Le Creuset is it worth it ?

cookie75

Thinking of investing in some Le Creuset cookware is it worth the initial outlay . Everytime I watch a good cooking show they seem to be using Le Creuset ware . So foodies who uses them and are they worth it!

Curry Addict

i think so, i have some of there stuff for years now, its used daily and its still good and will have many more good years.

username123

Yes and no.

Cast iron cookware is definitely worth it, but as a brand Le Creuset is expensive.

I have some non branded cast iron cookware (both enamelled and non enamelled) and I find them brilliant, a lifetime of use in them.

Doctor DooM

Le Creuset are generally rock solid and come with life time guarantees.

They're usually worth it if you've the money to spend, if not there's plenty of other cast iron brands which can substitute nicely.

Mrs Fox

Big Yes.
Check out TK Maxx, they usually stock Le Creuset cookware, especially baking dishes. Great price.

Scortho

cookie75 wrote: »

Thinking of investing in some Le Creuset cookware is it worth the initial outlay . Everytime I watch a good cooking show they seem to be using Le Creuset ware . So foodies who uses them and are they worth it!

According to my mother it is. She's had a casserole dish for the last 25 years. Still as good today as the day she got save for slight discoloration at the bottom. It might be expensive but is definitely worth the outlay. They are heavy though! She bought a non stick pan about 5 years ago and it still works perfectly.
If you build it up bit by bit it wouldn't feel as expensive either!

username123

Scortho wrote: »

She's had a casserole dish for the last 25 years.

I have one piece of unbranded cast iron cookware from my parents house that my mother had since she was married, and Ive had for 10 years or thereabouts, so its been in use for over 40 years now and still going strong!!

I love the enamelling colours of the Le Creuset, I didnt know Tk Maxx did it - must check it out.

Scortho

username123 wrote: »

I have one piece of unbranded cast iron cookware from my parents house that my mother had since she was married, and Ive had for 10 years or thereabouts, so its been in use for over 40 years now and still going strong!!

I love the enamelling colours of the Le Creuset, I didnt know Tk Maxx did it - must check it out.

Try find an unbranded piece today that will last that long though is the trouble. At least with Le Creuset they've a reputation for quality that has being built up over the years. With an unbranded piece it could need to be replaced within a year.
Of course though you could get very lucky.
They also have an outlet in kildare Village! still bloody expensive though

Stheno

TKMaxx can be great for Le Crueset

SBWife

They also have an outlet shop in Kildare Village probably about 20% of the regular prices,more in the sale.

Merkin

I absolutely love Le Crueset, it wears well and always holds its temperature and of course looks lovely. I've got a few casserole dishes which I use for all my one-pot dishes dependent on how many I cook for.

I agree with Stheno, I only discovered rceently that TK Maxx have an amazing range of stuff. Found a beautiful petrol coloured Le Crueset pitcher for €12 there recently..........:eek::)

Swiper the fox

The Le Crueset casserole is the best thing you can get for your kitchen in my opinion, I've had mine about 8 years but I'd imagine it'll last forever, absolutely top class, I also have a few smaller dishes which are fine but not irreplacable.
On a negative note I bought a La Crueset griddle pan and it was wrecked in a few months, i cook steak etc at the highest heat I can manage and thought that it would be able to do that for me but I burnt the crap out of the inside(enamel) of the griddle, dissapointing really.

username123

Swiper the fox wrote: »

On a negative note I bought a La Crueset griddle pan and it was wrecked in a few months, i cook steak etc at the highest heat I can manage and thought that it would be able to do that for me but I burnt the crap out of the inside(enamel) of the griddle, dissapointing really.

Thats not good, Ive been using an unbranded non enamelled cast iron griddle pan for 8+ years now and its in grand shape still - the wooden handle is gone a bit discoloured but thats it.

I would definitely have thought an enamelled pan would be able for that kind of use.

Minder

Swiper the fox wrote: »

On a negative note I bought a La Crueset griddle pan and it was wrecked in a few months, i cook steak etc at the highest heat I can manage and thought that it would be able to do that for me but I burnt the crap out of the inside(enamel) of the griddle, dissapointing really.

It's an enamelled griddle pan? The help centre for Le Creuset warns against heating enamel to high heat.

