DEBORAH CROMBIE: One hundred years ago this year, a couple of Belgian entrepeneurs, one an expert in cast iron, the other an expert in glass-based vitreous enamel, built a foundry in northeastern France to produce their latest innovation, enamel-coated cast iron cookware.
Le Creuset cookware was an immediate hit in Europe, but it wasn't until the 1950s that it began to trickle into the US market. In the 1960s, the growth of Pottery Barn on the East Coast and Williams Sonoma on the West Coast introduced the colorful cookware to an even bigger market, and as Le Creuset brought out ever more colors and products, it became the darling of collectors as well as of serious cooks.
I have to say that I was a late adopter. I started out my just-out-of-college kitchen with a couple of hand-me-down Paul Revere pots (remember those?) and maybe some aluminum Faberware. Then I discovered Cuisinart stainless pots and pans, which I still own and still use. But it was my mom who started my love affair with Le Creuset, although not in the way you might expect.
For some time after my parents were no longer able to keep up their big house, they lived in a nice apartment complex. My mom was famous for her daily walks, and one morning she spied a large cardboard box, open, sitting next to the trash dumpsters, so of course she had a peek. Inside was a set of brand sparkling new, black Le Creuset cookware. She picked it up (ouch! Le Creuset is heavy!) and carried it back to their apartment, then called me to see if I'd like to have it. Of course I said yes, and we had a lot of fun speculating as to why someone would have left hundreds of dollars of new cookware by the trash. Wedding gift, and they both hated black? Wedding gift, and the bride left the groom holding the cookware?
At any rate, I was hooked, and not too long after that I discovered that there was a Le Creuset outlet store not far from where I live. Color fiend that I am, I started with the Dutch oven that matched my apple-green kitchen, and added more colorful pieces. The black set was passed on to my daughter, as it's much better suited to her neutral kitchen. My pieces live on my cooktop, as you can see from the first photo above. Partly because they are in constant use, partly because I just like looking at them.
However, I can't call myself a collector, because these three pieces and an aubergine grill pan are all I have room for. Serious Le Creuset fans build entire kitchens around their collections! It is tempting, when the company comes out with some lucious new color, but I just have to turn my face away and say "No room at the inn."
Le Creuset cast iron cookware is still made in that foundry in northeast France, although some of their other products are made overseas.
Reds and readers, What is your cookware of choice, and what did you start out with in your kitchen?
Mostly I have a bit of this and a bit of that . . . though cast iron is a staple. I do have one Le Creuset piece. [And, yes, I remember Paul Revere pots!]
ReplyDeleteWhat color is your Le Creuset, Joan?
DeleteI still have the Revere set I bought when we first go married (mumble mumble) years ago, but I don't use the skillet any longer. I keep searching for the perfect nonstick pan that isn't going to kill me with a toxic coating. I recently bought an off-brand ceramic skillet that I love so much, I bought a second smaller one. Now I'm going to buy a third in a size between huge and single-egg. Ask me again in a couple of years, because if they're still nonstick, I'll be singing their praises. If not, I'll be searching for a new set.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I am dying for a non-toxic, nonstick skillet. Please keep me posted if your new ones do the trick. I’ve dragged out my father‘s old cast-iron frying pan, but it’s definitely not nonstick!
DeleteI also wish to find a good non-toxic non-stick skillet! GreenPan lasted the longest but food is starting to stick. SIGH.
DeleteAnnette, I think the Calphalon we have now is non-stick and non-toxic. It works pretty well.
DeleteI bought a couple Calphalon pans over the years at discount stores (like the now defunct Tuesday Morning): a heavy roasting pan, a huge skillet, and an omelet pan. They're awesome, and mostly non-stick.
DeleteI have never seen any Calphalon pans. Will start searching for where I can buy one. FYI, i did get a ceramic skillet on sale last year. Did not even last for 6 months. So disappointing!
DeleteMine were not advertised as non-stick, Grace, but they clean up brilliantly.
DeleteKaren, the first one I bought was for The Hubby for omelets. We'd tried a bunch of things - the Calphalon was the first that worked for more than a year, so I bought a set on sale at Target.
DeleteMy omelet pan was my first, too, Liz.
