Cast iron cookware opinions please

[goestoshowyouthough]

I would absolutely love a cast iron casserole dish, but feel I really cannot justify splashing out on le creuset. I've been keeping an eye out in tk maxx but they only seem to have had small ones, and I need something of a good size.

The Denby website cast iron stuff has 50% off at the moment, and there are also a few Denby dishes on Amazon that look good (in beautiful azure blue) and seem to get good reviews. Do I go for the Denby at more than half the price, or save up for the le creuset (and hope that tk maxx gets some in soon)?

Also, what shape/ size would you recommend? We are a family of 4 but also want it to have the capacity to cook for 6-8 when we have people round. I love the look of the shallow casserole, or is the oval shape a better all rounder?

Thanks

I love my shallow 30cm cast iron casserole! I use it nearly every day, it's fantastic for sautéing, casseroles, paella, risotto, curries - you name it. It goes in the oven and on the hob and cooks brilliantly on both. Its size means that you can cook for 4 - 8 people, depending on what you're making. I don't know how I managed before I had one.
I'm currently on my third. My first was a le creuset, but the enamel in the inside wore very thin - I think it's something I do wrong, because this has happened to all my other le creuset. I'm now on my second Sainsbury's shallow casserole - I gave my first one to my son to take to university.. Really good value at around £40 (or less if on offer, which they often are). I don't think they are as good quality as the le creuset - both have some tiny chips in the enamel on the handles now - but they perform just as well.

Thanks very much for your reply- that's really helpful. I will go into sainsburys and have a play with them. Interesting that you didn't rate le creuset, I was wondering if the cheaper ones were a false economy if le creuset would last a lifetime. Doesn't sound like that's always the case then after all!

I'd second Sainsburys. The colours change each year but there's normally a couple of options. Also IKEA if you like the Le Creuset volcanic colour.

The house of Fraser stuff is really good, and often on offer. My SIL swears by the chasseur brand she gets from Costco.

Mine is also from Sainsburys and i love it!

I have some le Creuset which I bought second hand off eBay. I think it cost me £70 including postage for a set of 5 saucepans. One is a little chipped on the inside but still works beautifully.

The Sainburys ones seem ok so far (I have the griddle pan).

Thanks very much, I'll have a look at those suggestions too!

Just managed to pick up 2 from sainsbury's at half price, a shallow one and a large round one. £42 for both! Delighted. Thanks again for the recommendations

I have sainsburys version and love it. A third , quarter?! of the price of or crueset and brilliant quality for it.

Le Creuset is a lot lot cheaper from their factory shops.

There's one at Fresnoy le Grand, just off the A26 near St Quentin in NE France, although there are others. We used to make a detour on the way home from holiday, and gradually built up quite a collection, at something like £10 per casserole.