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Cousances Dutch Oven 26 Review

Cousances was a French Cast Iron Manufacturer whose history started in 1553. They were one of the oldest cast iron manufacturer in the world until they were bought by Le Creuset in 1957. Prior to being acquired, Cousances Dutch Oven was one the best Enamel Cast Iron Dutch oven you can buy. Le Creuset, being in their infant years, competed with them. However, because Le Creuset offered a much wider range of colored, they eventually lost market share. Today, Le Creuset makes their cookware in Cousances original foundry/factory. They are only released in limited quantities. You will only them in their outlet or online store. This article will take a closer look at how Cousances was designed. We will see what changes Le Creuset has made and the difference between them.

Cousances Dutch Oven Quick Summary

CategoriesCousances Dutch Oven
PerformanceGood
ColorsWide Range
Brand AwarenessEurope and North America
Country of ManufacturerFrance
WarrantyUnclear, Modern Version should be Lifetime
ThoughtsOne of the original Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven. While their handle is not as comfortable as a modern day Le Creuset Dutch Oven, it is still very unique. In terms of performance, they should do just as well as a modern one.
Reviewed CookwareCousance 26 cm Dutch Oven


Cousances Dutch Oven Design

Cousances Dutch Oven

Cousances Rounded Handle

What makes cousances so unique is their round handle. Cousances has a half moon handle that flows with the pot design. However, these handles are narrow and sharp. While it wont cause too much discomfort, its narrow opening makes it difficult to carry. This is made worse when you have a glove on.

Handle Fitment

Looking at the handle, it is very similar to Le Creuset Doufeu Dutch Oven Design. Both of them has the same sort of curved handle. What is even more interesting is that if you search for Cousances, you can find their own version of the Doufeu. The only differences I see are the markings on the lid.

Doufeu Handle

I am not too verse on the history of Cousances so I cannot tell who copied who. Since Le Creuset owns all of Cousances design, it wouldn’t surprise me if Le Creuset just adopted it as their own design. Either way, they are almost identical. However, I did find an article from the new york times in 1972. The Article stated that it was a new pot. It was a very heavy “self-basting oven”. At the time of its release, it had a price of 29.95.

Cousances Dutch Oven Lid

The design of the lid is a little different from Le Creuset Lid. On the Le Creuset model, you will see circular lines across the top with their logo usually engraved on it. Cousances lid has no marking at all. It is a smooth seamless design. This makes for a more minimalist design.

The knob is also very interesting. While the base of it is all metal, the cap is plastic and says cousances. I did not remove it in fear of it breaking. This will get hot with use so I would use a towel when holding it. If anything, I would just remove it all together and just use an all metal one. This should give it a higher oven safe temperature as well. With the plastic on there, I would not put it above 375 degree fahrenheit. That is the official oven safe temperature for the classic plastic handle.

Cousances Dutch Oven Lid

Enamel Coating

The enamel coating is very similar to how vintage Le Creuset model were designed. The bottom is bare cast iron, while the side is enamel coated. Newer Le Creuset Dutch have the bottom coated in Enamel. The interior is a cream color, this lets you judge the condition of the fond much easier. The issue with a cream interior is that they will develop cracks and mark. It will start to turn black with use. There is a considerable amount of orange peel on the paint. Although, I cant really tell if its due to the cast iron or is it due to the paint job. Either way, it looks poorly done.

Cousances Dutch Oven Cream Interior

The lip on these dutch oven are not coated in enamel. The reason why this is done is to prevent the lid from fusing with the pot at higher temperature. There are often arguments about it being matte enamel, this is not true at all.

Cousances Dutch Oven Colors

Although the variety of colors on the Couscanes Dutch Oven is not as extensive as Le Creuset, you can still find some very desirable colors. The one that I have is a beautiful brown. But I have also seen blue, red and orange. This limited color range is one of the reason why they were eventually bought out by Le Creuset. They did not have the variety that consumer wanted.

Chipping and Cracking

The Couscanes Dutch Oven I have is over 30 year old and I do not see any sign of chipping or cracking on the Enamel. You can be assure of its durability. As opposed to my Tranmoniata pot that chipped after one of two month of owning it.

Cousances Marking

The marking or numbers on their cookware will typically denote their size. For example, the 26 on this dutch oven will mean it has a diameter of 26 cm. This is quite common among European cookware manufacturer.

Cousances Dutch Oven Bottom

Fit and Finish

The fit and finish is good for a Enamel Dutch oven. Other than the orange peel, everything else is fine. The newer Le Creuset model is slightly better but still pretty bad.

Cousances Dutch Oven orange peel

Specs

Note:These measurement are done by me with the tools that I have on hand. The manufacturers have their own measurement guidelines and that should be assumed to be accurate. What I find on this review can vary widely due to several factors, such as ambient temperature, location, water, tool calibration, stove btu, etc..and should only be considered as my opinion.
Weight 3800 g
Height: Around 4.75 inch
Diameter: Around 10.65 inch
Thickness: Around 3.45-3.50 mm

Where to Buy Cousances

Cousances products are not as common as they used to be. Le Creuset will occsainaly do special release on their products. However, the only places you can buy them are at outlets and online store. Because of this, I doubt that Le Creuset really have much incentive to market the brand. Nevertheless, you can still purchase the older pots on Ebay, they are a lot more affordable. You might be able to find them on Amazon but I doubt it.

Conclusion

It’s pretty much the same thing. The fit and finish is a little better on a modern Le Creuset Dutch Oven. I also like how Le Creuset dutch oven handle is wide and it can accommodate my fingers. I recommend you get one that is either cheaper or in a color that you like.
As stated before, you might have some issues finding couscanes for sale online. Your best buy is at ebay and its one of the best bargain for vintage enamel Cast iron cookware. If the Couscanes name does not really matter to you, Le Creuset is more readily available and in a wider array of colors.