HEAT SETTINGS
Medium and low heats will provide the best results for the majority of cooking, including frying and searing. Allow the pan to heat gradually and thoroughly, as this will give the most even and efficient cooking results. Once the pan is hot almost all cooking can be continued on lower settings.

High heats should only be used for boiling water for vegetables or pasta, or for reducing the consistency of stocks and sauces. High heats should never be used to pre-heat a pan before lowering the heat for cooking. Cast iron retains heat so well that if a pan is overheated in this way it will contribute to poor cooking results, sticking and discolouration of cooking surfaces. Non-stick surfaces are permanently damaged by this mis-use.

Match the pan base to the heat zone. Do this to maximise efficiency and prevent overheating of pan sides or damage to handles. Long handles should be positioned safely so that they do not overhang the front of your stovetop, or over other heat zones.

I have a large oval enamelled cast iron casserole that has now has a very large chip out of the enamel on the base of the pot. After reading of the life time guarantee on a previous post, I'll test that tomorrow and see what the people at Le Creuset say.

Swiper the fox

It's this one http://www.lecreuset.ie/square-grillits-ie.aspx
I realise now that I mistreated it but I had the mistaken impression that it would put up with all sorts of abuse, just a warning for those who like me think that spending a fortune will put an end to kitchen nightmares.
As i said earlier the crueset casseroles are outstanding but I'll stick with Tefal for my frying.

The Sweeper

I have a le creuset cast iron griddle pan that's double length, so in other words it'd go over two elements on the cooker. It's excellent. I'll still have it in 30 years. (Not the enamelled one!)

CJhaughey

I have two Le Creuset pots 14 and 24cm that have huge chunks of enamel missing off the bottom, they are unusable now.
I also have a 28cm frypan which is still in use but the handle has gone and the replacement is a crazy price.
There are plenty of equivalent brands available now that are every bit as good if not better than LC stuff.
I got some great stuff in France in one of the hypermarkets 'Invicta' brand

Cavehill Red

The novelist Jeanette Winterson used to work as a prostitute in order to get the money to buy Le Creuset, so it must be at least half-decent.

nc6000

The Sweeper wrote: »

I have a le creuset cast iron griddle pan that's double length, so in other words it'd go over two elements on the cooker. It's excellent. I'll still have it in 30 years. (Not the enamelled one!)

I have one of those too, how do you clean yours? Mine has loads of black gunk stuck between the griddles.

We also have quite a few pots, pans, baking dishes and ramekins. They are excellent and worth every cent.

Minder

Here's a good way to keep the carbon build up to a minimum without using a lot of chemicals. Wash the pan after cooking with plenty of hot water. Place on the hob to dry and fill the pan with enough course salt to cover the base. The salt will pick up the black bits that would otherwise carbonise. I leave the pan to cool before brushing the salt into a bowl where I keep it for the next time.

As for removing the carbon build up now?

username123

The Sweeper wrote: »

I have a le creuset cast iron griddle pan that's double length, so in other words it'd go over two elements on the cooker. It's excellent. I'll still have it in 30 years. (Not the enamelled one!)

Any idea what thats called by any chance? Im looking on their website and cant see anything that long.

Edit - think I found it - is this what you mean?

nc6000

This is the one I have if that helps.

http://www.lecreuset.ie/square-grillits-ie.aspx?vid=201212612

username123

nc6000 wrote: »

This is the one I have if that helps.

http://www.lecreuset.ie/square-grillits-ie.aspx?vid=201212612

Thanks, I just found a great non branded (well, non important brand!) rectangular cast iron (not enamelled) one on amazon, 50cm!! for only 9.99 plus 4.99 postage but after discussion with the hubby Im not allowed buy any more cast iron until we have a bigger kitchen - I simply dont have the storage - dang!

Dermighty

TK Maxx has Le Creuset stoneware mainly, it's not cast iron so I wouldn't bother (personally).

I got a present of a 29cm oval casserole dish from an ex girlfriend (some present!) and it's awesome!

Next one is going to be a 26cm shallow casserole dish.

The Sweeper

Griddle questions - similar to the one pictured, but plain black inside and out. In terms of how to clean it, I treat it similarly to my woks - season it. Cook on it, then scrub with bristle but no soap under scalding water, then dry on medium heat and then burn a patina of oil onto it. Doesn't rust, doesn't carbonise too badly, great to cook on.

