Author Topic: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(  (Read 13937 times)

Metalcat

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Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« on: October 06, 2019, 10:32:42 AM »
I am loathe to say this, but I need a new fancy soup pot.

I cook A LOT, it's a big part of my life. Thanks to wedding gifts and awards at DH's work that can be cashed in for cookware, we have a decent collection of copper and cast iron that we've never had to buy for ourselves.

...but now I need a soup pot.

I batch cook, but my new apartment sized stove doesn't have elements big enough to handle my giant copper pots, so I've started cooking double batches of things in two pots.

I have one soup sized Staub enameled cast iron pot and a decent brand name stainless steel pot about the same size.

Three times this week I've split a recipe between these two pots, identical ingredients, identical amounts, identical cooking process, and THREE DAMN TIMES the recipe comes out of the fancy pot tasting significantly better.
Like...it's not even close.
The flavour, the texture, it's totally different.

I always knew I preferred cooking with my fancy pots, I always noticed that I had to spend less effort fidgeting with adjusting the heat, but until this past week, I would have assumed that any change in flavour would have been a placebo effect of just enjoying the cooking process more.

But nope.
I have two large batches of soup on the stove right now and one tastes cohesive and layered and gorgeous while the other tastes...fine, I guess, but the the texture sucks.

Dammit!!!

Now I need another friggin' enameled cast iron soup pot?
Anyone have a recommendation that won't cost $300 but won't fuck up my food??


GizmoTX

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2019, 10:39:54 AM »
How big does it need to be? Tramontina & Lodge make economical 5 qt Dutch ovens.
If you need bigger, look for an outlet shop for Le Creuset.

Zikoris

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2019, 10:42:34 AM »
Wouldn't the easiest solution just be to cook something else/adjust your meal plans? Like, instead of two pots of soup, one batch of soup in the expensive pot + something else that didn't involve a pot? I also do volume cooking every weekend, and have a very minimalist kitchen where nothing is really replicated, and find that having a variety of different types of dishes in the meal plan helps prevent me from needing extra anything. So some soup, some baked dishes, some stir fries, etc.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2019, 10:46:13 AM »
Wouldn't the easiest solution just be to cook something else/adjust your meal plans? Like, instead of two pots of soup, one batch of soup in the expensive pot + something else that didn't involve a pot? I also do volume cooking every weekend, and have a very minimalist kitchen where nothing is really replicated, and find that having a variety of different types of dishes in the meal plan helps prevent me from needing extra anything. So some soup, some baked dishes, some stir fries, etc.

I could...but years of working out a routine that I enjoy is worth buying a new pot for me.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2019, 10:46:41 AM »
How big does it need to be? Tramontina & Lodge make economical 5 qt Dutch ovens.
If you need bigger, look for an outlet shop for Le Creuset.

At least 6qt, preferably 8qt

Dicey

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2019, 10:48:57 AM »
It's not a soup pot, it's a tool. Decide what you want, regardless of cost (within reason), then see how you can source it as economically as possible. Youre a smart, logical person. You're going to use it a lot. Don't sweat this purchase.

As to what brand, I have no idea. I would consider weight and where you will store it. Now that I'm in my sixties, I have no interest in dragging heavy pots out of the bottom of the cupboard. I have drawers, and a lazy Susan. I still have to move it from its storage place, to the stove or oven, to the sink, then back to storage. Add the weight of the contents and bleargh, I ust don't use the heavy stuff any more. I know that sounds whiny, but if you're considering a BIFL approach, it's something to keep in mind.

lizzzi

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2019, 10:54:04 AM »
I make my soup in a slow cooker. I don't like to have things bubbling away on the stove for hours on end when I am outside with the dog so often. Or if I want to simmer something overnight, the slow cooker just seems safer. My "crockpot" for soup is a Hamilton Beach Stay or Go. When I  definitely want to use enameled cast iron, I use my Lodge dutch oven. They run around $35--$50 depending on if you can find a sale. I use it for chili, pot roast, or for occasional artisanal bread. It works just as well as Le Creuset for a lot less money. I had a Le Creuset dutch oven for 20 years--wonderful pot-- but when it finally started to chip, I went with the Lodge.

englishteacheralex

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2019, 10:56:39 AM »
How cheap is your cheap pot? We have a 6 quart Kirkland dutch oven that we got on sale from Costco for $50 six years ago and I think it works fine. Back when we bought it I didn't know as much about cookware and didn't worry about the fact that the interior of the pot was black. Now I know that light colors on the interior are better so you can judge your fond. But I've still liked the results.

