5.5-Quart Tramontina Cast Iron Dutch Oven w/ Trivet (Green, Red or Cobalt) $35 + Free In-Store Pickup (expired)

I own both, Le Creuset are lighter and much more durable. They can last generations, whereas a lot of the Chinese enameled products only last a few years before chipping, as mine has.

Quote from TheTalkingMule : I got the 6.5 for something like $30 or $35 not long ago, I'd hold out for that deal again. Amazing product though.

It was a 6.5qt for $35, but it was only that price because they were clearing it out. Now they only have 6qt and 7qt models for $59 and $79 respectively, and the difference with the new one is that they come with the stainless steel knob - which many people were buying for $12 from Amazon to replace the plastic one that came on it.

And they probably rolled back the price on this 5.5qt model to clear it out as well since this one has the older plastic knob. I think right now the best deal is the Sams Club 6.5qt model with SS know for $39 w/free shipping. Even if you aren't a member and pay the 10% premium it's still just $44, which is better than buying it at $35 and paying $12 for the SS knob.

Quote from coryj : What does this mean? Assembled in Country of Origin: USA or Imported Origin of Components: USA or Imported Are these from China or USA?

I'm not sure but I think it's from Brazil. I was shopping for Tramontina recently...

Quote from uscpsycho : My GF wants a Le Creuset. From the comments here I'm guessing these are comparable but she'd probably be appalled if I bought her this. And I doubt I could convince her buying Le Creuset is overpaying for a brand name, kind of like Monster or Bose products. Are Le Creuset really that much better to justify the insane price?

She should not be appalled by this at all, and if she is then you should dump her to the curb. This is a top quality piece of cookware, and it cooks just as nice as the Le Creuset which costs 8x as much. Even the packaging feels high end - tripled-boxed, heavy duty cardboard - and it looks incredible. She would have no idea that you only paid $35 for it! I bet they could sell these for $100+ and people would still buy them, although not after selling them at such low prices first.

FWIW I almost pulled the trigger on a very expensive Le Creuset model at a local cooking store a few months ago, but just couldn't bring myself to spend $300+ on a single piece of cookware. Then shortly after I saw the $35 deal for the 6.5qt model and jumped it for the hell of it, knowing I could return it if I didn't like it. Well I couldn't be happier with every aspect of it - the way it cooks, the looks, the feel, everything - and everyone on my Xmas list this year is getting one!!

Quote from uscpsycho : My GF wants a Le Creuset. From the comments here I'm guessing these are comparable but she'd probably be appalled if I bought her this. And I doubt I could convince her buying Le Creuset is overpaying for a brand name, kind of like Monster or Bose products. Are Le Creuset really that much better to justify the insane price?

Check a store like Marshall's if you really want that brand. I just saw them there last week, I think for around $120. Supposedly the enamel does not chip as easily so it will last longer. On the other hand if you buy an inexpensive Tramontina, you can replace it more often for the same price.

If you want to avoid enamel altogether there's 25% off friends & family at Macys.com now and they have Calphalon stainless models.

Quote from wreckonized : how do these things hold up. do they get scratched up or chipped easily?

My parents have a ceramic stove top. The procelein on the bottom of their pans are worn away in the middle.

Quote from dubojr1 : For those of you who are Sam's Club members. They have a 6.5 qt. (no Trivet) for $39.98 http://www.samsclub.com/sams/tram...navAction=

The one at Sam's is of much lower subjective quality than the one I bought from Walmart last year. I don't know if Tramontina lowered the quality overall, or if the Sam's one is a special lower quality one meant to be sold at a lower price. The Sam's one is noticeably thinner and lighter and it just feels less well built. I do not know if it performs the same or not.

As others have indicated, the 6.5 qt from Walmart often goes on sale for ~$35-40. I'd wait on that deal if you're not in a hurry. I LOVE mine.

Quote from uscpsycho : My GF wants a Le Creuset. From the comments here I'm guessing these are comparable but she'd probably be appalled if I bought her this. And I doubt I could convince her buying Le Creuset is overpaying for a brand name, kind of like Monster or Bose products. Are Le Creuset really that much better to justify the insane price?

These and the Lodge brand are available as an entire set for the price of a single piece of LC. I have used the LC, and just got a whole set of the Lodge for XMAS, but haven't seen the Tramontina in person. What I can say is that even though everyone agrees the LC is lighter and has a better enamel and IMHO they look much better, they arent four times as good that's for sure. If you aren't a chef and don't drive a $50k plus car and live in a McMansion your probably better off without wasting your money on LC. Only you know if it's worth the money to you.

I decided on Lodge because of the known quality of the brand. Every piece of Tramontina anything I have used is junk, and even though I looked at these pots and liked them I couldn't get that out of my head. It probably doesn't apply to this product, but like I said the brand has burned me before many times so I steer clear now. The fact that the Lodge set was cheaper when I bought it made it easy. If I was only buying a single piece though I'd grab one of these and try it out for sure!

Quote from blanding : I own both, Le Creuset are lighter and much more durable. They can last generations, whereas a lot of the Chinese enameled products only last a few years before chipping, as mine has.

I also own both and don't find my Le Creuset to be lighter...maybe I just have weak arms. LOL As for durability, I've found both to wear extremely well with no problems on either my Le Creuset or my Tramontina.

I can only speak of my experience, but the Tramontina has performed well for me. Just as well as the higher end products.

No problems with chipping, scratching etc They clean up well (any tough cooked on food can be removed with a little bar keepers friend cleanser).

Quote from blanding : I own both, Le Creuset are lighter and much more durable. They can last generations, whereas a lot of the Chinese enameled products only last a few years before chipping, as mine has.

I've had mine for almost 2 years now. Use it almost every day -- from braising, to bread baking, to browning, etc. Love the Walmart version, and nothing has chipped. I only use silicon spatula in it (or wooden utensils), never metal. And I use a scrub brush or pad to clean the inside. Usually, I'll just fill it up with soapy water and let it sit overnight, and I barely have to scrub anything on the inside.

I was a Le Creuset snob before this pan but... I can't imagine ever needing a new one of these.

That being said... DO NOT BAKE AT ABOVE 425. The handles (unless the newer versions changed) will pop and literally explode in the oven. I replaced them with a basic door knob kit from Lowes for $4, and can heat up to 500 degrees for my bread now.

.....

Quote from AreWeThereYet : What you talkin' 'bout Willis? I'm still waiting on that stainless knob to go down in price over @ Amazon.

Ya heard me right! I have this really bad habit of buying first, deciding later, but with most later decisions ending up being returns / refunds.

My friends poke fun at me for doing this all the time.
"Hey, issai, wanna hang out?"
"Sure, mind if we hit up the UPS store first?"
"..."

I got the same one this year for my SO at Sears.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1015...807295000P

Used a $5 coupon code and ShopYourWay points plus CB from Shopdiscover

But this is a good price for $35. The green one was cheaper that time, now the red one is cheaper.

For those deciding on whether to get Tramontina or Le Creuset....here's the rundown.

http://mikeshowalter.com/the-tram...oven-story

http://eloquacious.wordpress.com/...utch-oven/

Quote from mpbrown18 : I picked up a 6Q from Big Lots yesterday for $40. I had to pull up the website on my phone to pricematch since its marked at $50 in the store but worth it (At least I think). http://www.biglots.com/p/open-sto...e-with-lid

What brand is the one at Big Lots?