We have and use both (enamel and plain CI) quite heavily. Some of our enameled pieces are >60 years old with only minor edge chipping on a couple, the rest are completely intact. What I wonder is how people are treating their pans that they manage to chip that enamel.
So my wife lived in Waco 15 years ago and bought a cheapo enameled DO at the grocery store. Her mom liked it and bought herself one there too. Two years later, the enamel on her mother’s was cracked and peeling. Wife bought her a replacement. Two years later, same thing. Meanwhile, the original one my wife bought has been the workhorse of her kitchen for 15 years and the only chips it has are exterior ones from damage during cross country moves.
I’ve often wondered if that company’s quality control sucked and we just got lucky or if my MIL was that hard on them.
Me too - I have a cousances enamel dutch oven that lasted maybe 20 years, then we moved to a house with a gas cooktop and I managed to get it too hot (with just a bit of oil in it) and flakes of enamel stated flying off!
I’m wondering if there’s a way to remove the enamel so I can season it and keep using it.
We have and use both (enamel and plain CI) quite heavily. Some of our enameled pieces are >60 years old with only minor edge chipping on a couple, the rest are completely intact. What I wonder is how people are treating their pans that they manage to chip that enamel.
So my wife lived in Waco 15 years ago and bought a cheapo enameled DO at the grocery store. Her mom liked it and bought herself one there too. Two years later, the enamel on her mother’s was cracked and peeling. Wife bought her a replacement. Two years later, same thing. Meanwhile, the original one my wife bought has been the workhorse of her kitchen for 15 years and the only chips it has are exterior ones from damage during cross country moves. I’ve often wondered if that company’s quality control sucked and we just got lucky or if my MIL was that hard on them.
MIL is definitely the culprit
Me too - I have a cousances enamel dutch oven that lasted maybe 20 years, then we moved to a house with a gas cooktop and I managed to get it too hot (with just a bit of oil in it) and flakes of enamel stated flying off!
I’m wondering if there’s a way to remove the enamel so I can season it and keep using it.
Cover it in oil and put in a raging backyard fire?
Sounds like a plan