We are on the cusp of this problem, after reading a LOT of America's Test Kitchen recipes (we don't subscribe but do manage to get a lot for free via eBay, friends, and a PBS subscription so we can watch the show (but not the locked episodes). Our nonstick Calpholon pan set is starting to not cut it for us and now we know too much about All-Clad and are lusting.

I'm super stoked to sign up for a thread about expensive cookware, if anyone wants to jump in and broaden this to brands/makes that are awesome for any cookware (not just soup pots).

As far as the fancy soup pot issue--if you're willing to wait and put some effort into a good price, I'm a big fan of Goodwill and setting alerts on Craigslist searches (I have about ten going right now). But sometimes I just get fed up and buy the damn thing I want.

Hey what do you look for in a soup pot? What makes your fancy one so good? Is it Le Creuset or something? Are you talking about a stock pot or a dutch oven? You do know about checking America's Test Kitchen and Wirecutter reviews, right? They always have the best buy option, which is very helpful.

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2019, 11:16:45 AM »
I got a beautiful red enameled cast iron pot at Khols. I had a super coupon and it was on sale with additional percentage off (I think I spent like 40$). It's not that expensive to begin with but it works great and I have had no issues happily cooking in it for almost a year.

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3306356/food-network-7-qt-enameled-cast-iron-dutch-oven.jsp?color=Red&prdPV=4

Jon Bon

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2019, 11:18:04 AM »
Buy whatever you want and damn the torpedo's!

But seriously if this is something that you use regularly to do something as fundamental as feeding yourself it feels liek a halfway decent investment. $300 for a pot is a lot of money, but if it lasts for 15+ years does not sound bad to me.

I take the same approach to my groceries. I buy as many as much decently priced food as I can find. I pretty much ignore the cost of my groceries.  Because doing so prevents me from going out to eat and spending 5x the cost of ingredients on a meal out.

IMO the value proposition is your bowl of soup costs you 50 cents to make. If it prevents you from 10 bowls of $5 Panera soup it is a winner!

Remember we are not on here to save money, we are on here to purse happiness. So if your fancy pot makes soup you love to eat, you should do it.





Mmm_Donuts

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2019, 11:30:53 AM »
I cook all my soups in an Instant Pot set to pressure cook. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing (I don't have a Staub or Le Creuset pot) but my soups taste fantastic IMHO! Instant Pots are also great for making the soup stock - I make broth from scratch with chicken bones and basic vegetables in about 2 hours under pressure.

pk_aeryn

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2019, 11:41:58 AM »
You say you have a new apartment sized stove?  Did you recently move and this came with the place, or did you downgrade stoves? I suppose a new pricey soup pot is less than a new stove, but if you’re going to have to replace a lot of things to fit the new stove, I would consider selling the stove and getting a stove that supports your cooking habits.  Cooking from scratch is so important that I would consider that worth it. If it’s only the soup pot that won’t fit, then ignore this.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2019, 11:52:20 AM »
Thank you everyone for the feedback.
Here are some thoughts in response.

I have an instant pot, but don't love it for soups. I used to use it a lot, but if I have the time, then soups really do taste better on the stove IMO. I have never liked cooking with a slow cooker, I had a Hamilton Beach, but gave it to my mother.

My stainless steel pot is decent quality, about the same caliber as the pots I cooked with in restaurants, so it's not a shitty cheap pot, I just can't get over how much better the recipes are turning out in my fancy cast iron pot.
The finished products even looked worse in the lesser pot.

My cast iron aren't Le Creuset, but Staub, which is essentially identical and just as expensive. I have a soup pot that's enameled inside and out, and a Dutch oven and frying pan that are only enameled on the outside.
The inside enameling is niiiiiiiiiice.

I'm okay spending what I need to get another pot, I was just hoping that some other enameled cast iron expert would weigh in with "this brand is half the price and just as amazing!" or some wishful thinking like that.

Is Panera soup good? Never been, so I wouldn't know. Just curious.

Overall, I think I'm just shocked at the level of difference the damn pot made. I guess I'm off to troll the internet for clearance cast iron.

