Over 100 years of production has led to a wide variety of wonderful Le Creuset cookware in beautiful colors. Thanks to auction sites like e-Bay, it is affordable and available to the home cook as well as the professional chef. Following is a guide, based upon my experience with hunting for used cookware on e-Bay (and elsewhere), that will help you buy or sell Le Creuset cookware that is truly in good condition.

Le Creuset is one of the few enamel coated cast iron cookware manufacturers that has stood the test of time producing durable cookware that can be passed down from generation to generation. Brand new Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware is coated with the highest quality vitreous enamel that is like glass - hygienic and impermeable. It is suitable for use on all heat sources including gas, ceramic top, electric, gas, halogen top and induction. Le Creuset products can be used on the stovetop, in the oven and on/under the grill. It can be used for marinating food prior to cooking or for food storage after cooking. Some pieces are stylish enough to be taken straight from the oven to the table for serving. 

Used LeCreuset however, is a different matter. The condition and usability of it depends upon the manner in which it was used and stored by the previous owner. Misuse, abuse or improper storage can permanently damage Le Creuset and you should be aware of these conditions before you purchase. Used cookware will not be perfect and you should not expect it to be.  Minor chips here and there around the edge (where the cast iron lids sets on the pot are not uncommon. However, the outside and inside enamel on used Le Creuset cookware that has been well treated should be intact. Unfortunately, abuse does not always show in a photo of the item or in a sellers' description. Some sellers think if a pot can hold water it is in "excellent" condition with "no defects". :-) Here are a few signs of abuse to check before purchasing used Le Creuset cookware:

Excessive or deep rust around the rim of the pot/pan, exposed cast iron on the bottom of the pot/pan or around the lid. Rust will be visible on cookware that has set for a long time in water or been stored unprotected in humid conditions. Under no circumstances should the rust be treated with WD-40. That product was never intended for use with cookware or on any surface that comes in contact with food. Before you buy a rusted piece, contact Le Creuset and ask what they would recommend to treat or remove rust on their cast iron products.

Deep scratches in the enamel coating. Some scratching on older cookware is normal. But, the scratches should not be so deep that the cast iron is exposed or the enamel chipping off. Careful Le Creuset owners understand that both the inside and outside enamel surfaces are vulnerable and will take care not to store pieces inside of one another without some type of separation. Personally, I use a sheet of unbleached or bleached parchment paper large enough to protect all interior surfaces.

Shiny light gray or silver-y looking marks on the enameled flat inside cooking surface. Light grey or silvery-looking marks are left behind whenever metal utensils are used with this cookware. I've seen cooks do it on tv and so, I bet, have you. The booklet which accompanies their cookware tells one specifically not to use metal utensils, ever. But, as long as the enamel is still intact, this will not affect the usability of the pot/pan.

Excessive accumulation of cooking grease outside where the enamel meets the cast iron on the bottom. The pot has not been cleaned regularly. Just as a carpenter respects his tools and keeps them clean and sharp, a cook who respects their cookware will keep it clean. The manufacturer includes cleaning instructions with the pots and has them on their website. I've used a product called "Sokoff" to dissolve the built up grease and dirt on used pieces without damaging the enamel or the cast iron. 

Dark grey or black marks on the enamel cooking surface inside. The pot has been burned and food residue scorched into the surface. These marks can not be removed by cleaning or polishing. It does not look good. But, as long as the enamel is intact the pot can be used. Use this pot with recipes that require oil. Otherwise, your food will stick if not carefully watched.

Dark brown stains in a circular pattern on the inside flat cooking surface.  This pan/pot was used on over-high heat, burned and the enamel is now scorched. These marks can not be removed by cleaning, scrubbing or polishing. The pan is permanently marred. If you examine the enamel coating over the cast iron and it is crazed (tiny cracks that adjoin and overlap each other) the enamel will eventually bubble up and peel off in those spots.

