# Le Creuset-is it worth the price tag? Need answer fast-ish. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 14, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441 "2014-05-14T15:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441/61 "2014-05-15T15:50:22Z")
> [@eclectic\_wench](#): > > I want to for the bread. The Le Creuset website says the handles on the French ovens are heat resistant to 500F, so it shouldn’t be a problem. > **[Recipe: No-Knead Bread (Published 2006)](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html?_r=0)** > > A recipe for No-Knead Bread, adapted from Jim Lahey, Sullivan Street Bakery. 450 degrees, and a dutch oven is just what the doctor ordered. While the LC ones go to 500, the Rachael Ray one I got as a wedding gift didn’t, so I swapped knobs out. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441/62 "2014-05-15T16:02:37Z")
I wonder if the temp thing varies or they’ve recently been rated higher for the plastic handles. I find plenty of references online about the Le Creuset booklet saying they’re rated for 350 or 375, and even the small replacement handle [sold by them online](http://www.lecreuset.com/classic-small-phenolic-knob) says 375. Ah. After digging further, I see there are newer knobs resistant to 480F, so this does appear to be a recent refinement as the new ones are called “signature” knobs and the old ones are “classic” knobs. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441/63 "2014-05-15T16:43:35Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Note that some people think that they’re getting some great bargain by shopping an outlet store; getting last season’s styles or irregular goods at a big discount from the prices at which the goods are sold in major department stores. But the majority of outlet store merchandise (clothing especially) are goods produced specifically for sale in the outlet stores. Some brand lines are sold only in the outlet stores. Perhaps the Ralph Lauren stuff in Nordstrom is sold under the Polo brand, while the outlet store stuff is sold under the Polo Blue label, although that’s just a made up example. > > Perhaps Le Creuset is different, and its outlet stores really are selling the same stuff but with minor flaws. But their website lists 61 outlet stores across America. Are they really producing that much flawed goods to stock that many stores? Damn good question. It’s possible they sell the same stuff in both stores, but want to capture the consumers that are only going to shop in the discount stores, and Le Creuset is willing to make less profit there. Would love to know the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441/64 "2014-05-15T17:25:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Perhaps Le Creuset is different, and its outlet stores really are selling the same stuff but with minor flaws. But their website lists 61 outlet stores across America. Are they really producing that much flawed goods to stock that many stores? I was in one of their outlet stores years ago (maybe 10 yrs ago?). The woman showed me the seconds area and explained how most of the flaws were in the form of bubbles in the enamel on the outside of the pan. These were fairly discounted. The rest of the store was regular merchandise sold at slightly less than retail value. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441/65 "2014-05-15T17:28:46Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I was in one of their outlet stores years ago (maybe 10 yrs ago?). The woman showed me the seconds area and explained how most of the flaws were in the form of bubbles in the enamel on the outside of the pan. These were fairly discounted. The rest of the store was regular merchandise sold at slightly less than retail value. That sounds right. They’ll also usually have a specific color on sale at any given time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/le-creuset-is-it-worth-the-price-tag-need-answer-fast-ish/688441.md?page=3)