Mmm, I swoon.

Le Creuset = Kitchen Bling

I use my Red 5-Qt LeCreuset Dutch Oven for roasts, stews, soups, chili and risotto.

It ranks right up there among the best $200 I ever spent!

Serious eye candy for us cooks and wannabes!
I have a few oft-used pieces of Le Creuset (green, yellow, orange) though not on display, alas... YET !!!

I keep mine hidden away with the rest of the pots n pans...

by the way, Marshalls and TJ Maxx always have Le Creuset for a fraction of the retail price...that's where i get mine from

I like Le Creuset as much as anyone, but does anyone really need half a dozen dutch ovens?

abc123- The ones for a fraction of the price sold at Marshalls and TJ Maxx are made in China not like the originals made in France, which are the enamel on cast iron is ONLY made in France.
Not saying the ones that are made in China for a lot less money are not good pieces of equipment just pointing out they are not exactly the same thing

I use mine a few times a week and it lives on my stove with my espresso pot, cast iron griddle, and Dansk enamelware. I love that I've earned every piece as I've come through life. Even when I was 18 and had $300 to my name, I still found it in my budget to blow $80 on a skillet.

The people who use the fab kitchen in the photo have a whole bunch of copper pots, too. Yum for both.

LoriSF: I have a LeCrueset dutch oven from Marshall's. It is cast iron and has "France" on both the lid and bottom, as well as the barcoded LeCrueset sticker stuck to the bottom that says "France." It has performed as well as the pieces I've gotten from Amazon. The ones that I've seen at Marshall's are usually the larger dutch ovens and sometimes they have a factory outlet sticker stuck to them, so maybe they were originally destined for the LeCrueset factory store or maybe the factory store sent them to Marshall's.

LoriSF: Since the laws of physics regarding enamel and iron differ in France and China, I understand why you would point this out.

My collection so far consists of one Caribbean blue whistling tea kettle, and it has a permanent place of honour on my stove. It's a thing of beauty AND a joy forever.

Atfan123--

Considering that all Le Creuset Enamel over Cast Iron pieces are Made in France, and the only Le Creuset pieces made in China are the Enamel over Steel stockpots and Teakettles - Yes, it's quite a big difference.

For me it's Staub rather than Le Creuset but I actually think it's even prettier. I do keep my cocotte out in the open. It sits atop my microwave when not in use, all gorgeous and blingy. The vibrant colors of enamel are perfect for kitchen decor.

And all in that beautiful orange, the color of my first Le Creuset -- scored at a yard sale in San Francisco, for which I paid ten bucks for a piece that has spent nearly 20 years in regular duty in my kitchen. I carried it for an hour (I was on a walk with a friend and didn't want to inconvenience him), and knowing that the piece would long outlast the relationship.

RedShoes--

Those are so pretty - I enjoy the Coq-au-Vin pots w/ the Cast Aluminum Chicken Handle!

http://www.surlatable.com/product/staub 6-qt. coq au vin pots.do?keyword=staub&sortby=ourPicks

LoriSF and Bepsf,

I just looked at all of my pieces from TJ Maxx and Marshalls and all of them say France and are definitely cast iron....

*shrugs*

But thanks for the good info! I'll be sure to double check my next purchase from them to make sure Im getting the higher quality stuff before I buy

I appreciate the info from Lori and Bepsf, thanks!
I am on a mission to buy as little as possible that is made in China, for several reasons, but it isnt easy. And it seems some things are cleverly labeled these days so you really have to spend some time reading.

Hahaha! Mine are never that clean (on the outside, I mean).

I've gotten all of mine from the Nantucket dump. Rich people toss theirs out when they decide they don't like the color!

"I am on a mission to buy as little as possible that is made in China, for several reasons, but it isnt easy. And it seems some things are cleverly labeled these days so you really have to spend some time reading."

Sassydo--

You're so right - I'm in the same boat.
Many is the time I've been quite tempted by something, whether it be for the home or a piece of clothing, but when I find the "Made in China" label I have to put it back on the shelf. (I've even told salespersons who are trying to make a sale the reason I'm putting that $100 shirt back on the rack)

Unfortunately, items sold via catalog and online rarely if ever state the country of origin unless it's someplace desirable like the US, Canada, France, Italy, Portugal, etc. I've found that more likely than not if it says "Imported" or gives no info at all, it's from China - and again, I've sent items back with a note stating the reason I've returned such-and-such an item.

abc123 you scored then!!

bepsf good point about the tea kettles my friend say Le Creust tea kettle rusting inside, if you leave water in for any period of time they seem to have issues.
Therefore, I find the Simplex tea kettle for gas stove superior, not in fun colors like the Le Creusets but understated beauty. Also, they heat up FAST with a beautiful whistle just another great timeless piece to have in the kitchen.
Good info had by all.

bepsf and sassydo

count me in the "say no to Chinese imports" club. That's a general rule even for my son's toys (which is hard these days)

I suspect that TJ Maxx and Marshalls get rare authentic La Cruesets occasionally and stock cheaper versions and other brands consistently. I see a lot of similar styles by different makers. It's probably a matter of careful shopping. Thanks for the info, though. I didn't know about the France/China distinction.

