Le Creuset

[askolover]

Just curious if anyone on here collects/buys/uses Le Creuset enameled cast iron or other products they sell.  Very expensive compared to other brands not made in France.  I've always wanted a genuine Le Creuset pan/dish/dutch oven but recently just went with a Lodge enameled dutch oven and ordered a smaller one from Boscov's.  I used the larger one to make gumbo last week and it was great.  The induction is wonderful with cast iron.  I don't want to get carried away and start a collection so to speak, but I just love the way they look and feel.  The blue is my favorite but through an error on the seller's end I received a red one.  She refunded 10% due to the error.  It looks good in red so the smaller one was also ordered in red.  I've been told to scout ebay and goodwill or thrift stores.  If I find one that's less than satisfactory condition but cheap, Le Creuset has a lifetime replacement warranty and might get a brand new one with a return. 

 

[rapidry1000]

I've acquired over the course of the past five years, nineteen pieces of Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware (various dutch ovens, saucepans, roasting pan, trivets, casserole dishes, grill pan, various skillets). The Le Creuset were all purchased at Salvation Army for a very reasonable price. The most expensive piece was $45. A few of the pieces were new. The largest dutch oven had damage due to user abuse resulting in a small area of the enamel being burned off inside the base of the cooking surface. They're great cookware especially the dutch ovens which I use for stews and soups. Hope this helps and good luck in your search.

 

[vacerator]

LeCruset

is great, except the price! I've got bufget priced cast iron by Cuisinart, etc. and it's fine. Even Lodge is good.

 

[chachp]

It's about all I use anymore...

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">It is great to cook in and lasts forever.  It does cost a little more but the quality is there in my opinion.  I have acquired most of mine at Estate Sales, Garage Sales, Salvation Army, eBay, etc.  I have bought some from the LC Outlet we have not far from us.  I haven't paid full retail for any of it.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">I haven't counted how many pieces I have.  I have Dutch Ovens, sauce pans, frying pans.  I also have a few of the non stick frying pans and love them.  I also have some of their loaf pans, baking dishes, etc.  I collect the Flame (orange) and Cobalt (Dark Blue).  A little Bar keepers friend keeps it all looking like new.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">It is possible to accumulate a large collection at budget prices if you do the work.   All of this will likely go to my niece at some day and likely to her children too.  My husband may want it but not likely.  He'll cook in an aluminum pie plate if I let him.  LOL</span>

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Le Creuset

Just purchased some straight from them. Hopefully they ship sometime soon as I am becoming restless! Do you guys put yours in the dishwasher? I don't think I will.

 

[chachp]

LC in the dishwasher

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">I do not put the enamel coated pieces in the dishwasher.  I do put the Non Stick frying pans in and they come out beautifully.  On the enamel pieces I use a little bit of Bar Keepers friend to clean them inside and out and they stay like new.  They have non stick properties just don't use high heat.  These pieces conduct heat so well you really don't need to go above medium or medium high.   And they stay warm for a LONG time after you finish.  You can cook and serve in them because they stay warm and look so nice on the table.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">I hope you like your new pieces.  Get on their mailing list especially the outlet.  They have sales all the time and some are pretty good.</span>

 

[jmm63]

I have a couple Le Crueset pieces which I love, especially the frying pan. But what I love most is my Staub Cocotte dutch oven. I call it the "magic pan" because it seems no matter what I throw in it, it somehow comes out being delicious.

The link is the same color that I have, its' beautiful and sometimes I just keep it on the stove top since its so pretty.

https://www.zulily.com/p/basil-7-qt-oval-cocotte-429447-56307605.html?tid=googpla_1851308306_70503797915_56307606_zcvp2_US&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDaPAcnlZ5H2R4NKM2wRDuwSN6UUGVRS462clkI4QMuH9TC-JoPqpW0aAqoMEALw_wcB

 

[parunner58]

About 2 years ago Disney had a payroll problem and when it was corrected everyone got these extra checks, I used mine to buy a piece of Le Crueset. I purchased a 3.75 QT. Cassadou in Caribbean. I love it and would buy more if I could afford them. I have put it in the dishwasher as they are safe in there, but i am use to washing pots as my regular cookware in Calphalon hard anodized aluminium Have over 15 pieces and is not dishwasher safe. If I ever get an induction range I will need to get all new cookware. This past fall for stainless users I bought a small sauce pan from "Made In" and love that one to.

