Le Creuset cookware on sale

[mnhtnbb]

I have a Le Creuset stock pot that survived our house fire in 2007. My neighbor cleaned it up for me--removing smoke stain is an ordeal--and I use it every winter to make soup.
About a week ago I saw the NY Times recipe for Boeuf Bourguignon reprinted, but it requires a Dutch oven. I've never had a good one. Discovered Le Creuset cookware on sale --serious sale --and decided to splurge. If you've ever wanted one of their pots or want to expand your collection, now's the time. I bought mine from Sur la Table (on-line) and it arrived yesterday. Looking forward to using it.

[QED]

1. My LeCreuset dutch oven is over 40 years old

I use it at least once a month. Lodge is now making similar cookware.

[GentryDixon]

9. Mine is over 50 yrs old,

I use the large Dutch Oven often. My set came with 2 Dutch ovens, with lids to fit the two fry pans. It's the the obligatory orange color from the 70's. 😊

[QED]

10. Mine is yellow.

I also have a small saucepan that I use for making ganache and a lasagna pan that's been in the cabinet for ~25 years. I never use it.

[hlthe2b]

2. I like Sur la Table and regret COVID-19 drove their stores out of business (or at least in Colorado)...

I trust them, but I have long wondered if we must worry about "fake" versions of Le Creuset sold through other outlets. Have you heard anything about his?

[mnhtnbb]

5. I have not heard about fake Le Creuset.

I am convinced mine is the real deal. I was very happy to find the cerise color because I'm not fond of the trendy pastels.

[Retrograde]

11. They're still around in California

I stop by once or twice a year

[mnhtnbb]

16. There's a Sur La Table in Raleigh

although I've never been to it.

[hlthe2b]

17. Yes, I looked it up and though my favorite Denver store closed, there is still one in Boulder...

I will have to check it out sometime. I guess they only closed stores that had the highest rents (definitely Denver Cherry Creek) or were poorly performing even before COVID)

[usonian]

3. Lecreuset has regular sales.

They come up with new colors that kind of flop, and obsolete some models.

You can also shop home goods stores, and their outlet stores.

Hints:

Staub has regular sales as well, and they all seem to have dark enamel coating that hides and "patina" loved by some purists.

LeC uses a dark enamel on some pieces, like the skillet.

Find online or retail at WS and SLT, perhaps others.

And there are much cheaper clones of unknown long term durability. Cuisinart has many, as do Lodge and others. You can get 4 of them for one LeC. I found a nice Chantal 5 quart for reasonable. Alas, that's the biggest I can actually use for one, when I make Mom's meat gravy recipe (uses a large 28 ounce can of tomatoes, 6 meals ) and keeps/freezes.

LeCreuset sells some cleaner that seems to have changed chemistry. Any one that has mild acid seems to work well. As always, no thermal shock, and use plastic/wood utensils.

Lifetime warranty unless you tell them that movers damaged the item.

AllClad and Calphalon recommended for heavy/restaurant use. Cuisinart mostly uses a metal disk base, but has some tri-ply, if that matters.

[mnhtnbb]

6. The color I chose

does not have dark enamel coating. I wanted mine for slow cooking, which needs the light enamel.

[usonian]

8. All LeCreuset Dutch Ovens have the light enamel.

Only skillets, etc, have the dark.

I cleaned up one or two thrift store LeC's, what a chore.

But many chefs are "fond of fond".

And love to see it.

Enjoy.

PS I lucked onto a Staub tomate at Home Goods, irresistible for an Italian American, and I am sure that their (AFAICT) entire line of dark surface cookware slow cooks marvelously.

It's all good. Happy cooking.

[Tarzanrock]

4. Link to Le Creuset's Winter Sales Event ...

https://www.lecreuset.com/specials
I've been buying and using Le Creuset cooking stuff for 40 years. Their "Toughend non-stick Pro" cookware is outstanding.

[mnhtnbb]

7. Well, yes.

I figure my youngest son will be happy to inherit this piece. I had Christmas dinner with them and they served real home made French onion soup in individual lidded Le Creuset. Main course was lamb cooked in a marvelous broth, all in a medium sized Le Creuset Dutch oven. At 73 I won't be using this pot for 40 years, but my son is 34, so maybe?

[elleng]

12. Thanks for the info! I've had a few pieces since I ventured out!

Making chix soup now, NOT in le creuset but a different heavy pot from my mother's collection.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Interesting

I don't use a Dutch oven for beef bourguignon so I can't describe a preference.
But, it does seem like a fine idea.

[Old Crank]

14. Thanks for mentioning a sale.

I went to tehir site and now I'm destitute.... Just kidding.

I went to the German site and found a replacement for the cheap lasagne pan I got for ordering wine. It has given 7 years of good service but the interior coating is coming off.
My wife andI were looking at replacements and realized that Lecreuset was a reasonable choice compared to other good quality pans. The German site had it on sale for $42 plus 5 for shipping. Great bargain. In store 70.

It is quite scary to find more of their cookwear in my kitchen than I ever had before.

[mnhtnbb]

15. Oh, yum lasagna!

I haven't made any in years! When I did, it didn't last long with two boys and a husband in the house.
I've started freezing portions of large meals--like pasta--sort of making my own frozen dinner for one. But that's usually only for a recipe for 6 at most.