MemberI have no idea if this is a good brand or not, but Lodge makes cast iron dutch ovens that are very similar in looks/colors to Le Creuset. The one linked below is $77 for 6-quart.
MemberI’m a dissenter on this board. Granted, I have never owned Le Creuset, but the prices strike me as ridiculous. I have a combination of Lodge cast iron (the old fashioned kind without enamel) and actual heirloom castiron passed down from grandparents. I say go with traditional cast iron. Lodge is a great brand. They sell preseasoned which saves trouble. The nonstick properties are beautiful. You literally cannot damage them in any way that a little steel wool and bacon grease won’t fix. You will pass these down to your grandchildren. Best of all is the price tag about $20-$30.
MemberLodge is a great brand – really it depends on how heavily you plan to use them. I have two Lodge pieces (braiser and small dutch oven), and have used them moderately (like 10 times a year) for about 5 years and have found that the cooking surface is not as durable as LC, but it still works very well, and if you take care of it, (and don’t use metal utensils with it) itll last a long time.
MemberI LOVE Le Creuset, and think it’s definitely worth it. You won’t regret getting one – I got a saucepan 9 years ago and it still looks like new. The enamel on the inside tends to stain with time, especially if you roast or braise, but that doesn’t actually do anything to its performance. I also have the big wok, which I love and is amazing for stir fries. They keep the heat really well and are so sturdy and heavy that they don’t warp. I say go for it!
MemberAccording to America’s Test Kitchen (on PBS) the Le Creuset is good, but there are other pots out there that do just as good of a job without the crazy price tag! Here are a few they liked:
MemberI have to agree that while le creuset is beautiful (and I love my pan), the other cast iron pieces I also have seem to be equally high quality. As a previous poster said, some have lasted for generations already.
MemberI love Le Creuset and I totally think its worth the money if you cook a lot. I cook really frequently as both a hobby but also as a necessity lately since weddings are so expensive, and we have had to save money by staying in! Le Creuset dutch ovens not only will last a lifetime+ if you take care of it properly, but they are also incredibly easy to clean. I have found that with cheaper versions the food tends to stick to them and its harder to clean off. Since I don’t like to waste time and effort scrubbing off nasty food, I definitely think the Le Creuset is worth the hefty price tag. At least you’ll only have to pay for it once!
MemberYES. I think non-enamel cast iron is great if you don’t mind re-seasoning periodically. Also, knockoffs often don’t last as long – check reviews on Amazon before you buy a knockoff. Brands like Lodge are great, some of the Chinese brands not so much.
Memberespecially if you’re going to braise – if even a tiny amount of steam can escape, it really compromises the results, so the lids have to be tight fitting, and that means perfect craftsmanship.
I have gotten several LC’s with tiny cosmetic flaws for huge discounts at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. They almost always have at least a few pieces there.
The topic ‘Le Creuset – worth it?’ is closed to new replies.