A SAVVY shopper proved that picking through the piles at secondhand shops can pay off big time.
They were still in disbelief over the vintage kitchenware deals they had snagged.
“Le Creuset score at the bins,” said Redditor Wontedlywilly.
“I truly cannot believe my eyes. I’ve never found Le Creuset in the wild,” they added.
This steal was certainly nothing to sneeze at.
After all, they had found not one, but four items from the pricey label.
The buys were also making some people nostalgic.
“Oh s**t, that is the original stuff with the handle design. We have one from my grandmother. That’s awesome,” wrote one user.
They had no doubt saved hundreds on the thrifting spree.
High-end kitchenware brand Le Creuset sells Round Dutch Ovens ranging in size from 2 quarts to 13 and 1/4 quarts with prices from $260 to $625.
The durable ovens are described as being easy to clean and chip-resistant.
The enameled cast iron is also said to offer “superior” heat distribution.
Meanwhile, the tight-fitting lids will help to bring moisture back to the food while ergonomic handles are ideal for easy lifting.
Another impressed Redditor was curious about the condition of the ovens.
“Wow! Amazing find! How is the enamel coating on the interior? Congrats!” wrote the user.
“It looks good, mostly. I think they just need a good scrub,” they responded.
Yet another Redditor and fellow thrifter shared a hack of their own.
“Pro-flipper tip – fill them with water and add a quarter cup of bleach to each one,” said the commenter.
“Let sit for thirty minutes. Watch the magic happen. The enamel will restore to its original color,” they added.
Others were also enamored with the thrifting steals they had cooked up.
“Incredible. I don’t understand how this stuff makes it to the bins,” said one user.
It seems that it takes a lot of patience to find high-end items at a much lower price.
They’re like 90% literal trash and 10% treasure lol. You have to be dedicated, but I’ve made some amazing purchases there,” yet another reader chimed in.
Why is Le Creuset so expensive?
Le Creuset cookware is on the wishlists of many home cooks and bakers.
But the French brand’s Dutch ovens can cost between $260 and $750, and even a bread loaf pan will set you back $180.
So what warrants such hefty price tags?
Le Creuset’s Dutch ovens are among its most popular items, and they — along with several other pieces of their cookware — are made with high-quality enameled cast iron.
They’re meant to last a long time and even carry a lifetime warranty “to be free from defects in material and workmanship.”
“It’s like, do you really wanna buy a $50 piece of something over and over again, or do you wanna invest in something and know that you’re gonna have it for a long time?” Nate Collier, Le Creuset’s director of marketing and communications, said to Eater.
According to Cookware Insider, 15 quality control officers inspect each of the brand’s items before they’re sold.
Of course, they’re pretty, too, and quite the status symbol.
“You think of it as a simple piece of cookware, but even the silhouette of our Dutch oven is recognizable,” Collier said.
“You could show someone a line drawing without any color, and most people that are familiar with cookware would be able to tell you that it’s specifically a Le Creuset Dutch oven.”
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