I hope you like this Cousances Dutch Oven Review, If you would like to see more, please visit our Pots and Pans Review page.

20 Comments on “Cousances Dutch Oven 26 Review

Claudia Borosch
April 18, 2020 at 9:59 am

I found two of these in my Moms kitchen that she used a lot. Can they go in the oven as well as the stove top. Is the lid with handle oven proof. My Mom never used it in the oven just on the stove top. I would love to use it in the oven but worried about the handle.

Thanks
Claudia

Reply
Curated Cook
April 18, 2020 at 1:36 pm

The bottom of the pot should be able to handle up to 500 degree Fahrenheit without any issues. The lid with the plastic handle, I wouldn’t go above 375 degree Fahrenheit. I dont have the exact oven safe temperature for cousances. But for Le Creuset classic plastic handle, that is their official oven safe temperature.

If you are really worried about it, you can always remove the screw and replace it with an all metal handle. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Reply
Judy Filewich
June 10, 2021 at 8:08 am

The little plastic cover slides off the cousances pot and you are left with a smaller
Round top that I have put in the oven fir over 40 years . It is fine . It does get hot though so use a pad when lifting it.

Reply
Curated Cook
June 11, 2021 at 1:05 am

Hi Judy,

Thank you for the information. It will help other readers.

~Curated Cook

Reply
Paula
October 13, 2022 at 9:35 am

Where can you get a metal handle?

Reply

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Barb
March 11, 2021 at 2:37 pm

I have the same brown Cousances dutch oven that I received in 1979. The knob on the lid had a slide off plastic cover that was to be removed for oven use. I forgot to remove it one time and it melted while in the oven. Other than that, my pot is still in great condition. I love using it to make a simmered stovetop stew.
Barb

Reply
Curated Cook
March 11, 2021 at 11:58 pm

Hi Barb,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure this will help out other reader as well.

~Curated Cooks

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Terry Crayford
June 25, 2021 at 6:10 pm

I have an old (about 40 years) oval Dutch oven marked Cousances and the number 12 which I assume is the size but I cannot find what the size is in quarts or litres.
The measurements are 29cm x 22cm (11.5″ x 8.5″) and the height is 11cm (4.25″).
When I am using a recipe that specifies the size in quarts have you any idea what that should be?
Thanks very much.
Cheers, Terry

Reply
Curated Cook
June 26, 2021 at 11:35 am

Base on the dimension, its usually around 7 quart in capacity.

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Michele
September 9, 2021 at 8:37 am

I have a Cousances Dutch oven and it’s embossed AC16 on the lid and bottom of the oven. The handle is cast iron and also orange. How can I tell how old it is? It’s orange and in very good condition.

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Curated Cook
September 10, 2021 at 12:10 am

Hi Michele,

I wouldn’t be able to date it, Sorry.

~Curated Cook

Reply
Moy
October 25, 2021 at 5:31 pm

Are the Cousances Le Creuset pots safe to use? I’ve heard that they are not safe even if there are no chips out of the enamel. Have you ever worried about using these vintage cooking pots?

Reply
Curated Cook
October 25, 2021 at 8:29 pm

They’re safe to use. I heard of some reports of Cadmium in certain color, but usually those are rumors. If you are worried about it, you can always get a test kit to check it.

The Biege interior are pretty standard as well. So its unlikely to have cadmium.

Another thing to note that chipped enamel cast iron is safe to use. Whats underneath is regular cast iron. They make cast iron cookware just like that.

Reply
Justina
April 4, 2022 at 8:02 pm

My mum had two Cousances dutch ovens, on of which has a chip on the inside bottom of dutch oven…incidently I read your comment that the cousances dutch oven has a cast iron base on the inside and enamel on the sides, these two that my mum had are both full enamel on inside, plus lid knob is not plastic but cast iron. Both pots are in good condition, apart one having a chip on the inside base. what I am wondering is if it can be re- enamelled and is it expensive to do that? Would appreciate advise as I really don’t want to get rid of them.
Thanks
Justina

Reply
Curated Cook
April 5, 2022 at 12:07 am

Hi Justina,

When I referred to the base, I meant the exterior of it.

I am sure that there is a method where you can recoat the pot with enamel. But finding someone to do it and just the cost alone would not be worth it. I recommend just finding a new pot.

If you dont want to get rid of them. Then just use it as is. Cooking in bare cast iron is perfectly fine.

~Curated Cook

Reply
joe pearse
February 24, 2023 at 8:20 am

HI i found one in a local goodwill. It is un-enamel or does not have a color. It is brown black and the inside is dark like regular caste iron and it is smooth The lid has a 26 underneath but the bottom of the pot has a mark that is a little blurry but as soon as I saw the lid mark I recognized it was the same name .Would this most likely be original or a fake? It was so inexpensive -$10.88.

What do you think?

Reply
Curated Cook
February 24, 2023 at 7:17 pm

Hard to tell without picture, but sometimes the lid and base are swapped. There are also quite a few variations so it could be one of those.

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Andrea
May 15, 2023 at 10:58 am

I have been eying a beautiful, like new Cousances oval dutch oven that is for sale. Unfortunately, it has no lid. The number on the bottom of the pot is 30. The owner measured the volume for me as about 4 quarts (I don’t remember exactly what that was). Is there a Le Creuset size lid that would fit this pot? I haven’t found any other Cousances pots of that size and it doesn’t seem to match up with the Le Creuset #30 pot.

Reply

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