DeleteI have several enameled cast iron casserole dishes, one a wedding present and the other two inherited from my mother, but none of them are Le Crueset. The rest of my cookware is plain black cast iron and yes, Revere copper-bottom stainless steel pots and pans, plus stainless steel stock pots and bread pans. I lived in a boarding school for 40+ years and often had to cook for 10-14 children so I needed a lot of cookware. I have been realizing recently that I should part with some. It would make sense to let the black cast iron go, as the pans weigh a ton — the big 12" skillets and dutch oven particularly. But I collected it all from junk shops decades ago and I'm very fond of its indestructibility. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add: I envy you your eye for color! (Selden)
DeleteSeldon, a boarding school cooking for 10 to 14 children?? You need to write a memoir! You’ve had an interesting life.
DeleteFried chicken in a 12" cast iron skillet--the only way to go!
DeleteLucy, VERY thankfully, I only had to cook dinners for my house on Wednesday nights. I did all the cooking, while my husband supervised the kids' sorting laundry and cleaning their rooms. Later on, after we quit being houseparents, I made waffle breakfasts for 12-16 especially hardworking (not necessarily high achieving) scholars ages 9-14 on Friday mornings. (Selden)
DeleteSelden, I agree about the memoir!
DeleteI love Le Creuset! Somehow in my thirties I happened across a sale for a set of five or six pieces in cobalt blue for $100. I still use the Dutch oven, but most of the smaller pots drifted away over the years, and I never liked the skillet. That Dutch oven is my go-to for stews, soups, chili, you name it.
ReplyDeleteThe most amazing thing is that all Le Creuset have a lifetime guarantee. If the pot is damaged or the enamel cracked through normal household use, you can send it (at your own expense) to the company and they will replace it for free, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, no receipt required. Yes, you can pick up a pot at a yard sale and get it replaced. I think I'm on my third Dutch oven.
Which reminds me that the handle on my Dutch oven lid is partly broken. Must send it back! https://www.lecreuset.com/warranty.html#castiron
Don't you love companies that do that? My daughter's KitchenAid Dutch oven fell and broke, and the company not only replaced it for free, but with a larger size. Corningware's Corelle used to be that way, too: hassle-free replacement for their guaranteed unbreakable dishes.
DeleteIsn't that great????
DeleteI’ll have to look and see what our current cookware set is as my husband is the cook and he bought it new after we moved. We started out with a copper bottom set 40 years ago. They were not as good of quality as my mother’s set; so probably not Paul Revere. Seems my husband is always upgrading to something different and getting rid of the old ones. He went through a phase when he only cooked in the cast iron skillets which we did move. I know we had a red Dutch oven at one time because I gifted it to him for Valentine’s Day, but I think it may have been Rachael Ray’s brand. We had a black Lodge cast iron one too.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Brenda, on the cooking husband! I don't think any of the other cast iron enamel brands holds up as well as Le Creuset.
DeleteThe new stuff is Circulon brand.
DeleteI love your cooktop with the pots and flowers, Debs! QWe have 2 Le Creuset pots, both blue. The larger one is in constant use in the cooler months. The smaller one is perfect if we’re only cooking for 2. (We are fans of leftovers) I have a Revereware pot and steamer that we use often, it was a gift from my Mom 40 years ago. Now I’m thinking about more Le Cruset pans…
ReplyDeleteLe Creuset is such a cult thing now. I had no idea! There are FB groups, etc., etc., devoted to it. The flowers, by the way, were from one of my favorite stalls at the farmers market, so I just stuck them in the photo.
DeleteDebs, I also love how you embrace color. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLike Annette, I too have my original set of Paul Revere copper bottom cookware with a couple of my mother's Revereware pots and also a couple of extra large pieces that I bought for big holiday meals. I enjoy them and they have held up amazingly over the years! I also have an enameled cast iron pot that I use for baking crusty bread and also for very specific recipes. When it is full, it is as heavy as I can manage. I have a large Lodge frying pan that is my newest piece of cookware and I have my family's brisket pot which I used to use every Passover. We don't get the big crowds like we used to. When there are sales on Le Cruset, I look at the gorgeous pieces and think where would I put them. My kitchen is very small on my shelves in the basement are already packed. Besides, I only cook for us 2 these days and there is the issue of my dining room.
