A question for Le Creuset lovers

[BiminiBonGoulash]

I’ve got a friend who has been dreaming about owning a Le Creuset casserole dish for months. She’s had an absolutely shit year and it’s her birthday coming up so I’d love to buy her one and cheer her up. We usually spend about £15 on presents, so it would be a bit much than usual!
On the Le Creuset website, there’s this 18cm one for £185 www.lecreuset.co.uk/en_GB/p/cast-iron-round-casserole/CI1177.html

I was a bit shocked by the price as I’m not a Le Creuset user myself so I naturally had a quick look around the internet to see if I could get one any cheaper. Only thing I came up with was this Le Creuset dish on TKMaxx for £29.99 www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/kitchen+dining/baking+ovenware/27x22cm-orange-stoneware-casserole-oven-dish/p/78135989
Although I can visually see that the handles and the lid knob look different - are they otherwise very similar?! £29.99 seems too good to be true compared to the £185 one - is it a not as good version?! Because there’s no point in buying her a slightly shit version of her dream, I’d rather fork out for the dream. But I’d also rather save 100 quid if they are basically the same! So could any Le Creuset users help me out please?
And i know there are knock offs out there that are just as good, but her dream is Le Creuset so it’ll have to be a Le Creuset one. Thank you!

It’s something I’d have no qualms eBaying for

ypi won’t get iron in tkmaxx

Have you got a McArthur glen outlet place anywhere near you? The one near me has a le creuset outlet where the prices are steep but cheaper than normal.

R.e size you might get a bigger one if she batch cooks? Especially things like casseroles which you store.. please don’t get one of those ring ‘single portion’ ones. I never used those even when I was single

You sound like a great friend byw

The aldi version is £29.99 and it's made in the same place as LC. They're virtually identical aside from branding.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/pearl-cast-iron-casserole-dish-26cm/p/718459573442800?gbraid=0AAAAADEI5VBtrCiSoOspJSrCCl66LWD&gbraid=0AAAAADDEI5VBtrCiSoOspJSrCl666LWD&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyMiTBhDKARIsAAJ-9Vvyu-1YFJj6D4xhHB3O36CYWBxmU9VK-kmOpcvTyLb16Ydlt39KZ70aAqLYEALwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You are a lovely friend op.

I’ve got a few cast iron casserole dishes from LC, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and other brands. I think the finish is definitely better on LC and the branded dishes than the supermarket ones. It’s not a massive difference, but after 15 years of use the LC enamel
has held up better, and the exposed metal at the rim is smoother. I still happily use all of them, but the LC does appear to be of a better quality.

I have a Le Creuset casserole that I was given 30 years ago and it's still beautiful after much use.

I also have a less frequently used Sainsbury's cast iron casserole and the enamel chipped not long after I got it.

I think if she's set her heart on LC there's no point getting her an imitation.

Firstly, 18cm is way too small for proper cooking. We have the whole set, wedding present. Love them as cook a lot but any cast iron pot/pan would do same job. There are multitude of companies who do similar stuff, enamelled cast iron, that is, and at much better price point.

We have a full set of LC, as DH loves cooking!

My favourite LC item is the small omelette pan, which I’m sure is much cheaper than the casserole dish if you want to buy her LC, but not spend quite that much.

@Bogeyes i just had a quick Google to find the programme but no luck. Would you mind giving some more info please?

I know that mumsnet is obsessed with Lidl and Aldi but PLEASE don’t get her a knock off from there if she actually wants LC, it’s not the same at all.

Not RTFT but we have a red cast iron one from Argos which is brilliant! It's lasted us for years.

Le Creuset also have a shop in the Bridgend outlet village

I had my first le Creuset when I was 21, 27 years later it's still going strong!

@22Newnames it was on channel 5 I think - about TK Maxx. It was on in the last week.

Well, there's old Le Creuset and new Le Creuset (a bit like old money and new money!)
Old Le Creuset is the one you would inherit from your grandma. It lasts practically forever. The newer version is enamel coated cast iron. I have four of these and they are a pain. The enamel has worn off in small spots which can cause little pools of rust. I haven't been careful enough but I am not rough with them either. You cannot be. They are heavy b--s. There is a wider colour range in the new wave as you would expect. They look nice but they are no better than their cheaper high street replicas.

I would only ever consider using a vintage one now (cost same, if not more and definitely have a used look about them). However, it would never work top buy your friend an old pan for a special occasion. Therefore, I would go for copycat brands which are honestly no worse (in some cases even better).

Like all luxury brands, it is easy to get hooked and insist on only using Le Creuset forever more. It can become an expensive habit!

I spent £120 on the Le Crueset out let in Livingston on a wedding present and got LOTS of pieces including casserole dishes for my money.

find an outlet, there are plenty around the country.

@Soffit, you are right, the non-enamelled ones, once properly seasoned, last for generations, excellent stuff. Our enamelled are also going strong, got an non -LC huge oval casserole from my Granny, still perfect.

I have the 24cm one in Teal. Bloody love it. It does sometimes sticks on the bottom but it soaks off in the wash.

I use it pretty much most days. Love that you can use it on the hob then chuck in the oven.

I would think the 18cm one is a bit too small though. The 24cm one is bonkers expensive - didn't realise how much until I checked (mine was a present)

Depends if she just wants a cast iron pot, or does she specifically want Le Creuset?

As PP have said, getting her a knock off version of what she actually wants might not go down well, so check with her about what she wants. Some people highly prize Le Creuset as a brand, even if you can get similar for slightly less.

I have real le creuset and the Aldi version. They cook exactly the same.

The cast iron ones are impossible to use, and as much as she will like it - one that is lighter will mean she will probably use it.

I second the post that said you are a lovely friend, you most definitely are!

The OP has specifically said it needs to be Le Cruset! Why are people suggesting different brands!

The cast iron ones are impossible to use

They really aren’t for anyone with at least average strength in their hands and wrists. I use cast iron pots and dishes almost every day.

18cm might be a bit small BUT just give her a gift receipt then she can swap it for a bigger one and pay the difference herself if she wants

I will have average strength and am quite young! I can virtually feel the bones in my wrists snapping when I lift it up when it is full.