Many thanks for this post. All my pots, except my recently re-tinned 40 year old copper Mauviel, are scorched well. And dented. Enamel chipped. Lids slightly warped. My carbon steel daily drivers and cast iron are seasoned. I cook, therefore I am. I feel harmed by photos and videos of kitchens, pots and knives I know have never been used.
1) Has anyone seen the Le Creuset Warehouse Sale videos on Tiktok? The $50 mystery box reveals? Women were coming home with thousands of dollars worth of Le Creuset (non-stick, stainless steel, mugs, spoon rests), some cursing the fact that the artichoke they wanted was only available in "flame." 2) Let them over consume. When they finally tire of them, and never use them, there will be more for me when they eventually hit the thrift store in a few years. LOL!
My Kirkland enameled Dutch oven and skillet from Costco are more than 20 years old, well-worn and cost a small fraction of Le Creuset counterparts. My black Lodge cast iron ones are more than 35 years old and are also well worn.
All of those perform well atop a woodstove during power outages. They also work well on induction cooktops with a lower carbon footprint.
Sadly, my partner of the past 46 years is suffering from arthritis and has difficulty in lifting any of those old beasts. I will continue to use them while I am still physically able to do so.
I still have my set of Revere Ware that my mother gave me when I first moved out on my own - over 40 years ago! Still works like a champ. (Much better then - it became cheap in its construction in later years.)
Mine is the Corning Ware “Buffet Server”. Not sure it’s really a Dutch oven but it functions as one. Was my Grandmother’s. I was gifted a a vintage yellow Dansk Dutch oven, but have used it mainly for bread baking.
Also it serves as a bread box when the bread is finished.
I got an enameled cast iron Dutch oven from Aldi for $20 and it's still working perfectly after 10 years. At some point, you're just paying for the name brand.
I got a lime green Lodge enameled dutch oven 30 something years ago and I use it almost weekly. It's easily the best piece of equipment I own and it was a fraction of the LC cost.
I used to sell commercial kitchen equipment. Well made stainless is my go to for most cooking. The first piece of LC I purchased was likely in the 1980’s. A steak pan in Flame from a drug store discount aisle for $9. My ex-has it along with the larger Everything Set(Black) and all the other most worn or too heavy pieces.
I’d always been fond of cast iron. My father and his siblings each had their own stew pot in which Brunswick stew was cooked at least once a year, over a hardwood fire. I didn’t get what the enameling added until spending a week with friends who used it for nearly every meal. I was smitten.
At the time, I lived in a town with outlet centers and there was an LC one. It was a true outlet. There was even a calendar give out with special coupons that promised even more off the color of the month. I spent a lot of time and money there.
I downsized recently but none of the LC was left behind. The larger pieces, along with the LARGE commercial stock pots and their lids, reside in the garage, wrapped in clear plastic bags awaiting the desire to need to cook that much. Most of all, I treasure the casserole dish that’s an odd size but it is enameled cast iron, blue, rather than stoneware.
“You guys get to have your Catholic Guilt and make it everyone’s problem but when I display a little Episcopalian Fear of The Uncouth suddenly we’re intolerant.” I’m SCREAMING
In the meantime, for those looking for second hand the collectors drive up the price for those looking for functional items. Same goes for vehicles, musical instruments and probably any useful thing you can think of.
If I could only own one pot, it would my 5-quart Dutch oven. I cook almost daily with it. One day I burnt the hell out of it, and the enamel came off in spots. When I contacted Le Creuset about getting it repaired, they told me to throw it out and SENT ME A NEW ONE. The original was a wedding gift, 20 years old. I wish companies could be proud of making quality products without always inventing ways to get people to buy more, and more, and more. I realize I am happier when I have just what I need, no more, and no less.
I'd never want to dust a 100-piece display of anything.
I received a very VERY generous wedding gift from my mother in law - at least 30 pieces of all clad cookware. She was at our house the other day and I felt compelled to apologize for the state they were in (Midwest catholic guilt at work eh?) and she responded with something along the lines of what you wrote above, “it would be more offensive if they were pristine.”
I dream of a Le Creuset Dutch oven to scorch one day, I’ll settle for my tea pot for now.
It's a surefire sign of late stage capitalism, the commodification of absolutely everything, and that means tapping into the "lifestyle aesthetic" to sell sell sell as much stuff as possible, even objects that are literally designed to last a lifetime. It's bonkers.
