Le Creuset has made my grill girl summer – here’s my honest review of their new Alpine Outdoor Collection

Last summer, I got engaged on a camping trip, and since then, we've decided to make an annual ritual of getting out of the city and heading to the coast with our tent. But if I’m being honest, I’m more of a glamper than a purist. I like to be cozy, my coffee poured into Stanley mugs, and breakfasts warm out of a proper pan. Which is why, when I saw the Le Creuset Alpine outdoor collection (a first for the luxury brand), I knew I had to try it.

The Alpine Outdoor Collection is an extension of the best cast iron cookware with a rugged twist – ideal for anyone who prefers their campfire cooking or grilling with a side of quiet luxury. I tested the Alpine Outdoor Rectangular Griddle, a smooth slab of enameled cast iron promising to serve up perfect smash burgers, grilled vegetables, and pancakes to feed a crowd.

But the collection itself goes far beyond the griddle. There is a pizza pan, a shiny stainless steel grilling tool set, and even a Dutch oven purpose-built for the best grills. For anyone who loves to cook – and loves beautiful cookware – it’s hard not to be seduced by the Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor Collection. But naturally, it's not the most affordable grilling gear on the market, which begs the age-old question: is Le Creuset actually worth it? Here's what I uncovered from my experience.

Design

The Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor Collection is truly beautiful. Smooth textures, lightweight construction and a thoughtful, engraved illustration of an Alpine scene on the back of each piece. These are the details and the kind of craftsmanship you’d expect from Le Creuset – just now made for the outdoors.

I would have loved to try the entire collection, but I picked the Alpine Outdoor Rectangular Griddle, as I thought it would span all my needs. The handles are wide and spacious, so you can actually grip them while wearing oven mitts – which sounds basic, but is so important.

I recognised the matte black enamel interior from my favorite non-toxic pan. It resists dulling, staining, and rusting, and over time it develops a natural patina that only improves cooking performance. Better still, it requires no seasoning, so I could get cooking straight away.

I also tested the Le Creuset grilling tools, which were again, utterly beautiful. They arrived in a cream-toned canvas bag, which is probably the chicest cookware casing I have ever seen. Inside are stainless steel grilling tools, each with its own designated pocket protector so they don’t clang around or get scratched, and will remain in good condition over time. I'm convinced the Le Creuset Alpine outdoor collection set will last me a lifetime of grilling.

As part of the set, you'll receive an outdoor slotted turner, sturdy tongs, a two-pronged fork and basting brush. Each tool was huge, but comfortable to hold (even with my small hands) and long enough to flip and cook from a safe distance. They are made from professional stainless steel with a brushed handle, and they each have a looped handle to hang on your workstation, which is handy.

Cooking performance

Full disclosure: I don’t currently have a big outdoor grill (city life), so I tested the griddle on my gas stove. It still worked beautifully. Each pan in the Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor collection is designed to withstand intense heat – whether from an open flame or the controlled burners of a gas grill. I decided to make burgers with caramelized onions and toasted brioche buns – a summer barbecue menu classic – for my tests.

When I set my pan down on the stove (after a quick rinse in the sink, in case there was any cardboard fragments from the box), it was polished, sturdy, and well-balanced. It heated up very quickly, and there was plenty of space for my food.

First up: onions. They grilled evenly, didn’t stick, and gave off that slightly smoky, caramelized scent that made my whole kitchen smell like a nostalgic, summer family gathering. Then I threw on a few burgers, and they came out juicy with a golden brown texture. The heat retention was impressive – cast iron always delivers, but this is the best of the best.

American-cheese lovers, look away. I don't like processed food, so I opted for grated hunks of cheddar, but I know it's not traditional. In any case, it melted quickly over the golden burgers, and I had space to toast the brioche burger buns in the burger fat. All in all, the meal was absolutely delicious; the best burgers I've had in ages (and that's saying something, as I've been to a lot of cookouts this summer).

Cleaning & maintenance

In my experience at least, this part was less perfect. The griddle cleaned up easily with hot water and a soapy scrub, but there were no instructions included. No care card or cleaning guide. The brand website says that the Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor collection is safe to use with metal utensils, but I wanted to use my wire chain scrubber to dislodge some caramlised burger bits and I wasn't sure if that would impact the enamel. I much prefer to have all the care guidance laid out for me in a booklet, rather than trawling online or guessing, so I can ensure my tools last for years to come (especially when it's a large investment).

For a premium brand like Le Creuset, I expected better. When my Le Creuset Dutch oven arrived, I received a helpful little booklet – so maybe this was just a packaging error. If you’re new to cooking with enamel cast iron (or even just cautious, like I am), it’s something to note.

Is the Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor collection worth it?

Let’s talk price. At $220, the griddle pan is expensive. There's no getting around that. I;d say it's an investment piece or a very generous gift for a keen griller. Le Creuset's lifetime guarantee sweetens the deal, though (see the picture above). This is surely the last griddle you will ever need to buy, and you could even hand it down to the grandkids.

Le Creuset's outdoor grilling tools, surprisingly, are much more affordable – especially considering the quality and professional-level design. The full five-piece set (including the canvas carrier) starts at $159.95 on the Le Creuset website, but you can get the individual pair of tongs for $35.

So, if you want a taste of the Le Creuset outdoor collection without breaking bank, the tools could be a smart entry point.

My verdict

Would I recommend the Alpine Outdoor Collection? Yes – if you care about design, durability, and want to have beautiful outdoor cookware that inspires you to cook delicious al-fresco feasts.

Again, it's not cheap. If I could afford to buy more of the collection, I might go for the smaller griddle square, as that would be a bit more versatile for my lifestyle. I would recommend that you choose wisely.

At the end of the day, this is one of the most beautiful outdoor collections I’ve seen, and the cooking performance was utterly excellent. Le Creuset makes grilling feel genuinely chic, cool, and clean. I might not have the full setup yet, but I’m officially in my grill girl era.