|
Post by berlyn on Dec 25, 2007 18:50:07 GMT -5
Le Creuset seems to be the best of both worlds, enamel cast iron. Before I even consider owning a piece I have a few questions... How does it perform on a Chambers??? Does the enamel pit or chip??? Is it easy to care for?? Is it worth owning???
Wanting to know y'alls thoughts, opinions and experiences with Le Creuset cookware???
thanks
|
|
|
Post by scottielass on Dec 26, 2007 10:28:50 GMT -5
I have a small dutch oven. It works well on the burners and in the oven. It retains heat like crazy. Be careful hand washing it. The enamel got a chip when Joe washed the lid, but that's because he dropped it in our cast iron/porcelain sink ;P. We don't have a dishwasher, so I can't speak to whether it washes well in that method. I think it is worth the money for one pot or dutch oven that you would use on a regular basis. If you have a TJ Maxx or Marshall's in your area, check them first. They were carrying them a week ago. It'll save you 30-50% over most places.
|
|
|
Post by ahappycamper on Dec 26, 2007 10:51:30 GMT -5
Had a friend many years ago who owned them and absolutely loved them. Only thing is that she was VERY fussy about how she handled them for the exact reason scottielassie mentioned. Kind of pretty though...a nice orange color.
I still love my kitchen aid stainless steel set. I've had it 3 years now and don't ever anticipate replacing it.
I agree with Marshalls or TJ Maxx, I see Le Creuset there all the time and much cheaper than in the stores.
Janice
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Dec 26, 2007 11:03:25 GMT -5
Berlyn, I have numerous pieces of Le Creuset. I've used them on smooth top stoves, as well as my Chambers and I ADORE them. I can make a roasted chicken out of an old chicken that is fall apart tender and delicious. I have: 3-Quart Multi-Pan with 9-1/2-Inch Nonstick Omelet Cover, Blue - - the omelet pan is non-stick and its not teflon. Its FABULOUS and works like a charm. I don't use the 3 quart saucepot that came with it much at all, but the omelet pans are workhorses in my kitchen. Use them for all sorts of things, including frittatas. 1-1/4-Quart Precision Pour Saucepan with Cover, Blue - tinyurl.com/2rd676Le Creuset 2-Quart Multi 2-in-1 Pan with 8-Inch Omelet Cover, Blue -workhorse in my kitchen, wonderful pan. Le Creuset 5-Quart Oval French Oven, Blue - tinyurl.com/2lnbme- I use this for oval sized roasts, does a roast chicken well, as well as pork, etc. Also use it on the stovetop Le Creuset 2-1/2-Quart Oval Oven - Blue - tinyurl.com/2mqr97- smaller sized, great for casseroles and such, and I also do beef stews and smaller sized chickens and roasts in this one. Le Creuset 1-1/4-Quart Precision Pour Saucepan with Cover, Blue Le Creuset 2-Quart Multi 2-in-1 Pan with 8-Inch Omelet Cover, Blue - tinyurl.com/35ex43 LOVE THE OMELET PAN!! Le Creuset 5-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red - tinyurl.com/347q8d- I've used this one so much, that it has discoloured on the bottom. Had these since 2004. No chips or bangs and cleans up EASILY. If you have any food sticking, just soak in warm water for 5 minutes and it comes off easily. Le Creuset 4-1/2-Quart Soup Pot with Cover, Red - tinyurl.com/36y23e- this doubles as a saute pan for me, and it makes wonderful soup. I use it for all sorts of things as well, as the shape is condusive. Le Creuset 11-3/4-Inch Skillet with Iron Handle, Blue - tinyurl.com/2vrwna- this is the ONLY pan I don't like. I had to have it replaced as the non-stick surface is not like the omelet pans and it discolours and sort of rusts easily. Only pan I don't like like from Le Creuset I also have some of the Stoneware: 2 x Le Creuset Poterie 7-by-10-Inch Deep Dish Baker, Blue Le Creuset Poterie 10-1/2-by-7-Inch Rectangular Dish, Blue Le Creuset Poterie 8-1/2-by-10-3/4-Inch Deep Dish Baker, Blue which make the most marvelous pies, gratins, crumbles, roasted veggies, etc, etc. Also very easy to clean and look great on the table. So, performs beautifully on the Chambers, you don't need to use high heat as its cast iron. The enamel does not chip or pit unless you seriously abuse it. I've lugged mine around to two new houses and its gone through being in storage and variable environments and they are going strong. I expect they will still be going strong in 50 years time Very easy to care for. Just remember not to bang it. Expect some discolouration on the bottom of the pots and pans you use the most, easily cleaned up though, with some Le Creuset cleaner. Stuck on food comes off easily. And I have also just taken it from the stove, after cooling and put it in the refrigerator and then heated it up in the same pan, from cold. I don't take especially care with them, just common sense that I'd use with any pan. They are heavy, but in my view, well worth it As you can see, I think its all worth owning BTW, I bought all mine through Amazon.com because they gave me free shipping and the prices were cheaper than anywhere else. Ant
|
|
|
Post by berlyn on Dec 26, 2007 18:53:59 GMT -5
Yes, ladies we are go to Houston tomorrow & getting some shopping done. We have put Marshall's and TJMaxx on the list. I have never been to TJ, so I'm making a list of what is impossible to find locally at a decent cheap price. Le Creuset is on the top of my list. How does Le Creuset do going from frig to oven?? Does it need time to come to room temp or can you fire it up on the stove or oven?? Anthea, I'd love to see all your Le Creuset pieces! Yes, I would expect these to last a lifetime at the prices they charge! Scottie, I have the same type dishwasher too. ;D I have a stainless steel sink and find now dishes and such don't get chipped that often, as when I had my porcelain sink. I feel I have a stove that will last my lifetime and be passed down to my granddaughter. I want some cookware to pass down too. I just don't seem to be on Ebay at the right time to find those cute cast iron cookware that everyone else seems to find. So, I'm going the Le Creuset route.
