Enameled cast iron

Enameled cast iron


I just received a flyer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Apparently, Calphalon has just come out with some enameled cast iron, being
sold (exclusively, they say)
by B,B&B.

The five-quart Dutch oven is $129.95; the eight-quart is
$179.99. Worth taking a look, I think.

Dora
--
limey113@yahoo,com

Re: Enameled cast iron


"limey" <limey113@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:lDYJh.8933$t8.8605@trndny02...
>
> I just received a flyer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
> Apparently, Calphalon has just come out with some enameled cast iron,
> being sold (exclusively, they say)
> by B,B&B.
>
> The five-quart Dutch oven is $129.95; the eight-quart is
> $179.99. Worth taking a look, I think.
>
> Dora
> --
Make certain you aren't paying too much for a "warehouse product". I learned
recently that both BB&B and CostCo sell "warehouse products", different from
the similar products you find at Macy's. I burned up two Costco Cuisinart
coffee grinders in a short period of time, and I suspicion that's why. The
clothes at our nearby Brooks Brothers outlet aren't the same as the clothes
at Brooks Bros. in downtown S.F. I don't go to the BB factory outlet
anymore.
We have had and still use enameled cast iron pots from Le Crueset and Copco.
At some point the enamel does wear off and off it goes to the local
salvation army.
I'd sure like to see the old "copper clad stainless" Cuisinart come back.
Hope this helps,

Kent

Re: Enameled cast iron

Kent wrote:
> "limey" <limey113@yahoo,com > wrote in message
> news:lDYJh.8933$t8.8605@trndny02...
>>
>> I just received a flyer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
>> Apparently, Calphalon has just come out with some enameled cast iron,
>> being sold (exclusively, they say)
>> by B,B&B.
>>
>> The five-quart Dutch oven is $129.95; the eight-quart is
>> $179.99. Worth taking a look, I think.
>>
>> Dora
>> --
> Make certain you aren't paying too much for a "warehouse product". I
> learned recently that both BB&B and CostCo sell "warehouse products",
> different from the similar products you find at Macy's. I burned up
> two Costco Cuisinart coffee grinders in a short period of time, and I
> suspicion that's why. The clothes at our nearby Brooks Brothers
> outlet aren't the same as the clothes at Brooks Bros. in downtown
> S.F. I don't go to the BB factory outlet anymore.
> We have had and still use enameled cast iron pots from Le Crueset and
> Copco. At some point the enamel does wear off and off it goes to the
> local salvation army.
> I'd sure like to see the old "copper clad stainless" Cuisinart come
> back. Hope this helps,
>
> Kent

Thanks, Kent, but I'm not in the market; I have those Cuisinart items which
I need. Just thought I'd mention it since people are often interested in
Dutch ovens.

Dora

Re: Enameled cast iron

limey wrote:
>
> Thanks, Kent, but I'm not in the market; I have those Cuisinart
> items which I need. Just thought I'd mention it since people are
> often interested in Dutch ovens.

Oops! Meant Le Creuset (although I have my share of Cuisinart, as well.)
Hmmm - I bought the Cuisinart burr grinder from Costco, which I like, so I
hope it doesn't bite the dust.

Dora

Re: Enameled cast iron

>
> Make certain you aren't paying too much for a "warehouse product". I learned
> recently that both BB&B and CostCo sell "warehouse products", different from
> the similar products you find at Macy's.


I know that some items that Costco sells are different in the way that
they package them in that perhaps Costco will include another item
that if you buy it elsewhere will not have that special item, such as
an extra bowl, etc. I know that I've called several times a company
that has something to sell at Costco to make sure that it is the same
item. Generally, I have found that every item I've called about is
the same item number that Costco sells, only that it is a different
item number because it has included something else.

I know that a lot of people buy from BB&B or Linens & Things, but for
some reason, I don't buy much there. Just look, and I always want a
little something different than what they offer, or perhaps a better
price on the same thing.

I've posted the pictures of my beat-up Le Creuset so many times; I
would never buy Le Creuset again (bought 3 pots).
I believe that they are good pans as a rule, but obviously the cooking
I was doing in them wasn't up to the task. I'm taking a chance on
Copco (Mario's 6qt pot) - cheapo at $70, and if it dies, so what, I
haven't invested my life's savings.

I bought a 12-inch Emeril skillet recently instead of buying perhaps
Cuisinart or All-Clad. It was reasonably priced. But I'm glad I
bought Emeril's because when I'm ready to buy a 14-inch, I'm ready to
foot the bill for the All-Clad. It'll probably be around $200 by the
time I get around to it.

SO------- are you saying that perhaps the Le Creuset that Costco sells
(I've seen some people posting that they are selling Le Creuset pans)
is perhaps not the REAL-DEAL?
Dee
P.S. I may have posted that Eddie Bauer told me that last time I was
at their outlet (in the last few weeks) that the clothes they sell are
'brought in.' They are not merchandise that they sell on the floor in
their stores or in their catalog. She said that they may have a few
items at the outlet that are 'returns' from either catalog or floor,
but that's it.