Zikoris

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2019, 11:53:44 AM »
Wouldn't the easiest solution just be to cook something else/adjust your meal plans? Like, instead of two pots of soup, one batch of soup in the expensive pot + something else that didn't involve a pot? I also do volume cooking every weekend, and have a very minimalist kitchen where nothing is really replicated, and find that having a variety of different types of dishes in the meal plan helps prevent me from needing extra anything. So some soup, some baked dishes, some stir fries, etc.

I could...but years of working out a routine that I enjoy is worth buying a new pot for me.

I'm saving this for an example for next time there's a discussion about how the forums have dramatically changed over the years in terms of spending/consumption patterns.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2019, 11:58:30 AM »
You say you have a new apartment sized stove?  Did you recently move and this came with the place, or did you downgrade stoves? I suppose a new pricey soup pot is less than a new stove, but if you’re going to have to replace a lot of things to fit the new stove, I would consider selling the stove and getting a stove that supports your cooking habits.  Cooking from scratch is so important that I would consider that worth it. If it’s only the soup pot that won’t fit, then ignore this.

It's literally only my two giant copper pots that don't work on my little stove if I need to boil large volumes of liquid.

Yes, the stove came with the place. I otherwise really like the size, but according to online reviews, the stovetop part is pretty wimpy, hence why I'm cooking in two pots instead of one giant pot.

My copper pots are enormous, one looks like a bathtub for cats.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #15 on: October 06, 2019, 12:08:39 PM »
Wouldn't the easiest solution just be to cook something else/adjust your meal plans? Like, instead of two pots of soup, one batch of soup in the expensive pot + something else that didn't involve a pot? I also do volume cooking every weekend, and have a very minimalist kitchen where nothing is really replicated, and find that having a variety of different types of dishes in the meal plan helps prevent me from needing extra anything. So some soup, some baked dishes, some stir fries, etc.

I could...but years of working out a routine that I enjoy is worth buying a new pot for me.

I'm saving this for an example for next time there's a discussion about how the forums have dramatically changed over the years in terms of spending/consumption patterns.

I'll take your criticism, but the way I cook already involves juggling 3 recipes at one time, and I cook in the volumes that I do in order to minimize waste and maximize utility of expensive ingredients.

So if I buy a small packet of fresh herbs, it's usually 6 times what a recipe calls for, so I'll often triple that recipe and triple a second recipe that calls for the same ingredient.
Same for buying cheese, which is often much cheaper in larger quantities.

I actually have a program on my laptop where I have cross referenced all of my recipes according to perishable ingredients that can't be bought in small amounts, or are very expensive in small amounts, and I plan a week's worth of cooking around those particular items.

I'm pretty dedicated to spending very little on groceries, so if I've got an excellent system that works with our lives, works with my kitchen, and produces virtually no food waste and keeps per meal costs extremely low while producing consistently delicious food, yep, I'm okay giving myself permission to buy one pot.

I've just...never bought myself a pot before...

koshtra

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #16 on: October 06, 2019, 12:19:23 PM »
This sort of thing, if you buy top quality used, you (or your heirs) can usually sell it again thirty years later for pretty much the same price, which makes it basically free.


koshtra

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #17 on: October 06, 2019, 12:24:14 PM »
Just think of it as the part of your portfolio that some other investor might put in precious metals. "I'm in platinum and Le Creuset, myself."

G-dog

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #18 on: October 06, 2019, 01:22:28 PM »
WHy do you like the inside enamel so much?  I find it hard to clean (I have a Le Creuset), and also food sticks to it pretty badly.  I also have an electric stove (coiled burners) - which does tend to make hots spots in every cookware I have tried.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #19 on: October 06, 2019, 02:04:26 PM »
WHy do you like the inside enamel so much?  I find it hard to clean (I have a Le Creuset), and also food sticks to it pretty badly.  I also have an electric stove (coiled burners) - which does tend to make hots spots in every cookware I have tried.

I find my Staub super easy to clean and very little sticks to it compared to the exposed cast iron, the copper, and the stainless steel.

mountain mustache

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #20 on: October 06, 2019, 02:08:03 PM »
I have a very large Lodge enameled cast iron pot that was gifted to me a few years ago, and I love it! I think they run about $60-$80. My mom has a Le Crueset of around the same size, and honestly I cannot tell the difference in using them. I love how easy the enameled inside is to clean, and I do find my food just cooks better in general when I use the Lodge pot, vs some of my heavy bottomed stainless pots. I grew up also using a non enameled cast iron pot, and I do miss that for some things when you want a really good browned texture from something...I find the enamel sometimes makes that harder to accomplish.

noplaceliketheroad

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #21 on: October 06, 2019, 02:10:39 PM »
Do you have a Le Creuset outlet near you? Often in the back section of the store they have a clearance/sale section, which is all the same products as the front section of the store, but in the last season's color. Which since it's Le Creuset is usually still a beautiful color. I've also had good luck with high end cookware on ruelala, they also have out of season color Le Creusets fairly often. Not sure about Staub. Good luck! I also totally think nice cookware is worth it!

