Le Creuset - worth it?

[Patrick_Friel]

+1 on buying pieces you really want in Lodge for less. Enameled cast iron is ok for cleaning. Almost everything will come off after an overnight soak in soapy water. If it’s really tough, you may have to let it dry, toss in some salt as an abrasive, and rub it out. Whatever is left after that is not going to be a problem.

Go for the Kitchenaid Pro. They last forever and there are lots of fun attachments you can get later. I just used my meat grinder attachment to make a duck ragu this weekend. The spouse is a baker and loves it.

[Rick_Gregory]

@Robert.Fleming

@Jay Miller

@Rick Gregory

Round vs oval I believe. (respectively…)

Ah, couldn’t tell that from the picture. Thanks!

That’s because it’s wrong.

French oven, Dutch oven, they’re the same. A rose by any other name…

It’s all marketing. Couldn’t have a French company selling a ‘Dutch’ oven, could you?

Dutch oven - Wikipedia

DoH!!! Another urban legend shot down… (hangs head in shame…)

[mike_pobega]

I love mine. I have about 6 different ones right now.
Here is a summary.

Why did I wait so long? - Le Creuset French Oven

I use one or another on a daily basis and they certainly take a bit to get used to, but once you do you will never look back.

[David_Wright]

How tightly do the lids of the Lodge dutch ovens seal? The Le Creuset lids have very flat edges and form very tight seals… no gaps, no rocking.

[Michel_Abood]

Love my Le Creuset, but then again it was a gift so it’s easy to say that.

[mike_pobega]

If it makes a difference I’d be getting - Set includes 5.5-qt Round French Oven with Lid, 2.25-qt Saucier Pan with Lid, 10.25" Square Skillet Grill, and 8" x 11.75 Roaster.

Jay, this seems like a good set. The saucier is super useful. I have them all in your list.
The outlet center is the way to go. Discontinued colors can be gotten for $60-$80 per.
I may have a coupon. Let me know if you want it. Paul graciously sent me one once.

[alan_weinberg]

love it, love it.
even have some Le Creuset coffee mugs that are great. Not cast iron, just porcelain, but very pretty and keep the coffee warm!
There’s a Le Creuset outlet in Carlsbad, CA that sells stuff pretty cheap–firsts and seconds (can hardly tell them apart); I don’t know if they ship.

alan

[Ron_Kramer]

@David Wright

How tightly do the lids of the Lodge dutch ovens seal? The Le Creuset lids have very flat edges and form very tight seals… no gaps, no rocking.

A cook I took lessons with always used a sheet of aluminum foil between the pot and cover. Super seal and if you bow the foil down even better braising circulation.

[Bob_Wood]

@Charlie Fu

@Bob Wood

Cuisinart is now marketing enameled cast iron for a lot less than what you’d pay for Le Creuset. It’s cast iron. It’s enamel. I don’t much see the point in paying the premium, especially when the Cuisinart stuff is available at a discount from Home Goods, which is where I bought my last piece - a 7-quart Dutch Oven for $80.

Joe’s right about the Lodge skillets. Cheap as hell and bullet-proof.

Still “pricey”. Cuisinart 7 quarts typically run 130+ at retail.

1. Don’t pay retail. I don’t.
2. That’s still half the price of a Le Creuset of the same size.

[Merrill_Lindquist]

@Jay Miller

@Robert.Fleming

Le Creuset was discussed at length in this thread: https://wineimport.discoursehosting.net/t/why-did-i-wait-so-long-le-creuset-french-oven/11613/1

Personally, if I wanted enameled cast iron cookware, I would buy Lodge (for 1/3 or less the cost of Le Creuset) and take the luggage or the mixer.

Thanks, I’ve reviewing that thread now. Very useful.

If it makes a difference I’d be getting - Set includes 5.5-qt Round French Oven with Lid, 2.25-qt Saucier Pan with Lid, 10.25" Square Skillet Grill, and 8" x 11.75 Roaster.

What’s the difference between a French Oven and a Dutch Oven?

Do it! I use all those pieces regularly. The set will outlive you. Nice, nice gift. Wash and use. Someone is probably going to freak out that I say this, but when the white interior surface gets too discolored, I use a bit of “Soft Scrub” product on it and it cleans up very well.

