Difference between casserole and stew

Essentially, as a cooking method there is little difference between them. A casserole is the name of the pot used for cooking and slowly has become known as the cooking method as well. Purist insist a casserole is placed in the oven and a stew on the stove top/hob, however the two are totally interchangeable. Whichever term you choose, both consist of meat and-or vegetables, cooked slowly over a long period of time making it ideal for cheaper cuts of meat.