Top 3 Best Rondeau Pans – Buyer’s Guide

If you are a versatile cook then you definitely enjoy the functionality of cookware utensils and staples in your kitchen. The more versatile the cookware is the more you enjoy prepping delicious meals. A rondeau pan is among such cookware. We have discussed the top 3 best rondeau pans below in the article so may get to learn more about this amazing kitchen staple.

Quick Overview of Top 3 Best Rondeau Pans – Comparison Table

What Is a Rondeau Pan?

Rondeau pans are round shallow pans with flat sides and two loop handles on both sides of the pan. In order to understand more easily, imagine your sauté pan with two loop handles or a Dutch oven with much shortened height.

A rondeau pan which is also known as brazier pan is not limited to specific dishes or heat sources but is able to prepare variety of delicious treats. It is a popular kitchen workhorse among home cooks and professional chefs for its durability and functionality.

You can also read this: Best Stainless Steel Sauce Pan – Top 7 Picks Ever

Rondeau Pan Sizes

The best size of rondeau depends upon your usage and quantity of meal you prepare normally. For home kitchens rondeau pans from 6 to 10 quarts are enough to prepare meals without making the pan over crowded with ingredients. If you like to throw parties and prepare meals for special occasions at home then 12 to 15 quarts pan is enough to have.

While choosing the size of the rondeau or brazier pan make sure to consider the size of your burner;  if you have a burner too small relatively to rondeau size then you would not be able get a properly cooked food.

Important Features of Rondeau Pan

Handles

A rondeau mostly deal with large batch of meal so it is very important for it to have handles that are not only sturdy to support weight but are also comfy yet easy to hold and maneuver.

There are many pans that are great at providing exceptional cooking results but lacks comfortable and sturdy handles.

So it is important to check the strength of the grip and how the handles are attached to the pan.

Welded and riveted handles that are secured with screws helps you achieve a reasonable balance while holding the pan with or without food.

If you are a newbie, you should better choose a pan that has big handles so you get much space for your fingers and hand to snuggle comfortably to get a good grip.

Moreover, cool grip handles are considered favorite. Hollow handles or handles covered with silicone grips are heat proof and remains cool on the cook top.

Lids

A tight fitting lid is very important especially when you cook something for several hours. A tightly fitted lid helps to lock in more heat and prevents the moisture from escaping the pan.

A durable and thoughtfully designed lid helps to circulate the steam and returns the moisture to the ingredients.

It has seen that some rondeaus don’t have lid which is quite frustrating. In such cases people uses large plates to cover the pans or sometimes don’t cover the pan and let the food expose to open air which is good if you want to caramelize the exterior.

Whether you like to cook with lid or without it, it is best to have one so you can use as per the requirements of your food.

There are times when you need to have a lid to cover your food to prevent the oil from splattering or braise your food. No doubt, a nicely designed heavy lid is a must have.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of rondeau or  brazier pans vary from each other. Mostly it depends on the size you purchase the bigger the pan is the more weight it carries.

That’s why selecting the right size of rondeau is important and the selection depends upon the quantity of food you usually cook or the amount of people you serve normally.

If you are living alone or have a family of 2 to 4 people then you do not need to buy a large rondeau.

Normally, a 6 to 8 quarts pan is perfect for a house hold. 10, 12 and 15 quarts are also used in kitchens but they used for prepping meals on special occasions. For commercial use and restaurant kitchens 20, 30, and 40 quarts are used.

No matter how large your rondeau pan is, it is best to choose the one that is lighter in weight.

A lightweight pan is easier to handle, carry and maneuver comparatively to heavy weight pans. Heavy pans are difficult to carry and clean.

Top 3 Best Rondeau Pans With Pros & Cons

The following are the top 3 best rondeau pans discussed with their features, functionality, pros and cons to give you better idea to choose the right pan for you according to your cooking needs.  

1.Paderno 9 Quart Rondeau Pot (Best Stainless Steel Rondeau)

It is a Canadian cookware brand that is known for producing quality cookware with innovative design and exceptional functionality.