[Bob_Wood]

Wait! I thought you didn’t cook.

[Brian_Tuite]

@Jay Miller

@Tyler Rico

Go with the creuset set, that is easily worth $500+. The Kitchenaid pro mixer can usually be found at costco for under $300.

I’m really more interested in hearing what it’s like to cook with, clean, etc. Given that it would take up a lot of storage space in my kitchen what distinguishes it from all the pots, pans, etc. that currently occupy that space? Some of them I use constantly and some of them I never touch - if the Le Creuset would fall in the latter category then I’d just as soon not have it taking up space.

Who cares what it cooks like when the flipping potential is so high!

[mike_pobega]

@Merrill Lindquist

@Jay Miller

@Robert.Fleming

Le Creuset was discussed at length in this thread: https://wineimport.discoursehosting.net/t/why-did-i-wait-so-long-le-creuset-french-oven/11613/1

Personally, if I wanted enameled cast iron cookware, I would buy Lodge (for 1/3 or less the cost of Le Creuset) and take the luggage or the mixer.

Thanks, I’ve reviewing that thread now. Very useful.

If it makes a difference I’d be getting - Set includes 5.5-qt Round French Oven with Lid, 2.25-qt Saucier Pan with Lid, 10.25" Square Skillet Grill, and 8" x 11.75 Roaster.

What’s the difference between a French Oven and a Dutch Oven?

Do it! I use all those pieces regularly. The set will outlive you. Nice, nice gift. Wash and use. Someone is probably going to freak out that I say this, but when the white interior surface gets too discolored, I use a bit of “Soft Scrub” product on it and it cleans up very well.

Soft scrub is on my shopping list every other week.

[mike_pobega]

@Brian Tuite

@Jay Miller

@Tyler Rico

Go with the creuset set, that is easily worth $500+. The Kitchenaid pro mixer can usually be found at costco for under $300.

I’m really more interested in hearing what it’s like to cook with, clean, etc. Given that it would take up a lot of storage space in my kitchen what distinguishes it from all the pots, pans, etc. that currently occupy that space? Some of them I use constantly and some of them I never touch - if the Le Creuset would fall in the latter category then I’d just as soon not have it taking up space.

Who cares what it cooks like when the flipping potential is so high!

I don’t think they have a ‘pancake’ pan…

[Tom_Moore]

No brainer, the Le Creuset will far outlive any damn piece of luggage and you will think you are a gourmet cook with very little effort.

The Dutch (French) Oven is by far the most valuable utensil in my kitchen.

[Dave_Butner]

@David Wright

How tightly do the lids of the Lodge dutch ovens seal? The Le Creuset lids have very flat edges and form very tight seals… no gaps, no rocking.

I don’t own Le Creuset so can’t compare, I only have the Lodge Dutch Oven but I will say that one thing that struck me about it was how tight the lid fit. It’s very tight.

[David_Wright]

Thanks, Dave. I asked because I’ve seen some inexpensive enameled cast-iron ovens that varied among individual specimens in how tightly the lid fit. Some Amazon reviews of Lodge ovens indicate lids that are less than tight. Looks like it might be wise to select one in person.

Apparently the enameled Lodge ovens are made in China; I think that at least some of their plain cast iron pans are still made in Tennessee. As far as I know, all Le Creuset cast iron is still made in France. I think all Staub cast iron is still made in France, too.

[Ethan_A]

One thing about Le Creuset to note - the stock plastic handle on the lid will melt if you cook at high temperature (like for making no-knead bread). You can buy metal replacements on amazon for a few bucks.

[Jay_Miller]

@Ethan Abraham

One thing about Le Creuset to note - the stock plastic handle on the lid will melt if you cook at high temperature (like for making no-knead bread). You can buy metal replacements on amazon for a few bucks.

that will be useful information as I just selected the Le Creuset set this morning. Maybe it’s time to get rid of my bundt pan which I haven’t used in over a decade.

[Robert.Fleming]

@Jay Miller

Maybe it’s time to get rid of my bundt pan which I haven’t used in over a decade.

Hmmmm…

Maybe it’s time to use your bundt pan: https://wineimport.discoursehosting.net/t/mamas-apple-sauce-cake/31625/1