Proper Le Creuset or Sainsburys own?

[bluecheesefiend]

Hi,

I need some decent cooking pots & have always quite fancied the Le Creuset stuff, especially since all the chefs on TV seem to find them so indispensable, but they are obviously on the pricey side.

I saw today that Sainsbury do their own. They're essentially the same shape, style & colour but for £40 rather than the nearly £200 that the Le Creuset equivalent would cost

So my question is, are Le Creuset worth it? Is this like a roasting tin scenario where you buy one from Sainsburys for £12 & within 3 Sunday roasts the black non stick stuff is dissolving into your gravy. Whereas the heavy duty thing that cost a fortune would have been with you for generations.

Can you really go as wrong with cast iron?

Your learned opinions would be most welcome

[Redrubyblue]

There is a Le Creuset outlet at the retail village in Braintree.

[BikeRunSki]

Some Le Creuset is china, some is cast iron. Only the cast iron stuff can go on the hob.

My mum has some cast iron Le Crueset stuff that is over 40 years old and still going strong.

[bluecheesefiend]

The weight is important as I have pathetic wrists but I'm not looking for saucepans, rather the shallow-ish casserole dish with short handles either side that can go from hob to oven.

Great feedback everyone, thank you.

[mirpuppet]

My grandmother swears by Le Crueset -- I find it way too heavy.

[CavemanDaveIsVeryBrave]

I have a couple of bits from Nisbets catering supply online folks. Tis very good. I have 1 Le Creuset and a Chasseur one too and they are all the same.

[Tennisnan]

No Le Creuset in my TK Maxx tonight but there was a Kuhn Rikon cast iron shallow casserole pan exactly shape and size I wanted for £39.99. Now before I take the stickers off and use it, is this make any good?

[Mullymom]

I have a Le Creuset large casserole that I use on the electric hob and food has burned on to the enamel. That said, it is still in use. I also bought one of the Sainsbury enamel casseroles and to date that has not burnt, I would buy either - whilst I am also a believer in you pay for what you get, in this instance you would be paying for the name in my opinion.

[wtffgs]

I bought a Sainsbury's casserole dish to replace a cracked Le Creuset one. It's absolutely fine. I can't tell the difference. I think there's a lot of snob value attached to the LC brand

[Cookingongas]

I have both and think the sainsburys is brilliant. The best copy by far. . I've had the cream sainsburys 40cm, and a 25cm casserole for four years- not a mark or blemish, they clean easily ( I don't have a dishwasher) cook well, and come with a 10year guarantee.
I use them more than my le crueset griddle and saucepan.

[loobylou10]

I have a sainsburys one and it's amazing. No different to the le cruset I've tried in the past. I'd try it out before you shell out on the real thing. They often have 20% off too.

[WineOrSleep]

There is a fab outlet store at Bicester Village op

[JenniferAnistonsHair]

I really rate Sainsburys kitchenware. I haven't tried their version of LC, but all other stuff is great quality. Highly recommend their cake tins & muffin tins...& their non stick pans are amazing. They often have offers on, so I would wait til their version of LC pans are on half price, then try one OP.

[Stopyourhavering]

Got some Le Creuset when married 30 yrs ago, still going strong and I use them nearly every day!!.... Great investment

[Autumnchill]

I've got the Sainsburys shallow dish and the deep dish one and they are brilliant. Would recommend

[Conceptionzilla]

Zombie alert

But I do love my sainsbo's fake le crusset stuff.

Retreats to hypocrite corner

[GummyGoddess]

Le Creuset are an investment for your lifetime (or your children's). They clean very well and are indestructible.

jkklpu Please tell my husband this, he managed to literally knock the spout off of the largest saucepan I have no idea how he did it and he claims that he cannot remember. The pan still functions but has nowhere to pour from.

[Frazzled2207]

We have a le creuset one and a sainsbury's one (different sizes). No difference at all but we have not used either that much.

[Xmasbaby11]

I got two Le creuset casseroles as wedding presents. I love using them. They are great quality. They also look wonderful on the kitchen shelves and on the table to serve from. I know the Sainsbury's ones you mean and I don't have them but they look really good. I think either would be a good choice tbh but I'd go for Le creuset if you can afford it because they are classic and I certainly feel I'll still enjoy them on years to come.

I cook a lot so I like having nice looking, quality equipment if I can afford it.

[DizzyDino]

Sorry if this is a daft question but what is so good about cooking with cast iron pots?
Does food cook tastier in it?!

They are ridiculously heavy and ive always wondered what the attraction was!

[sianihedgehog]

I have the Sainsbury's big casserole and it's BRILL. they go on sale regularly, too, so you can get them really cheaply - I paid about £15 because they were clearing out all the orange stuff to make room for cream.

[HappydaysArehere]

Years ago I gave my large orange lc to my daughter as the inside had stained a brown colour. She was not bothered and twenty five years later she is still using it! Do they still stain?

[HappydaysArehere]

Ps to the above - it is still stained.

[Autumnchill]

Doh! I've just realised my kettle is LC! I've had it 20+ years so obviously standing the test of time

[Guiltypleasures001]

Hi op I have the sainsbo's red large casserole with lid it's huge heavy and I luffs it
I got it for £20 in the half price sale, might be worth keeping an eye on stocks in a couple of
Local stores.

[Gatekeeper]

I've got the Aldi versions and have used the shallow oval shaped casserole pot hundreds of times and it still looks good. It goes on the hob ,in the oven AND on top of the wood burning stove.