Le Creuset, Is it worth the $$?

[ChrisinNJ]

I have heard great things about Le Creuset cookware & woulld love to buy a dutch oven. I was in a Le Creuset outlet last night & they have the 9 qt which retails around $245.00 - $300.00 on sale for $175.00.

I know, still alot of $$ but I cook all the time & I love good tools. I already have All Clad pots. Is it worth it to get a Le Creuset too?

 

[uromac]

FYI -

I don't know about the quality (I would love to own a 'real' one), but I did see 3 today at Marshall's - for $139 (however they are seconds)

Good Luck!

 

[amamax2]

A co-worker of my DH, who is a gourmet cook, LOVES Le Creuset!

I don't own any of that brand, but after having to replace fry pans every two years, I finally asked for a Calphalon one for Christmas one year. It was pricey, but it is the BEST! I cannot believe how much I love using it. I am going to ask for another piece this year.

So I definitely think it is worth the money for some well-chosen quality cookware.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Well, I called the outlet today to get more info about the sale & to ask about black friday (mind you I am not a black friday shopper normally). She said the current sale is until Wed. I would get 35% off now. On BF the sale is 30% from midnight until 8am. After BF it will be only 25%. Basically she is saying the price I can ge today is the best price I will see until January or Feb.

Christine

 

[urgoinagain?]

I have a few pieces, and I think they are worth the investment! I also have All-Clad, and feel the same way.

 

[MelAnderson]

I don't own one - yet. But, I think, from everything that I've read, they are good quality. Tuesday Morning has some for 50% off. I received their most recent flyer a few weeks ago and noticed the name on the top. HTH

 

[semo233]

TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry them and a few other brands. They are the first pot I go to for almost everything. I bought a pretty big one at TJ Maxx for about $60. You have to be flexible on color, unless you are ready to wait. I found no difference in quality between the one I got and the ones at full price at other stores.
Yes, it is worth it!

 

[amccu18007]

Yes, they are worth it if you cook often.

 

[Mom2m&k]

I have never had a Le Creuset pan although I have wished! I do have one from the Martha Stewart collection. It is a lovely blue color and it works fantastic and is WAY cheaper!

 

[jfoofj]

Totally worth it! And if you have a Williams Sonoma near you go check out their stock.... they have discounted their cocet pan big time!

 

[akcire]

My mother is a part time instructor at Cordon Bleu, and a past instructor at CIA (Culinary Institute of America) she has the ability to buy any cookware available, and trust me there are many more expensive brands. For a Dutch Oven she only uses Le Creuset (something about the traditional casting method, ensuring the pot will get 'better' over time).

I am a pretty awful cook, and even I can turn out a gourmet (enough) meal with the Dutch Oven. I bought mine at the outlet. I did not buy one that was a second, just a discontinued color. Over the years I have also seen them at Costco.

I honestly have a kitchen full of fancy cookware (people give it to me as gifts because of my mother--she also gets vendor gifts) and this is my go to piece if I am having more than 2 people over for dinner.

I have actually considered getting a second, so I can cook two types of proteins for larger meals.

Happy Cooking

 

[Sparx]

i have a le creuset spatula that is WONDERFUL. definitely worth the money. i've never used their bakeware though.

eta, check tjmaxx, i've seen lots of their stuff there.

 

[webprinter]

I think Lodge is as good for a lot less money. I haven't had any trouble with my Lodge cast iron. I would love to have Le Creuset or Staub but am unable to justify spending that kind of money.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry them and a few other brands. They are the first pot I go to for almost everything. I bought a pretty big one at TJ Maxx for about $60. You have to be flexible on color, unless you are ready to wait. I found no difference in quality between the one I got and the ones at full price at other stores.
Yes, it is worth it!

I got one from TJMaxx years ago and it was discounted to $30. It is a medium sized ceramic/iron dutch oven and it's orange-maybe that's why is was marked down. Anyway, it works great. I don't know why you would need a brand name.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I would disagree with the PP. I love my Lodge skillet, but the Lodge pieces I have don't compare with my Le Creuset.

Another great place for LC deals is Amazon.

 

[amarberry]

I have a few pieces of Le Creuset and love them. My mom had one that I think she got for my parents wedding that she used constantly while I was growing up. Something happened to it when it was like 25 or 30 years old and Le Creuset replaced it for free for her. Amazing cookware and amazing customer service!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Another great place for LC deals is Amazon.

I saw it on Amazon, but not a great deal. This is the one I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Enameled-Cast-Iron-9-Quart-French/dp/B00005QFRR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1258925008&sr=8-1

It was about $350.00 in the outlet, but 35% off.

After going home & sleeping mon it I am wondering if I should get the oval instead. It may be a more practical shape for roasts:

http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Enameled-Cast-Iron-2-Quart-French/dp/B0009GIAMA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1258925261&sr=8-2.

 

[floridafam]

FYI-the orangey and red colors of LC may contain lead and cadmium in the outside glaze-this info is straight from the company. The other colors are fine. I'm sure it's fine if you are only going to use it on the stove top but I don't know if I would want to put the red one in the oven.

I have seen them at Marshall's.

I've been to a few outlets and their prices seem to go up and down so you have to hit it at the right time.

 

[akcire]

FYI-the orangey and red colors of LC may contain lead and cadmium in the outside glaze-this info is straight from the company. The other colors are fine. I'm sure it's fine if you are only going to use it on the stove top but I don't know if I would want to put the red one in the oven.

That is good to know, I always wonder about things like that.

I have a really weird eggplant color. They tried it with their full line and it was a flop, you may have seen the color as just an eggplant shape in department stores-where it looks cute. Honestly, my dutch oven matches nothing, but the price was right. My husband calls it the bad color discount pot.

 

[minniebeth]

I love, love, love my Le Creuset pots! They cook beautifully and are worth every penny. They are investment in cooking pieces. Everyone in my family is a fan. We have a Le Creuset pot that my mother has had from over 50 years ago and we still cook a special recipe in it once in awhile and it still is in great shape. If you take care of them, they will last a lifetime and BEYOND!