That picture of the shelves with God know how many Flame cocottes gave me the ick. I'll stick with my one hand-me-down cocotte and the giant wok I saved a lot of wages for, which I cook almost everything in, thank you!
I am so surprised no one has mentioned how heavy Le Creuset pieces are. I love all three of mine, and keep my two favorites, a Dutch oven and a saucepan (both blue, Lapis?) right out on the stovetop. As I’ve grown older and arthritis has set in (shoulders, wrists, everywhere!!) they’re too heavy to lift in and out of the cabinet below. But I do love them. They cook evenly, clean up so easily, and have none of that “non stick” coating that wears off and is probably causing cancer in every kitchen! I consider using them as part of my weight lifting training for osteoporosis. An added benefit!!
Thoroughly agree. I own two Staub pots in navy blue that I adore. But, when the thought police come for me, it will be my LC dutch oven, bought fifty-nine years ago for $1, that they will have to wrench from my cold, dead hands. It was lime green (thus accounting for the discount) and it has been my mainstay for soups, stews, boiling, frying, and all manner of cooking in-between.
Thank you! I thought maybe I was the only one. The Le creuset scorches easily is hard to clean. I will take my Stuab or lodge cast iron any day of the week. It is all so heavy though..
I am firmly in the “why not both?” camp. When you acquire good cookware piece by piece over the years whenever you find a good deal, that’s what you have.
Agreed - I use, virtually daily, four pieces - enameled oven, enameled frying pan, large cast iron frying pan and a stainless pot. It's all that is needed (at least for me). I do NOT like a lot of cookware - just takes up space.
Ahahaaaa I'm totally going to start saying "The Episcopalian Fear of the Uncouth". And yes, I've always thought oversonsumption of things like Le Creuset super weird. Actually, the American obsession with a big kitchen is weird to me too. I like to cook and a too big kitchen is unwieldy. This type of wealth display is so tacky to me
I have lived both full-time and part-time in Italy over a span of thirty years, in country houses and center city apartments. The one thing they all have in common are what Americans view as tiny kitchens.
Shopping as a hobby is my bête noire. The colors give the illusion of choice. That each one, each set, must be acquired, and that there's some challenge to it. Like you, I drag my Dutch oven from place to place. It is scratched and scorched, but in terms of cost per use, it's one of my smartest purchases. Give me my Wusthof chef's knife and my Dutch oven, and I can feed anyone who comes along.
Each of my Dutch ovens (a mix of le cruset, Staub cuz I’m a baddie, and Dansk because I’m just a girl) marked a huge “adult” shift/special paycheck in my life. It would feel so … gauche to collect them like they’re nothing.
I stand firmly in the anti-pristine Le Creuset camp. I have a few and bring them camping—I’ll throw one right into the bonfire to make dinner and watch people try to casually sneak a peek, like, is she really putting a $400 pot in the fire? Yes. Yes I am. I want my cookware to live a little. Go on adventures. Earn its patina. My philosophy is that it works for me, not the other way around.
My yellow Le Creuset dutch oven was my grandmother's and it's probably about 70-ish years old at this point. The inside is fully black, and I have no plans to ever try to clean it. Related, when my parents got married, a friend of my grandparents offered to get them whatever piece they wanted. My mom tried to turn them down but my dad jumped in and said no we'll take a flame yellow rectangular baker!!! So glad he knew the value and that he interceded.
Many thanks for this post. All my pots, except my recently re-tinned 40 year old copper Mauviel, are scorched well. And dented. Enamel chipped. Lids slightly warped. My carbon steel daily drivers and cast iron are seasoned. I cook, therefore I am. I feel harmed by photos and videos of kitchens, pots and knives I know have never been used.
I cook therefore I am!! Precisely
1) Has anyone seen the Le Creuset Warehouse Sale videos on Tiktok? The $50 mystery box reveals? Women were coming home with thousands of dollars worth of Le Creuset (non-stick, stainless steel, mugs, spoon rests), some cursing the fact that the artichoke they wanted was only available in "flame." 2) Let them over consume. When they finally tire of them, and never use them, there will be more for me when they eventually hit the thrift store in a few years. LOL!
Overconsumption by the privileged is vulgar.