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #22 on: October 06, 2019, 02:17:41 PM »
I have a very large Lodge enameled cast iron pot that was gifted to me a few years ago, and I love it! I think they run about $60-$80. My mom has a Le Crueset of around the same size, and honestly I cannot tell the difference in using them. I love how easy the enameled inside is to clean, and I do find my food just cooks better in general when I use the Lodge pot, vs some of my heavy bottomed stainless pots. I grew up also using a non enameled cast iron pot, and I do miss that for some things when you want a really good browned texture from something...I find the enamel sometimes makes that harder to accomplish.

Excellent! I'll check out Lodge.
Thank you!

Agreed about the naked cast iron, nothing beats it for searing. That's actually what's so nice about the enamel for soups and stews, it's oddly difficult to burn things, so I don't need to be nearly as attentive, I can trust it to stay the temperature I want it to stay at.

norajean

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #23 on: October 06, 2019, 03:00:50 PM »
Sounds like you need a stove that fits your pots. Or worse, an apartment.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #24 on: October 06, 2019, 03:40:42 PM »
Sounds like you need a stove that fits your pots. Or worse, an apartment.

Or just a new pot...

Cranky

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #25 on: October 06, 2019, 04:59:29 PM »
I like the enameled cast iron I bought at Aldi ($25) pretty equally with the Le Creuset I bought at the thrift store ($10.) Nice, but waaaay heavy.

I don’t think you have to go top of the line.

OtherJen

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #26 on: October 06, 2019, 05:06:57 PM »
Another vote for Costco enameled cast iron, if you can find one. The store doesn't always stock them, but this is the most likely time of year to find one. I think ours was $70, maybe 10 years ago.

I haven't tried Lodge for enameled pieces, but we have a few of their regular cast iron pans and they're good quality and very solid.

Dicey

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #27 on: October 06, 2019, 05:09:04 PM »
I'll take your criticism, but the way I cook already involves juggling 3 recipes at one time, and I cook in the volumes that I do in order to minimize waste and maximize utility of expensive ingredients.

So if I buy a small packet of fresh herbs, it's usually 6 times what a recipe calls for, so I'll often triple that recipe and triple a second recipe that calls for the same ingredient.
Same for buying cheese, which is often much cheaper in larger quantities.

I actually have a program on my laptop where I have cross referenced all of my recipes according to perishable ingredients that can't be bought in small amounts, or are very expensive in small amounts, and I plan a week's worth of cooking around those particular items.

I'm pretty dedicated to spending very little on groceries, so if I've got an excellent system that works with our lives, works with my kitchen, and produces virtually no food waste and keeps per meal costs extremely low while producing consistently delicious food, yep, I'm okay giving myself permission to buy one pot.

I've just...never bought myself a pot before...
You are a total badass! I bow down to your awesomeness. I am not worthy ;-)

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #28 on: October 06, 2019, 05:10:19 PM »
I don't have Aldi here and I've never seen any enameled cast iron at Costco except for a small selection of Le Creuset, but I'll keep an eye out.

Googling Lodge pots now

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #29 on: October 06, 2019, 05:18:25 PM »
I'll take your criticism, but the way I cook already involves juggling 3 recipes at one time, and I cook in the volumes that I do in order to minimize waste and maximize utility of expensive ingredients.

So if I buy a small packet of fresh herbs, it's usually 6 times what a recipe calls for, so I'll often triple that recipe and triple a second recipe that calls for the same ingredient.
Same for buying cheese, which is often much cheaper in larger quantities.

I actually have a program on my laptop where I have cross referenced all of my recipes according to perishable ingredients that can't be bought in small amounts, or are very expensive in small amounts, and I plan a week's worth of cooking around those particular items.