Pockmarks, pitting, peeling, bubbling on the cooking surface or areas where the enamel coating is missing and the cast iron is exposed. Watch for this inside of skillets/pans coated with Glissemail, (a glossy grey interior enamel coating) or the non-stick coating (used primarily in the 80's and early 90's). This is also a sign that the pot/or skillet has been burned or scorched. Once the enamel surface is scorched, it will eventually bubble up and peel off. Le Creuset told me that there is nothing that can be done to correct that condition other than to sand off/remove the enamel coating entirely and season the pan as if it were regular cast iron. Otherwise, every time you cook, you will get flakes of the coating or enamel in your food. This condition does NOT show in a photo. You need to ask and hope that the seller is savvy about Le Creuset cookware, honest enough to recognize this condition and truthful with you.

Dullness on the flat inside cooking surface but the sides are still glossy.  If the original enamel coating on the inside was glossy and that shine is now gone, the pot/pan was used on high heat and/or repeatedly scrubbed with an abrasive cleaner. The natural non-stick property of the enamel is gone. Once the gloss is gone, it can not be restored except by re-enameling. Use this pot with recipes that require oil. Otherwise, your food will stick if not carefully watched.

White waterfall marks on the outside enamel running from top to bottom.  This pot/pan has been the victim of what I call a "boil-over." If you look carefully, the marks form a pattern that look like a waterfall. Someone using the pot allowed food/ liquid in it to boil over and run down the outside of the hot pan, did not clean it promptly and now those marks are set into the enamel. They can never be removed. They will not clean or polish out. The pot is permanently marred. It is still usable. But, it does not look good - on the stove top or if you store your pots by displaying them on a wall.

Fading of the color of the enamel on the pot/pan. Pot or pan has been used excessively on high heat. Check the inside enamel carefully to make sure that it is intact and not peeling, crazed, pockmarked or otherwise showing signs of permanent damage.

Chipping off, missing pieces or gouges in the enamel on the outside. Pot or pan has been dropped, bumped against a hard surface or repeatedly rubbed against other cast iron pots. Sometimes, second quality pieces come this way from the factory. And, if so, the chip is usually covered with porcelain. Accidents do happen and the enamel on Le Creuset pieces is not overly-fragile. But, a lot of chips or gouges in the enamel could indicate improper care or storage.

Second Quality. I've been told that LeCreuset usually marks their second quality pieces with an "O", a "1", or an "X" on the inside of the lid or underside of the handle. But, one can also tell by the quality of the interior finish. Particularly when the finish is beige/tan. I was told that LeCreuset applies three coats of enamel to their cast iron pieces: one black and two of the finish color. Second quality pieces usually have only one coat of the interior color. First quality has two.  The second quality will appear to have a black undercast and be darker.

Buyers, here are few tips that can help you find Le Creuset cookware in good condition:

