They confessed to being surprised they got the cooking set for the same low price it would’ve cost to buy just one pan.
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The shopper took to Reddit’s Thrift Store Hauls forum to rave about their purchase.
PRISTINE PANS
Posting under the handle Darweezy, they shared several photos of their Le Creuset haul.
“Dream find, Le Creuset 14 Piece that I found unopened at our local thrift store for $200,” they said.
“Not the amount I would usually drop but too good of a deal to pass up.
“New to this sub, I’ll post some more previous finds but as an amateur home cook – a whole set for the cost of one pan I am gobsmacked.”
Photos of the 14-piece stainless steel set showed pots and pans in excellent condition as they had been kept in plastic.
The same cookware set costs an eye-watering $1,678 on the Le Creuset website.
According to the manufacturer, they are made from durable material and deliver “quick and even heating.”
The set is resistant to scratches and can be used to make a variety of recipes.
A classic stainless steel chef’s pan is sold separately on the brand’s website for $280.
The Redditor shared a tip for others hoping to find budget-friendly cookware.
“I’ve been slowly upgrading my kitchenware with the few pans I can find at Goodwill over the last couple of years, mostly their cast iron – so walking into this was amazing,” they said.
“Consistency is key, I learned that during an unemployment era in Los Angeles where I had nothing better to do than go to Goodwills every day.
“I took that with me to Indiana and stop by my goodwill/thrift stores almost daily on my lunch/way home… 9 times out of 10, nothing but you gotta go back!”
Why is Le Creuset so expensive?
Le Creuset cookware is on the wishlists of many home cooks and bakers.
But the French brand’s Dutch ovens can cost between $260 and $750, and even a bread loaf pan will set you back $180.
So what warrants such hefty price tags?
Le Creuset’s Dutch ovens are among its most popular items, and they — along with several other pieces of their cookware — are made with high-quality enameled cast iron.
They’re meant to last a long time and even carry a lifetime warranty “to be free from defects in material and workmanship.”
“It’s like, do you really wanna buy a $50 piece of something over and over again, or do you wanna invest in something and know that you’re gonna have it for a long time?” Nate Collier, Le Creuset’s director of marketing and communications, said to Eater.
According to Cookware Insider, 15 quality control officers inspect each of the brand’s items before they’re sold.
Of course, they’re pretty, too, and quite the status symbol.
“You think of it as a simple piece of cookware, but even the silhouette of our Dutch oven is recognizable,” Collier said.
“You could show someone a line drawing without any color, and most people that are familiar with cookware would be able to tell you that it’s specifically a Le Creuset Dutch oven.”
Celebrity fans include Julia Child, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Garner, and Taylor Swift.
MONEY-SAVVY SHOPPERS
Hundreds of people up-voted the Redditor’s post and shared their opinions on the thrift store find.
“That’s easily at least a $1000 set, great find!!” one person wrote.
“Stainless steel is the way to go, too!! Much better for both you and the presentation of your food than non-stick. Congrats!!”
“OMG So jealous of this find,” another said. “I can only imagine the great meals you will cook in this. Way to go!”
“Holy s**t. Go buy a lottery ticket,” a third chimed in.
“I think I should have bought that lotto ticket instead of this!” the Redditor replied.
“Just kidding, super happy – as much as I would like to flip… this set is staying with me!”
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