The Cookware That Outlives Trends

The Cookware That Outlives Trends

There comes a point in every home cook’s journey when the focus shifts from what's on the menu to what you’re cooking with. And when it comes to cookware that lasts generations, turns every meal into an event, and looks gorgeous doing it — cast iron wins. Every time.

At Hydrofire, we don’t just sell fireplaces. We know flame. And that deep respect for heat, flavour, and slow rituals naturally extends to the kitchen. That’s why we proudly offer Chasseur’s French-made cast iron cookware. The only real question you need to ask before falling in love is: what colour?

Because once you’ve held one of these casserole pots in your hand, cooked with it, served from it, and watched it become a centrepiece on your table? You’ll never want to use anything else.

 

 

Cast Iron: The Iron Standard of Cookware

If your current pots rattle on the stovetop, cook unevenly, and scratch after a few uses, you're not alone. Mass-market aluminium and non-stick options may be budget-friendly, but they often fall short when it comes to heat retention, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Cast iron, however, is different. It’s heavy. It’s hard. It holds heat like a boss. And in the hands of Chasseur’s master enamelers in Donchery, France, it becomes an heirloom.

• Superior heat retention: 

Slow and steady wins the race. Once hot, cast iron maintains an even temperature that makes it perfect for stews, roasts, and bakes.

• Stovetop to oven: 

These pots don’t mind being shuffled around. Use them on gas, electric, induction, or open flame.

• Built to last: 

With proper care, a Chasseur pot can serve you for life — and still have flavour secrets to share with your grandchildren.

Whether you’re simmering tomato bredie, baking a crusty no-knead bread, or slow-cooking lamb curry, cast iron is your best companion.

Chasseur: Where French Craftsmanship Meets South African Kitchens

Made in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, Chasseur has been manufacturing cast iron cookware since 1924. Each pot is individually cast in sand moulds, enamelled by hand, and fired twice at extreme temperatures. The result? Stunning, colourful cookware that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Hydrofire is proud to bring this legacy to South African homes. Chasseur’s pots are timeless, functional, and designed to move from stove to oven to table without missing a beat.

Their range includes:

• Round & Oval Casseroles
• Stew Pots & Cocottes

They’re available in a rich palette of enamel colours that suit every kitchen style — from warm terracotta tones to deep forest greens and bold flame reds.

 

 

More Than Just Pretty: Why Colour Matters

Of course, cast iron cookware is functional. But let's be honest — aesthetics matter too. There’s something joyful about lifting the lid on a tomato-orange pot bubbling with curry. Or serving rustic chicken pie in a matte black dish.

When you choose a colour, you're choosing a mood, a memory, a moment. Some colour personalities we love:

• Cherry Red: 

Bold, fiery, and made for those who love drama (and chakalaka).

• Blue Velvet: 

Deep, romantic, and quietly elegant.

With Chasseur, the colour never fades or peels. It’s fired into the enamel, so it lasts as long as your stories.

Cooking with Soul

Ask any grandparent what they cooked with, and chances are, cast iron makes the list. There’s history in these pots. A rhythm. A patience that today’s fast food culture often lacks. When you cook with cast iron, you’re not just making a meal — you’re making a memory.

That lamb shank you started at 10 AM? That’s dinner at 6. The oxtail with bay leaves and red wine? That’s the smell of winter Sundays. And the stew you make too much of? That’s tomorrow’s comfort, ready to reheat.

Chasseur cookware brings you into the heart of those moments. It turns cooking into a ceremony.

Healthy Cooking, Happy Living

When it comes to health, cast iron cookware offers more than just hearty meals and deep flavours. It also brings peace of mind to your plate:

• Chemical-free cooking: Unlike many non-stick pans that may contain PFOA or PTFE, enamelled cast iron like Chasseur's is naturally non-reactive and toxin-free.
• No metallic taste: The enamel coating prevents acidic foods (like tomato sauces or citrus-based dishes) from reacting with the metal, ensuring pure taste and safe cooking.
• Trace iron boost: While enamel interiors limit direct iron absorption, raw cast iron can release small, beneficial amounts of dietary iron into food — especially useful for those with mild deficiencies.

For health-conscious home chefs, Chasseur cast iron delivers a clean, wholesome way to prepare meals for loved ones.

Built to Last a Lifetime (and Then Some)

In a world full of planned obsolescence and cheap alternatives, cast iron cookware stands tall as a legacy investment. These aren’t pots you replace every few years — they’re ones you pass down.

