At the Le Creuset foundry in northern France, molten iron is sand cast from a single mold that's destroyed after use, explaining why no two pieces are exactly alike. Pots and pans are then painstakingly polished and finished by hand, sprayed with two coats of enamel and fired twice. No other procedure yields cookware that so evenly conducts and retains heat, making Le Creuset cast iron second to none for slow cooking. Round French ovens are perfect for slow-cooking soups, stews, sauces and much more.