HIC Kitchen Oval Au Gratin Baking Dish, 12-Ounce, Fine Porcelain, Set Of 4

Okay, my Pillivuyt was stolen along with my Lamson cutlery and Calphalon cookware. Loss totalled about $3000. I can't afford to replace that stuff again now and some pieces are retired, so... I love porcelain. I do NOT love Teflon or the like. This HIC is a Chinese "replication" of Pillivuyt pieces. It's very similar in style, though there are important differences to consider. Porcelain itself is not ground as finely. This means that the bottoms of these lovely Gratins are not as smooth. You should consider gently sanding them smooth with emery paper so they don't scuff things as easily. Realize that porcelain DOES scuff things, regardless! Another difference is that somehow, Pillivuyt manages to create remarkably flat surfaces. By that, I mean that they are not ripply or wavy. These HIC pieces are visually less flat, though that may be hard to detect by moving your finger across a surface. It's a minor detail, but maybe it's not. In a few years, I'll know. That said, that's the bad news, and it's not very bad! The good news is that they cook pretty much the same as my old Pillivuyt did. My most common use for this size Gratin is to microwave single eggs in them for my signature breakfast sandwich. I used the very tiniest amount of oil wiped on the surface, and I do mean tiny, and it's enough to get the egg to release, sunny up or scrambled, easily with a fork. You can scramble the egg with a real table fork IN the Gratin and nuke it and it will fluff up. Seasoned lightly it comes out great. Or, you can bake a bunch in the oven or a couple in the toaster-oven and VERY fluffy. The fork gets them out with ease, and washup is just hot water and a paper towel, same as with any quality pan. A couple of times, I overcooked (um, burnt?) cheese on them. Soaked in hot water only, a NYLON scrubber (Dobe is my recommendation) and clean as can be. They're easy. Can't really tell much difference from the Pillivuyt. Good porcelain really IS basically the original nonstick. And here's the kicker: These cost 1/3 the price that Pillivuyt does. Sure, that extra 2/3 buys the final tiny bit of refinement and I'm not sure what the effect of having the finest bone grind in the world is with P, or whether their glaze is substantially different over the years yet. Most people drop these before they would possible "wear them out." Here, you get SIX gratins for the price of less than TWO of theirs. It's not a big deal to lose them to accidents. These HIC Gratins are a deal. I'm definitely going to look at others of their pieces as I need them. The price is right and so far, so is the performance.

I've been wanting a set of white porcelain au gratin dishes since I saw in person the utilitarian yet elegant ones recovered from the wreck of RMS Titanic. These are similar enough to those to satisfy my hankering. They look better than I was expecting. The handles have a nice texture that gives them a classic look that doesn't show well in the photo. Top surfaces are glossy, the bottom is matte with an inset for the importer's logo. These are well-glazed and fired hard. I have no problem believing that they are suitable for use in an oven, broiler, or microwave, and they are surely dishwasher safe. My only minor complaint is a long-term pet peeve about sticky labels that are difficult to remove. The good news on these au gratin dishes is that the importer's round label on the top soaks off in dishwater (or isn't hopelessly bonded to the glossy glaze.) However, there is also a small rectangular bar code label on the bottom that will require some Goo Gone or similar solvent to remove completely (and you surely want to do that before exposing the dishes to heat.) ETA I just received a second set of four that I ordered so as to ensure that I always have these on hand. I haven't broken one yet but that is always a possibility. I am pleased to report that the small labels on the bottom of each dish came off easily - No need for Goo Gone this time! I have used these dishes many times now, and they have performed very well indeed. I'm very pleased with this purchase!

I use these for crepes, and gratins. These are safe to use under the broiler. Cleanup is easy. Presentation is pretty. I'm fully satisfied with these versatile and well made dishes.

I use these for a whole host of cooking and serving. They are shallow, but are a really handy size to cook an individual item - say a chicken breast, salmon, couple of sausages, etc. along with other items in the oven. Surface is little rough on the unseen bottom, as no glaze, but not an issue. Bought a second set as I had two crack after less than a year of use, but they are so useful it's worth it. Been a while and no more issues. Recommended.

Bake and serve, clean up is a snap, lightweight and pretty, and fairly inexpensive, what can I say, these are a great deal. I love to bake and serve in individual dishes, even if it is just for me alone. Enchiladas, crepes, veggie dishes, all can be cooked and served in these au gratin dishes. Unlike some au gratin dishes that say they are 9 or 10 inches, but are actually 7 or 8 inches instead, these HIC au gratins are 10" from handle to handle and are the perfect size for individual casseroles that don't need a lot of depth, such as a filled crepe smothered in sauce with cheese, potatoes au gratin or many other like items. Presented on a plate, they are an elegant way to bake and serve, without breaking the bank to purchase them.

Great dishes,…Easy to clean even after baking on typically hard to remove food,…they make my little casseroles the highlight of the meal, everybody comments that they feel like they’re in a fancy restaurant,…

These are small enough to use as individual portions which is the problem with most gratin dishes. I haven't used them yet so I may have to revisit this review.

I've always enjoyed being served foods in these types of dishes - many pleasant childhood memories, and I haven't seen them as much in restaurants these days. But, we're a small family and many recipes make 6-8 servings, so I thought I'd get them to make, freeze, and reheat later. That may yet come (freezer is too full now!). Imagine my surprise when the teenager son said "Mom, I love these dishes!!" Why? because he could put his snacks in them and heat them in the toaster oven - and he knows how food tastes better in glass or ceramic, not nuked in plastic dishes! As I recall, this company had it set up where you could either select a set of three dishes or a set of four dishes, so be sure to select how many you want. They have survived dishwasher as well as toaster oven. I've not tried them in the microwave oven, but don't know why they wouldn't work.

Muy buena calidad de ele producto, lo use en casa

Lovely little dishes, perfect size, and go under the broiler to brown au gratin toppings with no problem. Arrived promptly in perfect condition.

I needed them quickly for a coquille I was serving. I never dreamt they’d be so hard to find. I found them on amazon, received them the next day ( so perfect timing)?and my coquille and presentation were a complete success. They are good quality oven proof ! Just perfect ! Thank you

Used as serving dish. They matched our existing ones very wrll

Nice size, nice material, nice price.