Le Creuset

Pitlanepiglet

On the weight front. We have stopped using my Dad's Le Creuset saucepan's as I can't lift them but I can use our cast iron Casseroles OK. The pans are harder to use because they only have a handle on one side (well ours did) so they are harder to lift. I find cast iron casseroles fine as you lift them with two hands. There is no doubt that they are heavy though and if you're lifting them up from a low oven they can be pretty heavy. I love my cast iron casseroles

bigmuffins

Paulie'sGirl wrote: »

I would second the comment about the weight of Le Creuset.

My parents have an almost complete set of Flame Le Creuset, and its what I grew up cooking with. Even as a healthy teenager I found a full pan difficult to lift (say to drain the water off veg) and certainly once the large casseroles are full of ingredients and liquid they're extremely heavy.

If you're investing in these in your middle years, think long and hard. They last decades. Will you still be able to lift them safely as you get older? Consider the damage if you drop a hot casserole dish full of boiling liquid on your foot...

When I moved out of home I considered buying Le Creuset like Mum, and gave it up as impractical for a 5 foot hobbit with back problems!! I have IKEA 365+ range. Its light, sturdy and cheap. I will be upgrading to Circulon shortly

PGxx

Forgot about weight! I am going to have go into town and see what they feel like. Am only considering getting the casseroles though and they do have 2 handles so may not be too bad.

May also pop into TKMaxx and see what their prices are like...
Who knows i may have talked myself out of them by wed when the code expires! :rotfl:

morganlefay

My Mum gave me her Le C saucepans as she couldn't lift them, and I used them for some years but sadly am now planning to give them to DDs, though the casseroles are fine as have 2 handles as Pitlanpiglet says. Is it the first sign of advancing old age when you start to give away your Le Creuset because of the weight ?

Psykicpup

I was lucky enough that I 'gained' an entire set of le C in cream recently ! 3 saucepans, a frying pan & the large oval casserole. TBH I havent used the casserole much as it holds soo much but I reckon I could fit a large size chook in there no problem. It is heavy (very esp. filled) but worth it for the easy way which everything cleans off it.
I gained it because hubby works fitting granite kitchens ... these where sitting outside full of rain at a job he went to & the owner admitted that his wife had bought them but then didnt like the weight so they were waiting to go to the tip!! Mine all have a small handle/large lip on the opposite to the handle which is useful when they are heavy.
I also realise that as I get older I wont be able to lift them (sad day) but my daughter or someone will be able to take them: I know they will easily outlive me as I was using 2-3hand ones before these beauts hehe
http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/Product-Range-uk/Cast-Iron-Cookware/Cookware-Sets/3-Piece-Saucepan-Set/

Pitlanepiglet

morganlefay wrote: »

Is it the first sign of advancing old age when you start to give away your Le Creuset because of the weight ?

I think you might be right

Kevie192

Did you see the other thread about Morrisons? Might be worth getting one of those and see how you go?

K x

bigmuffins

Thanks for that - hadn't seen the Morrisons thread but don't know of a Morrisons nearby.

Triker

Oooh hello, I love Le Creuset and generally am a bit obsessed with cast iron cookware, love it!.

Anyway, for MSE purposes then I'd go with Le Creuset if you can find a good deal, go to their outlets, there's one near York and Castleford for Yorkshire folks, or you can find a discount code.

Useful alternatives are

Nisbets http://www.nisbets.co.uk/products/ProductSubCategory.asp?TopGroupCode=C4&ParentGroupCode=S470 very reasonable prices.

Dunhelm have their cast iron huge casseroles in round or oval on sale at the mo http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/round-casserole-pot-103044 again very reasonable prices, search for casserole as cast iron doesn't show up, the prices are reduced in store though.

Aldi did a range not so long ago, I bought the buffet casserole even though I already have one from Le Creuset...oopsy...great pan, only difference that I found was that the Aldi one got considerable hotter around the handles.

I've had the pans, but re-sold them on because I found them too cumbersome for me. I prefer casseroles and have various shapes and sizes.

Ebay is really good for cast iron cookware, Staub is very good but just as expensive as Le Creuset.

My top secret tip...search for cousances on ebay, this was a factory taken over by Le Creuset, their cast iron is wonderful, lasts a lifetime.

Enjoy your cast iron folks, I love it and it realy does make your food taste better.

Saying that I have 2 circulon pans and I really rate these too.

mambury

angeltreats wrote: »

Mine is from Aldi, I have a large casserole that cost about £20 or £25 and I can't imagine Le Creuset would be much better. It's great, and it's incredibly useful for all sorts of things.

Unrelated to the OP but I've ordered a cast iron griddle from Amazon, not a griddle pan but the type that sits over two burners on the hob and is flat on one side, ridged on the other. I want it for making soda bread, crumpets, English muffins etc. It'll take a bit of effort to get it seasoned properly but I can't wait till I can start using it. I'm hoping that the effort of lifting it on and off the cooker will burn off some of the calories of the stuff I'm going to cook on it :rotfl:

Angel - season it in the oven if you can fit it in!!

angeltreats

I did season it in the oven! I had to wedge it in a bit awkwardly but I did manage it. It's getting nicely blackened, and it's already cooked chicken fajitas (chicken, peppers and onions went on the griddle), pork burgers and crumpets and I love it, perhaps an unhealthy amount