this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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It used to be the case that cheap brands were prone to the enamel chipping off easily, so Le Creuset was considered "worth it" because it not only doesn't chip, but if it does it's got a lifetime warranty.
It seems like cheap enamel maybe has gotten better recently, though.
That's interesting, I didn't realize that! I think it may have, because I've been using my Cuisinart one that I picked up pretty cheaply at Marshall's a few years back and it's been pretty solid—no chipping at all. I had been wondering myself why I would shell out for a higher end one if the cheaper one is working, but that makes sense if the cheap ones used to be worse.
I do have a Le Creuset French press that I splurged on that I enjoy, but that's neither here nor there.
Yeah, one thing I'd say to be careful of (unless you just want it as a splurge) is not to be fooled into thinking that just because a brand is famous for being good at one thing, that everything else it makes is also high-end. For example, All-Clad invented stainless steel-clad aluminum cookware and is still the best at it, but you'd be a chump if you bought an All-Clad teflon nonstick pan instead of a cheap T-Fal one. Le Creuset non-cast-iron stuff might look pretty because it comes in the same colors as their enameled cast iron dutch ovens, but there's otherwise nothing special or premium about it. Kitchen Aid made famously-durable stand mixers (until recently, at least), but doesn't mean you should get a Kitchen Aid can opener or something.
You're best off mixing-and-matching between brands according to what experts like ATK say is the best tool in each category.
Very good point. I'm still early on in trying to build my collection of kitchen implements, but that is something I've been learning very quickly.
I would definitely agree on the Le Creuset stuff, as far as the French press goes! It probably wasn't worth what I paid for it, though the ceramic does keep my coffee a little warmer a little longer than glass ones and looks nice on my counter top. You could probably get one just as good/nice looking for much cheaper.