I Visited a Le Creuset Outlet Store Today….😳

[Panhead John]

In my quest to find a replacement rondeau pan for the one that warped, I went to a Sur La Table store and a nearby Williams Sonoma. They had lots of great stuff but not exactly what I was looking for. Boy, they had some nice cookware though, like pots and pans porn! 😳 After more online searching I decided on a Le Crueset 4.5 qt. SS rondeau pan they offered. I pretty much decided also, I didn’t want to buy another one without looking at it in person first. I found out today that we have 2 Le Creuset outlet stores in the Houston area, but the only location that had it in stock, was 45 minutes away in Conroe, Tx., 10 miles north of where we had the Spring MeatUp. Anywho, I ain’t never done did owned any of their stuff before and only knew about Le Creuset from some of y’all here in The Pit. Decided to head up their way and check it out.

Holy crap Batman! When I went inside the store I thought I was in Disneyland! Talk about some beautiful cookware, and a huge variety of colors to choose from. I didn’t know much about em, just thought they sold cast iron pots and pans….boy was I wrong! They had a big selection of stainless steel pots and pans, kitchen accessories, along with other things I didn’t even know what they were. I’m glad I was only after one item though! I spent about 45 minutes inside, my sales guy Howard offered to give me a tour after meeting him. I swear, there were so many things I’d like to have bought there to replace some of my Walmart stuff, but they’re kinda pricey. I was literally walking through the store going….ooh, I’d love to have that…and that too, wow, look at that..etc. etc. I might have to make another trip there one day when it’s in the budget. Their stuff wasn’t crazy expensive though, but it is the kind of cookware that could be handed down for generations. If you happen to have one of their outlets nearby, check em out someday. Here’s a few pics……

NICE STORE!























For some reason I forgot to take pics of their SS selection of pots and pans…..

[Michael_in_TX]

They do make some beautiful stuff; the gradient on those things is just remarkable.

[Panhead John]

Even more impressive in person!

[Panhead John]

My sales guy Howard showed me around upstairs where they have their “scratch and dent” items for big discounts. Scratch and dent was a big exaggeration, it was more like items that had minor, very minor, imperfections. He showed me a few things and I wouldn’t have noticed anything if he hadn’t pointed it out to me. They had a small pin head size bubble in it….it was so small that if I had paid full price for it I wouldn’t have even said anything. When I was checking out to pay, he gave me a nice loaf pan for free! Probably something they give a lot of people but it was a very nice gesture! I later saw it was selling for $56. in the store! 😳 They give you a cool reusable bag to put your things in also. Nice touch!

This was part of the upstairs area with their…scratch and dent merchandise. 40% off most items




The free loaf tray he gave me. Since I don’t bake I’ll prolly just stash my dope in it….🤓

[Mike981]

Dang, very nice.

[TripleB]

Very nice John. Made me look up where the closest Le Creuset outlet store is by me. 60 miles north of the homestead. I'll have to go check it out.

I'll tell em Howard sent me

[SheilaAnn]

TripleB isn’t there one at the citadel in LA?

[TripleB]

SheilaAnn If there is. Thanks.

[SheilaAnn]

TripleB I just looked it up. San Clemente outlets. Parlay the trip with a visit to Heritage!

[jayjordan]

I’ve never seen a standalone Le Creuset outlet store. All the ones I’ve run across have been in outlet malls.

[TripleB]

Good point. The LC outlet store by me is in an outlet mall.

[Panhead John]

I mentioned this yesterday, but they only have 2 stand alone stores, which are bigger than the outlet mall stores…..the one I went to in Conroe and the other is in South Carolina.

[Richard Chrz]

I just bought my first a month or so ago, I’m very pleased with it. I’m hoping to add about 3 -4 pieces, but it’ll be 1 per year is my guess.

Unfortunately I think our closest is about 3 hours away, but next time I head that direction, I’m stopping!

[ecowper]

You’re absolutely right that Le Creuset is heirloom stuff to be passed down through the generations. I have just the one Dutch oven and it is a beast that will last forever. Many times I’ve lusted after Le Creuset and De Buyer for the whole kitchen, but dang it would cost me a fortune.

Say, where’s the picture of your fancy new Rondeau?

[Panhead John]

Ok Eric, if you insist…..😂

[ecowper]

Pics or it didn’t happen John, you know the rules

[captainlee]

Quality is really nice to have. Remember you can't take it with you so go enjoy.

[Panhead John]

The rondeau pan I bought came with a SS lid, but they also had a big selection of glass lids for their different pots, so I bought a glass one also….$38. This pic makes it look like a Dutch oven almost, but the height of the pan without the lid is only 3 1/2”. Perfect for what I wanted. I can imagine this being one of my most use used pans.



