660286 Sat Oct 17 11:50:48 -0700 2009 11 41 Cookware 0 5110486 Just spotted a 5qt.enamaled/cast iron of each in a store where the help are not able to answer the following questions. So I'm looking for some feedback. The LC ( a factory second) is $130.00. The Cuisinart ( not a FS) is $65.00. I'm not questioning the value of the LC; I am unsure of the quality of the Cuisinart. I have full confidence in their food processors. Years ago I bought a couple of their stainless steel pans and was not that happy with their performance. Not to confuse anyone, these are enamaled/castiron. But it is several years later now. Can I get some feedback? Thank you in advance Toby1355 Sat Oct 17 11:50:48 -0700 2009 35262 toby1355 1 5112212 Most of the less expensive enamel cast iron is made in China these days. I own 20-year old LC and I own a new Tramontina (not Cuisinart) made in China enamel. The LC is obviously superior in quality, but frankly the Tramontina gets the job done. America's Test Kitchen did an analysis of these less expensive enamel cast iron pans and I believe Cuisinart rated highly, as did Range Kleen and Tramontina. Only you can decide how to spend your money. Sun Oct 18 10:19:44 -0700 2009 5110486 1088155 Ambimom 1 5113188 Most CHers will tell you that LC will last a lifetime if taken care of properly. $130 is a great price for a 5 quart dutch oven, and we know that the quality is there, regardless of its status as a factory second. If there is nothing wrong with the interior of the pot, it is a good buy. I have some LCs that are 30 years old, and they get used quite a bit around here. Can't say what to predict with the Cuisinart ECI because it is a newer product. I'd get the LC if I had to vote. Sun Oct 18 18:37:32 -0700 2009 5110486 87837 RGC1982 2 5115503 I'm going to second that vote for the LC. That's about half the price of normal. One piece that I have was a second and I've never been able to figure out why. Nor have I ever regretted buying it - except that it made me want MORE! jkgourmet www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com Mon Oct 19 15:49:37 -0700 2009 5113188 10155 jkgourmet 1 5113216 Why is the LC a second? They seem to have a lot on the market. I would look at the interior and exterior closely. I have an early Chinese dutch oven, of indifferent quality. I have LC's that really look their age after 30 years. But my favorite is a Batali round dutch oven, cleared for $36 at Costco. The quality of finish and fit is outstanding, even if it is a Chinese Copco design. Sun Oct 18 18:47:15 -0700 2009 5110486 56131 jayt90 1 5154996 I actually purchased the Cuisinart in both the round and oval at my local TJMaxx recently. Wrapped them up and placed them carefully in the car. By the time I got home the enamel on one was chipping pretty well. I took both back. They later got in the LC seconds. I have now picked up the LC 22cm and the 26cm- I think this translates to the 3.5qt and 5.5qt. Neither of them had anything wrong with the enameling that I can spy and I definitely looked them over well. They made the trip home fine and work great. I have one Chantal enamel pot I tried out first and it seems to be doing fine. Maybe it's just me, but the enamel on the LC seems to be a little more evenly and smoothly done. *edited to add the only thing I spot on my LC seconds that may have made it a 2nd, the paint is single tone. It doesn't gradiate. Not sure if all LC is supposed to have the color that goes from dark to light or not. The 2 I have are single tone. Wed Nov 04 08:46:03 -0800 2009 5110486 1090351 grnidkjun 2 5155893 Thanks for the info Toby 1355 Wed Nov 04 12:45:09 -0800 2009 5154996 35262 toby1355 3 5172872 What did you finally decide? I keep waiting/hoping to see a 6 3/4qt oval LC show up at my TJM.. no such luck so far! Wed Nov 11 09:47:01 -0800 2009 5155893 1090351 grnidkjun 4 5182132 Got the LC and am lovin' it todeath Sat Nov 14 17:26:26 -0800 2009 5172872 35262 toby1355 2 5182037 I had a similar problem with the Cuisinart. It made it home alright, but after about three uses I watched in horror as the enamel raised and chipped off in the middle of use. This happened last night. I have no idea where the receipt is and am trying to figure out if I can get it replaced. Not pleased : ( Sat Nov 14 16:37:36 -0800 2009 5154996 809911 jesuisawesome 3 5186676 If it still had the tags on it.. TJM or Marshalls would at least give you a store credit. Without tags and no receipt I'm not sure you'll have much luck. If you bought with a credit card, could you call your cc company and see if they can pull a copy of the receipt? Mon Nov 16 15:13:15 -0800 2009 5182037 1090351 grnidkjun 1 5157106 I'm *very* familiar with LC (too familiar, LOL...more like "obsessed"), but not with the Cuisinart, toby. Did you go to Amazon to read the user reviews on both pots? You could also check on egullet.com. There are other sites that take comments (e.g., cooking.com) but i find the consumer comments are most detailed on Amazon and in the discussion threads on egullet. Other than that, did the Cuisinart feel as heavy and full-bodied as the LC? I think that's an important issue when you're talking about a 5-quart oven. It's meant for slow-cooking, on burner or in the oven, and I think heft matters for those applications. What did you heart tell you? Did either of the pans "speak" to you? Getting the right cookware is a personal thing. Wed Nov 04 20:22:31 -0800 2009 5110486 1104013 Normandie