We are prone to eating in our living room, which means most of the time I make Rick carry the cookware to the table, and, yes, he does complain:-) I solved the Le Creuset storage issue by just leaving it out!
DeleteYears ago, we lived near a Le Creuset outlet in New Jersey. I acquired a bright blue Dutch oven and large oval oven dish with handles, perfect for dinners for two. When my husband made business trips to France, I asked for a set of copper clad bottomed pots and pans and a large stainless frying pan, which I still use frequently. Gadgets come and go, but I will always have my Dutch oven and frying pan.
ReplyDeleteCopper bottomed French cookware would tempt me, too!
DeleteLike others, my mom also gave me Paul Revere copper bottom cookware for my first apt kitchen. I still use one of them 40 years later. I also have a Lodge cast iron frying pan which I bought when the last kitchenware store in the ByWard Market went out of business 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was a Le Crueset outlet store in Toronto. Ottawa had a regular Le Crueset store on Sussex Drive (5 minute walk from my apt) but it closed after 2 years! I could never justify the cost of buying one & obviously not enough Ottawans bought their cookware either. Instead, I use a heavy Dutch oven made by Cuisinart to make stews. I even used it to bake sourdough bread when we were in pandemic lockdown/baking your own bread phase
Grace, all of mine are seconds, bought at the outlet store near my house. Still expensive, but I have to say they've been worth it.
DeleteStill using my Revere ware pots, a large deep skillet with glass lid that I picked up at a give-away sale price, and have two cast-iron skillets, small and large sizes. The larger one I acquired when my youngest brother, newly widowed, downsized his kitchen wares. My sister-in-law loved to cook and every time I use this skillet, I think of Shelly.
ReplyDeleteAw, there are so many family connections to the things we use in the kitchen.
DeleteMy favourite pots are the old ones (set of 5 with lids) heavy aluminum that I inherited from my mother-in-law. She was married in 1944, so I imagine they are from about that date. She was gone when I entered the picture so I have no way of knowing. My mother and my kids hate them, and were/are constantly going on “Could I buy you some new pots?” “No thank you, I like these pots – great with temperature changes and heat management). Two years ago, my #3 child sent a set of Lagustina cookware – yuck! All the pots are just the wrong size, there are too many oversized chef pots, and they stick! So, my old pots are intermingled with the new ones. I have a Le Crueset dutch oven and it does not sit on my stove-top. Mine is badly stained both inside and out, but well used. One of my best pots is an Ikea mid-sized stock pot – makes anything from stew to soup to a small lot of jam. Everything about it is great for about $40. I would buy more of their stock, if I needed them.
ReplyDeleteNice suggestion, Margo. I'd never have thought to look for cookware at Ikea!
DeleteOh, funny story about a pot. My father-in-law spent way too much money on my Christmas gift one year, and bought me a huge quality stock pot – I was always making preserves and they were constantly boiling over – not my fault! This was probably in the ‘80’s. As I said stuff was constantly boiling over, and although the pot was spotless on the inside, the outside bottom – not so much. I call it patina. Son #3 was getting married. For some reason, it was decided that since most of the guests on the bride’s side were coming from Vancouver to Nova Scotia, they would all be housed and fed from our house – 35 or so to a meal. Way too many showers…
ReplyDeleteAnyway, on the day following the wedding, when I was, admittedly gasping about on fumes I was so tired, the uncle of the bride TOLD the boys to get up, and clean the table, wash the dishes including the pots and clean the kitchen. Meekly, they did, so I relaxed, and enjoyed the evening. What seemed like a long time later, they were still at it – well it might have involved some beer. I went in, and there was ‘Michael’ scrubbing the bottom of the stock pot and he had been for over a half hour. The bottom shone! I said well-done, it has not looked like that for 25years, to which he replied “Oh I thought we did it, and was trying to make it look like how we started!” Good boy.
Wow what a great story Margo. And what nice thing your Uncle did! How is / was he as a husband, if he married? Was he a good catch? LOL!
DeleteSorry, but to his wife he is a waste of space. To me that day, he was a hero!
DeleteGreat story, Margo!
