Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best, inexpensive option for a sturdy, fireproof casserole size dish that can go from stovetop to oven? Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best,... » Read More Until I can afford Le Creuset, what is going to be the best inexpensive standby? I am slowly saving up for my Le Creuset dutch/ french oven, but it will be awhile. What is going to be the best, inexpensive option for a sturdy, fireproof casserole size dish that can go from stovetop to oven? « Show Less
82764
Just in case this confuses anybody - scotchbrite will UTTERLY DESTROY the enamel on a le Creuset pan. Enameled pans have no problem cooking liquid, and soak clean. Lodge bare cast iron is a very different surface (and Lodge enameled cast iron is made in China...)
82765
There's a replacement knob for the Le Creuset that's stainless steel. Although it doesn't tell you anywhere what the max temperature is for the stainless steel. I googled it and nothing. Just that the Phenolic knob is good up to 375. Why is it so hard for people to give us information we need? Why do you have to buy a replacement knob? Why don't they just use a knob that can withstand up to 500 degrees if one already exists...questions questions...Le Creuset L9403-45 Stainless-Steel 2-Inch Replacement Knob
82766
I bought the Sam's product about a year ago. The bottom soon developed horrible brown stains, which could be cleaned only with bleach. Rust spots developed. Imam discarding it. Too bad my dog died. I might use it for his water bowl.
82767
Try one of the Imusa casseroles. Imusa Enamel Dutch Oven, 4.5 Quart, TurquoiseThey don't do heat diffusion very well (you will appreciate the difference when you get the LC), but they have the same easy-to-clean enamel advantage, they're made in Mexico, not China, and for the price of a LC dutch oven you could buy ten of them.
82768
World Market or Cost Plus as it was called has a good substitute. It works great for about $49.00.
82769
The phenolic knob will only go up to 375 in the oven, but it won't get hot on the stovetop. The stainless knob can tolerate a hotter oven, but it *does* get hot on the stovetop (I found this out the hard way). LC used to have cast iron knobs that had a little rubber cover for stovetop use, but that was 30 years ago.
82770
Lodge Color Enameled Cast-Iron 6-Quart Dutch Oven, Island Spice RedI love my lodge! I'm not going to bother with Le Creuset
1902307
I got the non stick, have owned two of this type and I'm very satisfied with them. I think the stone top looks nicer but: I doubt it ever gets hot enough just with the heat of the raclette, so you'd need to preheat it in the oven or the stove, and also it is much heavier, if transporting the unit is at all a consideration for you.
1013503
I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would... » Read More I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. « Show Less
1555840
The Emeril set which Amazon promotes every so often is excellent. At a lower price point you might look at the Rachel Ray Porcelain Enamel. Her new Oval pans are wonderful on crowded stove tops.
1817540
I bought the Cuinart BRK 200, today at Tuesday morning for 59.00. Its their 50% off all marked down items. After reading all of the blogs on this oven I can't wait to cook!Tuesday morning sale ends Sunday. I may have been luck I found one!
1835874
The numbers don't mean anything to me. I bet the more expensive one has the gold band around the dutch oven. I have the cheaper one and it cooks just fine, but it does get the discoloration inside from heat. I just use a light scrubbing with a brillo pad--good as new again.
970311
The Le Creuset are not non stick. I am not sure if they are marketed that way but if you spay them with a little oil then they work like a charm. We have Calphalon and Le Crueset and both are great brands but the Le Crueset is in a much higher league than Calphalon. You will never retreat buying one!
788193
You may be comparing the casserole to the regular dutch oven. The casserole is wide and shallow. The Dutch oven is deeper. The Dutch oven would be better for a large piece of meat, like a pork shoulder (pork butt). The casserole is great for smaller pieces like chicken thighs. I have both, and use them both.
1255211
This is a French Oven. A Dutch Oven has legs, a flat top, and can be stacked one on top of the other if you have more than one. Look for items from Lodge if you want excellent quality and price.
1705706
I find the saut function to work quite well. It takes longer than on the stovetop, so you have to be a little patient, but it's worth the time to save having to clean another pan.
175928
I am looking for a non-stick skillet in the 12-inch range. I am all for the Earth friendly options, but most importantly, it must sit flat on a glass top range. The skillet that I am retiring is a Cooks Tools from Belk. It has served admirably for three years, but now the non-stick is breaking down. At this point, it is worthless for frying eggs and it is only going to get worse. I am statisfied with the Cook's Tools from Belk, three years for a non-stick pan that gets used on a daily basis is very good, but Cook's Tool doesn't seem to have a comparable pan in their current lineup. Does anyone know of a largish skillet with a lid that won't worp? Basically, I need some thing with a thick multiclad bottom.
1872492
My experience is that they were only useful for mildly warm handles. Definitely not oven safe! I ended up purchasing some Le Creuset brand that are far superior but not oven safe either.
1401877
I have never tried it, but the stoneware crock itself is very sturdy and I have put less sturdy casseroles in the oven at 350 degrees. Seems it would work quite well as an extra warming utensil.
381739
I'm not sure about a dutch oven, but we have a 12 inch cast iron skillet, and the whole set up (with skillet) was very solid. Actually, a dutch oven is probably also okay. It's very stable.
1255209
I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive. French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords=le%20creuset&sprefix=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 .
1575054
Yes! As with all cast iron, you can easily transfer all Le Creuset from stove to oven to make delicious dishes. I love my collection. Take good care of them and they will last you forever.
328187
Yes Le Creuset prides itself on making cookware minus the toxins. I believe that only certain lines of Le Creuset do this though. Please do a search on Le Creuset to see their policy. I would have provided a link to search but Amazon blocked me from doing that. Nice play, Amazon. You want me to help customers but you block any searching that a client provides. :-/ Also, cast iron is a great way to cook anyway. Pans are heavy, but my health is more important!