I scored one of the fanciest kitchen items I’ve ever owned for just $5 at a thrift store – it was worth $109 more
A MONEY-SAVVY homeowner has shared their delight after buying a highly coveted kitchen appliance for a bargain.
They shared how they easily revamped the thrift store-bought item to look as good as new.
The shopper took to Reddit’s Thrift Store Hauls forum to post a photo of their new green kettle.
BOILING POINT
Writing under the name Wolfwalker9, they revealed it cost just $5 and required a “little elbow grease” to get it sparkling.
“Loved the color when I saw it on the shelf & flipped it over to see it was Le Creuset,” they wrote.
“This teapot originally retailed for $114, so definitely the fanciest teapot I’ve ever owned.
“A boil with vinegar got rid of interior scale buildup & some degreaser & scrubbing cleared away grime built up on the bottom & sides.”
The kettle appeared to have no scratches or marks in the photo.
In a follow-up comment, the Redditor revealed how they achieved the shiny finish.
“A little bit of Comet made into a paste with a soft cloth,” they wrote.
“I didn’t use anything too abrasive or harsh as I didn’t want to scratch the enamel.”
An almost identical Le Creuset kettle in dark green can be found at QVC for $75.
The kettle can be used to boil water for hot drinks such as tea and coffee, as well as to make soup.
GREEN WITH ENVY
Many people up-voted the Redditor’s post and shared their amazement at the condition of the budget-friendly purchase.
“Aw I love the color! it literally looks brand new!” one person wrote.
“You did a great job on cleaning it up! Great find!” another commented.
“This is sexy af! [as f**k] Nice!” a third chimed in.
“That color is fantastic!” another added.
Why is Le Creuset so expensive?
Le Creuset cookware is on the wishlists of many home cooks and bakers.
But the French brand’s Dutch ovens can cost between $260 and $750, and even a bread loaf pan will set you back $180.
So what warrants such hefty price tags?
Le Creuset’s Dutch ovens are among its most popular items, and they — along with several other pieces of their cookware — are made with high-quality enameled cast iron.
They’re meant to last a long time and even carry a lifetime warranty “to be free from defects in material and workmanship.”
“It’s like, do you really wanna buy a $50 piece of something over and over again, or do you wanna invest in something and know that you’re gonna have it for a long time?” Nate Collier, Le Creuset’s director of marketing and communications, said to Eater.
According to Cookware Insider, 15 quality control officers inspect each of the brand’s items before they’re sold.
Of course, they’re pretty, too, and quite the status symbol.
“You think of it as a simple piece of cookware, but even the silhouette of our Dutch oven is recognizable,” Collier said.
“You could show someone a line drawing without any color, and most people that are familiar with cookware would be able to tell you that it’s specifically a Le Creuset Dutch oven.”
Celebrity fans include Julia Child, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Garner, and Taylor Swift.
BARGAIN HUNTERS
The excitement over finding a Le Creuset item being sold for an affordable price comes after other Redditors shared their thrift store finds.
One woman bought a braiser, a Dutch oven, a saucepan, and a mixing bowl from the brand for just $42.
However, a Dutch oven and a braiser cost up to $980 on the brand’s website.
Meanwhile, another woman found a 3-piece skillet set for $9 worth up to $720.
“I’ve probably found more expensive things but I will literally use these all the time so they’re quite valuable to me!” she said.