My dutch oven is an older Copco that just by chance ended up being the exact same blue as in the Mexican tile in my kitchen, so it stays visible to allow me the illusion that *something* in my kitchen looks planned!

bottom row, third one across is wonderful
wish i had a kitchen like that, or any of these, to cook in.

That's funny - my enameled steel Le Creuset stockpot was clearly labeled "Made in Thailand", not China. Those Chinese pots are likely to be knockoffs - everything from polo shirts to prescription drugs is copied by counterfeiters these days.

(BTW, stick to the big Dutch ovens instead of the enameled steel pots. Le Creuset has had to replace my 8-quart pot twice because the inside enamel cracked and chipped during light usage.)

I have lovely matching red Le Creuset cookware, and since I don't have enough cabinet space for my stockpot, salt and pepper mills, and stoneware canisters, they stay out in the open where they can brighten up my otherwise-dark kitchen.

I have some vintage pieces in a soft yellow, old enough to have the enamel across the bottoms so I guess they date back to the 60's or early 70's. I found mine at an estate sale in the early 1990's for $25 and was a 6 piece set (if you count the 2 lids)

The set was an 8", 10" skillets (white interiors), the 5.5Qt oval dutch oven and a 1.5Qt sauce pot (the handle is the hollow cast iron) and they have the white interiors and I have a bright red fondue pot, still in the box that I got for $50 around the same time frame, not had a chance to use yet however. The Dutch oven still had it's Le Creuset sticker on the outside too.

Only the 2 skillets are out on display as I hang them with other hangable pots/pans on a wall grid in my kitchen.

They both need cleaning tho from all the grease and dust.

Good for all of you on the anti -china bandwagon, its tough sometimes but well worth it!
One thing to watch for "designed in_____" stickers,labels ...dig abit deeper and you'll see that yes it was designed there, but still built in China-ahem example gus modern...

TJMaxx and Marshalls I think tend to stock the factory-store type of Le Creuset offerings -- overstocks, discontinued colours, and slightly defective products (e.g., warped lids, irregular colour gradations, etc.), along with knock-offs.

Le Creuset is a great company, and the enameled ironware is definitely made in France, but the ceramics and enameled steel are made in Thailand and China.

Although Staub doesn't have as long a history as Le Creuset (it only dates to the mid '70s), I am afraid that I prefer their products (sorry Le Creuset). LOVE the platinum line, as well as the matte black.

I can't imagine the need for more Dutch Ovens than you can fit on one stove, but they are gorgeous.

We have an orange (a gift), and though it doesn't bear the Le Creuset name, it is JUST as wonderful. It sits proudly out on a shelf. Our Le Creuset saucepan lives in a drawer, but mostly because that's where it fits most easily.

Emily

My five quart le creuset sits out on the stovetop, because I have a tiny apartment kitchen with little a storage space. My two smaller pieces reside in the cupboard.

I just got my first Staub for my birthday and will display it (and use it) lovingly!

I would second the vote for Copco. Back in the mid 70's we traded in many of our other wedding gifts to indulge our weakness for Copco's enameled cast iron pots and pans. 30 years later, we still use them everyday - one of the best wedding gift decisions we made.

i personally prefer standard cast iron skillets because i like to use vintage metal kitchen utensils and metal will destroy an enameled surface over time. i do have a beautiful danish modern enameled skillet that has lasted wonderfully overtime. i tend to think le creuset pots are kind of overrated. in my opinion they are the kitchen equivalent of an eames chair. my parents have a penchant for le creuset, but i prefer my copper pots and my cast iron skillets any day.

I'm a frugal girl, I guess. I started out buying the Martha Stewart pieces from KMart when they were on clearance, in the apple green color. I got 2 skillets, 2 big sauce pans and a french oven. (Then I gave all my Calphalon nonstick stuff to Goodwill and bought a boxed set of MS stainless pots & pans on clearance, and a couple Lodge cast iron skillets).

Then I saw her robin's egg blue ones at Macy's, waited for them to go on clearance, and picked up 2 french ovens for a fraction of the price. Those I don't cook with, they sit on the shelf.

