Emile Henry cookware, is it any good?

This excellent, versatile, and durable cookware comes from a family-owned business based in France. Emile Henry cookware combines modern technology with traditional methods to make a variety of ceramic cookware and tableware.

But there is a lot of good ceramic cookware available, so why would you choose Emile Henry?

Table of contents

• Emile Henry FAQs
• Is Emile Henry cookware any good?
• Main benefits of the bakeware
• Company history
• Manufacturing process
• How to care for your Emile Henry cookware
• Pros and cons of Emile Henry bakeware
• Conclusion

Emile Henry FAQs

When was Emile Henry founded?	Emile Henry was founded by Jacques Henry in 1850.
Who owns Emile Henry?	Emile Henry is proudly held by the Henry family. Yes, it’s still a family-run business.
What products does the company make?	The family-operated business specializes in producing fine ceramic cookware.
What are they known for?	The company is best known for its highly chip-resistant Dutch Ovens.
Where are the products made?	All Emile Henry products are made in France. The company has several potteries in the region of Burgundy.
Where is their clay sourced?	Clay is sourced from the region of Burgundy. Which is one of the most famous areas for wine production.

Is the Emile Henry ceramic cookware range any good?

The short answer is yes. I think Emile Henry cookware has an old-fashioned country feel. The ceramics have a nice deep glaze and are thick enough to take a few shocks on the side of the kitchen bench without breaking.

Emile Henry is famous for its pie plates. However, I currently only have their baking dishes. And I could not be happier with them. You can check out these Emile Henry baking dishes (affiliate link) on Amazon if you want to see the available sizes.

Ceramics dishes and cookware are nothing novel. Ceramic bakeware is sold in most department stores and discount retailers. So why would you choose Emile Henry cookware?

Well, here are a few good reasons.

• Food safe cookware
• Versatile
• Durable
• Lighter than cast iron
• Great heat retention
• Easy to clean
• Shock-resistant
• Great value for money

Non-toxic

Emile Henry ceramics do not contain lead, cadmium, or other harmful materials. It is safe to use even on your highest oven setting. Okay, burning hot is not exactly safe. But if you do not like cooking with metal, foil, or using greaseproof paper. Then natural clay is the way to go. Clay is one is the oldest cooking surfaces humans have used, and it is non-toxic. So, if you are looking for a natural cooking surface, then are few choices better than Emile Henry.

Incredibly versatile

Because Emile Henry cookware is thicker than many competing brands. It tends to be more durable. And you can use your cookware with the following appliances.

1. Oven safe
2. Fridge cool storage
3. Freezer long term food storage
4. Microwave safe
5. Dishwasher safe

You can even use your Emile Henry Flame Top cookware on your gas top range or on the grill!  

The Flame Top cookware range can go straight from the stovetop to the oven. The Emile Henry ceramic Dutch oven is one of the few available options if you want a ceramic oven. But it is a fine choice, and many copycat manufacturers look to Emile Henry design inspiration. However, few can compare in terms of quality.

Tested for durability

Ceramic cookware is made of clay, which can be easily chipped, especially for lower-quality pieces. But Emile Henry cookware is designed to be resistant to chips and cracks. You will not have to worry about your cookware cracking if you accidentally bump it against the sink or counter (within reason, of course). And you can lightly use metal utensils with Emile Henry cookware without scratching the glaze.

According to the company, you can even cut directly on the surface without damaging the glaze. However, I recommend not cutting directly on the ceramic surface.

Lighter weight than cast iron. Yes, Emile Henry makes Dutch ovens as well.

Emily Henry states that its cookware is 30% lighter than the competing enameled cast iron options. This makes a big difference. Especially if you are carrying a hot dish from the stove to the table! The lightweight makes ceramics ideal for storing leftovers. Because they are not too heavy for the racks in your fridge or freezer.

Great heat retention

The heat retentive nature of clay is ideal for cooking because clay heats up without burning quickly. Unlike stainless steel, it stays hot for longer. Even after you take the dish out of the oven and set it on the dining table or kitchen bench, it will cool slowly.

Easy to clean

The smooth surface of the glaze makes Emile Henry cookware easy to clean, even if the food is baked on. The glazing will not discolor or fade over time. Best of all, all Emile Henry products can be washed in the dishwasher!