Following its trend using excellent craftsmanship to provide accessibility and reliability to its customers the company has introduced 9 quarts rondeau pot that boasts sturdy and solid design.

To meet the demand of a modern kitchen, the pot is built with a tri ply constructed stainless steel base that clads aluminum core with another stainless steel layer. 

The tri ply constructed bottom is compatible to almost all heat sources including all heat sources including while the aluminum core provide enhanced heat conductivity to ensure evenly cooked food.

The mirror finished stainless steel exterior maintains its unique gleaming finish without any hot spots or corrosion.

The ergonomically designed double riveted handles offer a comfy yet durable grip with its hollow design and stay cool even on stove top so you don’t need to use mitten or kitchen gloves to hold or carry your pot.

If you are looking for a best rondeau pan with lid then is definitely not your pan.

The main drawback found so far is the missing lid that can be purchased separately which is definitely doesn’t make any sense and mostly customers review that the lid which is purchased separately does not find accurately.

Though the pan’s interior or lets call it the cooking surface is made of stainless steel which means you need to be vigilant while cooking as it may cause the food to stick.

It is better to cook on medium or low heat to avoid your food getting stick. If cooked properly it releases food easily and gets cleaned effortlessly. However, if you don’t want to hand wash you can throw it in the dishwasher for a quick wash.

2.Tramontina 6 QT Covered Braiser(Best Stainless steel Try Ply Rondeau)

Calling it a professional grade rondeau wouldn’t be wrong that is perfect to serve a large family.

This durable braiser is constructed by encapsulating an heat efficient aluminum core that has excellent heat distribution capabilities crucially needed for even cooking between solid and sturdy stainless steel layers that makes it to reliably perform on different stove tops.

This fully cladded tri ply construction offers you result without much maintenance and care to prevent it from warp, corrosion or hot spots.

The premium grade 18/10 stainless steel bottom is perfect to be used on almost all heat sources including induction and oven withstands temperature up to 500F.

Since it is tri ply cladded you need to maintain temperature efficiently  because the fast heating and superior conductivity may lead to burn or stick foods on the stainless steel surface so you better keep the heat on low or medium settings.  

It may be the best rondeau pan with lid compared to a non lid pan; however, you may not like the stainless steel lid as you have to pick each time to check the cooking status.

It is a tightly fitted one that snuggly fits to keep the moisture lock inside to keep the food fresh.

The ergonomically designed hollow stainless steel handles are double riveted to help you prepare meals confidently and comfortably maneuver.

Since it is made of 18/10 grade stainless steel you do not have to worry about the any wear tear nor expect any reaction to your ingredients. It is safe to be cleaned in the dishwasher or can be easily washed by hand.

3.Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven(Best Cast Iron Rondeau)

This Le Creuset round wide Dutch oven is no doubt a beautiful and decorative addition to your kitchen.

Apart from its beauty this enameled cast iron rondeau is highly functional perfect for both professional chefs and amateurs as well.

Thanks to the high quality cast iron construction of Le Creuset Dutch oven determines heat distribution, durability and overall reliability.

The interesting thing about this Dutch oven is that it is ready to use and does not require any seasoning or prior efforts before using.

Though it not non stick but thanks to the glass enameled coating you can stir-fry, sear, bake or slow cook any recipe without having to worry about food release.

Cleaning this Dutch oven is also a breeze means you don’t have to follow special techniques to clean and prevent rusting.

The manufacturer has claimed it to be dishwasher and metal utensil safe; however the best to clean this beauty is to submerge it in warm water for some time and later clean by using soft sponge. 

Features with features inbuilt lid stabilizers; the lid tightly fits without sliding and secures the moisture to keep the food fresh and warm.

Ergonomically designed oversized handles are 45% larger handles that traditional handles to ensure a strong grip even if you used while mittens on.

It is completely reliable to be used on all heat sources including, induction, oven or grill and can withstand heat up to 500F without getting, chipped, flaked or stained.