Re: Enameled cast iron

On Mar 14, 3:08 pm, "limey" <limey...@yahoo,com > wrote:
> I just received a flyer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
> Apparently, Calphalon has just come out with some enameled cast iron, being
> sold (exclusively, they say)
> by B,B&B.
>
> The five-quart Dutch oven is $129.95; the eight-quart is
> $179.99. Worth taking a look, I think.

Not for nothing but I was at WalMart the other day (yes... I know it
is evil) and saw a dead ringer knockoff for the Le Creuset 3 quart
covered brazier and 6 quart dutch oven. Same quality. The brazier was
$29, the dutch oven was $39. I bought the brazier. My other Le Creuset
pots were offended but I explained it to them this way... your company
has moved it's manufacture to China, the Chinese are smart. The
factory does a little moonlighting.

Saw All Clad knockoffs too. Same story. Full aluminum cores, mirror
polished SS inside and out, nickel-stainless handle, pouring rims. The
12" skillet was $29. This was not flimsy stuff... it's the real
deal.

Re: Enameled cast iron

On Mar 15, 12:55 pm, "Will" <waller.will...@gmail,com > wrote:

>
> Saw All Clad knockoffs too. Same story. Full aluminum cores, mirror
> polished SS inside and out, nickel-stainless handle, pouring rims. The
> 12" skillet was $29. This was not flimsy stuff... it's the real
> deal.

I'm not sure what you mean "..,it 's the real deal."
Please 'splain for my noggin' head.
Thanks.
Dee Dee

Re: Enameled cast iron

On Mar 15, 12:07 pm, "Dee Dee" <deedo...@shentel,net > wrote:
> On Mar 15, 12:55 pm, "Will" <waller.will...@gmail,com > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Saw All Clad knockoffs too. Same story. Full aluminum cores, mirror
> > polished SS inside and out, nickel-stainless handle, pouring rims. The
> > 12" skillet was $29. This was not flimsy stuff... it's the real
> > deal.
>
> I'm not sure what you mean "..,it 's the real deal."
> Please 'splain for my noggin' head.
> Thanks.
> Dee Dee

I mean it looks like, feels like and is constructed like... All Clad.
If I had to take a bet, I would say it's being made at the same
facility.
If I was All Clad... I would be very nervous. This will kill their
business. There is no way I'll ever fork out the big bucks again <g>.

Re: Enameled cast iron

Will <waller.william@gmail,com > wrote:

> I mean it looks like, feels like and is constructed like... All Clad.
> If I had to take a bet, I would say it's being made at the same
> facility.
> If I was All Clad... I would be very nervous. This will kill their
> business. There is no way I'll ever fork out the big bucks again <g>.

I wouldn't worry for All Clad. They sell cachet as much as quality.
You won't find them selling under that name at WalMart because that
would "devalue" the brand name. The thing is, All Clad *might* sell
their stuff under a house brand name to WalMart, or as you suggest
maybe just All Clad's Chinese supplier is doing it.

Radio Shack used to do this on some high-end audio equipment back
in the 70s. You could buy some *identical* equipment made in the
same plant as the big name stuff, but with Radio Shack's brand on
it you could get it for less. You had to know what you were looking
at, because they also carried a lot of real junk, but if you could
recognize the gems you could save a bunch of money. The big name
companies didn't lose business, either, because some people have
to buy the name.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

Re: Enameled cast iron

In article <1173977708.861751.210590@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups,com >,
waller.william@gmail,com says...
> Not for nothing but I was at WalMart the other day (yes... I know it
> is evil) and saw a dead ringer knockoff for the Le Creuset 3 quart
> covered brazier and 6 quart dutch oven. Same quality.
>

You know Walmart is evil yet you still shop there? Shame. Is saving a
few bucks that important to you?

And, how do you know "same quality?" Looks do not tell all. Will it
still be going strong after 30 years like the 8 quart le Creuset Dutch
oven that my parents gave me? Probably not.


--
Peter Aitken

Re: Enameled cast iron

On Mar 15, 12:43 pm, Peter A <pait...@CRAPnc.rr,com > wrote:

> Is saving a
> few bucks that important to you?
>
> And, how do you know "same quality?" Looks do not tell all. Will it
> still be going strong after 30 years like the 8 quart le Creuset Dutch
> oven that my parents gave me? Probably not.
>
> --
> Peter Aitken

Peter... I understand your sentiments. I am not a WalMart fan. I
wasn't at WalMart to buy pots and pans, I had slipped in to buy cod
liver oil since it is convenient to where I grocery shop. And they are
one of the few retailers that carry it....

