At the very same outlet last summer I bought a 13 qt casserole for around 225, i think. It is round, so im not sure if it technically can be a dutch oven, but it has been great. The handle on the lid appears to be cast iron, so temp is no problem. The only issue that I have is that it weighs a good 10-15 pounds empty, so when it is filled and hot, it becomes a bit of a challenge to remove from the oven. I love the capacity though, holds enough shanks or short ribs, or brisket for a family of 5 with lots of leftovers. I am curious though about the difference between the round and oval shapes. I suppose that with the smaller ones oval might better fit a bird or something, but would there be any difference in how they cook?
-Will

Based upon the high ratings it received by Cooks Illustrated and my general affection for cast Iron, we sought out this Lodge pre-seasoned Dutch Oven.

Ours is a 7 quart that we named Ralph, but they do have smaller ones.

Everything we've made in Ralph from short ribs, to beer braised pork, to Lamb curry (pictured below) has been exceptional.

I love the handles.

The sale price on Amazon cannot be beat.
We bought ours for $34 and free shipping.

Right now, that have it on sale for $39 and free shipping.
Link

I am curious though about the difference between the round and oval shapes.

Well, since part of the point is heat radiated from the sides, I suppose it means a chicken, etc. is closer to being equal distance from all sides.

Or it could just be that they figure you don't want to cut up that many more vegetables to fill the pot along with one chicken.

tem wrote:I cook most everything in it. Soups, stews, braises, deep frying, baked beans.

Where is the outlet exactly and how much did you pay for the 5qt ? I somehow got a 7.25 qt at NW Cutlery for like $160 last year but now they seem to have jacked up their prices or possibly just priced them correctly. It'd be nice to have a 2nd one.

Yeah, the prices are now "correct". The 7.25qt round is $207 on the tag, but it rang up as $198. Still a pretty good deal for that size.

They also have 1/2 size vollrath bun pans for $5.

Mike G wrote:So, inspired by the recent cookware thread, I stopped in the Le Creuset outlet just north of the state line and the only thing it struck me I didn't have and could use was... a Dutch oven. So, I bought a "second" for a pretty good price, and now I have one.

Mike,

Thoughts of your Balthazar chicken in my head, I stopped at the Le Creuset outlet yesterday and picked up a Dutch oven and, inspired by Ruhlman's Charcuterie, a Terrine*, both seconds, but damn if I can find a defect on them anywhere.

Prices at the Le Creuset outlet are very good, especially seconds, but as an added bonus as I was checking out the friendly clerk told me 5-pieces gave me a 20% discount and lids counted. I immediately picked up the Gratin I had been eyeing which, with factoring in the discount on my entire purchase, ended up costing $7.

I've been to this Le Creuset outlet in the past and they always have a special discount or two, which is how I ended up with an impossibly huge 13.5 Dutch Oven a few years ago.

Enjoy,
Gary

*Pigmon/Trixie-Pea, return of your Terrine forthcoming, thanks for the loan

Le Creuset
1211 120th Ave #15
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53258
262-857-3124.

OK, Here's a two-birds-with-onestone move:

Bird 1: in large part because of this discussion, I pulled out my orange LeCreuset dutch oven and made Molly Stevens' "Simplest Potato & Leek Braise";

Bird B: in order to see whether or not I've learned how to do it, I'll now attempt to post a pic of said braise. Here goes:



Did that work? We'll see.

In any case, the dish was gobble-me-up delicious. And simplicity itself to make: add leeks, potatoes and stock, braise, spice a bit, braise some more, add cream and brown under the boiler. Oh boy!

If this picture thing works, I'm going to take some shots of food places around Montreal. Get ready!

Geo

PS. Dang! it worked! Ain't science grand boys and girls??!

Geo wrote:If this picture thing works, I'm going to take some shots of food places around Montreal. Get ready!

Good for our side! We will not only have interesting posts from Montreal. They will arrive with illustrative photos as well!

We will be well rewarded for the time you spent learning how to post photos!

Thank you!

Regards,

Tnx C2! I'll do my best. I've got some friends coming this weekend from Sonoma: we have a *heavy* date at Marché Jean-Talon. I'll try to take some good pix of this way deep-down Montreal essential.

Geo