filed in Daily Life
(Lust)
As gift giving season approaches, I’ve been dreaming of a flame-colored cast iron dutch oven from Le Creuset. It’s become something of an obsession. There’s nothing in my kitchen up to the task of going from searing on the stovetop to a 500 degree oven. I know of cheaper brands, but I’m aching for the real thing. What are you lusting after?
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You are a woman after my own heart, Wendy Braitman! I LOVE my fancy-pants enameled cast iron (I do have a large Le Creuset Dutch oven, though in black–it was on sale at the outlet store). I have a 4.5 qt Staub Dutch oven in aubergine; it was my very first ECI item and it has a rooster handle. Then I got a burnt orange Staub soup pot (this one with an acorn handle–not super practical, but I love looking at this). I have three other Staub pieces and none of them the same color. Plus, I LOVE cooking in all of them (just made some turkey stock in the LC Dutch oven last night). Don’t go with the cheaper brand if it’s LC you want–you’ll always think “if only I’d gotten the LC”. Besides, you love cooking and it isn’t as though you buy this stuff every day!
The cheaper ones probably perform just as well, but they are made in China and, given the recent food and manufacturing scandals, am a little leery of long simmers and braises in those (I’d worry about unsavory [pun intended] cchemicals leaching into the food).
I’m currently lusting after my upcoming kitchen remodel (Jan./Feb.)–after that, I’ll see what I have room for. But I do love the style of the Technivorm coffee maker! Just not sure I can justify the expense, since my cheapo Mr. Coffee serve my purposes.
I was glad to read that the new LC have handles are oven safe to 500 degrees. How big is your large dutch oven? Do you ever feel like it’s too heavy?
Mine is 7.25 qt and no, it’s not too heavy. Be sure to get the metal knob, as the black plastic one isn’t ovensafe beyond a certain temperature. They may be standard now, but when I got mine, I had to buy it separately.
How’s the clean up?
Easy peasy. The interior got discolored, but it’s used for cooking, not decoration.
I agree with Petra, definitely get a genuine LeCruset, not the made in China one. I love mine. Hopefully you have an outlet store nearby, they have discoinued pieces as well as great sales. The piece is definitely an investment but well worth it. It’s one of those pieces you’ll have a lifetime … go for it. I’m not lusting for anything at the moment but I did have to have the Cusinart Grind & Brew coffeemaker…I love it.
It seems that I always have something I’m lusting after. But I don’t mind the feeling nor the delayed gratification. I imagine that people who can buy everything at whim don’t appreciate it as much.
Add my vote to the mix. What is it about “flame” Le Creuset? A couple years ago I purchased the flame dutch oven, mostly for sentimental reasons – my parents had a whole flame set when I was a kid, so I have many memories of my mother cooking with them.
I gave myself a 1-yr cooling off period to really consider it. Then I took the plunge. It’s nice to hear that others have enjoyed their cookware purchase.
Whatever you decide, I hope your purchase brings you joy.
1 year… That’s patience. And do you love it as much as you thought you would?
Yes, it brings me joy when I see it (and I border on utilitarian). When I see it, it sparks a memory of my mother and the meals she cooked for us. And the colour is just so striking.
I am fully aware I don’t need an object spark a memory, and that I shouldn’t attach value to this object. But it meets 3 of the 3 criteria I have: I love it, I use it, and I need it (I don’t have anything else that large to cook in). There were options other than the LC, but in this rare instance, sentimental value was part of it.
I have put myself into long cooling off periods for several things, including an Atomic coffee maker, and a polished stainless steel Kleen Kanteen (I have a little thermos that is actually better-insulated and easier to fill/drink from). Lust subsided in all cases so far. Cost isn’t the only reason for the cooling-off period; I also don’t want a house filled with extra stuff.
Hope you’ll keep us posted on your decision!
I love your criteria, Kathy!
Love it, use it, need it. I’ll remember that.
I have a small kitchen, so each item has to have a useful purpose. And that stops me from buying more gadgets.
I’m a Le Creuset fan of many years. I have one of the enormous ones that I use a lot. It gets heavy full of stew but not more than I can handle. The medium size, I think 4 quarts I use almost every day. Then I have smaller one that a friend bought at a discount store for a steal. They’re my favorite pots. They withstand a beating too. I’ve dropped them, thankfully missing my feet, with no damage. Also, if something unusual happens Le Creuset will repair or replace. I haven’t had trouble with the black knobs. but my sister cracked one and it was easy to replace. Plus they are gorgeous .
I agree about delayed gratification. The yearning is part of the discerning process, making sure its what I really want.
How wonderful to have a collection.
I am a 100% Le Creuset kitchen. I have three dutch ovens of various sizes, a covered casserole, 2 saucepans and a skillet. (Of course I have some old cast iron skillets too, that goes without saying….doesnt everybody?) Most of my Le Creusets are close to 20 yrs old and still going strong. The dutch oven (largest) is great for baking bread in too.
Mine all are from the outlet stores too and you can score some great discontinued colors that way. Two of mine are a cool ochre color.
Time for me to go outlet shopping.
Wendy, Both outlet malls near us have Le Creuset stores with great deals.
Okay, this thread sent me off on an internet rabbit trail to look at Le Creuset items. I’ve lusted after a 9 or 15.5 qt Dutch oven for years and have never pulled the trigger. I think I’ll keep delaying, but I’m also scoping out used pots on ebay.
Cheers!
Yesterday, I went to Sur La Table to feel the weight of the various sizes. Trying to decide between 5.5 and 6.5 quarts.
I’ve been lusting after one of these sweaters. https://www.etsy.com/shop/sheilacouture. although I just purchased tons of winter clothing, so dunno. the cast iron dutch oven looks lovely—-great color choices!
I’m vacilating between the flame and the cherry red.
I seem to be succumbing to all my lustful wants these days!
I had been looking for winter coats and even though I already have two, let’s just say my ample bosom is not giving me the silhouette I want when I wear them. I saw a Calvin Klein pea coat in a wool and cashmere blend and just had to have it. It wasn’t terribly expensive by any means but I felt like because I already have two coats it’s being wasteful to get another but I kept coming back to “it’s CASHMERE.” I bought it in indigo blue and it arrived last week. It feels so good and while it’s a little big in the shoulders and the sleeves, it feels like I’m wearing a boyfriend’s coat. A boyfriend that likes cashmere.
So so happy!
Saw a whole bunch of Le Creuset at TJ MAxx the other day- still pricey but definitely at a discount.
Cheaper than Amazon?