As for saving a few bucks... The Le Creuset and All Clad folks have
moved their production to China. They are saving the big $$$. And I
think they are about to get pounded...

What I saw at WalMart was so much like the original of these lines I
was stunned. I really looked this stuff over. You might be right about
being fooled but I have Le Creuset and All Clad equipment. And when I
was done looking I was more than a little aggravated. That $29 brazier
under the Le Creuset moniker is going for $139 at Amazon. And for
$29... the lid rim and pot rim were both machined to fit perfectly.
Meaning...there were no manufacturing shortcuts.

Re: Enameled cast iron

"Will" <waller.william@gmail,com > wrote:
> As for saving a few bucks... The Le Creuset and All Clad folks have
> moved their production to China. They are saving the big $$$. And I
> think they are about to get pounded...

Actually, they haven't, at least not completely. But perhaps it might not be
too long before they do. The last I looked, all Le Creuset enameled cast
iron was still made in France (and that origin is cast right into the bottom
of the piece). The enameled steel (like tea kettles, etc.) were made
elsewhere. The stoneware was made in Thailand. What got me about the
stoneware as the origins in Thailand were either on the box or on a
removable label, though the Le Creuset name was cast into the ceramic on the
bottom). Deceptive, if you ask me. The origins should have been cast in just
as the name, like on the cast iron pieces.

The last I looked on All Clad, the fully clad pieces were still made in
Pennsylvania, but all the stainless with aluminum disk bottom pieces were
made overseas (China, I believe). All the utensils were also made overseas.

Due to the relative labor rates in the USA and France, vs. the labor rates
in China and the Far East, eventually almost all manufacturing is going to
leave both countries. The exception will be certain specialty items where
the labor rates don't factor into the equation so strongly.

--
wff ng 7 (at) verizon (dot) net

Re: Enameled cast iron

In article <zahKh.1464$Eg4.862@trnddc03>, nosuchuser@invalid.gov says...
> Actually, they haven't, at least not completely. But perhaps it might not be
> too long before they do. The last I looked, all Le Creuset enameled cast
> iron was still made in France (and that origin is cast right into the bottom
> of the piece). The enameled steel (like tea kettles, etc.) were made
> elsewhere. The stoneware was made in Thailand. What got me about the
> stoneware as the origins in Thailand were either on the box or on a
> removable label, though the Le Creuset name was cast into the ceramic on the
> bottom). Deceptive, if you ask me. The origins should have been cast in just
> as the name, like on the cast iron pieces.
>
> The last I looked on All Clad, the fully clad pieces were still made in
> Pennsylvania, but all the stainless with aluminum disk bottom pieces were
> made overseas (China, I believe). All the utensils were also made overseas.
>
> Due to the relative labor rates in the USA and France, vs. the labor rates
> in China and the Far East, eventually almost all manufacturing is going to
> leave both countries. The exception will be certain specialty items where
> the labor rates don't factor into the equation so strongly.
>

I think that it's silly to put too much emphasis on where something is
made. There are BMWs made in South Carolina, Leica cameras made in
Portugal, Sony TVs made in Vietnam, LL Bean clothing made in Sri Lanka,
and so on.

Let's face it, the task of making high-quality items is within the
capabilities of almost anyone provided they are given the right
training, equipment, and materials, and are not required to hurry to
meet quotas.

Of course, some "brand names" have moved production overseas with a drop
in quality. But other brand names have stayed home and also suffered a
quality drop.


--
Peter Aitken

Re: Enameled cast iron

On Mar 15, 4:04 pm, Peter A <pait...@CRAPnc.rr,com > wrote:
> In article <zahKh.1464$Eg4.862@trnddc03>, nosuchu...@invalid.gov says...
>

First of all, I'm am not disputing the fact that 'you' think it is
silly to put too much emphasis on where something is made."

I choose to buy 'where' something is made for several factors; and not
for political reasons,
For instance, I find it uncanny that I break out wearing cotton
material made in India, and the fact that the grasshoppers that come
into my house will only eat clothing made in India. Something
systemic about the cotton grown there, IMO. Same with their straw-
type handbags. I will go further to say that for the same reason I do
not buy anything made in Pakistan or Bangledesh. Must be those
varmits and critters. :--))))


>
> Of course, some "brand names" have moved production overseas with a drop
> in quality. But other brand names have stayed home and also suffered a
> quality drop.

Re: Enameled cast iron


"wff_ng_7" <nosuchuser@invalid.gov> wrote in message
>
> Due to the relative labor rates in the USA and France, vs. the labor rates
> in China and the Far East, eventually almost all manufacturing is going to
> leave both countries. The exception will be certain specialty items where
> the labor rates don't factor into the equation so strongly.

In this case, it is not just labor rates but the cost of the Euro. It is
running about 1.33 right now making most anything from Europe costly.