Le Creuset vs. Other enamelled cast iron?
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Are they these Tramontina pots?
I saw them in the store and they looked pretty nice. And the price was unbelievable.
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@Mary-Anna said in Le Creuset vs. Other enamelled cast iron?:
We gave some off-brand enameled ironware that we got from Costco--a large- and a medium-sized dutch oven. I've had a couple of pieces of Le Creuset in the past, and I can't tell that these cook any differently. We've only had them for a few months, but I have no complaints. They're a beautiful blue that's as pretty as the Le Creuset colors, and the price difference was breathtaking.
This is my wondering! My off brand ones were from Canadian Tire and other than a few small external chips I really have no complaints.
I will definitely check at Homesense though and see if I can find some LC for a more reasonable price. Unfortunately the braiser that I want doesn’t seem to be a popular piece (the 4.7… it’s only available in the few most popular colours). So I don’t know if I’ll be able to find it at much of a bargain.
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@dolmansaxlil Costco carries a bunch of cast iron. Don’t know if you’re a member.
https://www.costco.ca/s?langId=-24&keyword=cast iron
Have you considered Staub?
https://www.foodandwine.com/staub-vs-le-creuset-comparison-8705472
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I have a LC large casserole that was my grandmother's, so it's been used hard for many decades. She used to make frankfurter goulash in it (she was Hungarian). It is definitely a bit worse for wear--the finish does lose its integrity over time. I haven't tried any of the knockoffs. Nice cookware is pretty far down on our priorities list. We don't do a lot of cooking.
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We do enjoy using cast iron cookware and have several very durable pieces, but they aren't enameled. We usually buy them in thrift stores or junk shops. On the whole, even though the enamel is very pretty, I think the unenameled cast iron is a lot easier to keep looking nice.
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@dolmansaxlil I've had a Le Creuset casserole chip, too. They may--or may not, I don't know--use a heavier or more durable enamel, but it has its limits.
Muffin's Sister went to a Le Creuset event in Phoenix that apparently travels from city to city. It was held in a warehouse in a part of town where she was a little nervous to go, but she and a friend went together for solidarity and personal protection. When they got there, they found tons of bougie people like themselves.
They both got mystery boxes. (I'm not sure if they also offered regular sales where you got to pick what you were buying.) She said the boxes were curated pretty well, with each one including some staples like frying pans or dutch ovens, plus some more unusual pieces. Everything in each box wasn't the same color, but the colors were chosen to coordinate. She said there was a bustling black market in the parking lot where people were trading what they got in the mystery boxes for the pieces and colors they wanted, which sounds like a whole lot of fun. We have more kitchen gear than two humans could possibly need, and that makes me a little sad, because I would totally enjoy the Le Creuset black market.
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When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
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We have recently switched to a lot of cast iron cooking - mostly switching out the non-stick frying pans for the desirable vintage ones you find at antique stores - but also using the Dutch ovens on the stovetop more. I was worried because we have a glass cooktop, but it’s been fine. Steve is the breakfast maker and he keeps the un-enameled cast iron skillets seasoned to perfection, they really are nice to cook in. I need a different kitchen where I can start hanging all these skillets on the wall…
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When I've got one of those dutch ovens loaded up with food and I have to get it into the oven, I really struggle. I have to drop into a wide-based squat to manage it. I'm sure it's good for my glutes.
I'm of two minds about cookware. Expensive stuff that's heavy and pretty attracts me like a magpie, but it's very hard on my arthritic hands. Quirt had so much cookware that I haven't bought any in years, but when I did, I avoided the heavy stuff.
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How about a cast iron magpie?
https://www.thesingingwhale.com.au/shop/unique-gifts/cast-iron-magpie-hook/
I used to have a bunch of cast iron but we got rid of it a while ago. It's good for muscle building, but Mr wtg has pretty serious arthritis in his hands and using heavy pots didn't work too well.
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Thanks for bringing up the problems with arthritic hands. I hadn’t thought of that. Obviously if I’m going to buy LC or some other more expensive cookware I’m thinking long term. I already have some mild (what I assume is) arthritis in my hands which at times makes it hard for me to open things or to grip utensils to stir for any length of time. Heavy objects haven’t posed as much of a problem but I assume they could in the future… maybe I should rethink.
