The One Downside Of Thrifted Le Creuset (And How To Fix It)

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The Le Creuset brand has reigned as one of the most popular and high-quality cookware brands of the past decades. The larger pieces can easily cost several hundred dollars when new, all with high quality and durability that can last for decades. This means that finding a Le Creuset piece of any kind in your local thrift store can make you feel like you've won the lottery. They manufacture items from bakeware and mixing bowls to casserole dishes in an array of sizes, but the most popular is their enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. Not only are these beautiful to behold in a rich array of stunning signature colors, but they are also very adaptable to your cooking needs. Modern La Creuset Dutch ovens and other cookware can be used on the stovetop or in the oven.

But if you happen to stumble upon an older Le Creuset, you may want to make a change in one important part. In vintage La Creuset cookware, the hardware and knobs were not intended for the high temperatures of the oven. By swapping out the old hardware for new, you can safely use your vintage Dutch oven just like a new one.

The classic black phenolic knobs typically used on old Le Creusets are actually easy to spot since they have both the Le Creuset logo and name on them. These knobs are safe to use in the oven as long as the temperature remains below 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, most cooking involving these dishware require higher temperatures, which means the knobs will likely melt. Modern Le Creuset pans have steel handles in gold or silver finishes that are tolerant of heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.

If you find a Le Creuset Dutch oven in your secondhand shopping adventures, there are other ways to identify an older model asides from the knobs and hardware. In production since the 1920s, the company's earliest handles on many cookware pieces were loops rather than knobs, with some even made of wood in the 1950s through the 1970s. Older models will also often have ridges on the bottom that newer pieces do not. You can identify the brand in general by the manufacturer's name and place of manufacturing on the bottom, as well as a two-digit number that indicates the diameter of the pot or pan.

To make your plastic-knobbed Le Creuset oven safe, simply swap out the plastic screw-in handle with a new one. You can find replacement knobs directly from the manufacturer, along with guidance on choosing the right size for your piece. Amazon also has Le Creuset Signature Knobs available in a number of finishes, including gold, silver, black nickel, and a colorful iridescent, all safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. They run in the $25 to $35 range for the medium size (they also have large and small sizes). These handles just screw-in where the old knob was at the top.

Also note that if you find an older piece of Le Creuset, there may be other reasons besides the knob issue that could make the piece unsuitable for use. While durable for many decades when treated well, cracks in the interior enamel may affect cooking in general, both in the oven and on a stovetop. This is because they may continue to chip off and contaminate your food. You can still use it for storage or part of your décor, but cooking is not advised. Often, you can get a replacement piece under the lifetime warranty that accompanies the brand if you are the initial owner of an older piece, but not if it has been resold. Outer cosmetic scratches and dents will usually not affect cooking. You can keep your thrifted Dutch oven looking good as new by cleaning the exterior with a heavy-duty oven cleaner.