I particularly like to place it over two elements, either one large and one small or two identical sizes but one on full heat and one on half, and enjoying the flexibility that gives me in cooking meat / veg at different heats.

(Particularly lamb chops in a mix of salt/cumin/smoked paprika and aubergine on the other half, later to be combined on the plate).

Main tip: oil the food, not the grill.

admiralofthefleet

le creuset is great, lots of it in tk maxx yesterday in arklow and some of it had the red stickers on

Unshelved

Quick question - could you use a Le Creuset shallow casserole for a tarte tatin, or would it be best to use the frying pan?

Bateman

have a cast iron pot for making soups and curries, used several times a week and still going strong, only have it a year but so easy to use and wash that I would definitely buy more of their gear

faigs

+1 for the Kildare Village shop, they're much cheaper. Seconds, but usually only a tiny mark on them. I have the black cast iron casserole dish and skillet pan and love them.

Spanish Eyes

Le Creuset is the business alright.

But does anyone feel like they might get a hernia when lifting them with or without food inside!!

The casserole etc dishes weigh a ton even when empty. And I ain't got an eye level oven, so I do worry sometimes if I'm going to be able to bend down, extract dish, stand up and place on countertop, whew!

they are great, but bloody heavy.

username123

Yeah Spanish Eyes, have to agree.

Was suffering with a back injury last year and you know yourself, even when the injury is gone youre a bit tender, afraid to move certain ways for a while - well every sunday I used to spend going 'hubby - can you lift the cast iron out so I can check the roast!!' every so often!!!

I told my hubby recently that if there was ever an intruder in the house and I was in the kitchen, I wouldnt go for a knife, Id go for a cast iron pan!!

Spanish Eyes

username123 wrote: »

Yeah Spanish Eyes, have to agree.

Was suffering with a back injury last year and you know yourself, even when the injury is gone youre a bit tender, afraid to move certain ways for a while - well every sunday I used to spend going 'hubby - can you lift the cast iron out so I can check the roast!!' every so often!!!

I told my hubby recently that if there was ever an intruder in the house and I was in the kitchen, I wouldnt go for a knife, Id go for a cast iron pan!!

LOL.

Reading the previous posts, they must be all prop forwards or something!

Must get one of them so....

Swiper the fox

You'd do yourself an injury on pancake Tuesday I'd say!

Clareman

We were lucky to get a set of Ironware when we got married, had a grill, small pan, roasting pan, caserole dish and a few other bits and pieces in it. We've added to it since and now are a complete Le Creuset house, the Kildare Village is great for picking up stuff, if you can only get 1 thing though I would recommend the teapot, not only does it make a lovely cuppa but it never drips.

If you are going to go out and invest in their stuff by the way make sure to get familar with the different ranges they have and make sure you get what you want, there is a big difference between their cast iron range and their eathenware ranges.

olaola

I love my bits & pieces. The mother-in-law got some for her wedding. She's still using it, and they had their 40th wedding anniversary last Aug...

Definitely worth it.

Sparks

Dermighty wrote: »

TK Maxx has Le Creuset stoneware mainly, it's not cast iron so I wouldn't bother (personally).

They have the cast iron as well, but you have to scout there often.
I wouldn't bother buying LC stuff anywhere else, the prices are ridiculous compared to (say) Lodge cast iron or other makes, enamelled or no.
I have one LC griddle pan and one Lodge cast iron skillet. The Lodge is about a quarter the price and it can go to a far higher temp than the LC; which makes a huge difference for steaks.

Bateman

Sparks wrote: »

it can go to a far higher temp than the LC; which makes a huge difference for steaks.

How do you mean? What happens when you try to turn the LC one up to the same temperature? Or have you just not tried?

Swiper the fox

Bateman wrote: »

How do you mean? What happens when you try to turn the LC one up to the same temperature? Or have you just not tried?

Le crueset griddle pan that I have burned on the inside when I had it on nuclear heat, still use it sometimes but never the same.

Bateman

Bad form for the price of them alright...

LeinsterDub

Swiper the fox wrote: »

On a negative note I bought a La Crueset griddle pan and it was wrecked in a few months, i cook steak etc at the highest heat I can manage and thought that it would be able to do that for me but I burnt the crap out of the inside(enamel) of the griddle, dissapointing really.

Had the same same and they claimed heat damage from a standard house hold oven top. Not good enough and they did nothing to help.