DeleteNo Le Creuset here, although it is pretty. I started with the Revere set when we got married. Still in use with The Boy. The Hubby brought along two cast-iron frying pans, which got a lot of use.
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved to The Cottage, we bought a set of Calphalon, which is non-stick but no toxic coatings - big requirement. We never use anything but rubber or nylon utensils on it. I don't even stir soup with my soup spoon. I had to go out and buy a new whisk with silicone coating on the wires. The rubber one is too flimsy for my use.
We did bring the cast-iron dutch oven my sister gave us and at least one of the frying pans, but since we're only cooking for two they don't get much use.
Even though we're only cooking for two, I make a lot of soups and stews and you can't beat the Le Creuset for those.
DeleteWhen I married in 1971 I was gifted with a set of Paul River copper-bottom stainless steel pots and pans. Plus a Farberware percolator...no "Mr. Coffee" for me which was launched the following year. (I still perk my daily coffee in a Farberware .) When my marriage unfortunately crumbled I left the apartment we rented with only a bed and my bentwood rocker. I left everything else behind. My mother was furious I did not take my Paul Revere cookware but I was hell bent on starting a fresh new life. Eventually I remarried and that union was...and still is...a happy one. I am also blessed with a partner who puts up with my habit of collecting kitchen gadgets, glassware and lots of dinnerware. (Three Wedgwood patterns so far but I've finally stopped.) When our present condo was built a decade ago I only owned one piece of Staub cookware, a cast iron 3-quart "cocotte" in the shape of a tomato in a rich red which I loved. I decided to revolve my kitchen colors around that cocotte and ten years later that Staub casserole still sits on our countertop. I use it only as decor and storage for my measuring cups and spoons. It's accompanied by a red electric tea kettle, timer and kitchen tools also in red in an otherwise neutral color kitchen. I never thought the word red would be used in the same sentence as the words interior design. But those few colorful accessories and that beautiful red dutch oven still cheer me up every time I step into the kitchen. Over the years I did purchase a few other large Staub cookware pieces. I chose Staub over Le Creuset because I could change out the lid knobs with more decorative ones; i.e., a rooster. But I never use them now because they are too heavy for me to manage. Instead I choose my mom's Revere ware stainless steel cooking pot to make soups and boil pasta, etc. It's very comforting to know that she's still a part of the many happy times we spent together in her kitchen sharing secrets and laughs over coffee perked in her Farberware electric percolator. :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Deborah ~ I love all your colorful Le Creuset cookware selections and that you use them all the time. The story about your mother hauling a boxful of Le Creuset cookware back to your her apartment was astounding. You're right...Le Creuset is cast iron and very heavy. But your mom's persistence as well as smart thrifting turned her into a "super woman". I would not have been able to pass up a brand new set of Le Creuset cookware for free either. What a great story!
DeleteEvelyn, which Wedgewood patterns do you have? At one time I was charmed by and collected some cream Queensware that we haven't used for years, and have one lovely plate of the strawberry pattern.
DeleteEvelyn, I love these kitchen connections with our moms.
