Lacor Chef Luxe 18/10 stainless steel shallow casserole, 36 to 50 cm, with or without lid

The Lacor Chef Luxe shallow casserole is a low, wide casserole pan in 18/10 stainless steel for professional kitchens, with an encapsulated aluminium heat-diffusing base, a reinforced rim and welded tubular handles. It is made in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) in four diameters, from 36 to 50 cm (7 to 17 litres), and is sold with or without a lid.

It is the lowest piece in the Chef Luxe range: between 7 and 9 cm high depending on the diameter. That shape makes it ideal for oven-baked rice dishes, stews and roasts that go to the table in the same pan, and for restaurant kitchens, contract catering and large family gatherings. Lacor calls it the ‘Chef-Luxe paella pan with lid’ in its catalogue.

Technical details

Sizes and capacities

Figures from the Lacor catalogue. Choose the diameter, and whether you want it with a lid, from the drop-down menu above the buy button.

Use and real-world experience

We have sold it since 2015, and of the four sizes the most popular are the 36 cm and the 45 cm, almost always with a lid. Within the Chef Luxe range, the piece our catering-trade customers reorder most is the low casserole, which has the same construction with more height; the shallow casserole is the choice when you need more surface than depth: oven-baked rice, fideuà (noodle paella), a large roast or a lasagne for a crowd.

Two things worth knowing before you buy. First, the hob: a shallow casserole of 36 cm or more needs a large gas burner, an induction hob with a large zone or a paella gas burner. On a domestic induction hob with 21 to 28 cm zones, the base only receives heat in the centre and the edges stay lukewarm, although the aluminium in the base spreads it to some extent. Lacor does not list the 50 cm as suitable for induction.

Second, stainless steel and food that sticks: heat the empty pan before adding the fat, and do not add the food until the fat is hot; that way the rice or meat releases on its own once browned. After use, a short soak and a non-scratch scourer. If you see whitish or rainbow-coloured marks, they are limescale or salt residue: they come off with a cloth and vinegar and do not affect the pan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a shallow casserole and a low casserole?

The height. In the Chef Luxe range the shallow casserole is between 7 and 9 cm high and the low casserole is deeper for the same diameter. The shallow casserole is for spread-out dishes (rice, roasts, gratins) and the low casserole for stews with more liquid.

Does it work on induction hobs?

Yes, in the 36, 40 and 45 cm diameters, thanks to the encapsulated stainless steel and aluminium base. Lacor does not list the 50 cm as suitable for induction. In any case, the hob zone needs to be large enough to heat the whole base.

Can it go in the oven?

Yes. The whole piece is stainless steel, handles and lid included, so it goes in the oven with no practical temperature limit for cooking. Use oven gloves: stainless steel handles get hot inside the oven.

What capacity do I need?

As a guide for rice or a stew as a main course: the 36 cm (7 litres) serves around 8 to 10, the 40 cm (10 litres) 12 to 15, the 45 cm (12 litres) 15 to 20 and the 50 cm (17 litres) 20 to 25.

Can the lid be bought separately?

Yes. If you already have the shallow casserole without a lid or want a spare, the Chef Luxe lid is sold on its own in every diameter of the range.

Is it 1.5 or 2 mm thick?

It depends on the size: the 36 and 40 cm are 1.5 mm thick and the 45 and 50 cm are 2 mm, according to the Lacor catalogue. In all of them the base is much thicker because of the encapsulated aluminium layer.

Related products

• Chef Luxe low casserole and Chef Luxe low stockpot, from the same range
• Chef Luxe tall stockpot for stocks and large quantities
• Chef Luxe sauté pan, with a long handle
• Chef Luxe stainless steel lid
• The whole stock pots and casseroles category, all Lacor products and our guides to professional cookware and induction cookware