I'm pretty dedicated to spending very little on groceries, so if I've got an excellent system that works with our lives, works with my kitchen, and produces virtually no food waste and keeps per meal costs extremely low while producing consistently delicious food, yep, I'm okay giving myself permission to buy one pot.

I've just...never bought myself a pot before...
You are a total badass! I bow down to your awesomeness. I am not worthy ;-)

Lol, it's a learned skillset from running a kitchen. I lost an avocado two years ago and I'm still not over it.

Frankies Girl

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #30 on: October 06, 2019, 05:18:54 PM »
May I suggest spending a few weeks maybe attempting to win a fancy pot on Goodwill's site? Could do this for a bit as you look around for other options anyway. Maybe you're get lucky and win a great fancy one. :)

Right now there are several promising Le Creuset that could be used for stovetop/soup up there for $20-40 so far.

www.shopgoodwill.com

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #31 on: October 06, 2019, 05:19:59 PM »
I'm in Canada, not sure I'm eligible.

Hadilly

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(ce
« Reply #32 on: October 06, 2019, 05:22:49 PM »
I have a 6 qt (maybe larger?) all clad chef’s pan that I love for soup. I highly recommend it. I do t know that they still make that big size, but well worth tracking down.

I also make a lot of soup.

Frankies Girl

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #33 on: October 06, 2019, 05:25:49 PM »
I'm in Canada, not sure I'm eligible.

awwww sorry, I missed your location. But are there any decent ones up on Canadian Ebay or any other charity sites that may be safe to use/bid on?



And I love to cook and do it every day (most meals), and totally understand wanting quality cookware.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #34 on: October 06, 2019, 05:31:49 PM »
K, so the internet tells me that Lodge, Amazon Basics, and Crock Pot all make quality enameled cast iron pots for about $70.

It will be interesting to see if there's any difference compared to a $400+ pot.

G-dog

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2019, 05:57:57 PM »
Lodge consistently has high ratings, not sure about the others. America’s Test Kitchen may have done a test of enameled cast iron cookware.

I tried getting a cheap set (on sale $124 for 5 pieces). Geez it was SO HEAVY for it’s size, and in one use some of the enamel came off of the bottom (and stuck to the heating element). Luckily I was able to return it. Oh, and the food stuck to it (I do think my stove is part of the problem here).

chicagomeg

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #36 on: October 06, 2019, 08:18:49 PM »
The Wirecutter endorses the Lodge pot as well. It's my favorite review site: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-dutch-oven/

seattlecyclone

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #37 on: October 06, 2019, 10:00:26 PM »
Never tried their enamel stuff, but we use our Lodge non-enameled cast iron skillets pretty much every day. So cheap and durable.

Linea_Norway

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #38 on: October 07, 2019, 05:06:51 AM »
It sounds weird that there is such a difference in taste, depending on the pot used. Maybe the stainless steel gives off some elements to the soup? Should not be the case, though.

We don't have any cast irons posts, because I don't like the weight of them. And now I don't know if they would work on induction. So I don't know what we are missing out on. We can make soups that I think work out nicely with texture, but have nothing to compare it to.

I would look into the second hand pots for a good quality pot. Maybe I'll look for one myself next time I visit a flea market. Need to bring along a magnet to check for induction compatibility...

Eowyn_MI

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #39 on: October 07, 2019, 06:27:47 AM »
I'm in Canada, not sure I'm eligible.

awwww sorry, I missed your location. But are there any decent ones up on Canadian Ebay or any other charity sites that may be safe to use/bid on?


I bought a Le Creuset dutch oven off of Ebay (American) years ago.  I think that I got the 7.25 quart size for ~$250.  It is my favorite pot to cook in and I use it all the time.  I don't know of any cheaper options that work the same as Le Creuset but here's another vote for trying to find an expensive pot on the used market.

chaskavitch

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #40 on: October 07, 2019, 06:31:10 AM »
I didn't know goodwill had an online presence and now it's going to be a disaster.

We have a Lodge enameled dutch oven, and I like it well enough.  I've never had a Le Creuset, so I can't compare, but the Lodge has held up for a few years now, no chipping or problems.  My Lodge skillets are HEAVY compared to an older unbranded one my MIL gave me, though, so I don't know if the Lodge dutch oven is significantly heavier than a more expensive brand.  Apparently that's not an important spec to have on your website when you sell cast iron.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #41 on: October 07, 2019, 06:34:01 AM »
My cast iron all work on induction, my copper pots don't.

