This may more properly belong in the cast iron thread but I think there are more houseware/kitchen bargins out there that may deserve a place of their on so we call all benefit.
Ad in today's Washington Post Food Section (prices good through 11/29/05) -
Staub Cast Iron 5 Qt. Casserole available in red, blue, green or yellow reg. $103 now $39.Can you say holiday present? Anyone have a wedding shower in their future? Sounds like a bargain to me but I must confess to familiarity of the brand merely by word of mouth.
eta:Sorry BLB I'm an idiot you are among the seeing - At Rodman's

What store?

Or am I simply blind?

Jennifer

Rodman's. I think there was some discussion on EGullet about these cheap Staub pots and whether they were as good as the original. They were being offered a couple of other places (the Shopping Network or something, I think) for this $39 price, so it seems to be one of those things that's marked down from some imaginary original price (like a lot of cookware on Amazon). At this low a price, though, I'm going to have to go over and check these out.

The only reason I ever have to go to Leesburg is to visit the William Sonoma outlet. They generally have one type of All Clad at a discount. Recently, I found a 12 quart stockpot their at a sick discount, it normally goes for about $300, they had it for $110. It had a ding, but only on the handle.

Isn't there also a Le Creuset outlet there?

This is enameled, I presume? Where is Rodmans?

I am not sure I would call it an outlet, I have never seen any real deals to be had. Their prices are only a little cheaper than Sur La Table.

Yes I believe it is enameled and Rodman's is (well are since I didn't know about the two MD loactions - are) located at 5100 Wisconsin, White Flint Plaza and 4301 Randolph Rd. Wheaton.

Yes, and both have recent holiday coupons out, of the 20% off variety.

Correction - the Le Creuset sale is 35%, but doesn't kick in until the 25th. I can't tell whether I need to drag in the mailer or not.

Dave

If you're willing to buy a second (generally just a minor scratch) and use a coupon, fantastic deals can be had.

I checked out the Rodman's in DC tonight and couldn't find it.

Often not even seconds. I picked up a first-quality round doufeu there about two winters ago for something less than half of retail...it was already marked down a generous amount (discontinued color?) and the storewide sale knocked an additional 20% off. They also own Screwpull, so some deals on automatic corkscrews can be had.

Dave

I stopped off at a LC outlet in Smithfield NC this summer and got a new 5.5 quart round oven that was a second (small paint drip on exterior of lid) with an in store coupon of 35% for just about $100. Sur La Table list is $190.

About a month ago I went to the LC outlet in Leesburg, and they had a risotto pan on sale for about $75. The only problem was that there were no more in stock, I would have to have it shipped and HOPE that, as a second, it wouldn't be too bad. Since even with shipping to my house it would be cheaper than a similarly-sized oven, I took a chance. It arrived 4 days with only a slight discoloration under the handle, and hasn't left the top of my stove yet!

Between Harrison and Garrison, with prices beyond comparison (or so they say).

I've been seeing commercials the last few days for this 'Tuesday Morning' sale company advertising a 'Big Nov 7 sale on famous-name French cast iron cookware' with the only information given is their website at Tuesday Morning.com. I was about to say that their homepage is broken, but it turns out it's just not triggering my Flash plugin properly on this computer. Anyway, anybody have any experience with this store? Specifically, is the alleged Le Creuset stuff at big enough discount to justify driving 20 minutes to Fairfield (not that it would be a wasted trip...it's near Super Duper Weenie, which I always need an excuse to visit)?

Here is the Va. mailer with all sorts of Le Creuset advertised at range of prices.
TM also carries all sorts of kitchen gadgets, small appliances and gourmet items.

Hey, thanks! Guess it's worth a trip over there.

I don't know that store. I venture periodically to the Le Creuset factory outlet store at Leesburg Premium Outlets. They have a twice (?) annual big sale, but there are often other specials in the store, including an automatic discount if you buy more than X$ dollar amount of merchandise. I've made some good purchases there, maybe too many .

Tuesday Morning is one of many discount chains in this area...you can find great deals, and not so great deals just like all the rest. I thought it worthy enough to note here yesterday, in case anyone was interested in checking it out. We didn't have enough time to stop in before work today, but may try to check it out later. I wonder if the selection will be that much different in CT?

They've had good selections of Le Creuset in the store in my hometown of Ridgefield, CT now and again. May not be that much farther than Fairfield for you, and you can have a hot dog from the Chez Leonard cart on Main St.

........bargain-hunting vultures.

Sold out for hours. Honestly, did Rachel Ray bust one out to make Yum-O Tex-Mex Fajita Stew Surprise or something?

I've seen Le Creuset at Tuesday Morning in the past and the prices were good but not as good as the sales at the Le Creuset Outlet store. I think there should be one coming up for the holidays but I'm not sure. At the outlet during a sale, they'll offer something like 35% off everything, including the seconds that are already around 50% off.

Looks like this season's Le Creuset/Screwpull coupon is for 30% off any total over $75 at the factory outlet store in Leesburg, which is already usually marked down quite a bit. Valid 11/24 through 12/10. I have no plans to use it, so does anybody need mine? PM me.(taken)

The Le Creuset knockoff 5 quart French oven, at Target, rated a Best Buy in January/
February 2007 Cook's Illustrated, can still be found at various Targets around the area. Only $39.99. Only available in cherry red.

Drawbacks (minor) -- the phenolic knob is only rated to 350 F, not a problem for braising, and the screw holding the knob on looks like it won't last nearly as long as the pot.

Otherwise, looks and cooks the same as my 5 1/2 quart Le Creuset French Oven, retailing at Amazon.com for $159.

Shouldn't be much trouble to replace the screw.

Ikea also has a line of enameled cast iron pots and pans, designated "Senior" (who thinks up these names?) The 3 qt round French oven is $39.99, the 5 qt oval is $59.99. Only comes in a flame orange color. Nice handles. Otherwise pretty much identical to Le Creuset.

Regarding the item mentioned in Mrs. B's inaugural post: the same bargain was offered by the same store last year in October or November.

Rodman's sold out so quickly that they stocked up around Christmas time. I got a choice of two remaining as a present to myself.

It says Made in France inside the lid (?) but not Staub anywhere else. Nor, at that price, does it have the stylagtites (sorry no time to check spelling or verify t or m's) inside the lid that distinguish Staub from other (less costly) brands; they're there to help the vapor drip down again into your braise.

Some of the enamel on the lid has chipped off a wee bit during the year. The golden yellow has darkened after a few rounds of Minimalist no-knead bread.

Yet, as the first enameled Dutch oven type thing I've ever owned, it is a dear, dear possession and more than worth forty bucks. Can't believe I ever lived without it.

P.S. 1) Check the BASEMENT area of the DC Rodman's for housewares. 2) A quirky store, not always a bargain, but I've been amazed by some of the things I've found there and nowhere else, such as Orange Blossom Water (the Middle Eastern vs. French version, but very inexpensive and more than adequate).

Stalactites grow from the ceiling.
Stalagmites grow from the ground.

Rodman's is advertizing a Riedel special purchase on the back page of today's WaPo food section. They hint at 4 styles/sizes (12-25% off Rodman's everyday & 25 - 40% internet site prices), but disclose no prices.

Does anyone know more of the particulars?