Just curious if anyone on here collects/buys/uses Le Creuset enameled cast iron or other products they sell.  Very expensive compared to other brands not made in France.  I've always wanted a genuine Le Creuset pan/dish/dutch oven but recently just went with a Lodge enameled dutch oven and ordered a smaller one from Boscov's.  I used the larger one to make gumbo last week and it was great.  The induction is wonderful with cast iron.  I don't want to get carried away and start a collection so to speak, but I just love the way they look and feel.  The blue is my favorite but through an error on the seller's end I received a red one.  She refunded 10% due to the error.  It looks good in red so the smaller one was also ordered in red.  I've been told to scout ebay and goodwill or thrift stores.  If I find one that's less than satisfactory condition but cheap, Le Creuset has a lifetime replacement warranty and might get a brand new one with a return. 

It is great to cook in and lasts forever.  It does cost a little more but the quality is there in my opinion.  I have acquired most of mine at Estate Sales, Garage Sales, Salvation Army, eBay, etc.  I have bought some from the LC Outlet we have not far from us.  I haven't paid full retail for any of it.

I haven't counted how many pieces I have.  I have Dutch Ovens, sauce pans, frying pans.  I also have a few of the non stick frying pans and love them.  I also have some of their loaf pans, baking dishes, etc.  I collect the Flame (orange) and Cobalt (Dark Blue).  A little Bar keepers friend keeps it all looking like new.

It is possible to accumulate a large collection at budget prices if you do the work.   All of this will likely go to my niece at some day and likely to her children too.  My husband may want it but not likely.  He'll cook in an aluminum pie plate if I let him.  LOL

I do not put the enamel coated pieces in the dishwasher.  I do put the Non Stick frying pans in and they come out beautifully.  On the enamel pieces I use a little bit of Bar Keepers friend to clean them inside and out and they stay like new.  They have non stick properties just don't use high heat.  These pieces conduct heat so well you really don't need to go above medium or medium high.   And they stay warm for a LONG time after you finish.  You can cook and serve in them because they stay warm and look so nice on the table.

I hope you like your new pieces.  Get on their mailing list especially the outlet.  They have sales all the time and some are pretty good.

So far I've run my two enamel pieces through the dishwasher but if it was the real thing (Le Creuset) I don't know if I would.  I'm happy with the Lodge 5qt and Boscov's 3qt dutch ovens so far.  I just bought some cocottes on ebay this morning, also in red (might as well keep the color.  I have some other red items too and it looks good on the black stove).  Right now I just keep them put together in the oven when it's not being used...out of the way but easily accessible.  There is a LC store in Brentwood about 40 miles from us but I pass by it on my way to work.

In my experience an occasional run through is OK.  Routine washings in the dishwasher tend to dull the shiny enamel.  I have a couple of pieces that are dulled and I have tried many products (including their cleaner) to try to bring back that shine and I haven't had much luck.  Because they clean up so easily I just sprinkle a little bar keepers friend on the inside and out and they clean up beautifully.  Should I get any kind of stain, I use the peroxide and baking soda method to clean them and they are back to looking like new.  

Of course with everything going on in the world right now how shiny my cookware is or isn't doesn't bother me so much, but keeping things nice does take up some of that time while we're locked down.

I have a number of Le Creuset pieces (the stores count the pot and lid as 2...).  I have bought all of mine at their outlet stores and the "discount rack" in the back, which were either discontinued or a "factory 2nd".  As a result, I've managed to buy mine from 30% to 50% off, especially when combined with one of their occasional sales.  

My last purchase, I was looking for a larger (than my 5.5 qt) Dutch oven and ended up buying a 15 qt, oval Dutch Oven (really a goose pot) as it was discontinued and just over 50% off.   However, when I got it home I first said "OK where in the hell am I going to put this thing" as it was HUGE.   I then tried to put it in my oven.  Wow, I had to remove ALL of the racks and put it in diagonally, that's the only way I could close the door...... so I returned it the next day!  I came home with a 9 qt round Dutch oven in "flame" orange instead.

I have hand washed them, but lately I've put them in the dishwasher.    I didn't know it will dull the finish, until now..... so back to hand washing!

Photos: #1 (L to R) a 2 3/4 qt, 9 qt & 5.5 qt Dutch ovens. 

#2 a 3.5 (4?) qt covered deep skillet and 3 1/4 qt braiser.

#3 the cast iron wok.  (With the new cooktop I installed 3 days ago, I FINALLY have enough BTU's (22K), which a wok really requires!  I posted more in the "shelter at home cooking" thread) 

Kevin