Le Creuset - yes or no?

[nkf]

I need some new saucepans. Children have burned out too many making popcorn. Shall I buy Le Creuset?
Positives
a)they don't burn like that
b) they are strong
c) they last for ever

Negatives
a) they are heavy
b) they are expensive

I have one already - a casserole pot - but are teh smaller saucepans a good idea?

I have the large casserole pot and I love cooking in it, it's really comforting. I particularly like ladling things out of it.

I have a mix of other pans but would definitely recommend le creuset for a casserole, and the shallow rectangular one. Great for lasagne and shepherds pie and so on.

I'm going to buy the shallow rectangle one anyway. Because I never have anything suitable for lasagna. I think I will find something else for the pans. Just had a practice lifting a friends' Le C saucepan. A bit heavy for stuff taht needs to be drained.

I do use Le Creuset for things like pasta. But then I have no choice as I have no other pans large enough!

re the weight yes they are heavy but when straining I put the cloander in the sink and pour the liquid/contents into it using 2 hands. It doesn't take any longer, you just have to remember to do it!

Have just bought lots of the stoneware from tkmax, should be £20 got it for £5.99 for eg.

i was just about to suggest tk maxx. i got a great casserole there a couple of years ago, i use it a couple times a week. and it's a gorgeous kiwi colour. it was at least half price if not cheaper.

so if not Le Creuset, which pan set is best?

Copper bottom John Lewis for me goes in the dishwasher, doesn't instantly burn, not non-stick so don't worry about stuff wearing off. So far very good

I wouldn't recommend the large sauteeing pans, far too heavy and unwieldy, but the big casserole pans are excellent, I use my two all the time. Stoneware good too.

We got a blue one as a wedding present - it is the best wedding present by far (beats the Lladro statue of a nun we were also given as a wedding present WTF???!!! ). We use it almost daily and have done for 10 years. The rest of our cooking equimpment is crap quite basic but the LC is fab. I would never have bought one because they are expensive but a rich family friend gave it to us

I have a LC casserole dish and milk pan, and stainless steel copper based pans.

The milk pan is very very good - non-stick for milk, porridge, custard, etc, and good heat distribution. I wouldn't bother with cast iron for larger pans, though - stainless steel with heavy base great, but love my milk pan.

does anyone have the ikea versions?

no but I got the aldi ones about 6 months ago and they are brilliant,and also I have a smallish tesco one.

what colours were they in tesco & aldi. Ikea only do blue which I'm not keen on!

aldi was orange or dark blue, tesco was cream which is really nice. Dont know if they still do them, certainly havent seen them in aldi for ages.

If you're not too fussy about the colour TKMaxx often have them

I got 3 pans at great expense and not that impressed TBH. They hold the heat great but:

Go rusty if put in dishwasher
Enamel scratches quite easily
Bloody heavy!
Pasta ALWAYS sticks to the bottom

I tend to reach for my cheapy non stick pans first!

I would try a casserole though. Could do with lifting some weights for me bingo wings!

I bought 2 casserole dishes - one large, one very large and I use them every day.

I also have the s/s pans, which are excellent quality.

I got mine from a factory outlet store so worth shopping around.

I have them - dh was not in my good books when he bought them for my Christmas present 2 years into our relationship though would be thrilled with something like that now. They are great for the reasons you list, in particular I am often surprised that things haven't burned, but in my book the weight is a significant drawback. I can't pour from them one-handed which is a pain.

I would go for something lighter. I have an Ikea '365' range pan which is great for veg though not my first choice for sauces.

le creuset for casseroles etc, m&s stainless steel bung in dishwasher for saucepan jobs.

Hi!
I have a doubt:
Does anyone think that John Lewis cast iron casserols (in red, figue , blue) are made by la Creuset? I think so, it usually happens with lots of "white labels" from good stores, they don't risk putting their names onto something that is going to let them down, like with supermarket brands.
I do think so,that la Creuset made them for JL. But they don't have the hole range, I'm looking for the Shallow casserole, I think is great for rice dishes, and lots more.

i like the blue ones

can any tell how much cheaper are le Creuset in the outlets??? I was thinking in buying them with 20% at Debenhams or JL, but I don't know if the outlet is cheaper.

Thanks!!!

If you're anywhere near, there's a Le Crueset discount store in Bicester Village.

thanks HEINZSIGHT,
I knew of one at The Galleria Outlet, but not the one at Bicester, is that new? Where about it is? I went recently to Ralph Laurent, but didn't see l Creuset.
Do you Know how much cheaper they are there? thanks!!