I'm in search of a larger Dutch oven. While I love my Griswold #9, on occasion I need a larger pot to make double recipes and such.

I could do the usual search of eBay and look for a larger Griswold, but I figured it'd be easier and, perhaps cheaper, to do a Le Creuset enameled jobber off of Amazon.

They seem to get good reviews, but was curious if anyone had anything bad to say about them. Any reason to not buy one?

I'm looking at the 9 quart.

Other suggestions?

Can't speak for the dutch oven but was given the skinny grill pan as a gift.
It is great quality. used a decent amount and don't see it giving up anytime soon.

My wife loves hers. Stews in the oven are sort of pressure cooked and amazing.

Wife got one six months ago, it has become her go to pot.
I use it for my chili and she uses it for her chicken dishes.

Go for the Le Creuset. My GF gave me one a few years ago and I can't imagine how I escaped starvation without it.

Every even moderately serious cook needs one sitting on their stove top. You'll use it for almost everything. They're pricey but for good reason...

Here's what America's Test Kitchen had to say:



Buy once, cry once.

Yes they are amazing. We have a couple. Staub are very good as well and similar in price.

Their enameled cast iron series is very good and is what is made in France. I believe most of the ceramic/ porcelain line (casserole dishes, etc) are made in China - but I can't speak for its quality.

I have both a round Dutch oven and the braiser and have had no issues with them at all. Other than occasionally wishing I had opted for the larger models. I think I have the 7qt sized ones. Stews, soups, braised, bread all come out great.

Do be warned that you will want to avoid using any metal utensils in them as it can cause it to mark or chip. You will also want to avoid excessive thermal shock with them as well as that can crack the enamel. Similarly you'll want to ensure you have some oil or liquid in them when you start heating them up. For cleaning stubborn stains / discoloration from them you can use barkeepers friend.

Try to find one of their outlets or on sale (tj max, sur la table).

Another brand you may want to consider is Staub.

Staub and LaCruset are THE top of the line for enameled cast iron cookware. Buy with confidence. I’d avoid any others.

No regrets here on the Le Creuset pot I purchased years ago. No chips, even heating, it does exactly what it is supposed to do. Brown some ox tails in it, toss in some red wine and onions, place in the oven on a low temperature for several hours and you will end up with a delicious meal!

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Staub and LaCruset are THE top of the line for enameled cast iron cookware. Buy with confidence. I’d avoid any others.

Thank you for pointing this out. I hadn't thought to look at Staub. I have several of their casserole dishes and it would be an understatement to say that I have been very pleased with the quality.

Looks like I can get a 9 quart in sapphire blue for about $150 less than other offerings in other colors from them or Le Creuset.

Sapphire blue wouldn't be my first choice, but...Sold!

We went to buy a whole set. Turned them over.....Made in China. We left empty handed.

Yes, certain colors go on sale and they have outlets with blems and colors that don’t sell. I also bought one at home goods or TJ maxx once and got quite a deal.

We have bought Le Creuset from their outlet store north of DFW. The sales staff identified which colors/items were there as a closeout or a blem. sometimes the blems were readily obvious, some not.

Also if you're going for a dutch oven in the oven, get the replacement stainless knob for the lid.

Awesome.

Got a variety of pieces and tableware. I wait for their free shipping/free gift deals.

They are priced high for a reason....they bring a lot of value to the table. Literally.

FYI....Every blue moon Costco will carry some of their pieces

100% on the Le Creuset blems or seconds. Much cheaper and you typically can’t tell.

I have a small, brown LeCreuset dutch oven bought at a steep discount because of the ugly color, and a bigger Lodge ceramic coated knockoff that cost much less. I’ve used both a lot with no complaints about either one, but will caution you about putting them on a burner, empty. A friend had the porcelain crack and flake off on her Lodge from being pre-heated too much with nothing in it. Lodge replaced it under warranty with no problem, though.

If you are near a Bed Bath & Beyond Store you can use their 20% off coupon. I’ve had great luck and satisfaction at the OKC Le Crueset Factory Outlet Store, if you are near one check it out.

I got a Fontignac at Bed Bath Bryond for less than $75.00. Fontignac is made in France, just not as well known as Le Crueset. I’m very happy with it.

I use mt Le Crueset a lot. Very satisfied with it.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
We went to buy a whole set. Turned them over.....Made in China. We left empty handed.

I don’t know what you looked at but Le Creuset enameled cast iron dutch ovens are all made in France. Enamel coated Lodge stuff comes from China and so do most of the cheap versions from various makers but Le Creuset and Staub come from France.

I have a number of Le Creuset enameled cast iron items and they’re well worth the money if you use them a lot. I also have a 6.5 quart Fontignac, which is Staub’s economy line also made in France that I got at Costco years ago. I don’t use something that big very often and it was a bargain at Costco at the time. I don’t know if it would hold up as well with heavy use but for the few times a year it gets used I’ve never wished I’d spent the extra couple hundred bucks to match the rest and it been around 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Staub and LaCruset are THE top of the line for enameled cast iron cookware. Buy with confidence. I’d avoid any others.

I believe it was Consumer Reports among others that found the much less expensive enameled cast iron dutch oven from Tramontina was an outstanding piece at a bargain price. Ours continues to serve excellently after a good number of years. If the price of Staub and LaCruset are off putting don't hesitate to look at Tramontina.

We were gifted a La Creuset braiser. It has been great. We use it all the time and it looks good as new. It’s really good for sautéing.