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The Best Braisers of 2024
If you have a passion for cooking succulent braised meats, then a braiser is an essential investment. Whether it's a gift for an aspiring chef or a treat for yourself, a braiser is a kitchen staple that elevates your culinary skills to new heights. A braiser is a sturdy pan equipped with a tight-fitting lid and convenient handles on either side. The right braiser becomes your trusted ally in achieving the perfect level of tenderness in your meats. With the versatility to transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven, braisers are indispensable tools in any kitchen arsenal. Explore our curated list of the best braisers and unlock the potential to create mouthwatering dishes like smothered pork chops and pot roasts with ease. For the ultimate braising experience, look no further than Le Creuset.
Our Top Picks For Braisers
View all ContentsThe Best Braisers
Best Overall
This premium-quality braiser from Le Creuset is just what you need for browning and searing meat and vegetables effortlessly. It has a curved shape at the bottom so that you can stir and toss food with ease when stir-frying and sautéing. The cast iron material promotes impeccable heat distribution and retention. Available in 12 vibrant shades, this 5-quart braiser offers a broad browning surface so that your meat doesn’t steam. The light-shaded interior allows you to track the progress of your food conveniently. Not to forget, the tightly-fitted lid ensures significant circulation of steam to retain flavor and moisture. Its easy-to-clean and exceptional functioning properties make it the best available option.
Pros
- Amazing heat distribution and retention
- Bigger surface area to evaporate excess liquid
- Available in six sizes
Cons
- Extremely heavy material
Best Design
This sleek braiser from Crock-Pot comes with a plethora of features that contribute to its exceptional efficiency. The slow cooker comes with high heat distribution and retention properties so that you can cook flavorful meals that are cooked evenly. It comes with comfortable-sized handles and a self-basting lid to moisten the meat easily. Available in 10 unique colors, the braiser is easy to clean and prevents rusting. The product has a sturdy construction and can be carried everywhere, offering optimal user comfort. The braiser is reinforced with a cast iron material and features a non-stick surface, which makes it a steal for its price.
Pros
- Wide range of color options
- Optimal heat distribution and retention
- Generously sized handles that stay cool
Cons
- Requires high-maintenance cleaning
Most Versatile
This braiser from Tramontina combines the perfect balance of efficiency and style. The glossy appeal and multiple color options of the braiser will fit your kitchen aesthetics perfectly. It also comes with easy-to-clean properties that will stop you from dreading doing the dishes. This braiser features a beautiful porcelain enamel cooking interior that is pleasing to the eye. It is reinforced with self-basting condensation ridges on the lid so that there is equal heat distribution and retention so that you can make savory, mouthwatering dishes that don’t lose their nutritional value. It is compatible with electric, ceramic glass, gas, and induction stovetops, making it the most versatile option among the others.
Pros
- Optimal distribution of heat
- PFOA and PTFE-free
- Can be cleaned easily
Cons
- Difficult to grasp handles
Most User-Friendly
This expert-recommended braiser from Bruntmor not only allows you to cook delicious meals but is also a treat to the eyes. The smooth and shiny braiser is made from durable cast iron, which provides it with even heat distribution properties. The high-quality lid ensures that your food doesn’t go cold even hours after you finish cooking. It is oven safe and is available in appealing shades of marine blue, gradient red, gray, burgundy, lime green, pumpkin spice, pre-seasoned black, and silver. The loop handles allow you to carry around and lift the braiser comfortably. The wide surface and steel knob are some of its finest features that help it work efficiently.
