Dutch Oven & Cassarole Dish

Sierra524

Ive been wanting a dutch oven and a cassarole dish for awhile now. When I made my registries, I couldnt believe the price of these things, so I didnt add them. I am registered at Macys, BBB & Target. Does anybody have one (or both) of these things from any of those stores? What brand? Was it worth the money? I just cant seem to justify anybody spending that much $ on those things!

hoffse

The le creuset ones are incredible but it's true you pay out the nose for them.  I believe the martha stewart line at macy's sells some that may work for you.

FYI Le Creuset actually has outlet stores around the country.  Not sure if there is one near pittsburgh, but the prices usually start out around 25-30% off of retail (for the exact same things), and then they very often have discounts in addition to that.  I personally like to buy seconds there.  If there is any teeny mark at all it will be marked as a second, and they sell them for 30% off of the outlet price all the time.  They are still pricey but much more reasonable than buying retail.

mlg78

I'd add them at one of the stores.  BBB always has coupons which would help with the price and frequently people will go in on gifts together to get bigger ticket items.  Worst case scenario...use that discount to finish off your list after your wedding and use some of the money that was gifted to you if you're desiring these that much!

B2Z728

I think the BBB coupon allows you to use it on Le Creuset. But check the fine print. Many of the most expensive brands are exempt from coupons, the same often happens with Macy's. So it's worth double checking if you're trying to decide which registry you'd like to put it on. 

I have a smaller Le Creuset pan and I love it. I really wanted an 8 quart oval dutch oven from Le Creuset but they have discontinued the exact size that I wanted and needed, and I didn't want to budge. For Christmas I finally relented. My mom bought me a Sur La Table enameled dutch oven in the size and shape that I wanted. I just checked their website and it seems that they no longer sell what I have. The only small difference I've noticed so far is that the lid doesn't sit 100% the same way my Le Creuset lid does on my other pan. But it still works great and I've made wonderful meals in it. 

I've heard a comparable brand to Le Creuset is Staub.

http://www.staubusa.com/

One more thing to note when choosing the size of the dutch oven you want - go to a store that carries them and pick them up. Then imagine it full of food, and imagine putting it from the stove top to the oven, to the fridge, etc. When full, my 8 quart one is quite heavy. Even when it's not, just the weight of it when cleaning it makes it very cumbersome. Cast iron is great, but it's very heavy. 

freebread03

I love my LeCreuset Dutch oven and casserole dishes (I have a small Dutch oven and large one, and a small casserole dish). I also have plain white ceramic casserole dishes from crate and barrel that we use all the time-they have little handles built in so are really easy to grab. LeCreuset lasts forever and is an investment for sure. I've been extremely lucky in that my mom has bought me mine for the last 3 Christmases-and the large one was what I asked for this year when she asked what she could get me and FI (she has the same one and has used it for years, so I know she liked it when I said "just like yours." Definitely check the LeCreuset outlet, but also look for Williams Sonoma sales-sometimes they have 10-25% off everything, and that's a great time to buy.

Sierra524

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_dutch-oven-cassarole-dish?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:9d96d716-3d0e-4908-b298-ddffa7b04c39Post:29871d5b-be97-4e76-8d2c-828d6aac7038">Re: Dutch Oven & Cassarole Dish</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd add them at one of the stores.  BBB always has coupons which would help with the price and frequently people will go in on gifts together to get bigger ticket items.  <strong>Worst case scenario...use that discount to finish off your list after your wedding and use some of the money that was gifted to you if you're desiring these that much!
</strong>Posted by mlg78[/QUOTE]

That is a great idea! Thank you!

Xstatic3333

FWIW, we registered early and ended up getting our Le Crueset French oven for Christmas. It was a very generous gift, but we have used it almost daily since we got it. It inspired us to try some new recipes, but we also use it for routine things like making spaghetti or soup. If you love to cook, it's worth it. People could always choose to go in on it as a group.

NO2012

The Le Cresuet dutch oven is the only thing I did not put on my registry that I wished I had.  I had several other big ticket items listed in addition to china and crystal and I thought the dutch oven would just seem like too much.  Given the fact that almost all of my registry (3 stores, decent amount of items on all 3 lists), including all of the big ticket items, were bought I really regretted not putting it on there.  My birthday was last week and DH bought me one at the outlet store near us.  So I got it in the end and love it, but I would definitely say go for it now while you have the opportunity. 

redjellybean128

It doesn't help you in terms of registering, but I've bought Le Crueset pieces at Homegoods before.

I'd still put it on your registry, you never know someone may pick it up for you.

Sierra524

Thank you all for your input! I am def going to add a le creuset. If somebody doesnt buy it for me, I will buy it myself afterwards. Or, keep it on there for xmas ideas for my parents. I have heard nothing but great things about this brand and although they are pricey, everybody seems to agree that they are well worth it. My FI & I love cooking and I really feel that we would get alot of use from it.
Also, whats up with this 30% coupon that some of you have mentioned? Where does it come from? What is it for?

Thanks again ladies :]

hoffse

^^ This.  You have to go to one of the outlet stores, listed here:

http://www.lcstores.com/locations.asp

Typically the seconds are 30% off all the time.  Our outlet usually carries just one or two colors of seconds, and they rotate throughout the year.  During holidays you get scratch off coupons or mailed coupons that give you an additional percentage off.  FI and I went before valentines and we both scratched off 25% extra.  So the seconds end up being 30% off the outlet price and then 25% off of that - it would have come down to like $125 or so for a large one.  I couldn't even find the marks/flaws on a couple of them, and I came close to buying one, but we're so close to our own wedding that I held off.  My family and friends know we're both obsessed with LC so we may get something off registry that's cast iron (I can dream right?).  Once all is said and done we may buy a piece at the outlet as a wedding gift to ourselves

julibug86

I felt guilty putting the Le Creuset on my registry, too, but I love to cook and know it will be put to good use.  My shower is this Sunday and I'm such a registry stalker (I'm  the same kid who looked for my Christmas presents).  The Le Creuset pieces went first and when I was talking about it to my sister-in-law she pointed out that people would rather spend more money on something that lasts than buy you something disposable.  The Le Creuset will definitely last and I'm so excited to use it!

Side note - people also scooped up the kitchen tools quickly (spatulas, can opener, etc.).  The things that haven't budged are the boring ones - the Swiffer, bed sheets, etc.  Oh well!