Recs.
Updated
The KitchenAid Streamline enameled cast-iron casserole dish is perfect for cooks who like starting a casserole on the stovetop and later finishing it in the oven. It has a wide range of colors and a self-basting lid but can be too heavy for some cooks.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Can go from stovetop to oven and finish up under a broiler
This casserole dish is safe to use on any kind of stovetop as well as in the oven, under the broiler, or on the grill. Its enameled cast-iron cooking surface is very good at searing and browning when on the stovetop, and retaining heat when in the oven. Because of the materials it's made of, this casserole needs to be heated up slowly but can handle temperatures of up to 500 °F. In comparison, stoneware/porcelain casserole dishes also have great heat resistance, but cannot be used on stovetops. Aluminum dishes with non-stick coating, while suitable for both stovetops and the oven, can be used at the maximum temperature of 400 °F - that means no broiler or grill compatibility.
Pro A wide range of colors
The casserole from the KitchenAid Streamline series comes in a range of colors: Autumn Glimmer orange, Plum Zen purple, Kiwi green, Empire Red, Onyx Black, Curacao Blue (light), and Spring Blue (dark).
Cons
Con Has to be heated up slowly
This KitchenAid casserole dish has low resistance to thermal shock because it is made from two different materials (cast iron and porcelain enamel), which react differently to temperature changes. This means that this dish cannot be put in the freezer or on the already hot burner - a sudden change in temperature can crack the cast iron or shatter the enamel.