Pros
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Easy-grip handles that stay cool
- Can be used in the oven
Cons
- Requires enamel maintenance
Most Durable
This braiser from Lodge offers stunning multi-purpose quality so that you can braise, broil, roast, and bake various foods. It is manufactured from a cast iron material that allows exceptional heat distribution and retention so that your food doesn’t lose its flavor. It has a black matte enamel finish that goes perfectly with any kitchen interior. The off-white cooking surface allows you to carefully monitor your food while cooking. It is dishwasher-safe and has a capacity of up to 3.6 quartz. Since it has durable and sturdy construction and is easy to clean, it is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- Allows optimal heat retention
- It is long-lasting
- It is dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Heavy to carry around
Buying Guide: The Best Braisers
Cooking a delicious and savory braised meat dish can be challenging, especially if you aren’t using the right tools. To make sure that you cook your food to professional-level quality, you must choose a high-quality braiser. To help you choose among all of these great options, we’ve curated a guide for you to help you make the right buying decision.
Factors to Consider
Material
The most pivotal aspect to consider when buying a braiser is the material that it is made from. Most high-quality braisers embrace a cast iron material. However, make sure to pick a braiser that is reinforced with additional materials that protect the cast iron and prevent the pan from rusting.
Size
Size is a very obvious factor to consider, as it can determine how conveniently you can use the braiser. If you are a professional chef and run a business, you should go for a large braiser. On the other hand, a small braiser is ideal for you if you’re a homeowner. Meanwhile, medium braisers are perfect for fitting all ingredients and using the pot in the oven.
Capacity
When buying a braiser, ask yourself how many people you’ll be cooking for. If you’re cooking for 3–4 people, you’ll roughly require about 4–5 servings. In this case, a 3.5- or 4-quart braiser will be ideal for you.
Maintenance
It is highly crucial that you buy a braiser that is easy to maintain. Pans that may need special care may take up your time and energy. Thus, if you are on a tight schedule, buying a braiser that requires special maintenance may not be ideal for you.
Price
Braisers can be priced based on the type of material used, their long-term benefits, and the size of the pot. Ideally, you should expect to spend between $59 and $393 on a braiser.
Features of a Braiser You Should Keep in Mind
Enamel coating
An enamel coating helps prevent the braiser from rusting. It also safeguards the internal material of the pan while giving it an elegant appeal. Not to forget, enamel coating also offers a non-stick surface for you to cook on.
Heat distribution properties
This is one of the most crucial factors to consider, as even heat distribution and retention play a crucial role in ensuring that the food doesn’t lose its flavor. Moreover, you can also make well-cooked meals if you can capture the heat and distribute it evenly.
Multi-purpose
Look for a multi-functional braiser so that you can achieve several purposes in one utensil. Many braisers work as casserole dishes so it’d be a great idea to invest in such products for multi-purpose use.
Handle type
The type of handle plays a crucial role in ensuring that you don’t end up burning your hands and also have an easy grasp on the braiser. Look for handles that have a coating on the stainless steel material so that they can prevent you from burning yourself while cooking. Moreover, handles that have enough space for you to grasp the pot can prevent instances of food spillage.
Benefits of a Braiser for Your Kitchen
Effortless operation
A premium-quality braiser can allow you to cook some of the most delicious meals without having to put in too much effort. With even heat distribution and attached lids, you can surely retain the flavor, juices, and nutrients of your foods. Moreover, since they are quite effortless to use and store, it’s safe to say that you will encounter minimal spillage instances.
Easy to maintain
Maintaining your braisers can be quite effortless, as you can simply tilt the pan or pot and drain out the water after washing it to let it dry. To wash your braiser, you can use sprays, liquids, and scrubs, followed by rinsing the braiser and leaving it to dry.
Make room for all ingredients, big and small
Thankfully, braisers accommodate all sorts of ingredients and are of any size. A medium-sized braiser can fit all of your cooking requirements.
People Also Asked
What does braising mean?
Braising is the process of cooking large proportions of meat or vegetables at a slow temperature in liquid. It produces moist, tender, and savory dishes.
What liquid should I use for braising?
Water, wine, and beer are common liquids that you can use during braising, depending on what dish you want to make.
Are braisers oven-safe?
This depends on the braiser you buy. When picking a braiser, choose one that's compatible with an oven so you can get the most out of the tool.
What size braiser should I buy to serve food for four people?
Ideally, you should buy a 3- to 4-quart braiser to cook for four or more people.
