Woot.com is offering the Cuisinart Enameled Cast Iron Cookware today. It comes in 2 colors, Red and Blue and 3 sizes. 5 qt 5.5 qt and 7 qt. Prices are 49.99-69.99 and shipping is $5. I love love love this cookware and also own Le Creuset.
YES! I love my Le Creuset pots/ovens. I think they cook evenly and slowly (and could get really hot). I have used them for everything including making caramel. Best investment ever!
I am in Le Creuset camp. I have 3 pieces (for over 12 years) and they have served me well. More than well -- it was one of the best investments I ever made. In terms of price, it did help that Le Creuset has an outlet store close to NYC. Le Creuset, Staub or other brands, I think that enameled cast iron brings quite a bit to the table...
For many years I didn't feel like I could splurge on Le Creuset pots, so I went through numerous cheaper versions until I scored: 3 Le Creuset pots had fallen off a shelf at my local kitchen store. They had slight dings and scrapes and were 60% off. I bought them all and would buy them again at full price. So keep searching for a deal and then go for it!
I love mine---I got it at the LeCreuset outlet. There was a small chip on the lid and I was able to get the price reduced further. It is a workhorse and it is so versatile. Good Luck!
I have Le Creuset and other brands and to be honest, do not see the difference int he cooking between both. I love to use them! Food will come out great, less heat to cook and maintains flavor
YES - I have a cheap Chinese knock-off that I use ALL THE TIME, I wish I had a "real" LeCreuset or other of comparable value, as mine it is now 12 years old and needs replacing. A good LeCreuset will last several generations, imagine your grandchild teaching her grandson to cook oxtail stew in it... you get the idea. No, I am not an industry stooge.
YES - I have a cheap Chinese knock-off that I use ALL THE TIME, I wish I had a "real" LeCreuset or other of comparable value, as my stand it is now 12 years old and needs replacing. A good LeCreuset will last several generations, imagine your grandchild teaching her grandson to cook oxtail stew in it... you get the idea. No, I am not an industry stooge.
OOOH YES! I bought my first one , literally with Pennies & change scrounged around the house, and now I have 1/2 a dozen. If you have a Le Creuset outlet near you, look for bargains there. They sometimes get the previous years excess stock from the retail stores. These are not seconds and can be a good deal. Another source.. The after Christmas sales, the mall stores sometimes have pieces that they've misplaced the box etc.. they'll sell the pan to you at an added discount..
yes I think it's worth it... I cook everything in it also good for deep frying..my mom bought mine from Marshall's good place to look for le creuset Dutch ovens also try Home Goods. It was around $60
I bought my LC Dutch oven for $40 at a yard sale. Tell your friend, if she is on the fence, to keep her eyes open for opportunities to buy at sales like that. Maybe something will come along. All of my cast iron, too, is from antique shops and yard sales. Good quality lasts a long time.
I will never give up my Le Creuset Dutch ovens and other LC pieces. While cast iron has it's uses; I have never found it to be as good or versatile as Le Creuset. As another person said, wait for a special discontinuation of a color sale; it is worth it.
I own 2 Staub dutch ovens and love them, but they are an investment! If you're looking for a good starter dutch oven, check out the cast iron ones made by Lodge. They're inexpensive (around $30 rather than $300) and get great reviews! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00063RWYI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00063RWYI&linkCode=as2&tag=525asdf-20
Le Creuset cast-iron is great, but there are other producers of cast iron and enameled cast iron ovens that perform very well too - Staub of course, even Cuisinart has a Chef's Classic Line (which I have a small 3 qt model) which has been very good to me. Like others have said, buy the best you can afford.
No...Time and time again I have challenged my chef friend to dishes cooked in Le Creuset (him) and my dishes in cast iron. I have won more times than not. He has finally sold his le Creuset on eBay and bought cast iron. Le Creuset is a more formal presentation, but that is about it.
Yes, Le Creuset is worth it. You can get a better deal by watching for when Sur La Table puts last seasons colors on sale. That said, I prefer the Emile-Henry "Flame" series. It's not enamled cast iron but actually earthenware. It can take high heat including an open flame. Added advantage is that it breathes and with time takes on seasoning.
They are wonderful, but out of my price range right now. I own a 4qt that my mom bought me when I moved away from home in 1975. I love it. I needed a 6-7 qt, so I bought one from Costco. I'm not sure of the brand, but it is awesome and one quarter of the price. I did buy a Le Creuset lid handle from Amazon after reading that the one that came with the pot was not oven proof at high temps. I have read that Walmart carries pots that rival Le Creuset, but I have not seen them. If Le Creuset is in your busget, go for it, but there are good alternatives. :)
Thanks for these answers. A friend asked me about le creuset Dutch ovens and since I have a cheap version from Sam's club ( which I like) I wanted to get some other opinions. I will share these comments with her.
Yes, absolutely, if it's in your budget. I have 4 Le Creuset pieces and I love them. I also have three cast iron skillets that serve me well and a Lodge combo cooker. My cast iron skillets are family heirlooms handed down from my grandmother. I look forward to handing my Le Creuset down to my daughter when she establishes her first home. You won't be disappointed!
29 Comments