Le Creuset vs Members Mark Cast Iron

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

I have wanted to buy a cast iron dutch oven pan for some time. I am not sure if it's worth the money to purchase a LeCreuset. Just seen a similiar pan at sams club for $40.00 vs $200 for the LeCreuset.

We do a moderate amount of cooking. I usually would spend the money if it good quaility and would last along time. I don't like to buy cheap stuff and then replace in a few years. We own a few pieces of AllClad and found that those pans were worth the money.

Anyone own a pan from sams (members mark) how has it lasted? Does it cook as good as a LeCreuset Pan.

Thanks for any opinoins you have.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I do own cast iron, and cast iron will last forever!! It is really really heavy though!!

 

[sherry7]

I was just looking at some cast iron earlier today on Amazon. The Lodge brand is reasonable, and if you spend at least $25 the shipping is free.

Here are some that might interest you:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Enameled-Cast-Iron-6-Quart-Caribbean/dp/B000N4WN08/ref=pd_sim_hg_54

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-Pre-Seasoned-5-Quart-Handles/dp/B00063RWYI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1225558960&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-7-Quart-Spiral-Handle/dp/B0000DDTVO/ref=pd_sim_hg_15

 

[dis-happy]

Have you tried a Le Crueset outlet? I bought mine there for about half price. It's been used a LOT over the years and still looks brand new; it's a great pan to have. Plus, I believe it has a lifetime warranty. Anyway, check out an outlet--there are several on the I-95 on your way down to Florida!!!

 

[branv]

Cook's Illustrated just did an updated test on enameled cookware. The winner was, of course, Le Creuset, but their "Best Buy" was Tramontina Dutch Ovens which you can find at Walmart (6.5 qt. was about $40'sih...though I think since the article, demand has gone so high that they may have raised the prices). They had a such good things to say about it, I went out an purchased one. Love it so far!

 

[okeydokey]

Consumer Reports just did an article on the enamel coated ditch ovens. Maybe you can find the review at the library.

Forgot to add, sometimes TJ Maxx has them for a good deal, the LaCruset ones.

 

[tiggrsbride]

I have the large cast iron enamel dutch oven by Martha Stewart (Macy's). It is wonderful! I have purchased Le Creuset at our local outlet mall for Mom and she has been extremely happy with it. She got several Martha Stewart pieces and has really been pleased with them. Martha Stewart is much cheaper than Le Creuset. It looks great, too.

http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=256786&PartnerID=FROOGLE&BannerID=PD677

Good luck in your decision!

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

thanks for the info. I just seen the Martha Stewart one in Macys sunday ad.
I think I'll check out the one at macy and walmart.

 

[sherry7]

Before I read this post, I had no desire for a cast iron dutch oven. Now, I'm convinced that I MUST have one, lol. Sigh....tell me why they call this the Budget board?

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I have a Le Creuset and love it! I did a lot of research and this fit my family the best. Le Creuset is NOT made in china and I didn't want to worry about lead being in the cast iron. I trust France more than China. You can also stick the Le Creuset in the dishwasher.

 

[crisi]

If you really want cast iron - not enameled cast iron - they are often available at garage sales, estate sales, etc. They are heavy and a lot of people don't like to cook with them (we love our cast iron) - and they DO last forever. My cast iron was manufactered in the 1930s.

 

[quasar4legs]

I LOVE my creuset pot.
I do a slow baked 7 hour leg of lamb and it is always big hit and so easy to do. I use my pot several times a week for casseroles, stews and risottos etc.
It is heavy but I find it easy to clean, it's one of the few things that I don't stick in the dishwasher. A quick soak while we eat dinner and it washes up without any problems.

Cheers Trish

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I got mine from my DM for my birthday. She got it at Homegoods. It is an Onset brand and is bigger that the ones in the Macy's ad. It works great! I used it twice this weekend. If you have a Home Goods near you , you might want to check there first.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I was just looking at some cast iron earlier today on Amazon. The Lodge brand is reasonable, and if you spend at least $25 the shipping is free.

