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I love my Dutch oven so much that it barely leaves my stovetop these days. From simmering Japanese curry and lamb stew to baking crusty bread, my Le Creuset can handle just about anything I throw at it.
Well, almost anything. You can imagine my horror when I discovered a chip on my Dutch ovens inner enamel. Did I not properly clean it? To this day, I still don’t know what happened.
Like most Dutch ovens, Le Creuset’s pieces are made of cast iron coated in enamel. Although enamel is known for its longevity and toughness, it can still chip. You might think to ignore a small chip in your Dutch oven, but if you keep cooking with it, it’s likely the chipped area will grow—and the small, sharp pieces of enamel have the potential to get into your food.
As I know absolutely nothing about re-enameling a piece of cookware, I decided to call my local Le Creuset store, hoping they’d give me answers. The store informed me that although they dont offer an enameling service, the lifetime warranty on their cast iron products means my Dutch oven may be eligible for a replacement.
I screamed. A lifetime warranty? It sounded too good to be true, but I began the process and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
If used and cleaned properly, then they’re pretty much forever. It’s easy to ruin one, though. Abrasives will mar the enamel and make future cleaning harder to do. With enough degradation, they become difficult to cook in, too.
What’s it like to submit a claim?
Despite having lost my receipt for the Dutch oven as proof of purchase, I decided to still submit a claim by calling Le Creusets customer service. A representative quickly picked up the phone and wrote down my information. After the phone call, I received an email with my case number and a detailed explanation regarding the next steps: I would need to return the Dutch oven for further examination by Le Creuset to determine the validity of my claim. If my Dutch oven was eligible for replacement, they’d replace the product with one of the same or similar design and color.
While I was worried about not being able to provide the receipt from my initial purchase, the representative on the phone assured me that the receipt would not be necessary. The next day, I tightly packed my Dutch oven (in Caribbean Blue) and included a note with my name, address, email, and case number written on it.
The only cost involved in the process is shipping. As Dutch ovens are heavy, I paid roughly $25 for three-day shipping from Massachusetts to their U.S. headquarters in South Carolina. Though there’s no guarantee of replacement, any customer returning a broken Le Creuset cast iron product still receives, at the minimum, a 75% discount on their replacement purchase. This discount alone on a new Dutch oven is worth more than the shipping cost.
What’s a lifetime warranty?
Enamel is a great heat conductor and wont rust, but its susceptible to chipping.
The Le Creuset website outlines their lifetime warranty, saying, “Le Creuset cast iron cookware offers a lifetime warranty guaranteeing products against defects in material and workmanship.” To be eligible for the warranty, the original owner must follow the use and care instructions provided with the product. The warranty covers normal household use and does not cover damage from use in commercial establishments, abuse, neglect, abnormal wear and tear, accidental breakage, overheating, or other uses not in accordance with the printed instructions.
Though I don’t remember the last time I read the printed instructions word-for-word, I still took good care of my Dutch oven—I washed it with soap and a sponge after each use, occasionally used baking soda to carefully remove the brown spots, and never used metal utensils in it. Since I didn’t do anything wrong, I thought I’d have a good shot at making the claim.
Is The Le Creuset Lifetime Guarantee True? I Just Found Out.
FAQ
How long should Le Creuset last?
Does Le Creuset have lifetime warranty?
Do Le Creuset pans wear out?
What is the disadvantage of Le Creuset?
Does Le Creuset offer a lifetime warranty?
That’s why Le Creuset offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of its products. What Exactly Does Le Creuset’s Warranty Cover? A Le Creuset warranty begins on the date, for the original owner, and it covers defects in materials and workmanship when used in normal, domestic conditions for the lifetime of the product.
Does Le Creuset cookware rust?
Enamel is a great heat conductor and won’t rust, but it’s susceptible to chipping. The Le Creuset website outlines their lifetime warranty, saying, “Le Creuset cast iron cookware offers a lifetime warranty guaranteeing products against defects in material and workmanship.”
Who makes Le Creuset® products?
Each product warranty is made solely by Le Creuset of America, Inc. and no other person or entity. The specific warranty for your product (see below) is the only express warranty provided for that product. We want you to get the very best from your Le Creuset® products, so please contact us if you need help or advice on using your cookware.
How long does Le Creuset cookware last?
Here are some general guidelines for how long different products like bakeware and cookware made from other materials might last: Le Creuset’s signature enameled cast iron Dutch oven (French Oven) and braisers are designed to last a lifetime, and many people pass them down as family heirlooms.