DeleteHi Karen ~ I love anything with strawberries (or fruits) as part of a dinnerware pattern, too! I purchased a set of dishes from Crate & Barrel in the early 1990's called "Strawberry and Grape Leaf" (in a creamy/white color). They were reproductions of an earthenware pottery pattern originally made by a company called Davenport of Staffordshire England during the late 1700's through mid or late? 1800's. Crate & Barrel discontinued the pattern (through Burleigh) in the mid 90's but for a while I was able to get additional pieces from their C & B warehouse in Illinois. Now the only place available to get this pattern is via Replacements, Inc. in North Carolina.The inventory, however, is very limited and they list it under Burgess & Leigh (Burleigh) Company. I only display this dinnerware in a glass cabinet in my kitchen rather than use because they are so difficult to replace. I think you would love this pattern, Karen. The first Wedgwood pattern I selected in 1970 was called "Flying Cloud" in rust which has a ship on it. My mother was intrigued that I would choose a ship pattern but I told her one day I was going to live near salt water. (It took nearly 40 years but now I am less than 3 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.Yay!) I eventually bought the same set again in blue and that Wedgwood pattern was called "American Clipper". I have no idea why I did that, Karen...It was an expensive and impulsive decision on my part. I have zero anything in blue in our home as decor but I love blue dinnerware. Some years later I privately sold the entire America Clipper dinnerware set along with its serving pieces to a woman recently widowed who never owned a set of china in her life. Her only child, a daughter, was about to be married and she had just lost her beloved dog. This poor woman was depressed. She had one American Clipper cup and saucer of her own that she used to drink her daily coffee on her patio. She needed a pick me up badly so I sold her the entire collection for only $250.00. Quite the deal but it made me so happy. I couldn't, of course, replace her late spouse or her little dog or the fact her daughter was leaving home to get married but at least she had finally a complete set of china in a pattern she loved. Hopefully it lifted her spirits a little bit. The other two Wedgwood patterns I have is "American Eagle" which is now nearly impossible to purchase additional pieces for and "Nantucket" which I believe the entire world probably has as well. :-) But I love its basketweave pattern and its nice creamy white color allows me to buy dinner napkins in various colors and patterns so the place settings at the dining room table are fun and interesting. I use the Flying Cloud And American Eagle less frequently but the Nantucket dinnerware I use every day. The pattens are simple and neutral which feels at times the only things in my life that are uncomplicated...haha.
DeleteMy sentiments exactly, Deborah! I still have my mother's cake tester she bought when she was a young bride in the early 1940's. It's bent from so much use but every time I use it the memories of my mother's fresh from the oven hot milk cakes flood my thoughts and make both tear up and smile at the same time. I'm thankful and happy that we all thought to hold onto some of our mother's keepsakes to cherish as our own.
DeleteThere was a big article on Le Creuset last week. I had no idea they had so many colors! And me without a single piece. Yours are perfect in your beautiful kitchen, Debs.
ReplyDeleteWhen I married the first time my co-workers gave us a set of red Teflon-coated--new at the time--pots and pans that I used until I remarried ten years later. I hated the Teflon, but couldn't afford to replace them. Then as a wedding gift for my second go-round my mother gave us a nice set of Farberware or something that we still use. Over time I've added the Calphalon pieces I mentioned above, and a fabulous heavy enameled cast iron KitchenAid Dutch oven. Not even sure they're made any more, but I gave each of my three daughters one, too. Mine's built up a lovely patina inside, necessary according to the cookbooks. I got the Dutch oven to make that amazing no-knead artisanal bread, because the lid has a metal/silicone handle that won't melt in a 475-degree oven.
Does anyone else have the Corningware Cornflower from the 1970's? (Although my mother had some from the early 1960's.) We mostly use them in the microwave these days. I see them in used furniture/antique stores all the time, along with Pyrex and Fiestaware, and they've gotten pricey as collector's items.
Others also mentioned baking their crusty bread in an enameled Dutch oven. The one time I did that with my Le Creuset, the enamel began to crack. I need a non-enameled cast iron one but don't want to buy it new.
DeleteI have one Corningware 8x9 or 9x9 pan and I love it.
DeleteEdith, for the first couple years I made it I used the crock and glass lid from my original old Crock Pot. Then foolishly set that blazing hot lid down on a damp hot pad and that was the end of that. (I was able to find a replacement lid, but it's not heat safe to 500 degrees.)
DeleteYikes, Edith! I think I did try the bread in my smaller Le Creuset (the yellow one) and now I'll be afraid to try it again!
DeleteKaren, I've never seen the KitchenAid Dutch ovens. Have to look them up now!
DeleteYes, KitchenAid still makes them and it looks like they are less expensive than Le Creuset.
DeleteGood to know! They make wonderful wedding gifts.
DeleteWhat a nice story today Debs! I love my Le Creuset - I have two and am going to buy a third soon. I use the two I have every day and pretty much don't use my other pans with the exception of one light weight sauce pan. Both of mine are red. I had a Martha Steward pot that was a copy of the Le Creuset but it didn't hold up.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anything hold up as well as Le Creuset. And I love the red!
