[vash]

i absolutely brutalized my Le Creuset. i have turned the insides into a dark, blackened mess. i bet dollars to donuts the lighter colored interior has to do with heat transfer..but honestly a black interior would be much more practical.

having said this, my 5.5 qt LC pot is my kitchens workhorse. i use it for everything from soups to deep frying.

i just wrapped a cheaper MACY's model up for my brother. he is making more and more stews. he sucks at it. i am giving it to him for the holidays. i bet i paid $50. china cranks out a fantastic version. target's version ranked #2 with America's TEST KITCHEN. i think the le creuset won first place on name alone.

btw, i sweettalked the little old lady at the store into giving me an updated steel handle. free. baking bread in the pot required the +500 degree tolerance.