Does the lifetime warranty still apply? If it does, the company will send you a new pot. If you want to hold on to this one for sentimental reasons, I can't be of any help. Maybe someone else will have a more useful suggestion.

Barkeepers friend will help with the inside, as far as the cracking it should be safe as long as it's not coming off, you could try boiling water to see if any of the paint will come off.

Le Creuset also suggests a solution of 1 tsp bleach per 1 pint water for tougher stains (let it sit for 2-3 hours). They also said the cookware is safe to use if the enamel is worn and the enamel is not harmful if ingested (it meets all FDA standards).

Also, you can have them re-enameled. Bleach suggestion rocks. My mom has 50-yr old Creuset pots and serving dishes that still look new. Thanks Clorox! :)

I wouldn't worry about it. I have old and slightly banged up enamelware. It's not like non-stick pans where you have to worry about damaged PTFE surfaces.

(I'll take the bleach tip though... thanks!)

At this point I say it would be best not to use it. The surface is very crazed, and while not toxic, flecks of porcelain in your food can present a problem. If it's not flaking then you could try the Bar Keepers Friend cleanser suggestion and then seasoning it as you would any cast iron pan because it will re-rust quickly. I don't know if the seasoning process would work on the formerly porcelain coated cast iron and it may cause an unattractive film on the remaining porcelain.

I believe the warranty on enameled LeCreuset products is for 100 (or maybe even 150) years.

The pans are meant to age! Both cast iron and porcelain are absolutely non-toxic, and I'm sure there are millions of French folks cooking every day in LeCreuset pots far worse off than yours.

I am an artist who works with enamel-on-metal. I would not advise coking in this pan; while the Le Creuset enamel is definitely food safe, actually eating the bits of enamel that might chip off into your food is not a good idea. Enamel is glass, and tiny bits of glass are not something I'd suggest as a condiment. (Porcelain is clay, enamel is glass; clay is not used as a glaze on cast iron, glass is, just like the "enamel" on appliances...)

Hoping I don't sound too harsh, but I'd hate for someone to end up eating glass bits.

I have a similar pot and the rim has gone very rusty. I've been wondering how to clean it too - regular washing and scouring the rim just made it worse. The enamel is fine - it just has a very rusty rim. Any ideas specifically to treat a rusty rim? :-)

Ammonia for a rusty rim. (Although it smells so bad you may never want to look at the pot again after). Do it outside if at all possible :-)

Enameled cast iron is warranted to you by LE CREUSET OF AMERICA, INC., to be free from defects in material and workmanship at the time of its purchase. For this Lifetime Limited Warranty to apply, you must follow the care and use instructions provided with the product. This warranty covers normal household use only. This warranty does not cover damage from abuse , commercial use or other non-consumer use, neglect, abnormal wear or tear, overheating, or any use not in accordance with the cookware instructions provided with the product. This warranty does not cover damages such as the cost of repairing or replacing other property that is damaged due to a defect in product, the cost for transportation of the product to get warranty service, loss of time, loss of use, or other consequential or incidental damages.

This Lifetime Limited Warranty covers the original retail consumer purchaser, or a consumer who receives the product new and unused as a gift from the original retail purchaser. Coverage terminates if a covered consumer sells or otherwise transfers the product. This warranty is provided only to consumers, and all express and implies warranties to non-consumers are disclaimed.

Defective cookware will be replaced, free of charge, or replaced by a similar product or one of equivalent value if the product is no longer in production. Replacement with the same color of cookware cannot be guaranteed.

To make a claim under this Lifetime Limited Warranty you must mail the cookware, postage prepaid, to the address below. Please enclose your return address and a brief note explaining the defect.

When returning cookware, the owner will need to call, toll-free, 1-877-CREUSET(273-8738) Consumer Services to pre-authorize the return. At that time, a return authorization number will be assigned. Consumer Services will convey to you that number and any other instructions that may be required.

LE CREUSET OF AMERICA, INC
ATTN: CONSUMER SERVICES
114 Bob Gifford Blvd.
Early Branch, SC. 29916 USA

Thanks Lesley!

Don't mix ammonia and bleach, even by trying one and then the other--it makes toxic gas (aka mustard gas) and is very dangerous. Thoroughly clean with soap and water before trying the other if you decide to try the other. Just an FYI!

I strongly suspect that damage looks to be from improper care, and the warranty will not apply.

Having just watched a blurb on the news about the workers in France who manufacture Le Creuset, I would try to show support by buying some more... (times are tough for those workers -- you wouldn't believe how little they make, either)

For the person with the rusty rim (tee hee!) rub it with a little cooking oil once you've washed it clean of loose rust - its the water coming into contact with the metal that makes the rust