This Le Creuset Look Alike Is A Valuable Thrift Store Find

You can find a host of affordable, old-school kitchenware at the thrift shop, and there are certain highly sought-after brand names that any vintage collector would die to stumble across. The Le Creuset Dutch oven is many a thrift fanatic's white whale. These versatile pieces can be used for everything from slow braising meat to baking bread, and they're are prized for their ability to retain heat while not degrading when in contact with acidic food. Le Creuset cookware is also beautifully constructed, doubling as a decorative piece. But with all the craze around this one brand, there are other valuable, high-quality vintage Dutch ovens you might wrongfully overlook.

Whether you're searching for a reliable cooking tool or you're hoping to decorate your kitchen with vintage thrift store finds, Staub is an excellent alternative to Le Creuset. Just like the Le Creuset, Staub Dutch ovens are made of enameled cast iron. Founded in 1974 in France, this high-quality cookware is built to last with original pieces enduring for decades with proper care.

Staub pieces are easily identified by their unique sunken lids and brand name embossed on top. Sometimes you'll see the name on the bottom of the pot or the pot handles too. They're also typically a bit cheaper than Le Creuset. While brand new Staub Dutch ovens can range from $200 to $700, you can find them for as low as $20 to $50 at the thrift. Staub cookware is slightly heavier than Le Creuset, and it features black interior enamel that doesn't show unsightly stains like the light inner enamel of the Le Creuset does. Shopping for pre-loved Staub also offers the advantage of uncovering long-discontinued colors. You can even track down unique heart- or tomato-shaped pieces.

There are some considerations to keep in mind when you're shopping for secondhand enameled cast iron. For starters, you'll need to make sure your vintage find isn't chipped on the inside. A little superficial damage to the outside or upper pot is totally fine as long as it won't make contact with food. 

A downside of thrifted Le Creuset or Staub Dutch ovens is their hardware. In some cases, the original handles won't be able to handle the heat of your convection oven. This isn't an issue if you're just planning on using your Dutch oven for stovetop cooking, but it is something to consider if you're hoping to bake bread. Luckily, plastic knobs can easily be replaced with newer, oven-safe hardware. You can find a variety of oven-safe Staub replacement knobs online. If you're feeling funky, there's a line of animal-shaped knobs you can acquire, too. 

Once you bring home your Staub, it's important to properly use and maintain it to guarantee it will remain a staple of your kitchen. This Dutch oven can handle 500 degrees Fahrenheit with a lid on it and up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit without the lid, but heating an empty Dutch oven can cause cracks in the enamel. When you're cooking on a stove top, be sure to slowly heat the pot with some sort of food in it. Cook with silicone or wood utensils and don't use anything too abrasive to wash your cookware to avoid scratching the enamel. Washing your Dutch oven by hand is the best way to maintain it for a lifetime.