The difference was significant, not just in the taste, but moreso the texture and the appearance. I know it has to do with the uniformity and consistency of the cooking temperature, I just didn't expect it to have that much of an effect.

Thanks everyone for the feedback re: Lodge, now I'm trying to figure out why Lodge has some pots that are $60 and nearly identical pots over $200...hmm

PMG

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #42 on: October 07, 2019, 06:57:13 AM »
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KDfNwXXESiU

Here’s the Test Kitchen comparison video.

We went down this rabbit hole last winter.  Came to the conclusion that the $300 pots might be better than the $70 pots by just a little bit, but not a couple hundred dollars.

In the end we decided to just keep using what we already have, though I would snap up an upgrade if it showed up at a thrift shop.

elliha

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #43 on: October 07, 2019, 07:08:29 AM »
Can't you just mix the two soups so you are not able to tell the difference. If you only had the cheaper pot I am sure that soup would be fully acceptable to you. I have a mixture of expensive and cheap and I have never ever noticed any difference in taste even when cooking in two pots so I am slightly skeptical if this is really a thing or confirmation bias of some kind.

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #44 on: October 07, 2019, 07:30:51 AM »
Can't you just mix the two soups so you are not able to tell the difference. If you only had the cheaper pot I am sure that soup would be fully acceptable to you. I have a mixture of expensive and cheap and I have never ever noticed any difference in taste even when cooking in two pots so I am slightly skeptical if this is really a thing or confirmation bias of some kind.

You're entitled to your skepticism.

However, I didn't say that expensive was better than cheap. I said that for the recipes I'm making, cast iron seems to be much better than stainless steel, at least on my stove.

It just so happens that all of my cast iron pieces are extremely expensive gifts I've received, and I'm asking if there are cheaper cast iron options that are just as good as my enameled Staubs.

As for mixing the two batches. The lesser batch was already acceptable, but the better batch was exceptional, and I would rather keep it that way. It's not like I threw out the lesser batch, I'm just considering buying a new pot and thought I would ask the smart people here for advice since I realized I've never bought a single pot.


Omy

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #45 on: October 07, 2019, 07:36:35 AM »
Thinking outside the box...why not buy a commercial grade single burner from a restaurant supply site and keep using your big soup pot that you love?

Metalcat

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #46 on: October 07, 2019, 08:04:48 AM »
Thinking outside the box...why not buy a commercial grade single burner from a restaurant supply site and keep using your big soup pot that you love?

I still use the giant copper pots on the stove, just not for large volumes of liquid that need to boil.

I actually considered an element, but my research failed to find me a decently powered single burner. I read a bunch of review articles but all of the retail ones seem under powered.
I have a single induction element that I use, but it doesn't work with copper.

Do you have any idea what brand might be a commercial level single burner?

I'll also have to consider the cost of that compared to a new pot, especially if the $70 pot will work.

The other option is to buy a converter disk for the induction element so that I can use it with my copper pots, but that's also the same price as a Lodge enamel pot, and I wonder if the little induction element even has enough power for such giant pots filled with liquid.

It all comes down to if the cheap enameled pots are of relatively similar quality to the Le Creuset type pots, and according to that Test Kitchen clip, it looks like some brands are very close in term of performance.

GizmoTX

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #47 on: October 07, 2019, 10:04:19 AM »
So this pot from Milo showed up on my FB feed: $95 for 5.5 qt. I'm very tempted. Here's a review: https://www.thekitchn.com/milo-dutch-oven-review-22950065?fbclid=IwAR3YQmhGCMZMZ4gb7M66-lrEw5r2cps0paiOKwB86jDR72x5r6_OCoHIe9o

Linea_Norway

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #48 on: October 07, 2019, 10:56:29 AM »
Do you normally  make soup with sour in it? Maybe that dissolves some of the steel.

mm1970

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Re: Oh no...I have an expensive cookware problem :(
« Reply #49 on: October 07, 2019, 11:18:05 AM »
How big does it need to be? Tramontina & Lodge make economical 5 qt Dutch ovens.
If you need bigger, look for an outlet shop for Le Creuset.

At least 6qt, preferably 8qt

We have this one.  I've had it for many many years and really like it.  6 qt, not 8.

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Enameled-Classic-Enamel-Island/dp/B000N501BK

looks like they have a 7.5 qt too

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Enameled-Classic-Enamel-Island/dp/B0039UU9UE?th=1