This 5.5 quart version is sized to fit typical casserole, soup, and stew recipes, and big enough for a large chicken or pot roast. It will fit on an average-height refrigerator shelf (you may need to replace the lid with a dinner plate), and will heat evenly on a standard sized burner (though, given the heat distribution of the cast iron, it would heat evenly on a birthday candle). This is the size the cooking shows use - if you've ever watched over Emeril's shoulder as he arranged stuff in the pot, you know that this is just the right size and shape.

My only complaint is that le Creuset recently stopped smoothing and under-glazing the rims of their pots, and is now leaving them rough and "rust-proofing" them instead. For my older (heirloom) pots, I invert the lids for stacking and storage. I haven't been able to bring myself to do this with my newest pot, however, because if I do the rough unglazed rim will scratch up the lid. (ecoutez-vous le Creuset?!)

The Best Purchase You'll Ever Make! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : Twenty years ago when I was a teenage bride, I purchased this Le Creuset pot. At the time I couldn't cook, (I am now a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu), but fell in love with the look and colors of this wonderful product. My new husband didn't not fall in love with the price, he always says I can pick out the most expensive item in any line up! Well, twenty years later he agrees with me, and now he goes shopping for other Le Creuset items! This is the best pot I own. It looks as new as the day I bought it, and I wouldn't lend my Le Creuset out to a soul. It holds heat beautifully and makes sauces like a champ. I have purchased and thrown away many other brands of kitchenware over the years that couldn't hold a candle to my Le Creuset. I have read other reviews, and yes it is a heavy pot, but much like life you get used to the extra weight, and I almost don't notice the weight now ... of the pot I mean:) I will not buy anything else and plan on buying more Le Creuset in the future. FYI, the green pepper casserole dish is adorable, check it out!

If you only have ONE pot in the house, make it this one... (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This is IT--for soups, stews, and anything else that you need...it is the ideal size for one or two people--or even more depending on what you're cooking. A decent-sized chicken or pot roast fits perfectly. This pot WILL last forever--when my Mom remarried, my stepdad had one in orange in the house from the 60's and except for an age patina on the outside (gas stove) the INSIDE was still perfect, and it still makes the best food I've ever tasted. Your soup/stews will NOT burn or stick--during my first "test flight" with my pot, I accidentally got on the phone whilst making chicken soup (ooops)...While the skinside of the chicken was a bit browner where it had been against the enamel, it didn't stick, even though the stockpot was at rolling boil. BTW, this also makes killer baked beans and other one-dish wonders...case in point; Farberware's handles are only good up to 275 degrees F or so; these babies can and do go up to 450--this means that if you wanted to (let's say) make chicken n dumplings and then finish it in a high oven, you could. JUST STOP READING THIS REVIEW and GO BUY the pot already! :) My one criticism is that the yellow color for all Le Creuset stuff looks pretty online but looks pretty chokey in reality.

The best all Purpose Pot (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This pot has the character to get you into the kitchen and start cooking. It heats up great and really holds it. Slow simmers are fantastic and you don't have to worry about burning. I am convinced that this pot has made the difference in my tomato sauces. I also make roasts and a delicious pork shoulder in this pot. It cleans with a quick soak and an easy scrub. I highly recommend Le Creuset and this pot specifically.

Oldie but goodie (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This gadget has been around for at least six decades (ours is that old) and is almost indestructible if given reasonable care. The lining WILL react with acidic foods like tomato but the effect is so gradual it's almost imperceptible. The plastic knob on this modern version's lid is a step backward from the perfect enameled cast iron arc handle on our old pot, but other than that this pot should last a long time and cook a lot of wonderful food for the family.

This is my favorite pot! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I love to cook. I've had my big brown Le Creuset pot for about 3 years now, which I got at their outlet, and it's my all-time favorite pot for cooking. It makes pot roasts, soups, stews, chili, tomato sauce--you name it. They have all been delicious. Slow cooking is ideal in this pot, and I find myself looking for recipes just so that I can make them in it! I loved this pot so much that I bought other pieces in red. I must say, you have to have strong muscles to lift these monsters, but it is so worth it. I also love this pot just to boil spaghetti in. I haven't tried the non-stick frying pans, since I have All-Clad for those, which are great too. I rearranged my whole kitchen to accomodate my Le Creuset pots so that they would be easily accessible for lifting. They are the crown jewels of my kitchen!