Surprised by LeCrueset quality-control defect

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

Two years ago, I purchased a 3.5-quart LC dutch oven from Williams-Sonoma in the "Ocean" (sage green) color made only for Williams-Sonoma. Used it in the oven with the lid on quite often.

Last week, I used it on the stovetop and noticed that the top did not fit securely and even rattled a bit as the pot came to boiling. More than the usual steam was escaping, too. Can't hear the rattle while it's in the oven.

Something was wrong with the casting of the lid. LC does have a lifetime warranty.

I carried the pot back to the store and asked what could be done about it. They were a little annoyed that I had stuck them with the problem instead of contacting the manufacturer for this warranty issue, but did take it back and ordered a new one to be sent to me.

At first, the women consulting on my problem tried to demonstrate that all LC pots have some "play" in how the lid fits. I took issue with that claim, laid my lid down flat on the counter and next to it, one of those on display in the store. On the counter's level surface, the wobbling was rather extreme on my lid, and nonexistent on the other one.

Just thought I'd tell this story, because I have always assumed LC products are darn near perfect 100 percent of the time, and it took me a long time to clearly see this defect. . It will pay to check how well the lids fit in advance if you get a new one.

AKgirl2 · ‎05-24-2016

@novamc1 wrote:
Two years ago, I purchased a 3.5-quart LC dutch oven from Williams-Sonoma in the "Ocean" (sage green) color made only for Williams-Sonoma. Used it in the oven with the lid on quite often.

Last week, I used it on the stovetop and noticed that the top did not fit securely and even rattled a bit as the pot came to boiling. More than the usual steam was escaping, too. Can't hear the rattle while it's in the oven.

Something was wrong with the casting of the lid. LC does have a lifetime warranty.

I carried the pot back to the store and asked what could be done about it. They were a little annoyed that I had stuck them with the problem instead of contacting the manufacturer for this warranty issue, but did take it back and ordered a new one to be sent to me.

At first, the women consulting on my problem tried to demonstrate that all LC pots have some "play" in how the lid fits. I took issue with that claim, laid my lid down flat on the counter and next to it, one of those on display in the store. On the counter's level surface, the wobbling was rather extreme on my lid, and nonexistent on the other one.

Just thought I'd tell this story, because I have always assumed LC products are darn near perfect 100 percent of the time, and it took me a long time to clearly see this defect. . It will pay to check how well the lids fit in advance if you get a new one.

Just because it's LC doesn't mean their product could be without defect...I purchased a LC 4.5 Dutch oven at TJ Max for a greatly reduced price, as the lid color wasn't an exact match in the flame color...ok by me Now, paying full price and having a warped lid,mis a different story...hope you enjoy your replacement!