le creuset vs. martha stewart

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Le creuset may be expensive but it lasts forever.

if you spread the 150 bucks over 20 years it isn't so bad...

What makes one cast iron pot so different from another to pay such a premium? Aren't they all cast iron? Equal quality?

[Anonymous]

I received one as a gift from World Market. Made in China. What do you guys think? Should I keep it or exchange it for Martha Stewart from Macy's?

[Anonymous]

Check Marshall's and TJ Maxx for Le Creuset.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Staub.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received one as a gift from World Market. Made in China. What do you guys think? Should I keep it or exchange it for Martha Stewart from Macy's?

Also made in China.

[Anonymous]

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3595972#back

[Anonymous]

Think of Crueset as a long term investment. I using one passed down to me from the 70's. And the color is now back in style!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone tried Lodge enameled cast iron? They look similar to Le Creuset and I've read they are very good and much more affordable.

http://www.lodgemfg.com/lodge-enamel.asp

(It is made in China, though, and I'm skeptical of ANYTHING made there.)

Absolutely!

Cook's Illustrated did a test of 8 or 10 cheaper enameled dutch ovens because of the high price of Le Creuset. They found that Lodge was just as good (I think they said Tramontina was their other pick but you might have to look that up to verify). So I bought one for my SIL who is a serious cook and has a pretty well-stocked kitchen but she needed a new dutch oven. two year later she still says it is the best item in her kitchen. So I bought one this year and I have to say it is fantastic. I do not notice the difference between it and Le Creuset. And since it's only 45 bucks, I can treat it like a pot and not an heirloom.

[Anonymous]

how can you tell if they are made from different metals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how can you tell if they are made from different metals?

If you are talking about enameled cast iron, it's all the same metal. If it says cast iron it has to be that. You would know if it was not by picking it up, though. Cast iron is very heavy.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP who got the World Market dutch oven for Christmas. I returned it, hoping to get a Martha Stewart one from Macy's, only to find out Martha Stewart's is made in China too, just like WM's. Hmmm. I think I am just going to break down and get a Le Creuset or a Lodge one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tuesday Morning often has Le Creuset pieces as well.

And Marshall's on a good day, too

I've seen them (various sizes) priced anywhere from $40-$100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who got the World Market dutch oven for Christmas. I returned it, hoping to get a Martha Stewart one from Macy's, only to find out Martha Stewart's is made in China too, just like WM's. Hmmm. I think I am just going to break down and get a Le Creuset or a Lodge one.

Why do you care if it's made in China? The cast iron and enamel are all the same.

[Anonymous]

Marshall's Homegoods and TJ Maxx both have them on occasion significantly reduced. I just got a 5.5 for $130 -- about $100 off. It looks perfect. I like the lifetime warranty.

To the pp, I personally would prefer it not be made in China because I feel safer that it is made of the components they say it is, without added lead, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who got the World Market dutch oven for Christmas. I returned it, hoping to get a Martha Stewart one from Macy's, only to find out Martha Stewart's is made in China too, just like WM's. Hmmm. I think I am just going to break down and get a Le Creuset or a Lodge one.

Why do you care if it's made in China? The cast iron and enamel are all the same.

I'm in the anti-China camp, if possible. Although technically they are supposed to all be cast iron and enamel, I'm afraid of lead and other inferior chemicals being used in the glaze and leaching into our food. Remember the melamine and lead-paint in toys scare?