|
|
|
Post by pipercollins on Dec 26, 2007 22:32:35 GMT -5
I haven't done any big price comparisons with other sites and stores, but I've noticed a lot of Le Creuset going on eBay.
|
|
|
Post by scottielass on Dec 27, 2007 8:53:27 GMT -5
I've noticed you get nailed on the shipping on ebay for Le Creuset, with the weight of the pots. I would measure the savings against Amazon and physical discount stores first.
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Dec 27, 2007 10:33:29 GMT -5
How does Le Creuset do going from frig to oven?? Does it need time to come to room temp or can you fire it up on the stove or oven?? Berlyn, I just take it right out the refrigerator and onto the stove - I use the lowest heat setting to get everything warmed (which is what you are supposed to do, anyway, otherwise the food burns and you have to stir frantically) and I add a little liquid, just to make sure it doesn't burn. I wouldn't take it from the refrigerator and put it on full flame as I think that would probably upset it mightily *g* I use this method with most of my stews. For instance, last night I made a beef and mushroom stew. It went from the stove into the fridge after it had cooled down a mite. Tonight whoever gets home first will add 1/2 cup of water, put on a lowest flame with the lid on and gently heat it up. By the time the rice is done, our food will be warmed through and ready. I also cook more than we need, and then package some of it before heating, and I freeze that. Anthea
|
|
|
Post by htmike63 on Dec 27, 2007 12:15:34 GMT -5
I have an oval Dutch oven and a chicken fryer from Le Creuset, as well as a 9" skillet from Cousances (same as Le Cru, bought out by the latter a while back). All are excellent, I use the oval Dutch oven all the time for stews/casseroles. All can go from stove top to oven without problems. Given their weight and heat-retaining properties, I'm not sure I'd want all of my saucepans as Le Creuset, but a good sized Dutch oven is well-nigh essential for the type of cooking I do and well worth the $$$. There are Le Cru outlets all over the place too, so you can save a few $ by buying seconds. I also have a few pieces of Dru and Descoware enameled cast iron; these were made in the 1950s -60s in Holland and Belgium, respectively. These are also excellent pots with much the same qualities as Le Creuset - you occasionally see them in thrift stores as well as garage and estate sales. The usually have some decorative drawings on the enamel as well and have a neat vintage look.
|
|
|
Post by redrange on Dec 27, 2007 23:24:01 GMT -5
Would definitely vouch for Le Creuset cookware and their outlets. Bought three new pieces in the fall and got an additional 20% off of the already reduced outlet prices. The outlet near me has first quality as well as seconds. Like Antheat said, they are great for roasting chicken - have an oval dutch oven. Absolutely love the deep covered skillet that allows me to cook at a much lower heat and not have to worry about unhealthy burning olive oil - mine has the enamel interior. I find that I use the deep skillet to make sizable quantities of pasta sauce. Brown the onion, garlic, etc. and then simmer down the fresh tomatoes over several hours. The cookware cleans up really easily too and I am careful not to bash it or use stainless steel utensils in it. Interested in what you decide to get Berlyn.
|
|
|
Post by damnoldhippie on Dec 28, 2007 0:43:54 GMT -5
Hey Berlyn, if you'd like to try out a vintage alternative to LeCreuset, check out Descoware. My mom had this stuff when I was a kid...Made in Belgium in the 50s and 60s...same premise as the French stuff, enameled cast iron, and you can find lots of it still "new with tags" on eBay, or in at least "very good" condition. They made the bean pot I got a few months back, and there are all sorts of pieces from tiny up to huge dutch ovens. They had two main colors, and one or two patterns through out the years. Just do a search for "Descoware" and see.
