Looking for advice on which size Tagine to purchase as a gift

last month

Looking for advice on which size Tagine to purchase as a gift. My sister loves to cook and cooks cuisine from all over the globe.

I saw that Emile Henry had 3 sizes of Tagine's to choose from:

2.1 quart (interior dimensions 10" wide, 2.35' deep ($129)

2.6 quart (Special Edition - no interior dimensions provided) ($99)

3.4 quart (interior dimensions `11' wide 3.4 deep ($159)

It is just her and her husband in the household, but she often has another couple or her kids come to dinner, so cooking for 4-6 would be reasonable.

Also thinking of getting one for myself - live alone, often have a guest or two for dinner.

Thinking the 3.4 quart may be the best choice for my sister and the 2.6 quart for me, but would love some advice from someone who owns and cooks with one before purchasing.

Featured Answer

jakabedy

last month

We have a vintage Le Creuset tagine 1.5 qt and the downside of that design is the shallow base. Even with the shallow base, we end up with plenty for two of us plus leftovers. It looks like the Emile Henry design (and the newer Le Creusets) have a much deeper base. I think the large one would be overkill. The small or the special edition medium should be plenty.

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Comments (12)

jojoco
last month
last modified: last month
We received a beautiful large red one from Williams Sonoma for our wedding. (hanging head in shame, but I don't think we've used it more than once. and we likely registered for it.)

But it is beautiful and maybe we'll use it more in the future. Thanks for the reminder.
elunia
last month
last modified: last month
Now you have me looking at tangines! i think you are on the right track — the 2.1 qt seems just a bit small. Hopefully, someone with experience will weigh in!
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eam44
last month
Does she have a lot of storage space in her kitchen for oddly shaped items she will likely use infrequently? If not and you’re really stuck for a gift, maybe buy her something more compact and easily stored that she might use more often, like a Le Creuset oval casserole or round brasier.
pudgeder
last month
Well, I had to go look this up to see what it was.

Learned something new!
dan1888
last month
You can give saffron, preserved lemons and Aleppo chilis. A Dutch oven will work for this.
Feathers11
last month
Although I like to cook for myself, this is the type of piece I'd want to use when preparing meals for guests. I'd go with the larger one. This is based on this article, which stated:

A smaller tagine (around eight to 10 inches in diameter) is often good for personal use or cooking for two, while larger tagines (12 inches or more) are more suited for family meals or entertaining guests.

What a fun gift! I'm sure she'll enjoy it.
Jennifer Hogan
Original Author
last month
eam44 - my sister has the absolute best setup between her kitchen and pantry for storing everything. The granite countertop in her pantry is actually an extension of the granite in her kitchen and the dark doors are hidden doors in her backsplash that you can open and slide things between the pantry and kitchen. Her kitchen also has ample storage with an 8' x 48" wide island (back to back cabinets) and perimeter uppers and lowers.

I have a small 10x10 kitchen and have to watch that I don't over buy and get things I don't use.
Jennifer Hogan
Original Author
last month
@jakabedy - thank you for sharing your personal experience.
Kswl
last month
Agree that the medium sized tagine would be the largest one would need for 4-6 people based on the dimensions. Emile Henry is a good brand.
Jennifer Hogan
Original Author
26 days ago
I ended up ordering one of each size. Measured just the outside dimensions to compare the sizes (didn't want to disturb the packaging. The width and shape of the bowl portion is virtually identical, same width and angle, with the larger being a bit more rounded at the bottom.

The difference is in the height with the 3.4 quart being 1/2 " taller than the 2.6 quart version.

(4" and 3.5" exterior dimension). I expect the interior to also be 1/2" shorter, so just under 3" tall.

(Used my contour gauge to compare - love this tool)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZKSHTBZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_38
gsciencechick
25 days ago
I also have a WS one, blue and white. I bought a cookbook for tagines. It was called Tagines & Couscous and you can find it on A or other bookstores. Made a few recipes from it. Yes, need to revisit this again for a nice winter meal. I store it on top of the hutch since it's decorative. So, maybe include a cookbook along with it.