Pro tip for home cooks: I love my cast-iron skillet, but *DO NOT GET* a cast-iron dutch oven. They're heavy, unwieldly, impossible to clean, and leave off tastes in food. Get a Le Creuset dutch oven. They're expensive, but just get it. It's one of the best investments you can make it your kitchen. - ThreadSky

stevesilberman.bsky.social • 527 days ago

Pro tip for home cooks: I love my cast-iron skillet, but *DO NOT GET* a cast-iron dutch oven. They're heavy, unwieldly, impossible to clean, and leave off tastes in food. Get a Le Creuset dutch oven. They're expensive, but just get it. It's one of the best investments you can make it your kitchen.

Comments

bronxriverdigital.com•527 days ago

I cannot imagine using a cast-iron dutch oven anyplace other than a campfire.

And now I really want monkey bread.

tomkimmerer.bsky.social•527 days ago

Do I see a new Substack in the offing: Cooking with Steve?

planetcarnival.bsky.social•527 days ago

That is the exact one I have. Love it!

kindnessinc.music•527 days ago

And it is an investment for generations

jbc3.bsky.social•527 days ago

💯

grifftheimpaler.bsky.social•527 days ago

Is the criticism of cast iron or cast iron Dutch ovens? Because anything cast iron - Dutch oven or frying pan - will not infuse previous flavor into a new food if it’s cleaned properly: with soap. One SHOULD use soap to clean cast iron cookware.

stevesilberman.bsky.social•527 days ago

It's not criticism, it's praise, of the Le Creuset enameled cast iron dutch oven. I know all about how to clean cast iron.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

I love Le Creuset too, and I hope you'll forgive me for being persnickety, but Le Creuset *is* cast iron! It's just also enameled. (Unless you're suggesting buying something from their much newer stoneware line?)

brooklynannauthor.com•527 days ago

I love our regular cast iron dutch oven. As long as you clean and season it right, they're fine. Though the heaviness is a pain. But Le Creuset ones are just as heavy.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

Slightly off-topic, I did recently buy my first cast-iron skillet that's designed to be lighter-weight, and it really does make a difference in how eager I am to use it

brooklynannauthor.com•527 days ago

Oooh I wish I could get one of those. My little T-Rex wrists are useless with our big skillet.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

It was the Lodge Blacklock series, FWIW! The early-20th-century ones are supposed to be lighter too, if you want an eBay-scouting project

mehero.bsky.social•527 days ago

Trends in cast iron skillet weight probably tracked the levels of wife beating. It was the one weapon a woman could hide in her house without arousing suspicion .

misterslang.bsky.social•527 days ago

STAUB

snarkysteff.bsky.social•527 days ago

Le Crueset isn't any better made than most lower-priced options, IMHO.

But I absolutely agree non-enameled cast iron Dutch ovens = mistake.

(For folks in Canada, keep an eye out for Paderno and other enamelled cast iron for up to 70% off at Canadian Tire -- tis the season for stupid-good sales!)

silver.phoenyx.net•527 days ago

Aldi has some that rotate through the Aisle of Shame that are pretty good.

I think the current one is a roaster but I could be wrong. I have the Dutch oven and it compares well with the Le Creuset (yes I have two Dutch ovens, don't judge).

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

I'm sure you're right—my attachment to the brand is sentimental

mariecast.bsky.social•527 days ago

I tend to buy Staub because I was born in Alsace.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

I know Staub also has a superb reputation

snarkysteff.bsky.social•527 days ago

How dare you have a sentimental attachment to a century-old brand you probably grew up with. ;)

Totally understandable. I tend to be sentimental about spending less tho. Hah! Ahh, wallet problems.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

Not only did I grow up with it, but my sister grabbed my parents' (bright orange) set for herself—so I'm forever scheming to steal some pieces back.

And I know those wallet problems! I once felt very proud of myself for finding a steeply discounted (but perfect) Le Creuset dutch oven at Marshalls.

snarkysteff.bsky.social•527 days ago

I do have an un-enameled one for breadbaking, though. No sense damaging the enamel at high temps.

daveheikkila.bsky.social•527 days ago

I use my enameled ones for bread, and have thus far had no troubles with enamel damage. They’re also not particularly expensive, so I won’t cry if there is any damage

snarkysteff.bsky.social•527 days ago

I make my bread in a Romertopf clay baker these days and won't be going back to cast iron!

daveheikkila.bsky.social•527 days ago

I’d like to have something like that, but I don’t really have the kitchen storage space for a single use item, and the Dutch ovens serve multiple purposes

bamage.bsky.social•527 days ago

I have an enameled Lodge Dutch oven I use all the time, and another similar one (dunno the brand) I use just as much. Because one can never have enough cast iron. All my non-enameled stuff is Lodge.

alyssaharad.bsky.social•527 days ago

Another vote for Lodge which has survived my mild abuse (turning up the heat too fast) much better than my Creuset did.

bamage.bsky.social•527 days ago

My wife just reminded me how psyched I was when I won a LeCreuset in some giveaway and when I got it in the mail it was literally ~ 1 cup capacity. we use it as a slat cellar.

alyssaharad.bsky.social•527 days ago

Lol I have one of those, also by mistake, and they're great if you have four and want to make little french onion soups or eggs cocotte or something but yeah.

bamage.bsky.social•527 days ago

SALT

davethomer.bsky.social•527 days ago

Also a Lodge Dutch oven user. I do remember around the time we bought it that a lot of Amazon users were buying them and then buying Le Creuset knobs for the lids. (I think there was a practical difference in the knobs at the time.)

misterjustin.bsky.social•527 days ago

Went to the Le Creuset outlet in Maine, and darn, the prices were bonkers for their "seconds" which might have paint defects... I think I got the grill skillet and panini press top for the price of the panini press top in Canada

stevesilberman.bsky.social•527 days ago

Dahling the enameling makes all the difference.