My Kirkland enameled Dutch oven and skillet from Costco are more than 20 years old, well-worn and cost a small fraction of Le Creuset counterparts. My black Lodge cast iron ones are more than 35 years old and are also well worn.
All of those perform well atop a woodstove during power outages. They also work well on induction cooktops with a lower carbon footprint.
Sadly, my partner of the past 46 years is suffering from arthritis and has difficulty in lifting any of those old beasts. I will continue to use them while I am still physically able to do so.
I still have my set of Revere Ware that my mother gave me when I first moved out on my own - over 40 years ago! Still works like a champ. (Much better then - it became cheap in its construction in later years.)
Oh man, I still remember the Revere pots hanging in my grandparents' kitchen.
The heavy thick iron is better for heat retention and distribution, if you are able to lift it. With care, your iron-based cookware will outlast you.👍
Mine is the Corning Ware “Buffet Server”. Not sure it’s really a Dutch oven but it functions as one. Was my Grandmother’s. I was gifted a a vintage yellow Dansk Dutch oven, but have used it mainly for bread baking.
Also it serves as a bread box when the bread is finished.
I got an enameled cast iron Dutch oven from Aldi for $20 and it's still working perfectly after 10 years. At some point, you're just paying for the name brand.
I got probably that same pot for FIVE BUCKS on clearance! It’s awesome.
I got a lime green Lodge enameled dutch oven 30 something years ago and I use it almost weekly. It's easily the best piece of equipment I own and it was a fraction of the LC cost.
Love Lodge! I have one too and it's well worn and used
yes! It’s such an interesting phenomenon! So many videos of visibly disappointed shoppers
I used to sell commercial kitchen equipment. Well made stainless is my go to for most cooking. The first piece of LC I purchased was likely in the 1980’s. A steak pan in Flame from a drug store discount aisle for $9. My ex-has it along with the larger Everything Set(Black) and all the other most worn or too heavy pieces.
I’d always been fond of cast iron. My father and his siblings each had their own stew pot in which Brunswick stew was cooked at least once a year, over a hardwood fire. I didn’t get what the enameling added until spending a week with friends who used it for nearly every meal. I was smitten.
At the time, I lived in a town with outlet centers and there was an LC one. It was a true outlet. There was even a calendar give out with special coupons that promised even more off the color of the month. I spent a lot of time and money there.
I downsized recently but none of the LC was left behind. The larger pieces, along with the LARGE commercial stock pots and their lids, reside in the garage, wrapped in clear plastic bags awaiting the desire to need to cook that much. Most of all, I treasure the casserole dish that’s an odd size but it is enameled cast iron, blue, rather than stoneware.
“You guys get to have your Catholic Guilt and make it everyone’s problem but when I display a little Episcopalian Fear of The Uncouth suddenly we’re intolerant.” I’m SCREAMING
In the meantime, for those looking for second hand the collectors drive up the price for those looking for functional items. Same goes for vehicles, musical instruments and probably any useful thing you can think of.
If I could only own one pot, it would my 5-quart Dutch oven. I cook almost daily with it. One day I burnt the hell out of it, and the enamel came off in spots. When I contacted Le Creuset about getting it repaired, they told me to throw it out and SENT ME A NEW ONE. The original was a wedding gift, 20 years old. I wish companies could be proud of making quality products without always inventing ways to get people to buy more, and more, and more. I realize I am happier when I have just what I need, no more, and no less.
I'd never want to dust a 100-piece display of anything.
First LC was a 3 quart, there are just 2 of us. When it cracked after 20 years and one F5 tornado, LC sent me a new one.
I received a very VERY generous wedding gift from my mother in law - at least 30 pieces of all clad cookware. She was at our house the other day and I felt compelled to apologize for the state they were in (Midwest catholic guilt at work eh?) and she responded with something along the lines of what you wrote above, “it would be more offensive if they were pristine.”
I dream of a Le Creuset Dutch oven to scorch one day, I’ll settle for my tea pot for now.
your MIL sounds like she knows a thing or two! Manifesting a cocotte for you ❤️
There’s an outlet store near Pittsburgh and seconds regularly show up at Home Goods.
Ahhh…I want to BE this mil someday🥰
Barkeepers Friend and a damp paper towel cleans up pots and pans amazingly well.
It's a surefire sign of late stage capitalism, the commodification of absolutely everything, and that means tapping into the "lifestyle aesthetic" to sell sell sell as much stuff as possible, even objects that are literally designed to last a lifetime. It's bonkers.
