Mauviel or Ruffoni gratin pan?

[latindancer]

Having collected several pieces of copper Mauviel cookware over the years, I'm highly appreciative of the craftsmanship. I'm looking to purchase a large gratin pan and I'm surprised I'm unable to find anything over 2.3 qts.
I've called Sur La Table and they've decided to quit selling the oval and are now carrying the round, only.
William Sonoma has the 2.3 but I'm looking for one that's larger. They showed me Ruffoni. It's a hammered copper, much different than Mauviel, but it's larger and deeper, the size is perfect. My question...do you prefer one over the other?
I'm so partial to Mauviel but should I open my mind to this lovely Ruffoni pan? Thanks, in advance for any opinions.

[kaleokahu]

Is 42 x 28 cm too small? http://lnx.rameria.com/en/product/33/...

[alarash]

This 54 cm x 33 cm Dehillerin gratin with loop handles sold today on ebay. (181079623428)

A bit too rich for my blood, but I kind of regret not putting in a bigger bid.

[latindancer]

Wow....

That's exactly the size, shape and quality I'm looking for.
The perfect, beautiful pan.
You're right, the price is steep but I think worth it.

[kaleokahu]

Make sure it will fit in your oven--with that Dehillerin, you'd need at 21.5" of diagonal clearance PLUS the handles.

[latindancer]

Thankyou!

What a great point...the pans we purchase *must* fit into our ovens :).
I don't think it would have fit. I went from feeling sad about not purchasing it to, now, relieved.

[kaleokahu]

Hi, latindancer:

Yup. There's a reason why you can sometimes get hotel-grade and -sized pieces at bargain prices. I got a really good deal on a 4-gallon saucepan, which I think I've used twice just out of spite.

Our friend Alarash scored a 1-METER turbotier (40lbs) that we talk about using on an adolescent halibut, but that would have to be over an open fire, since neither of us has an oven sufficiently capacious.

The biggest gratin that comfortably fits in my 36-inch electric oven is a Lamalle that is 51cm long. I could fit a 60cm into the woodstove's oven, though.

Aloha,
Kaleo

[latindancer]

While I love my old Viking oven, the measurements preclude me from purchasing pots that I know I would love, like the ebay pan.
I'm now beginning to understand why Sur La Table is purchasing only the round Maviel instead of the oval. There are just too many smaller ovens out there to be able to fit the nice oval I'm looking for.
The handles take up a good amount of the room in the oven.
A 36-inch oven...that's one of the things I miss & a wood stove? Pretty much nirvana.

[latindancer]

Please keep your thoughts and suggestions coming.
For people, like me, who purchase without thinking it through from all angles, your post was truly helpful.

Aloha.

[kaleokahu]

You're very welcome.

[jljohn]

Gah! How did I miss that one in my searching? Probably because it was listed as a skillet. That kind of thing is always great when you find something that others might want to buy, but it's a real pain when you the looking for one!

[latindancer]

Yeah....
This one was a real beauty, for sure.

[latindancer]

Thanks, kaleokahu, it's a bit smaller than I'm looking for but a beautiful pot.

[critter101]

You might find more opinions on the Cookware board.

[latindancer]

You're right....darn :).

My bad.

[tim irvine]

I prefer Mauviel if it is one of their heavier lines. I'd check eBay or try one of the stores that my have some older stuff snaffled away like Dehillerin or Fantes.

[latindancer]

Thankyou. I'll try it.

[latindancer]

I wish I'd taken your advice sooner and gone on Ebay to purchase that Dehillerin gratin (alarash found) that sold yesterday.
Ugh.
Live and learn.

[latindancer]

I ended up purchasing a Mauviel 17.5-inch gratin, brand new with box, on Ebay.
It'll fit perfectly in my oven, which was a major consideration.
I appreciate your suggestion...
Thanks.