Here are some that might interest you:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Enameled-Cast-Iron-6-Quart-Caribbean/dp/B000N4WN08/ref=pd_sim_hg_54

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-Pre-Seasoned-5-Quart-Handles/dp/B00063RWYI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1225558960&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-7-Quart-Spiral-Handle/dp/B0000DDTVO/ref=pd_sim_hg_15

We use a Lodge dutch oven and skillet. They rock and the price is awesome!!!!

Edited to add - we have just the basic black cast iron. The coat of enamel paint seems to add quit a bit more $$$$.

 

[Malibelle]

I have bought all my cast iron from QVC and I love cooking in them.

http://www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx

I have this pot in blue and Yellow( was lucky enough to get it for $27 in teh QVC outlet) its a nice size.
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/...-by-Staub-Enameled-Cast-Iron-6-qt-French-Oven

I also have this in red, this was the first piece I bought. The cook great! My aunt has Le cruset and bought one of these. She doesn't see a difference in cooking. She didn't believe me until she bought one from QVC.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/...Staub-Enameled-Cast-Iron-5qt-French-Oven-wLid

 

[rcraw45425]

I have several LeCreuset pots, thought I wanted a Dutch oven until I tried to pick it up. I chose an All Clad instead. Love my LC for soups and such in the ovals, but the thought of trying to pour a pot of boiling pasta into a collander scared me!

 

[sherry7]

I stopped at Sam's Club today and looked for the Member's Mark 6.5 quart cast iron dutch oven. They had a ton of them...it's listed in the Holiday catalog this year. It was $37 or $38. Of course, after reading the wonders of this type of cookware, I just HAD to buy one, lol. The thing weighs at least 20 lbs though, but it's a very pretty shade of red.

Right now I have beef stew bubbling away in it. I actually had it in my crockpot today, but the potatoes and squash were still crunchy. So I transferred it to the new pot to finish cooking.

Oh, and for anyone looking for a new pot/pan set...my Sam's had the Tramotina (sp?) hard anodized, non stick set on clearance for $49. Was regularly $99. Unless I'm mistaken, this is the same set that had really good reviews in some magazine. I almost bought a set, but them reminded myself that I have enough Calphalon to start a restaurant, lol.

So....where can I find some good recipes to cook in my new (probably unneeded) cast iron dutch oven?

 

[TinkrLiz]

I want to get a bigger dutch oven. I have no problems picking up my 5.25 qt. when full. I'm interested in getting a much bigger one, like 9 qts. Maybe I'll go to the store and try picking it up first.

I just bought this 4 qt one from Pfaltzgraff for $19.96 (this one is black, I got dark blue)

http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/ecomm/Itemdetail.asp?T1=F2451700

I also bought some silicone bakeware. They have a pretty good clearance sale going on right now.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

I love my Le Creuset pots, tea pot, sugar and creamer set, etc.... I like how you can mix and match the colors and the colors are so bright. That being said, the pots (dutch oven) is amazing to cook with. Chicken, roast beef, stews, rice, all come out wonderful in this pot, it goes from stove to oven or oven to stove, keeps the food inside the pot warm while it sits on the table during our meals. I purchased mine at the William Sonoma outlet, the Le Creuset outlet had higher prices at the time then William Sonoma outlet (were on sale). I grabbed as many as I could because after researching for some time I knew this was a great price. I suggest going to a Le Creuset or William Sonoma outlet and I saw some at Home Goods. Good luck

 

[rcraw45425]

I want to get a bigger dutch oven. I have no problems picking up my 5.25 qt. when full. I'm interested in getting a much bigger one, like 9 qts. Maybe I'll go to the store and try picking it up first.

I just bought this 4 qt one from Pfaltzgraff for $19.96 (this one is black, I got dark blue)

http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/ecomm/Itemdetail.asp?T1=F2451700

I also bought some silicone bakeware. They have a pretty good clearance sale going on right now.

This is the one I almost purchased:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/prod...utch-ovens-braisers&ckey=dutch-ovens-braisers

Just called a local Williams Sonoma and they said it is 14 pounds empty. I could just see that, pasta, and about 6 pounds of boiling water flying across the room!