 

[vacerator]

Jim, Staub

is of course, "spitzenklasse". Funny though"cockette" .i. as opposd to o!o ^_^

 

[nmassman44]

I love my Le Creuset cast iron pots and I use them often...I have a 3.5 qt dutch oven and a 5 qt oval dutch oven plus bakeware that I just enjoy using. We have a Le Creuset outlet nearby in Somerville at Assembly Row and that store is dangerous for my wallet. They have everything one could ever want or need and the prices are very reasonable and often times its 40% or more off retail price. I do know when this lockdown is over with and stores start to open again, I will be marching my happy ass over there and see what they have and remember a lot of retailers will have quite a lot of inventory they have to move....

 

[askolover]

So far I've run my two enamel pieces through the dishwasher but if it was the real thing (Le Creuset) I don't know if I would.  I'm happy with the Lodge 5qt and Boscov's 3qt dutch ovens so far.  I just bought some cocottes on ebay this morning, also in red (might as well keep the color.  I have some other red items too and it looks good on the black stove).  Right now I just keep them put together in the oven when it's not being used...out of the way but easily accessible.  There is a LC store in Brentwood about 40 miles from us but I pass by it on my way to work.

 

[chachp]

LC in the dishwasher

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">In my experience an occasional run through is OK.  Routine washings in the dishwasher tend to dull the shiny enamel.  I have a couple of pieces that are dulled and I have tried many products (including their cleaner) to try to bring back that shine and I haven't had much luck.  Because they clean up so easily I just sprinkle a little bar keepers friend on the inside and out and they clean up beautifully.  Should I get any kind of stain, I use the peroxide and baking soda method to clean them and they are back to looking like new.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">Of course with everything going on in the world right now how shiny my cookware is or isn't doesn't bother me so much, but keeping things nice does take up some of that time while we're locked down.</span>

 

[foraloysius]

In the leaflet that came with my Le Creuset Dutch oven it says it can be put through the dishwasher but it will loose it's shine indeed. Although very heavy I only wash it by hand.

 

[agiflow3]

I have a Dutch oven I really only use for pot roast and it is great. Was pretty expensive when I bought it about a decade ago but it's well worth the cost.

 

[gizmo]

I have a "Chasseur" branded Dutch oven which was a gift from my sister. She has just about all her cookware is that type of product.
I quite like cooking on it but find it a bit too heavy. My wrists must be too limp!

 

[launderess]

Le Creuset

Keep eyes peeled at thrift shops, estate and garage sales for bargains. Though today people seem to know what they've got and price accordingly...

Ebay and other online are another option, but above also applies, sometimes you can find deals however.

Personally while beautiful find Le Creuset pricey for what you get. That being said they are wonderful pieces to cook with and if not abused will be handed down for generations.

 

[perc-o-prince]

I'm with you Launderess (glad to hear you're OK!). Most of ours has come from flea markets and yard sales. What has been bought "retail" has been at Marshall's and the like at their prices, and not LC but other brands like Olive & Thyme. Even at 40% off like Mike sees at the outlet, LC puts a huge dent in the wallet when others are out there. I love the enamel over cast iron (I use it more than Rich does but he likes it too) and always hand wash it. The one or two pieces that went in the dishwasher regularly for a while (not by my hand) seemed to not work as well vis-a-vie relative non-stick surface after that and have been replaced.

Chuck

 

[cycla-fabric]

I don't care for them personally, I feel they are way too heavy when empty, and when you fill them they are even heavier. You can really get a work out when using them, and I refuse to have stuff that I can cook in and not go in the dishwasher to be cleaned. I feel that there is other cookware out there that is just as good or better. My two cents on the subject.

Doug

 

[lorainfurniture]

My wife and I threw out all our old pots and pans (we donated them) and bought the 3 piece LC set. Overall she’s happy with them, but there are a few pieces we wish we didn’t give away. Especially when cooking large meals.