Very expensive cookware- is it worth it?

[emer95]

I love to cook and bake. Today I did a bunch of food prep for the upcoming week. I made granola, slow roasted tomatoes, vegetable chili, and zucchini chips among other things. When I washed the dishes, I couldn't get the black stuff off the bottom of my soup pot. It's probably 8 years old and middle of the road quality. I can't remember the brand name right now but it definitely wasn't the cheapest, but not the most expensive either.

My birthday is coming up and hubby keeps asking me for gift ideas. I looked up Le Crueset soup pots- wow! I'm really surprised by how expensive they are! Just wondering if any of you have other suggestions, or are they really worth the money?
Thanks!

 

[xlxo]

To clarify.... what is the black stuff? Food inside the pot? Or stains from the pot base from the heating element/flame?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Several years ago my hubby bought me all steal clad. I couldn't be more happy. I bought a pan like le cruset but it is the food network. To me expensive , they last and so worth it.

 

[powellrj]

I had expensive that I got over 30 years ago and still looked new up until a few years ago when the kids started cooking at home. They have about ruined it. I am still upset about it because since I retired, I will never be able to afford good cookware again.

If you are willing to take care of it, I think its worth it.

 

[kidshop]

I love to cook and bake. Today I did a bunch of food prep for the upcoming week. I made granola, slow roasted tomatoes, vegetable chili, and zucchini chips among other things. When I washed the dishes, I couldn't get the black stuff off the bottom of my soup pot. It's probably 8 years old and middle of the road quality. I can't remember the brand name right now but it definitely wasn't the cheapest, but not the most expensive either.

My birthday is coming up and hubby keeps asking me for gift ideas. I looked up Le Crueset soup pots- wow! I'm really surprised by how expensive they are! Just wondering if any of you have other suggestions, or are they really worth the money?
Thanks!

try boiling water in the pot, then when cool scrub with baking soda. I have a knockoff Le Crueset braising pot from aldi, it was 29.99 and still looks great over 2 years later. it is really heavy, but I use it all the time. I never put it away.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I LOVE my Le Creuset! I use it everytime I cook.

I also have a stainless steel Wolfgang Puck set that my mom bought me 13 years ago for Christmas that I use daily and everything except the one teflon coated pan has held up great! Even the lids are all still in perfect condition.

 

[tvguy]

We bought Kitchen Craft cookware by West Bend 17 years ago. Seemed like every 5 to 10 years were were having to replace something due to a handle falling off, or being stained before we bought the Kitchen Craft. At this point, I'd say this stuff will be the last cookware we buy.

 

[Dancind]

Another vote for All Clad. Bought it about 4-5 years ago when we remodeled our kitchen and now wondering why we waited so long to get decent cookware.

 

[daemom]

My mother bought a set of stainless steel cookware over 40 years ago. This was when they'd have parties and you'd invite your friends in and they would cook a meal for everyone using the cookware. My mom is gone, but I still have her cookware and it still looks great!

 

[paisleys]

Another vote here for All Clad. I went through a lot of cookware till I got my set in 2002 and still absolutely love it! There are always specials where you can get a big set of pots and pans with lids for a steal. I got my set from Macy's at Christmastime and it came with a free stock pot and some other items. And in regard to the Le Crueset, I think you totally deserve it based on all of the great food you listed that you made! It will last you forever.

 

[emer95]

To clarify.... what is the black stuff? Food inside the pot? Or stains from the pot base from the heating element/flame?

It's the leftover bits of food. I think I've scrubbed it so many times, I'm ruining it.

 

[emer95]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! I'm going to go do a little research based on your recommendations.

 

[amberpi]

Can I come over? I always mess up the kale/zuccini/whatever chips and I love 'em.

I have an All Clad and a Le Creuset set and they are both just as great as when I got them in 2003.

Williams Sonoma is a dangerous, dangerous place.

 

[emer95]

Can I come over? I always mess up the kale/zuccini/whatever chips and I love 'em.

I have an All Clad and a Le Creuset set and they are both just as great as when I got them in 2003.

Williams Sonoma is a dangerous, dangerous place.

Please do! I have tons of leftovers!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I also have All Clad stainless cookware and 2 Le Creuset soup pots. I got the All Clad about 15 years ago with a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond. I love it. It never warps and is pretty easy to clean. Every once in a while I have to clean some cooked on grease off the outside of the pots and pans with a little Barkeepers Friend. I got the LC soup pots at TJ Maxx for a lot less than regular price. I love the large size of my oval one. If you cook a ton, get yourself some great cookware. It's worth it!

 

[thepicklebee]

If you are looking for a enameled cast iron pot like Le Creuset I have had great luck finding pieces at Tuesday Morning, Marshalls, and Homegoods. You can get serious discounts on them.

I also have two of the Martha Stewart enameled dutch ovens that are very similar to Le Creuset that I got on clearance at the BX but are also sold at Macy's and cannot tell a difference in them and my Le Creuset pieces.

 

[low-key]

You could either cook or ya cant, its like a ugly man getting expensive Cologne so the women will go crazy for him

 

[emer95]

You could either cook or ya cant, its like a ugly man getting expensive Cologne so the women will go crazy for him

Haha!! The proof is in the pudding.

 

[smokeyblue]

I LOVE my Le Creuset! I use it everytime I cook.

I also have a stainless steel Wolfgang Puck set that my mom bought me 13 years ago for Christmas that I use daily and everything except the one teflon coated pan has held up great! Even the lids are all still in perfect condition.

I have had a stainless Wolfgang Puck set for 18 years! My parents bought it for me my second year of college. It was a giant set they bought at Sam's Club because it was cheap, I think it was $99. It's never failed me. If anything gets baked or stuck on I just use SOS pads and it cleans up quickly.

I would love a Le Creuset dutch oven. Just can't justify the cost at this point. My parents bought me a knock-off at Bell's outlet for like $15 earlier this year. It's held up pretty well so far. I put it in a 450 degree oven to bake bread often.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I had Calphalon Hard Anodized cookware for about 20 years. The stuff I used often ended up with scratched edges and the pans started flaking. I replaced them with stainless steel cookware that I bought from a restaurant supply store. Fairly cheap and are holding up beautifully.