The Oldest Le Creuset Color Is Still Available Today

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A prized enameled cast-iron cookware brand since 1925, Le Creuset embodies all the elegance and refinement of French cooking itself. Hand crafted, each cast-iron pot and pan that comes out of the Le Creuset foundry has been designed with long-lasting performance in mind. And along with developing many variations in styles, sizes, and types of cookware, Le Creuset is also best known for its iconic color options. From deep red to bright blue to simple white, there are many choices for the aspiring collector. However, the oldest, most recognizable color ever produced by Le Creuset, Flame, is still available to purchase today. These well-made enameled cast-iron pieces also continue to be manufactured in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France as they were over 100 years ago.

Flame, which is known as Volcanique in French, is a bold red-orange gradient inspired by the very molten cast iron used to create Le Creuset cookware. It is not surprising that the French name for this color is an adjective that translates to "volcanic" or "smoldering." Instead of one single shade of orange, Flame pots, pans, and other kitchen items, range from a deep red-orange in parts to a light, glowing orange in others. The gradient effect, perfected by Le Creuset, has given the Flame color continued popularity for almost a century. While it is not the most ultra-rare Le Creuset color you could find secondhand, the Flame color may be one of the most exciting vintage discoveries. 

If you keep your eyes out for this bright color, you might find vintage versions tucked away in secondhand shops. Estate sales also make good places to seek out vintage Flame cookware. While Flame is not the rarest Le Creuset colors to hunt for at thrift stores, it might prove to be more difficult in other ways. Separating vintage Flame items from contemporary ones takes a discerning eye. A notable option is to consider the types of markings used, with non-standardized markings common prior to the 1970s. Very early pieces sometimes do not include the brand name at all, while mid-century pieces sometimes bear the brand name "COUSANCE."

Also, remember that the one downside of thrifted Le Creuset is that the knobs used on older Le Creuset products were not as suited for use at very high temperatures over 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Replacing the knobs on the vintage Flame pots or pans you find will help you get the most out of this highly popular Le Creuset color.

While vintage Le Creuset in any color features decent resale value, do not expect to sell a classic Flame-colored Dutch oven for a fortune. Round Dutch ovens can sell for $75 to $200, depending on the size and condition. As this color remains available brand-new from Le Creuset, resale value also depends on the nostalgia of the buyer. If you love the Flame color, but cannot fathom paying almost $400 for a small Round Dutch Oven, perhaps you could purchase it secondhand. For comparison, a mid-century vintage set with two round dutch ovens and and an oval baker (three cookware pieces!) is available on Ebay for $500.