Safety instructions
PLEASE READ THESE CARE AND USE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT AND STORE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. FAILURE TO USE THE PRODUCT AS DESCRIBED IN THESE CARE AND USE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURIES, DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY. DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT FOR ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN FOR PREPARATION OF FOOD TO AVOID SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURIES, DAMAGE TO THE PRODUCT AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO OTHER PROPERTY. Remove all packaging materials, clips, labels and stickers. Wash the product in warm, soapy water then rinse and dry thoroughly. Condition the interior non-stick cooking surface: Rub vegetable or corn oil over the entire surface using paper towels. Rinse the product with warm water and dry thoroughly. Occasional reconditioning of the interior non-stick cooking surface will help protect and promote longer life of the product. NEVER condition the black exterior sidewall. When searing of meat, poultry or fish is required, a medium to higher heat may be used initially. Once the product is hot and the food is added, ALWAYS lower the heat. For total fat-free cooking, preheat the product on medium heat for approximately 2 minutes before adding food. NEVER allow the dry non-stick surface to overheat, as permanent damage to the product may occur. Cooking ingredients with a low smoking point at higher temperatures can cause staining to the cooking surface. ALWAYS place a hot product on a heat-resistant protector when resting on any surface which is not a heat source to avoid damage to surfaces. NEVER use in microwave ovens as products are made of metal and will damage the microwave and its electric wiring. NEVER use on unregulated heat sources (e.g. outdoor grills, open fires, pizza ovens) as uncontrolled high temperatures may seriously damage the product. Oven maximum temperature: without Le Creuset glass lid 280°C/535°F, with Le Creuset glass lid 220°C/425°F/Gas Mark 7. To prevent damage to the product due to excessive temperature changes, ALWAYS allow the product to heat and cool gradually and evenly. ALWAYS use low to medium heat settings for best cooking results and care of the product. NEVER heat the product too quickly or use on maximum/ high for preheating or cooking as excessive surface temperature changes (thermal shock) will damage the non-stick cooking surface of the product. Damage caused by overheating during cooking is easily recognizable. The non-stick surface becomes discoloured and the non-stick properties may diminish. To avoid damage to the product and/or the cooktop/hob, ALWAYS ensure the product base and the cooktop/hob are clean before use. To avoid damage to the product, match the product base size to the cooktop/hob heat zone. Using an incorrect heat zone can lead to uneven or overheating of the product, causing damage to the product and/or handles. To reduce the risk of personal injury and product damage, gas flames must be confined to the base area and NEVER extend up around the sidewalls of the product. Flames above the sidewalls may also result in burns and in damage to items that are near to the flame. For induction cooktops/hobs, ALWAYS match the diameter of the product base to the cooktop/ hob cooking zone. Using a product with a small diameter on a too large cooking zone may affect the functionality of the cooktop/hob resulting in a reduced or no heat output. For oven use: ALWAYS place the product on an oven rack. NEVER place the product directly on the oven floor as this will increase cooking temperature inside the oven and result in faster, uncontrolled cooking causing damage to the product and potentially to the oven. For use under a broiler/grill, leave a minimum distance of 5 cm/2 inches between the heat source and the top rim of the product. NEVER slide the product on any glass-topped hob or any other surface as this may damage the product base as well as the surface. Instead, ALWAYS lift the product on and off the surface with care. ALWAYS handle the product by the handles, lids and knobs. Handles, lids and knobs will become hot during use in the oven and may become hot during use on the hob. ALWAYS use a dry heat-resistant hand protector when handling a hot product during and after cooking to reduce the risk of burns and injuries. Heated or hot contents in the product may cause burns and serious injuries if spilled or if the product is not used carefully. DO NOT leave this product unattended during use. NEVER allow long handles to overhang from the cooktop/hob and keep positioned away from direct heat to reduce the risk of potential personal injury. Screws on handles or knobs may become loose over time. Retighten screws ONLY while the product is at room temperature. NEVER overtighten screws as this may damage the product. ALWAYS use caution when removing the lid as steam may be released and may cause burns and injuries. NEVER use a glass lid when damaged (i.e. chipped or cracked). It is no longer safe to use and you should immediately CEASE USING the lid. New chips or cracks could occur and the lid could shatter, which could cause personal injuries which may include, but not limited to burns and cuts. The glass lid is made from tempered glass. The glass lid is dishwasher safe. Glass lids with stainless steel knob are oven safe up to 220°C/425°F. Glass lids with phenolic knob are oven safe up to 200°C/390°F. NEVER place the glass lid directly onto a cooktop/hob. Failure to do so may break the glass lid and potentially cause personal injuries which may include, but not limited to cuts and burns. To prevent damage to the glass lid handle with care; a strong impact or sudden change in temperature (from hot to cold or cold to hot) may cause the glass lid to break or shatter. ALWAYS allow a hot glass lid to cool before cleaning, either by hand or in a dishwasher. To prevent damage to the glass lid, NEVER use metal, abrasive or stiff pads, washing brushes or abrasive cleaning agents on the glass lid. It is recommended to use silicone, wooden or other heat-resistant tools when cooking. Metal utensils may be used with care; DO NOT use harshly or scrape over the non-stick surface. NEVER knock metal utensils on the top rim of the product to avoid damage to the non-stick surface. NEVER use knives, hand-held electric or battery-operated beaters or blenders, or other sharp tools as they may damage the non-stick surface. ALWAYS cool the product to room temperature before cleaning. DO NOT plunge it into or fill it with cold water when hot as sudden and extreme temperature changes may damage the product. Clean the product with warm soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or brush. For stubborn residue, fill the product with warm soapy water and allow it to soak. This will soften the residue and make it easier to remove it. NEVER use any metal cleaning pads or harsh, abrasive cleaning agents on the non-stick surface. ALWAYS rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Non-Stick products are dishwasher safe. However, to prolong the life of the non-stick surface and enhance cooking performance of the non-stick coating, we recommend washing by hand in warm soapy water. ALWAYS ensure that the dishwasher rack is able to support the weight of the product before placing the product into the dishwasher. When using the dishwasher, use ONLY domestic-strength dishwashing detergent (preferably not lemon varieties) and ALWAYS allow the cycle to finish before opening the dishwasher door to ensure products have thoroughly dried. After dishwashing, the cooking surface of the product should be reconditioned before each subsequent use (refer to Before First Use for conditioning instructions). Marking or discolouring may be caused by constant dishwashing and affect the release properties of non-stick surfaces. This is considered normal wear and tear and is not covered by the Le Creuset Warranty. NEVER store the product when still damp. Store the product in a dry place. To prevent damage to the exterior, interior and rim use a suitable cookware protector in between products when stacking for storage. NEVER store raw, marinating or cooked foods in the product as they may cause damage to the surface.