Great thermal shock-resistance

Emile Henry cookware is shock-resistant. So you will not have to worry about the product cracking due to temperature changes (unlike glass bakeware). Emile Henry cookware and bakeware can go from the freezer or fridge straight to the oven to reheat your leftovers. This means fewer dishes for you to wash.

Emile Henry ceramics. Does this French cookware cost a pretty penny?

Okay, the cookware is a little more pricy than most of the China-made cookware. But it’s not out of reach like other comparable brands. Emile Henry products are fine quality, look great, and you’ll be able to use them for many years. This is why Emile Henry cookware is a perfect choice for a gift.

History of Emile Henry cookware.

Emile Henry Ceramic Cookware dates all the way back to 1850! Since its inception more than 150 years ago, the cookware company has been located in the same place. The small village of Marcigny, in the province of Burgundy, France. Even more romantic, it is still owned and operated by the Henry family.

Emile Henry uses age-old techniques to shape, glaze, and fire ceramics. More recently, the company has developed a new technology, the Flame Top. This cookware is made of the same basic materials as the classic bakeware. But can also be used on the stovetop in addition to the oven.

Emile Henry uses local Burgundy clay as the basis for all its products. Interestingly, the Burgundy clay is the same mineral-rich material that gives Burgundy wines their characteristic flavors.

The Manufacturing Process

First, Emile Henry artisans mix Burgundy clay with a few secret ingredients. Then mix these dry ingredients with water to create what is called a slip. Next, they cast the slip into plaster molds. They use different molds for different products, but all of them are based on traditional designs that have stood up through the centuries.

After waiting 2 hours, the worker takes the pottery out of the mold. Each piece is inspected and hand-finished before glazing and firing. This ensures smoothness and a perfect shape. The next step is to hand-glaze the pottery by spraying it with natural glass powder. Finally, the products go into a kiln, set at 2000 degrees, for a few hours. When the ceramics emerge, they have a durable, vibrantly colored coating of glaze.

When the piece is finished, quality control comes in; they test the thermal shock capabilities, heat retention, and the durability of the product to stand up to chips and cracks.

How to Care for Emile Henry ceramic cookware

• Unless you have an Emile Henry Flame Top product or grilling cookware, do not use it on the stovetop or grill! The regular bakeware will break when exposed to a flame or cooktop.
• You can either hand wash with soap. Or use the dishwasher to clean your Emile Henry products.
• I recommend always having a little bit of liquid or oil in the dish when roasting meat to avoid dealing with burned-on food. However, Emile Henry cookware is generally very easy to clean.
• You can grease the pan when baking if you want. But due to the smooth glaze, this is not strictly necessary.
• If food does become stuck to the dish, soak it for 20 minutes with soapy water before washing or running it through the dishwasher.
• The glaze may develop very tiny cracks over time, but this is not a flaw. Instead, it displays the resistance to rapid temperature change that makes ceramic cookware so great. And it gives personality.

Pros and Cons of Emile Henry Ceramic Bakeware

Pros:

• It can go in the microwave and dishwasher, unlike seasoned cast-iron
• It is lighter than cast iron
• Its smooth surface is easy to clean
• You can safely store your food in it, saving you time with fewer dishes to clean
• It comes in vibrant colors
• Ceramic cookware is non-toxic
• Emile Henry products are carefully checked for flaws before leaving the factory
• The company offers a good warranty for their products (see the manufacturer for details)

Cons:

• Ceramics can chip over time, and it will break if dropped on the floor
• Emile Henry products are more pricy than low-cost manufacturers

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of ceramic cookware, click here.

Closing remarks

Emile Henry ceramic cookware combines quality with affordability. Although it doesn’t come in a wide range of color options like Le Creuset or Staub. However, Emile Henry still makes ceramics in France using that fine Burgundy clay. And the company still uses traditional methods for their cookware without the high price. These are great reasons to choose Emile Henry ceramic cookware.

References

• https://www.theceramicshop.com/content/425/Clay-Reference-Guide/
• https://www.emilehenryusa.com/pages/about
• https://www.chefscomplements.co.nz/buy-kitchenware/shop-by-brand/emile-henry-shop-by-brand/