• Intergenerational use:

It’s not unusual to find a Chasseur casserole dish still in daily use 20+ years after purchase. With proper care, yours could serve your children and grandchildren.

• Repairable and resellable: 

Unlike flimsier cookware that warps, scratches, or rusts, cast iron can often be refinished or re-enamelled — and holds excellent resale value.

• Sustainable manufacturing: 

Chasseur uses recycled iron, renewable energy, and long-lasting enamel to reduce environmental impact, making each piece as kind to the planet as it is to your stove.

Cooking with cast iron is a reminder that good things — really good things — are worth keeping.

Caring for Cast Iron: Easier Than You Think

Many people shy away from cast iron because they think it’s difficult to care for. But with Chasseur, it’s surprisingly simple — and highly rewarding. In fact, the more you use it, the better you understand its rhythm, charm, and easygoing reliability.

• No seasoning needed: 

Traditional raw cast iron must be seasoned regularly with oil to create a non-stick barrier and prevent rust. But Chasseur’s enamel coating takes the hassle out of the process. The enamel layer is naturally non-stick, non-reactive, and sealed — meaning you can start cooking rich, acidic meals like tomato stew or citrusy marinades straight away, without any prep.

• Easy cleaning: 

One of the biggest myths about cast iron is that it’s hard to clean. In reality, enamelled cast iron like Chasseur’s is wonderfully low-maintenance. Let your pot cool, soak it in warm water with a bit of mild detergent, and use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe it clean. The enamel resists staining and odour absorption, so it stays beautiful even after years of use.

• Avoid metal tools: 

Metal utensils can chip or scratch the enamel surface over time. That’s why it’s best to use wooden spoons, silicone spatulas, or plastic ladles. Not only are they gentler, but they also help you preserve the vibrant finish and smooth interior that makes Chasseur cookware such a joy to use.

• Storage made simple: 

Chasseur pots are as good-looking on the shelf as they are on the stove. Store them with the lid slightly ajar to allow airflow, and you’re good to go. They’re stackable, compact, and too beautiful to hide.

With just a few mindful habits, your Chasseur pot becomes more than just cookware — it becomes a trusted part of your kitchen ritual. A little love and respect go a long way, and in return, these pots reward you with decades of culinary delight, flavour depth, and timeless beauty.

 

 

From Kitchen to Campsite: Yes, You Can Use It Outside

One of the lesser-known but much-loved advantages of cast iron cookware is its versatility beyond the kitchen. Chasseur pots aren’t just indoor champions — they can hold their own over a firepit, gas braai, or camp stove too.

Whether you're simmering a hearty potjie in the backyard or slow-cooking a lamb stew under the stars, Chasseur delivers consistent, even heat — just like it does on your stovetop. Thanks to its enamelled coating, it resists staining, withstands high temperatures, and is easier to clean than raw cast iron after an outdoor cook-up.

A few pro tips for outdoor use:

• Use indirect heat when placing your pot over coals or an open flame to avoid overheating the enamel.
• Let it cool gradually before cleaning — never plunge a hot pot into cold water.
• Wipe the base clean before bringing it back into your kitchen to protect indoor surfaces.

So yes — take your Chasseur outside. Let it be part of chilly garden dinners, bushveld getaways, and smoky Sunday braais. Just like great stories and good friends, it was made to go anywhere the fire is.

Your Kitchen, Your Colour, Your Legacy

So yes, cast iron is better. Yes, Chasseur is the best. Yes, it cooks like a dream and lasts a lifetime. But in the end, when you click “Add to Cart,” you’re doing more than buying a pot — you’re making a statement.

You’re embracing a way of cooking that values patience over speed, depth over convenience, and beauty over blandness. You’re transforming your kitchen into a space that not only feeds but nurtures, welcomes, and inspires.

Each colour in the Chasseur collection isn’t just a shade — it’s a signature. It reflects your personality, your food, your mood. It becomes part of your family rituals, your Sunday roasts, your celebration dinners, your quiet solo pastas after a long day.

Choosing a colour isn’t just about matching your tiles or cabinetry. It’s about asking: what feeling do I want in my kitchen? What memory do I want this pot to hold? What legacy do I want to leave?

Because these pots will last — not for a season, but for generations. They’ll hold the flavours of a hundred meals, the laughter of countless guests, and the quiet joy of cooking just for yourself.

So don’t overthink it. Go with your instinct. Pick the colour that makes you smile.