Cleaning Tips Of Rondeau Pan

• Avoid your rondeau pans from thermal shocks; do not submerge a hot pan into tap water.
• If your pan is not that big in size you can throw it in the dishwasher; however if it is big enough for your dishwasher wash it by hand.
• Submerge your pan in warm water for 10 minutes; later rub it off using soft sponge and mild soap.
• Dry your rondeau pan by a soft table cloth before storing.

Rondeau Vs Sauté Pan

A rondeau is a versatile and all purpose staple. It is around pan with straight sides and two loop handles just like a Dutch oven; however it is comparatively not that deep.

Generally you find the best rondeau cookware made of stainless steel, copper and cast iron.

Rondeau pans are ideal for slow cooking where the objective is to achieve tender and juicy results. Its shape is considered ideal for searing, braising, frying, poaching, oven and pan roasting.

A sauté pan has flat bottom with high walls and wide surface. Though the straight sides of sauté pan allows high volume of liquid but it is not intended for slow cooking and that is why it not available in variety of sizes as rondeau pans are available.

If you are a home cook then the rondeauvs sauté pan difference wouldn’t bother you as mostly home cooks don’t have to prepare large batches of meal.

The rondeau vs sauté pan difference matters mostly when there is large quantity of meal to prepare. 

Final Verdict

As far as the functionality is concerned a rondeau pan is an incredibly versatile staple that can do it almost anything.

Whether it is about, braising, boiling, stewing, simmering, roasting, or baking rondeau pans are easy to use and helps prepare variety of dishes in many different ways.

If you are looking for a premium grade rondeau pan then the above review for the top 3 best rondeau pans would be helpful for in making a purchase.

If you are in search of a best rondeau pan with lid for your kitchen then out of the top 3 best rondeau pans we discussed above, we will recommend Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch oven [Buy On Amazon].

This Dutch oven could serve you better though it is much larger in size and best to cook large batch of meal for a big family but this kitchen staple is all perfect to serve your versatile cooking needs.

The cast iron built not only looks pretty but also stays hot to keep the food fresh for long. 

However, if you are fan of tri ply construction then a 6 quarts Tramontina rondeau is a sure shot heat conductor to prepare your meals with a restaurant grade quality to perform all the other best rondeau cookware in the market.

If you are looking for a professional grade pan then Paderno 9 Quarts stainless steel rondeau pan is the best rondeau cookware among thetop 3 best rondeau pans we discussed above.

Though the only drawback is the missing lid but it can be purchased separately.

The size, weight and built are all set to offer you an incredible cooking performance on various heat sources with out any warp, corrosion or reaction to ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Rondeau in baking?

It is a round pot that is wide and shallow having two hoop handles that offers a perfect searing, baking and poaching experience by dispersing the steam quickly across the whole cooking surface.

It is a versatile kitchen staple that is used for braising, browning, searing, oven roasting, frying and baking large quantities of chicken, meat or fish.  

Mostly you will find stainless steel rondeau pans in the market; however, there are other cookware materials as well that are popular for their functionality and durability.

How big is a Rondeau?

6 to 8 quarts is a common size of rondeau used in households; however there are much bigger sizes available such as 10 to 15 quarts but they are not used daily and reserved for special occasions.

20, 30, and 40 quarts rondeaus are used in professional kitchens  to prepare large batch of meal. Professional grade rondeaus are not even possible to use on a standard cooking range due to their big size.

Are Rondeau Pan Safe?

A rondeau pan is safe or not, is depending upon the materials used I tits construction. A stainless steel rondeau pan is considered safe relatively to other cookware materials as it does not leach, peel, flake or react to ingredients.

However, there are cast iron, hard anodized non stick rondeaus are also available in the market. It is better to consider your cooking requirements so that you able to choose the right cookware material.     

What Is Simple Tips to Clean Rondeau Pan?

In order to clean a cookware it is best to know its material; mostly cookware doesn’t withstand the dishwasher so they need to be washed by hand gently. Since rondeau pans are large in size that’s why they need special care and hand washing as they are not suitable to be washed in dishwasher.

It is best to submerge your rondeau pan in warm water for few minutes and later give it a rub with soft sponge so that the food residue gets released easily and then rinse it with tap water.