This weightless casserole dish almost replaced my Le Creuset for good – here's why

I never thought I’d turn my back on my beloved Le Creuset. Yet, after undergoing surgery in December, I was advised to rest and avoid lifting anything heavy. For the first week of recovery, my fiancé cooked every meal for me, but I was eager to get back into the kitchen as soon as I could. I had been gifted the Tefal Air Light cocotte and rather snobbishly tucked it away in the cupboard. But something told me to give it a go – this could be the lightweight answer to my mobility issues.

I was amazed. It's seriously unbelievably airy and soon became my go-to tool for simmering chicken soup and vegetable stews during my recovery. Each time I used it, I was even more impressed by the cooking performance. The smooth, inner coating is impressively non-stick. To my relief, Tefal state they use a PFOAS-free ceramic coating – which makes it a contender for the best non-toxic kitchen appliances. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy clean up. There's almost nothing I didn't like.

I'll talk you through my testing notes, and explain why I will never give up on my trusty, heirloom Le Creuset. However, I'm really grateful to this Tefal cocotte for helping me out when needed ease, efficiency, and delicious home-cooked food.

Specifications

Design

The Tefal Air Oval Casserole Dish is a design marvel, blending large capacity with lightweight handling. It's crafted from cast aluminum, which feels lightweight but sturdy. When I first lifted it out of the box and placed it on my stove, I was immediately impressed by how manageable it felt. It's especially suited for anyone with limited strength or mobility, including the elderly or those recovering from surgery (like me).

However, cast aluminum is known to be less durable than Le Creuset's cast iron enamel. While it can last for many years with proper care, aluminum is more prone to dents or warping over time. It heats up very quickly, so I knew this would be ideal for my recovery as I didn't want to spend hours stirring slow-braises at the stove. But if you ask any chef, they'll tell you that cast iron really is the finest material money can buy for slow-cooking.

The color options are limited. I tested the bold red color (available in Europe), while US customers can shop the greyish-black colorway on Amazon. Inside, there's a ceramic white interior. On the outside, there's a self-basting lid with a gold-colored knob. There are also handles on either side, which are very comfortable and make lifting easy, even when the dish is filled with stews or soups. You can carry it from the hob, to the oven and even to the dishwasher without much effort or strain at all.

While undeniably practical, the design doesn’t quite match the elegance of Le Creuset either. The matte red finish, though striking, is much less refined. I don't think I would choose this for serving directly at the table.

Cooking performance

What I cooked in the Tefal Air Cocotte Casserole Dish

This dish excelled on non-stick convenience and quick cooking. I liked the condensation lid, which locks in to retain moisture. Here’s a rundown of what I cooked and how the dish performed.

• Sauteed onions: This is always the first test of a pan for me. Whether diced or sliced, the onions softened and browned evenly in this pot. There was no sticking or burning. A solid first impression.
• Chicken ramen: I was really impressed by how the chicken breasts turned brown and golden on the ceramic surface. I removed the meat to make a broth, then returned everything to the pan with the tight-fitting lid. This locked in moisture, resulting in tender, juicy chicken.
• Vegetable tagine: I half-expected the Moroccan spices to leave a stain on the white ceramic interior, but there was no discoloration. The dish emerged spotless after a dishwasher cycle.
• Pea soup: I was really grateful for the lightweight design while cooking this recipe. It was easy to pour my sauteed onions straight from the pot into the blender. The pot also heats up very quickly, which saved me time and effort when reheating.
• Chicken & rice casserole: My fiancé made his Spanish chicken and rice in the oven. The pot was easy to lift out, when he needed to add more ingredients. The rice was richly flavored and the chicken was tender. It was just a 30-minute dish, which is well suited to cast aluminum.
• Lamb meatballs: Again, browning the meat was a breeze. I was worried that the pan was actually too non-stick and I wouldn't get any fond, but there was a little, so I could deglaze it into a rich sauce.
• Porridge: I simmered oats for my daily breakfast when I was recovering. I usually hate cleaning cooked oats out the pan afterwards, the ceramic interior made it pretty easy. I accidentally used an abrasive sponge one day and saw little scratches in the pan afterwards, so I won't do that again.

Cleaning & maintenance

One of the standout features of the Tefal Air Cocotte Casserole Dish is how easy it is to clean. When handwashing, it’s easy to wipe away food residue with a soft sponge and hot soapy water. A cautionary note: avoid abrasive cleaning pads to preserve the ceramic interior. After a month of use, my dish has a few tiny scratches from my early cleaning mishaps – otherwise, it still looks and performs like new.

It can also go in the dishwasher, which is really convenient. I also appreciated the lightweight materials when it was time to store it away... it was easy for me to lift the pan into high or low cupboards.

What do customer reviews say?

The Tefal Air Cocotte is mainly sold in Europe, so there aren't too many UK or US reviews. French customers on Amazon praised its practicality and lightness. I translated this one comment: 'Good product… light stewpot… perfect for people who are fragile to carry loads!”

Another UK reviewer on Tefal.com said: 'Not like my mum’s old cast iron pots which you need arms of steel to lift. Even my other half who’s just had AC joint reconstruction could lift it.' On the whole, elderly, fragile, or injured cooks seem to be enjoying the Tefal Air Cocotte.

Should you buy it?

If you’re looking for an affordable, lightweight, and easy-to-clean casserole dish – it's a good choice. Just bear in mind, it's best suited to fast cooking dishes and it's unlikely to become an heirloom piece. It doesn’t entirely replace my cast iron Le Creuset – which still reigns supreme for slow braises and dinner-party-worthy presentations.

The other thing I've noticed is that the delivery is quite slow when purchasing from the US on Amazon, so you might want to plan ahead. If you're in Europe, you can get one directly from Tefal.

All in all, I was very grateful for the practicality during my recovery and I continue to reach for it daily. If you value convenience without sacrificing cooking performance, the Tefal Air Oval Casserole Dish is a worthy addition to your cookware collection.

How I tested

I use every pot, pan and casserole dish I test for over a month to see how it fares over time. I've owned many dishes that have been great out of the box, but start to chip, stain, or lose their cooking efficiency after prolonged use. There's nothing worse than this, especially when you've forked out your hard-earned money and need to buy a replacement.

When I'm testing casserole pots, I'm looking for a dish that can handle everything: from quick curries to slow casseroles and oven-baked dishes with a crispy topping. I want to see effortless browning and good texture on my ingredients, without sticking or burning to the pan. I also assess the lids to see if they fit well and help my dishes retain moisture.

In terms of handling, a good casserole dish should feel balanced – not so heavy that it's difficult to carry, but substantial enough to retain heat evenly and ensure a perfect cook. I also look for sturdy handles that make hob-to-oven-to-table transitions effortless.

Cleanup is also key – no one wants to scrub endlessly after dinner, so I evaluate how easily the dish cleans up, whether it’s dishwasher-safe or requires handwashing.

Finally, I look for beautiful design. I love cookware that feels joyous to use and display on the table. However, I never prioritize style over substance, and I try to look past big brand names to see the unsung heroes in the industry.

Also, I should mention, I trained at a professional cookery school and have worked as a food writer and recipe editor for some of the world's leading recipe companies, from Mindful Chef to Deliciously Ella, so I do have exacting standards.