but Le Creuset tells you that the build up on your pan is normal...so far so good. Also watch out for how hot this pan gets (including the handles)! Because it distributes heat so evenly, everything warms up! Not a good pan to have if you have a kid who likes to poke around in the kitchen but it is heavy so it can't just be knocked off easily.