Glass lid which was extra…

[Carolyn]

If the lid is like the SS lid that came with my Le Creuset pot, it is terrible. Mine has a gimmicky vent in it, and the edge of the pot is not sharp, but thin enough to hurt if you are trying to wash it, and you grab it by the edge.
I use a glass lid that came with another pot I own that fits it. The SS lid is somewhere in the back of a cabinet.
I hope you enjoy your new Rondeau.

[Panhead John]

Carolyn You made me get off the couch and go check my pan and lid. 😂 Not sure why you hate the lid though. My SS lid seems fine, it has the little vent indention in it but it’s very small and hardly noticeable. I used it last night for some braised chicken and veggies. I can’t say whether it does anything positive or negative for venting, but I was happy with the results. I checked my pan and both lids and there were no thin or sharp edges anywhere, they were all rounded edges.

[Carolyn]

Perhaps I was having a bad day when I got it. So, I'll retract my "terrible" descriptor and change it to, "I prefer using the glass lid." 🙂 It has been several years, but the main reason I put it up was because when I was washing it, when I grabbed it by the side, the inner ring that sits in the pot kept hurting my hand. It isn't sharp per se but the pressure of it wasn't pleasant. I'll have to revisit that since it was so long ago. I know, don't grab it like that, and it won't hurt. 😆

[MBMorgan]

Quality is really nice to have. Remember you can't take it with you so go enjoy.

It’s your lucky day, Lee! For your next visit, there’s a store just minutes away: 5050 Factory Shops Blvd #445, Castle Rock, CO 80108

… don’t forget your wallet! 😎

[MBMorgan]

captainlee - Nothing on our calendar 12/12. We’ll keep it open and talk later about specifics.

[Panhead John]

An extra credit card wouldn’t hurt either…….😂

[Panhead John]

If you guys meet up for this, we’ve got to have a post about it! That is so cool. Mmm, maybe we can start having shopping meet ups….🧐

[barelfly]

Cool purchase, PJ! I’ve yet to visit an actual LC store, I’ve only been to an outlet store. Even there, I was in sticker shock but did buy a few serving platters a number of years ago. It was like the seconds goods you saw on the second floor.

But I really dig that new cooker you picked up! Have fun with that!!

[Panhead John]

Thanks Jeremy! I actually already used it tonight, and guess what? No warping so far….😂

[Panhead John]

When I went out shopping today it made me realize how much I miss Bed, Bath and Beyond. 😢 I loved that store and bought many, many things from them over the years. I’d always walk in with a fist full of 20% Off coupons and leave broke. 😂 I also found out that I’m getting a little tired of online shopping and would like to visit brick and mortar stores more often when I can. It’s always more satisfying to me to be able to touch, feel and see what I’m buying ahead of time, rather than opening a cold and sterile Amazon box as my first experience with a product. Anyway I digress.

For anyone wanting to visit a Le Creuset outlet, here’s what I’m thinking, with my very limited experience. Even if it’s in an outlet mall and not a stand alone location, go anyway! I’m thinking even a smaller store will still have enough product on display for you to get an idea of what they offer. Plus….when I was actually able to see, feel and touch the beauty and quality of their product in person, it left no doubt that if I was to buy anything from them online, it was going to be first class! The sales people were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and not at all pushy. It was truly a fun experience for me. One more thing about shopping for cookware…Wow! I was also impressed with both Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma! Never stepped foot in one of them before, didn’t really know much about em. But…..They both had nice stuff. Give them a try also if you have one nearby.

[ecowper]

I love Williams Sonoma. I try to visit one during the Holidays. I go into buy their holiday spice mix to put in a pot on the stove in apple cider and create “holiday magic” smells. But I also go just for the opportunity to see their table settings, new glassware (I have way too much of that stuff) and fun gadgets :-)

[Carolyn]

I used to love Williams Sonoma. They closed the local store, which made me sad.
I'd have to drive at least an hour to get to the local Le Creuset outlets.

[Hulagn1971]

Be careful PJ. You might start drinking your coffee with that pinky finger out.

[Panhead John]

Stop it you silly goose! 😁

[yakima]

Another source is TJ Maxx The stores focus on overruns and factory seconds. I have picked up a Le Creuset square ceramic lidded baker, All-Clad and Viking skillets and sauce pans, and Lodge enameled cast iron dutch ovens, etc..

We have also taken cooking classes at the Kirkland, WA and Scottsdale, AZ Sur La Table stores.

[SheilaAnn]

Ah yes! Also, if there is a Home Goods available. More focus on household than clothes and shoes.