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Dec 28, 2007 11:22:31 GMT -5
Desco was actually purchased by Le Creuset, and it also purchased the other french name who also starts with a "C" that I can't remember now. On ebay though, the shipping is a killer. Anthea
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Dec 28, 2007 11:24:18 GMT -5
Berlyn,
I've updated my original post so you can easily take a look at the pics.
Anthea
|
|
|
Post by berlyn on Dec 28, 2007 12:49:28 GMT -5
Wow great to see the positive responses on enamel cast iron!! We went to Houston yesterday. Fought the road construction, horrible traffic, parking and long lines & crowded stores. That is not my idea of a shopping environment at all!! At Marshall's I finally found a 10 1/2" rectangle stoneware dish in blue. That was the ONLY Le Creuset cookware I came across!! That baby was mine, even if it meant a "tug a war" competition! I figured this would be great for small meat loafs and be my starter piece with a story behind it!! Oh, did I mention we had a 6 mo old and a very active "has to touch everything" 3 yr old boy in tow along with my Mom, daughter & teenage niece & I!! It would have been much easier and less nerve racking to go to Anthea's and raid her collection!! We only got the "finger & horn honking" at us only once too!! I had no nerves left after 6:00pm!! ;D I did come across lots of knock offs but the lid handles left me wondering if you would be able to use in the oven. DOH, Looked at the 'descoware' on Ebay. Yep I remember them. Very "Brady bunch" orange and 70's harvest gold. Most of us love vintage as you know!! I do like that the handles are enameled and not a "knob" and can stand higher heats. The Le Creuset handle is up to 450'. Which leaves me wondering about CWTGTO @ 500'. Has anyone tried CWTGTO with Le Creuset?? Any damage to the handle?? Thanks for the tips on other cookware similar to Le Creuset everyone. I will keep my eyes open for all the brands mentioned and keep my fingers crossed I get lucky!! Off to recharge my nerves that I lost in Houston!! ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by oldsalt on Dec 31, 2007 9:33:13 GMT -5
Off to recharge my nerves that I lost in Houston!! ;D ;D Add tequila to taste and marinate slowly... ;D
|
|
|
Post by berlyn on Dec 31, 2007 11:35:05 GMT -5
Off to recharge my nerves that I lost in Houston!! ;D ;D Add tequila to taste and marinate slowly... ;D Applesauce worked great!! ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Dec 31, 2007 13:03:34 GMT -5
It would have been much easier and less nerve racking to go to Anthea's and raid her collection!! The Le Creuset handle is up to 450'. Which leaves me wondering about CWTGTO @ 500'. Has anyone tried CWTGTO with Le Creuset?? Any damage to the handle?? *g* for a good friend, I'd let you borrow a piece or two! I routinely cook with high heat in the oven and CWTGTO - I haven't noticed any problems with my lid handle/knob. However, I generally leave the lid off while searing at high heat in the oven otherwise it basically just steams (that's what I've found, anyway), then I turn the heat down and put the lid on so my lid handle is rarely exposed to higher than 500F temps for long periods. I do most of my roasting at 450 actually, come to think of it. I tried 500F and CWTGTO and it worked okay - but I think I'll try again once I get the oven thermostat fixed as I'm not sure it even got up to 500F or it may have gone over 500F *lol* - Le Creuset made it through! I've had the 5 1/2 qt large round one since 2003 and I have used it at least once or twice a week, some weeks all week. I've always roasted at higher heats (no wimpy 350 for me *g* unless baking) and I've experienced no problems. I am careful to not just plonk it on a cold surface right out of the oven - I am in the habit of leaving the pot on top of the stove after oven use so it can cool down slowly.
|
|
|
Post by berlyn on Dec 31, 2007 19:58:27 GMT -5
Today I ventured out to Tuesday Morning. I see 3 boxes of LeCreuset soup pots ( I think that's what was printed on the box). Yeah!! ;D Oh I get so excited and reach for one to see the colors. Damn this box sure is light feeling, so I start to read. It's enamel steel!! What the heck??!! Of course my little heart sinks! I guess the good thing is I was not crazy about the colors. Chocolate & Powder Blue. They will be closed for inventory for a week or so. I will be back and find an enamel cast iron. Some how some where! Until then, Anthea keep your doors locked & alarm set.
|
|
|
Post by antheat on Jan 2, 2008 11:08:29 GMT -5
Berlyn,
My Quanzi-boy wouldn't let you take off with his favourite piece of mom's cookware *g*
Ant
|
|