My mum bought me a "Le Creuset" casserole for my birthday. (not as mean as it might sound to some - I LOVE cooking and have always wanted one!) Anyway, I was quite surprised as I know that my mum and dad don't like spending huge amounts of money on stuff and just love a bargain, but I also know that it is very rare to get Le Creuset on any kind of special offer that makes it affordable! The dish they have bought me is HUGE (it just about fits in my oven and weighs 8kgs!) and when I found this out I was even more surprised as I know full-price they would be way beyond my parents spending. I unpacked it tonight and saw that it has no markings on it whatsoever. Neither does the box have any kind of markings nor did it contain any usage or care instructions. I have obviously come to the conclusions that it is a fake - well, not actually a fake as it probably wasn't actually sold as Le Creuset, but my mum just assumed because of the style and colour etc..., but you know what I mean.
I'm in a bit of a quandry now - I can't possibly tell my parents - they would be gutted and probably really embarrassed too, but I am also slightly concerned about actually using it. The whole reason I wanted a Le Creuset was to use it on both the stove and in the oven and now I'm not sure that this pot I've got is suitable for that. I hate the thought of it just sitting there unused, but neither do I want to take any risks with cookware. (fwiw I live in a different country to my parents and they only come and visit for a few days maybe once a year at most so it's not like they'll be round for Sunday lunch watching me use it every week) I don't know where she bought it, but I would guess that TK Maxx may be a possibility as it is local to them. Anyone else got a similar kind of pot that's not actually Le Creuset?