The Macy's pieces look slighter different than the KMart pieces. Perhaps are a bit heavier. But the KMart ones cook so nicely that I like to keep the Macy's ones clean.

Yes you have to be careful and read labels but usually TJ Maxx and Marshalls are pretty good quality products, they usually come straight from large expensive department stores so just because they are at a discount store doesn't mean it's garbage... Those stores get too much stuff, they gotta send it somewhere. They usually have a few cheaper quality items by some no name brands but the name brands you know are always legit there. Just read the labels!

It never crossed my mind to display my Le Creuset to show them off. Yes, they are lovely pieces but, these images veer between silly (how can you use the stovetop with such a display) to vulgar (how many dutch ovens does it take to make risotto?).

I've gotten Le Creuset and Descoware (Belgian) at auction for as low as a dollar a pot/pan. I like the colors of Le Creuset a lot but I like the shape of Copco enameled cast iron much better! I have a small dutch oven, a couple of baking dishes and the sauce warmer and stand. I would like more but I don't see them at auction hardly ever and I'm too cheap to buy them online and pay for shipping all that weight.

One of the most beautiful enameled cast iron pots, in my opinion, is Timo Sarpaneva's pot with the wooden handle that can be used to remove the lid. I would love to have one someday just to look at.

Right now we don't have anyplace to display our Copco pots but someday I'd like to have them out on view just because I like to look at them.

bepsf, sassydo, & abc123, I'm with you - it takes work, but I avoid Chinese imports whenever possible.

Yep, you know me well, AT!

I have a number of thrift store finds as well as a set from online. Flame. My husband ruined a few (he used to be a scrapper when washing dishes), so I guess I need to refresh my collection (I drool over the carribean color, but think I might stay with flame for tradition's sake). I have mine stacked up on open metal shelving with my spices and cook books. Flame against a turquoise-ey robins egg blue wall.

Why do they appeal so?

As for the discount stores - I bought a huge oval (navy blue with some sparkle) pot that had a "cuisanart" label on it and is stamped "made in France" on the lid. What I do not like about it is the lid is not constructed so it is stable when turned upside down for stacking. Therefore, I am not refreshing my other pots from TJ Maxx's Cuisinart collection that is in the store right now......

I have done some research. Here is what I've learned (for what its worth)
Le Cresuet Outlets carry (2nd of's) meaning 10 Quality Control people at the actual LC factory look over each peice and if just ONE decides they don't like the peice - it gets marked (under the lid, or on the handle of the pot) with their number (the example the sales girl showed me had an 8 on it...just slightly laser etched on both lid and pot handle) I did forget to ask if that voided the Lifetime Warranty... the outlet stores have orange LC labels accrossd the face of the pots to denote "2nd of's"...while most are nearly flawless, you have to be aware/wary that if buying a pot with any lid - that the lid sits on the pot properly. As the lid sits on the pot, tap around the edges - the lid should NOT rock...if it does - try another lid - or don't buy it... As well, LC cast iron is Made in France - all other cookware (like non-cast iron baking dishes and roasters are Made in China) they are NOT 'knock offs" it's just that the Cast Iron - is the only item Made in France... Another note, it is WELL worth it to buy the LC cleaner for Cast Iron ($12)...this will keep the peice spotless! I'd avoid throwing it in the dishwasher...(((just my personal preference))) I know certain colors retire but, I've heard the Red hues are the most popular if trying to keep consistant - with Flame being the flagship color... (I have two Provence Blue (aka French Blue) peices - the 7.25 DO Round and 3.5 DO Round...both are AWESOME!!!!! Be sure to NOT store the lid upside down, resting on the pot without protection around the lip of the pot! ((or, you'll have a nicely scratched lid!!)) Bon Appetit!!

by the way...the LC outlet had what I believe is the new braiser pots (one small fry pan inverted over a larger sauce pot) and the handles mate... it's a great value since you get 3 uses for one price! that LC outlet was running a 40% off cast iron thru today 1/31/2010 so, even the deals have deals (but, I believe they discount off the original price when you have coupon) which was kind of misleading...and I didn't like that the prices weren't readily displayed in each item...Last "food for thought" - Emile Henry makes great bakeware - which is what I use - that is from France and rivals the LC cast iron bakeware...but, EH isn't as $$$ and not as heavy!

Didn't know where to post this but Le Creuset is having a special deal on their website!

3 1/2qt cast iron wide french oven is now $150 rather than $230!

http://cookware.lecreuset.com/cookware/product_3-1%2F2-qt.-Round-Wide-French-Oven---Was-$230_10151_-1_20002_36062_18555

I highly recommend getting one! they're great!