Pinprick holes in cast iron enamel
March 22, 2023 11:21 AM
I just noticed that my Le Creuset enamel cast iron dutch oven has multiple pinprick holes in the enamel. They bubble when I heat up oil in it. Is this normal or a defect?
I received this as a gift over a year ago.
Today, while heating up olive oil in it, I saw that there are multiple pinprick holes that bubble rapidly once the oil got hot.
I have also noticed the smell of onions when boiling water in it previously, despite not having put any onions in the water. Is it possible that food is getting caught in the holes?
Image here.
Is this normal? Is it defective?
If it's a defect, what can I do?
I received this as a gift over a year ago.
Today, while heating up olive oil in it, I saw that there are multiple pinprick holes that bubble rapidly once the oil got hot.
I have also noticed the smell of onions when boiling water in it previously, despite not having put any onions in the water. Is it possible that food is getting caught in the holes?
Image here.
Is this normal? Is it defective?
If it's a defect, what can I do?
Mine certainly doesn't have that.
posted by Klipspringer at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2023
posted by Klipspringer at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2023
There should not be any bubbles in the enamel, ever. Use the warranty.
Once, I permanently damaged my favourite pot. I went to the le Creuset store in town, just to hear if they had an identical pot, not at all expecting them to replace something I had broken (I told them so up front). Without hesitation, they told me to bring the pot in so they could replace it. In the end, I didn't because that color isn't made anymore, and the pot still works fine. But they do honor their promise.
posted by mumimor at 11:58 AM on March 22, 2023
Once, I permanently damaged my favourite pot. I went to the le Creuset store in town, just to hear if they had an identical pot, not at all expecting them to replace something I had broken (I told them so up front). Without hesitation, they told me to bring the pot in so they could replace it. In the end, I didn't because that color isn't made anymore, and the pot still works fine. But they do honor their promise.
posted by mumimor at 11:58 AM on March 22, 2023
I would get a replacement. Defects in enameled cast iron can explode under high heat; did for me in a less expensive dutch oven.
posted by supercres at 12:31 PM on March 22, 2023
posted by supercres at 12:31 PM on March 22, 2023
Enamel is glass; defects can go bad spectacularly and dangerously. Le Crueset have lifetime guarantees; get in touch with them.
posted by parm at 12:35 PM on March 22, 2023
posted by parm at 12:35 PM on March 22, 2023
You don't have to ship to them. Well, I didn't. I took a picture of the issue, filled out the forms online (no proof of purchase or anything), attached the pic. They got back to me, asked me to pick a new color because mine wasn't made anymore, and sent me a new one, all free of charge.
posted by atomicstone at 12:54 PM on March 22, 2023
posted by atomicstone at 12:54 PM on March 22, 2023
If you get a replacement, you can recycle the old pan with a scrap metal dealer...don't throw it out, it's valuable for making new steel.
posted by pinochiette at 3:09 PM on March 22, 2023
posted by pinochiette at 3:09 PM on March 22, 2023
Good luck on the replacement, which I agree you need.
Five years and multiple calls an emails later, still waiting for a replacement grill pan and using the pan with one handle, and one set of jagged steel prongs where the other handle should be!
posted by Lesser Shrew at 3:53 PM on March 22, 2023
Five years and multiple calls an emails later, still waiting for a replacement grill pan and using the pan with one handle, and one set of jagged steel prongs where the other handle should be!
posted by Lesser Shrew at 3:53 PM on March 22, 2023
To comment on atomicstone's post, I did also have to send a picture, and it's possible that because the picture looked like it might have been my fault, I then was made to send my pot in. When they told me it was my fault but they were going to send me a new pan anyway, they clarified that that was a one-time offer. My guess is your experience will be closer to atomicstone's than to mine.
Also, if it matters, when I sent mine in the pot was at least 10 years old, I had received it as a gift, and I had no receipt.
posted by AbelMelveny at 4:25 PM on March 22, 2023
Also, if it matters, when I sent mine in the pot was at least 10 years old, I had received it as a gift, and I had no receipt.
posted by AbelMelveny at 4:25 PM on March 22, 2023
Was it brand new when you received it?
There are a few things that can damage enameled cast iron. The most common is a sudden and large change in temperature. This most frequently happens when an enameled cast iron pan is overheated and someone dumps water or some other relatively cool ingredient in the pan with the idea that they are saving it from damage. Unfortunately this actually causes damage because the enamel coating and the underlying cast iron expand and contract at different rates. When there is a sudden and large change in temperature the difference in those rates can cause the enamel to "de-bond" from the cast iron, and very often creates little "holes" in the enamel similar to what you're seeing.
posted by slkinsey at 7:21 AM on March 23, 2023
There are a few things that can damage enameled cast iron. The most common is a sudden and large change in temperature. This most frequently happens when an enameled cast iron pan is overheated and someone dumps water or some other relatively cool ingredient in the pan with the idea that they are saving it from damage. Unfortunately this actually causes damage because the enamel coating and the underlying cast iron expand and contract at different rates. When there is a sudden and large change in temperature the difference in those rates can cause the enamel to "de-bond" from the cast iron, and very often creates little "holes" in the enamel similar to what you're seeing.
posted by slkinsey at 7:21 AM on March 23, 2023
Thank you all! I appreciate the help and the warnings.
It was new when I got it and it had those holes to begin with, so it's not anything I did. I'm very careful not to shock my cookware. A quick google at the time led me to believe such holes were normal and nothing to worry about, but once the bubbling started...
I will go about getting it replaced under warranty. If they don't have me ship it to them, I'll make sure it doesn't just end up in a landfill.
posted by rustybullrake at 7:45 AM on March 23, 2023
It was new when I got it and it had those holes to begin with, so it's not anything I did. I'm very careful not to shock my cookware. A quick google at the time led me to believe such holes were normal and nothing to worry about, but once the bubbling started...
I will go about getting it replaced under warranty. If they don't have me ship it to them, I'll make sure it doesn't just end up in a landfill.
posted by rustybullrake at 7:45 AM on March 23, 2023
Wow that was super quick and easy.
On Saturday, I sent them pictures of the outside and the inside with the holes. As of this morning they emailed to say they are shipping a new one!
They asked that I destroy it, so I'll be looking into a proper way to dispose of it as suggested.
Thanks again!
posted by rustybullrake at 8:04 AM on March 27, 2023
On Saturday, I sent them pictures of the outside and the inside with the holes. As of this morning they emailed to say they are shipping a new one!
They asked that I destroy it, so I'll be looking into a proper way to dispose of it as suggested.
Thanks again!
posted by rustybullrake at 8:04 AM on March 27, 2023
I mean, destroy it if you want, or use it til you think it is finished, ya, know? That's what I did.
Then find a fun way to use it: planter? Recycling, at least? While I also own plenty enamled cast iron Le Creuset, the piece I had replaced was ceramic so I continue to use the "broken" one until it actually breaks (the crack is in the lid handle) into pieces.
Thankfully, I already have my backup!
posted by atomicstone at 5:30 PM on May 9, 2023
Then find a fun way to use it: planter? Recycling, at least? While I also own plenty enamled cast iron Le Creuset, the piece I had replaced was ceramic so I continue to use the "broken" one until it actually breaks (the crack is in the lid handle) into pieces.
Thankfully, I already have my backup!
posted by atomicstone at 5:30 PM on May 9, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
https://www.lecreuset.com/warranty.html
posted by AbelMelveny at 11:29 AM on March 22, 2023