Le Crueset - is it really worth forking out on???!

[misspollysdolly]

Seems a shed load of money - Is it worth paying that much or not?!

Pans in need of replacing so just considering the options really...

I have one of these and I love it. I'm sure they are like le Creuset but can be quite a lot cheaper

Chasseur

Le Crueset are fab, I have 3 saucepans, a skillet and a casserole dish. I invested in them 15 years ago, I use them daily and they are still going strong (literally)! I also dishwash mine and like JulesJules I soak them with washing powder if they get stained or burnt stuff on them. They are heavy but although I am quite a weakling but I can manage to lift them when full!

Definitely worth the investment and factory outlet places will often have a Le Crueset shop with great choice at a discount.

Plus they are gorgeous.

Yes, but for specific things that you know that you will keep on using.

So I have two casserole dishes (one huge and one medium) and an omelet pan. All have been used for years and have more than paid for themselves.

I wouldn't use the saucepans as I find them too heavy, but that is a personal preference

I gave my saucepans away after breaking my elbow very badly. (only have 60% strength max 6 yrs on.)

It was a very sad day, but I couldn't justify packing them up and moving house with them as they had been unused for 3 yrs!

I love the casseroles though.

I think Kewcumber's tip about keeping the pan stil and eating from it is great idea!

I love my casserole dish and use it all the time. It was such a good investment and I've never regretted the money spent on it.
I think I would find the pans too heavy to use and have some all singing, all dancing heavy bottomed stainless steel pans instead which I find easier to manage.

The orange is classic not tacky.

I agree - there is NOTHING tacky about the orange. It's a classic.
I have the wok (which I use about twice a week).... and am longing for more

I have some orange casserole dishes, frying pan (large) and a griddle - they are great and I use them loads, though I do make quite a lot of things of a 'casseroley' nature! My saucepans need replacing but not sure yet whether I will go for le creuset or just get some lighter ones. They are v heavy and I wouldn't like to drop one on my foot!

Jelly i have dropped one on my foot (casserole dish) i broke three toes but i absolutely love my le cruset and would no swap them for anything.

Wow! Fab response guys! Think you have helped me to decide that they are what I'd really like if we can stretch a bit. Might try an outlet place, but am also watching some bits and bobs on Ebay. Lovely gorgeous pans here I come!!

No, its much cheaper to get given it by MIL who does not use it at all

I have large frying pan type dish, one saucepan/casserole dish with lid, and a fish dish/pasta/lasagne dish type thing, brought it all back from USA, plus a griddle which we bought here.

We use it all, all the time. We have other pots and pans, these get used if we are already using the le crueset, or boiling pasta as not big enough, but if we can use the le creuset, we use it.

Definely worth it.

My friend has managed to get a couple of peiced of it in charity shops for dirt cheap prices, in perfect condition too.

Ours is orange too, could not care less if its tacky or not, its for cooking with not showing off!

def yes for cassarole dishes and deep frying pan i would go for circulon pans

Yes deffo for the ovenware, esp the casserole dishes. I have used ours pretty much constantly for 5 years and it is brilliant.

You dont need to dishwasher them as they are pretty much non-stick. Everything washes off easily.

I wouldn't bother with the saucepans though.

They are heavy though, so perhaps not good if you are a weakling

Got two of mine about twenty years ago in Europe before settling here (they are still going strong after almost daily use). Since having the dcs I have supplemented with a really big one (bought in French hypermarket - loads cheaper than here).

Couldn't imagine doing casseroles without them. They make the most fantastic roast chicken too - really tender and juicy, with the bonus that the oven stays cleaner!

Absolutely! Not cheap but brilliant. I also forked out for their normal looking stainless steel pans (or whatever they are made out of). Cost me FAR too much, but I expect to still be using them in 20 yrs time.

I got a cheap orange cast iron casserole from Nisbets.com - they have some on offer usually, but the plastic knob isn't ovenproof! Must get around to buying a replacement. Cannot offer opinion on Le Creuset as too tightwad to buy it.

yes they are fab
have set from 1992 in country blue, a brilliant sale and still going strong..
not keen on moderncolours though

Message withdrawn

Yes - love them. Good work out lifting them but if you're used to lifting toddlers it should be fine. And they're not so wriggly.

Do go a murky shade if you burn things often enough but I kind of like that. An old French woman I knew, during a conversation about why Prince Charles preferred Camilla to Diana said wisely 'you get better soup from an old pot'. And they are bombproof pretty much so will last long enough to make great soup one day.

MulberryBag - my casserole is the biggest round one they do - the 12.5 litre one. It is more than big enough to make a HUGE amount of food. More than enough for my family of 5 which includes 2 teenaged boys with appetites like you wouldn't beleive ! Are you feeding an army ?!

Mine is a blue one.

i bought the 3 ply pans (replacing 15yo pots), find them VERY heavy and hard to drain , and because the heat up quickly and retain heat, i'm always burning things . But it's a matter of getting used to them I think. Also have casseroles/gridle and stockpot, would recommend them.

Yes Yes Yes to Le Crueset Casserole, but stella all the way for pans, but with all these things its how you look after them that counts!!!!

yes - they will last a lifetime
we have a huge big casserole that was DH's dad's - at least 25 years old that one - and slightly smaller one bought for a wedding present.

another one here saying yes to the casserole dishes , no to the pans

(the pans are heavy to carry, the wooden handles burn if you have the hob turned up)