Delete
ReplyDeleteLucy asked about non toxic nonstick pans and I am always looking for them as well, I found this and it might shed some light:
"Best Frying Pans If You Want to Avoid PFAS Chemicals"
These pans don't have a traditional nonstick coating, but they still cleaned up easily in our tests
Mary Farrell headshot By Mary H.J. Farrell
I tried to copy and past the www but it was too long.
I looked this up (Consumer Reports but you can read some of it even with the paywall) and this was interesting. I was going to recommended the coated non-stick skillet we use. It's made my Tramontina, a professional/restaurant cookware company, and was recommended by Wirecutter a couple of years ago as the best non stick skillet. It's not expensive--$30--and after two years it doesn't have a scratch or a blemish. But in this CR article one of the non-coated non-stick skillets they recommend is also made by Tramontina, and is also not expensive, so I'm going to be tempted to give that a try.
DeleteI do use my Le Creuset Braiser a lot (turquoise piece on my cooktop) and also our two traditional cast iron pans, but, man, they are so heavy for everyday cooking.
Debs, I am always so inspired by the photos of your various rooms and garden. It is such a delight that you share them with us. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! Our house is a real estate agent's nightmare--too much color, too many things. But we love it.
DeleteDebs, I have been seeing Le Creuset cookware at local kitchen shops. I have been meaning to get the Dutch Oven. Your story reminded me of when my Mom went to a church rummage? bazaar? sale and there was this gorgeous tea set that someone donated for the sale. It was a wedding gift and the bride did not like the look of it so it went to the sale. It is bone china tea cups and saucers.
ReplyDeleteWe have a variety of cookware from the hardware shop. No idea which brands they are!
We use cast iron pan instead of non stick pan.
My great aunt and great uncle had this gorgeous collection of soup bowls that I inherited after they passed away. I still have them.
I think you won't regret the Dutch oven, Diana. I use mine almost every day. What color tickles your fancy?
DeleteI think I started out with non-stick cookware from the Zayre store near my house! My mother was horrified and she passed some of her Revereware to me (Yep, I remember). In the md-80s I did have a full set of Le Creuset in flame orange. I loved it. Do not ask me what happened to it. Too many moves, I guess. Now I just have one, a 2.5 quart multipurpose pan with a fry pan for a lid. Very functional. I love it and it makes the best beef stew ever! The rest of my collection are Calphalon hard anodized pans (no longer made), and Heritage Steel pans from the Eater collection.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Flame was the original color, I think!
Deletedeb's, I may have a really unusual piece. Tim used to give me something red for every Valentine's Day and one year. It was a heart shaped Le Creuset, which I use, but not as frequently as the round ones that I have. Still, it has a place in my heart!
ReplyDeleteDebs, your Le Creuset cookware is beautiful, and your touch of the fresh flowers in the midst of them is so lovely. The touch of flowers is indicative of all the enviable parts of your house I've seen in your pictures. I do covet your house, and now your Le Creuset ware. Do I remember Revereware? My main pots I still use 48 years from wedding gifts are my copper-bottomed Revereware. I don't know what happened to my skillet. A few years ago I bought a T-Fal skillet that was good and heavy and no non-stick coating, and it's been a favorite. Karen asked about the Corningware Cornflower. We do have at least one dish (suitable for cooking on our glasstop stove) and another one from the patterns of the 70s. Philip uses one to fry the eggs in now. Although I do look at the Le Creuset and sometimes wish I had some, I don't do much of the cooking anymore, and Philip would definitely not want to spend the money on one for his cooking.
ReplyDeleteHub is the chef (I am the baker) in our house and he is a Cuisinart stainless steel guy. If I were to splurge on Le Creuset, it would be for the Heritage Bakeware essentials...and now I am dreaming of pie dishes and loaf pans in a pretty shallot pink...sigh.
ReplyDeleteMy everyday cookware is Belgique. It was also my mother-in-law’s choice for my husband for his first apartment which worked out nicely. Way back, I also had some colorful ceramic coated stainless steel cookware. My M-I-L also gave me my first Le Creuset Dutch Oven - dark blue and also one a bit smaller in a lighter blue. I also have a panini press and several 8 oz mini cocottes in a variety of colors. My frying pans are whatever I come across at places like Marshall’s which get tossed as soon as they show some ware! Everything else these days is glass!
ReplyDelete