That picture of the shelves with God know how many Flame cocottes gave me the ick. I'll stick with my one hand-me-down cocotte and the giant wok I saved a lot of wages for, which I cook almost everything in, thank you!
I am so surprised no one has mentioned how heavy Le Creuset pieces are. I love all three of mine, and keep my two favorites, a Dutch oven and a saucepan (both blue, Lapis?) right out on the stovetop. As I’ve grown older and arthritis has set in (shoulders, wrists, everywhere!!) they’re too heavy to lift in and out of the cabinet below. But I do love them. They cook evenly, clean up so easily, and have none of that “non stick” coating that wears off and is probably causing cancer in every kitchen! I consider using them as part of my weight lifting training for osteoporosis. An added benefit!!
Just wait till people discover Staub
Thoroughly agree. I own two Staub pots in navy blue that I adore. But, when the thought police come for me, it will be my LC dutch oven, bought fifty-nine years ago for $1, that they will have to wrench from my cold, dead hands. It was lime green (thus accounting for the discount) and it has been my mainstay for soups, stews, boiling, frying, and all manner of cooking in-between.
I'd choose Staub over Le Creuset any day!
I have a medium cast iron Staub too and absolutely love it!
I also have a large Lodge!
Thank you! I thought maybe I was the only one. The Le creuset scorches easily is hard to clean. I will take my Stuab or lodge cast iron any day of the week. It is all so heavy though..
I am firmly in the “why not both?” camp. When you acquire good cookware piece by piece over the years whenever you find a good deal, that’s what you have.
Agreed - I use, virtually daily, four pieces - enameled oven, enameled frying pan, large cast iron frying pan and a stainless pot. It's all that is needed (at least for me). I do NOT like a lot of cookware - just takes up space.
To "Episcopalian Fear of the Uncouth," I say AMEN!
Me too. Money does't buy couth.
My Le Creuset dutch oven is older than me!
as it should be!
Ahahaaaa I'm totally going to start saying "The Episcopalian Fear of the Uncouth". And yes, I've always thought oversonsumption of things like Le Creuset super weird. Actually, the American obsession with a big kitchen is weird to me too. I like to cook and a too big kitchen is unwieldy. This type of wealth display is so tacky to me
I have lived both full-time and part-time in Italy over a span of thirty years, in country houses and center city apartments. The one thing they all have in common are what Americans view as tiny kitchens.
The kitchen as decor is not that common in most parts of the world... at least where I've been/traveled
Nope, the kitchen is a place for cooking, not for swanning around and showing off one’s wealth. That would be “uncouth.”
Plus, who wants the added responsibility of keeping it company tidy at all times? No thanks
Tina, come visit me on Untrickled sometime. :)
I do!
This is a perfect article
thank you, that’s very appreciated 🫂
I got a new in the box Le Creuset tagine in flame ( which I love as it cheers me up) for $10 just after Christmas at Goodwill... the thrill!!!
Shopping as a hobby is my bête noire. The colors give the illusion of choice. That each one, each set, must be acquired, and that there's some challenge to it. Like you, I drag my Dutch oven from place to place. It is scratched and scorched, but in terms of cost per use, it's one of my smartest purchases. Give me my Wusthof chef's knife and my Dutch oven, and I can feed anyone who comes along.
Each of my Dutch ovens (a mix of le cruset, Staub cuz I’m a baddie, and Dansk because I’m just a girl) marked a huge “adult” shift/special paycheck in my life. It would feel so … gauche to collect them like they’re nothing.
I stand firmly in the anti-pristine Le Creuset camp. I have a few and bring them camping—I’ll throw one right into the bonfire to make dinner and watch people try to casually sneak a peek, like, is she really putting a $400 pot in the fire? Yes. Yes I am. I want my cookware to live a little. Go on adventures. Earn its patina. My philosophy is that it works for me, not the other way around.
My yellow Le Creuset dutch oven was my grandmother's and it's probably about 70-ish years old at this point. The inside is fully black, and I have no plans to ever try to clean it. Related, when my parents got married, a friend of my grandparents offered to get them whatever piece they wanted. My mom tried to turn them down but my dad jumped in and said no we'll take a flame yellow rectangular baker!!! So glad he knew the value and that he interceded.