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

TRUE

3fecta.bsky.social•527 days ago

just want to be sure that enameling isn't a gen z sexual slang term first though.

trevorcavanagh.bsky.social•527 days ago

but your first two criticisms of cast iron were "heavy" and "unwieldly" which enameling doesn't solve at all

allisonwgood.bsky.social•527 days ago

I mean I can barely lift a Le Creuset but it’s still worth it!

joshuajfriedman.com•527 days ago

Yeah, exactly—a Le Creuset is not lighter! But it is beautiful and the best

cjlemire.com•527 days ago

And you definitely want the enameled cast iron Le Creuset, not the stuff from the stoneware line.

drewkadel.bsky.social•527 days ago

It's not lightweight, but I think that old-style gray cast iron dutch ovens are often thicker & heavier than the Le Creuset. It goes along with the sophisticated design and enameling, etc.

ohffs.bsky.social•527 days ago

I use mine inside my smoker to make smoked brisket chili.

drprunesquallor.bsky.social•527 days ago

Slightly off topic, my Le Creuset kettle gave up the ghost recently after *25* years of service. They are absolutely worth it on Terry Pratchett grounds.

strangebundle.bsky.social•527 days ago

The price did discourage me, but it's good to know they're not all made equal. I suppose that's why they're pricier, they're more enduring. If I got one I can imagine a few things I'd like to try, probably stews mostly

3fecta.bsky.social•527 days ago

Agreed. Got one in red. Go to for making carnitas slow cooked in the oven.

awl.bsky.social•527 days ago

Le Creuset is one of the very few remaining “buy it for life” brands.

marmomoonangel.bsky.social•527 days ago

Absolutely, and you can get slightly better deals on vintage Le Creuset and other vintage enameled cast iron, granted the enamel is still in good condition. I bought a used, but well cared for vintage Descoware set the other day and am on cloud 9 about it.

jordanrevon.com•527 days ago

I love my Staub (like Le Creuset, cast iron but enameled) for baking and such but for my money, the everyday workhorse of my pot collection is a Caraway enameled dutch oven far and away more bang for the buck

roxannedarling.bsky.social•527 days ago

Tramontina has a two-pack at Costco for $70 or less! Now go make some no-knead bread, people! Comes is other colors, too.
https://www.costco.com/tramontina-cast-iron-dutch-ovens%2c-3.5-quart%2c-5.5-quart.product.4000182758.html

tahfromslc.bsky.social•527 days ago

And they last forever with a tiny bit of care. I’ve had one of my ovens for 45 years, and it is as good as new.

jaykaydee.bsky.social•527 days ago

The enamel Lodge is also a good option at a lower price point!

michaelanes.bsky.social•527 days ago

I swear by Lodge, have multiple pieces.

molson.bsky.social•527 days ago

I'm not here to yuck anyone's yum, but I prefer my Calphalon dutch oven over any others (including the Le Creuset I use at my parents house a couple times a year). Unfortunately Calphalon stopped making enamel cast iron a few years back. Luckily I have mine which will last for life.

jmr3.bsky.social•527 days ago

I'll stick (actually no-stick) with my grandmother's > mother's > me Griswold skillet, but my Lodge Dutch oven will have to do until my next promotion & big raise.

mech0t1.bsky.social•527 days ago

I was 45 years old (I'm 46 now) when I learned that a Dutch Oven wasn't just farting under the covers in bed.

telescoper.bsky.social•527 days ago

Is that what a Dutch oven is?

factory1.bsky.social•527 days ago

we use staub which is also enameled but weighs a little less. we also like the more minimal design.

misterjustin.bsky.social•527 days ago

Now, list some recipes you use with it!

kvance.bsky.social•527 days ago

I have both!

qichin.bsky.social•527 days ago

We have one of those! We use it all the time

mildlyamused.bsky.social•527 days ago

Sir? $400 is nearly the entirety of the median American's weekly take home pay after taxes. ($45k annual gross)

Even the "middle class" can't afford this.

stevesilberman.bsky.social•527 days ago

I wonder why you're inflating the price? For effect? Good luck.

mildlyamused.bsky.social•527 days ago

I'm on their website.

jaguar06.bsky.social•527 days ago

Especially when you go to the pharmacy to pick up a new prescription & it's $4,000.00.

nouvelleyorker.bsky.social•527 days ago

Agreed. I also agree with those who balk at the price. I got mine (just like the one pictured) for $90 at Marshall’s. Trawling TJX stores sometimes pays off!

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