Anonymous wrote:Question— how do you deal with the weight of your Dutch ovens? I have all the ones mentioned, but I never use them because they are so heavy to lug around and clean. I end up making all my soups in my instant pot, because the insert is so light (that, and that I can make everything so much faster in a pressure cooker).

I own several Le Creuset and Staub pieces, but tend to use the LCs more because they are lighter. Enameled cast iron is always going to be heavier than a metal insert, but I just like cooking in them more. I do tend to use my smaller ones more (the Sauteuse is one of my most heavily used pots), so they are a bit lighter even when full.

I just picked one up at Home Goods for $50.

Marshall’s
TJMaxx
HomeGoods and
HomeSense is full of LC

Rue La la has them every once in a while too

I got a 7 quart le creuset dutch oven at National Harbor outlet for $220 and they are normally over $400. We use it all the time. Yes, it's heavy, but it cooks so beautifully and looks beautiful also.

If your daughter cooks for 1 or 2, the LC French oven that’s sold at Williams Sonoma is pretty reasonably priced - I think $150. I cook mostly for myself and it’s my most used piece. Even if not, it’s a good starter piece for sides and smaller batch cooking.

Thanks all for so much helpful information—you’ll make a budding home chef so happy this Christmas!

Anonymous wrote:We just bought a 6 qt Lodge dutch oven for $100. The NYT Wirecutter recommended it alongside a similar La Crueset that cost at least three times as much.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dutch-oven/

I made the same choice and no regrets!

Question— how do you deal with the weight of your Dutch ovens? I have all the ones mentioned, but I never use them because they are so heavy to lug around and clean. I end up making all my soups in my instant pot, because the insert is so light (that, and that I can make everything so much faster in a pressure cooker).

We just bought a 6 qt Lodge dutch oven for $100. The NYT Wirecutter recommended it alongside a similar La Crueset that cost at least three times as much.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dutch-oven/

Amazon discounts them on Prime Day and Black Friday. I got a smaller dutch oven (3.5 qt, which is a manageable size and big enough for my family of four for regular cooking) for around $200.

Check out Staub too- same quality and i prefer my Staub ones fo LC. They do sales periodically too

I have a 26 cm dutch oven that was "second quality" at an outlet store. Damage was a couple of misplaced paint dabs and I use this piece for everything! Check out the outlet stores if you have one nearby.

The expo was a ticketed event, if I’m not mistaken, they sold out and scalpers were selling them at a markup. It’s geared towards enthusiasts and collectors. I just wanted a pot to make my soups in and I found a nice one at the outlet. Since the holidays are coming up, you might find them at TJ Maxx and HomeGoods.

Anonymous wrote:Go to thrift stores in expensive neighborhoods.

+1 this is how i snagged my first one. I got my frypan on facebook market, another on the sale rack at Williams Sena, and most recent was at the outlet in Maine, discounted with 30% more off. All the deep marine blue.