• Look for the Le Creuset stamp on the bottom, the lid, the handle, topper or somewhere on the piece. Unfortunately, they are not always consistent with the marking of their products - especially the older pieces. I've never seen a fake LeCreuset piece. But now, there are several manufacturers of enamel coated cast iron cookware producing pieces that closely resemble Le Creuset. One could very easily think that a piece is Le Creuset when in fact, it is not. Real LeCreuset stockpots are not marked and can be more difficult to spot. But, check the handles which almost always tilt upwards several degrees and do not stick out at a right angle to the pot.
• Be realistic in your expectations! Used cookware will not be perfect and you should not expect it to be. The key here is to find cookware that has been accurately described in the auction listing, still looks good and functions as it should. You are looking for cookware that has been used but not abused. Use may affect the look, but abuse affects the function.
• Look for a detailed description of the condition of the item. Terse, one sentence descriptions such as "in excellent condition" "no defects" or ""good condition" are not clear or helpful. Both of those terms are subjective - what is "good condition" to the seller may be poor condition to a buyer - especially one who is picky about the condition of cookware. You need to know the size, the quart or cm capacity, the shape, the color and the condition of the enamel finish inside and out. Also, if this is important to you, ask about the history of the piece and how the seller acquired it. E-bay does not limit the number of words used to describe an item for sale. Therefore, in my opinion, a seller should try to give you as many accurate, honest, clear details about the condition of the item as necessary for you to make an informed decision.
• Ask for a photo if the item is not shown in detail inside or out or the description unclear.  Photo of the outside only could be concealing damage to the inside.
• Curious about the value or original retail price of the item? Do a quick search at your favorite search engine under "Le Creuset" and add the name of the item or the centimeter capacity number and the color as it is listed on e-bay. You may not find discontinued colors but, you'll get a fair idea how much it originally cost brand new.
• When you find a piece that you like, use the above guide to ask specific and clear questions regarding the conditon of the item. If the seller is vague, does not answer specific questions or answers some questions but not others, try again. If after more than one attempt to get a clear answer, you are not satisfied, look elsewhere. The seller could be concealing a problem with the condition. 
• Check for sellers with a return policy and reasonable shipping. No returns? Cash/money order only?? $24+ shipping charge for a 1 qt pot? Caveat emptor. Yes, Le Creuset is heavy. But some sellers use this as an excuse to overcharge for shipping. 
• Use good judgement.  The above info is intended to be used as a guide as you begin or add to your collection of Le Creuset cookware.  Don't beat the seller over the head with it. :-)  If there is a problem with the cookware and the seller is clear about it up front, (in the description, follow-up questions and the photos posted) you'll have the tools to help you make a decision about whether or not to purchase. If you need to see more images of the item, ask. If the seller is willing, they can e-mail them to you.

Sellers, here are a few tips for you:

• New is new, used is used.  Do not say that a piece is "new" when you know that it is not. New is new, used is used. And, we can tell the difference. New LeCreuset should be in the original box, have the original stick on tags and the original tied on booklet. Even if it does not, it will still look and feel new and unused. No amount of cleaning can cover up the fact that a pot/pan has been used.
• Reasonable shipping charges and a return policy. No returns?? Cash/money order only?? $24+ shipping charge for a 1 qt pot?? All are a turn-off to buyers. Remember UPS, FedEX and the USPS have websites to which a potential buyer can go and get an approximate price for shipping to their location. Yes, Le Creuset is heavy. But don't use this as an excuse to overcharge. The sale should benefit buyer and seller with recourse for either in the event that the item is in poor condition or the sale not properly consummated.
• Le Creuset is fragile!! One would not think cast iron is fragile but, it can and does break. Le Creuset specifically excludes the replacement of "breakage or damage due to dropping" from their warranty. If you are shipping LeCreuset, make sure the item itself is completely covered with one or more layers of bubble-wrap and the shipping box firmly filled with packing peanuts. Most shipping carriers do not consider tissue paper alone to be sufficient insulation against damage.
• Also, offer/get insurance. This will protect everyone if the item is broken in transit. Remember, you are just one clumsy handler away from a damage claim. Insurance is automatically included with any item valued under $100 if one is using DHL, UPS or FedEX. The value of the item should be listed when the shipping label is prepared. USPS charges extra for insurance and the rates are available at their website.
• Damage claim for buyers or sellers? In a word: "photos". A picture is worth a thousand words and eliminates all doubt as to what was sent or received.
• To coin an old phrase: "Cleanliness is next to God-liness". If you are selling a piece of used Le Creuset cookware, a buyer will appreciate it if you take the time to clean it before shipping it off. There are a few things worse than getting dirty cookware in the mail - but not many. :-) Besides which, it leaves the buyer with a negative impression of you.

Planning to purchase a piece that has one of the above signs of neglect or abuse thinking you can send it to Le Creuset for a replacement? Forget it. They will replace a defective piece but not one that is damaged due to improper use, abuse, dropping or neglect. If they examine your piece and agree that it is defective, they'll replace it with the same item from current stock. LeCreuset does not refurbish their cookware. Nor will they replace a discontinued color or older style with the same piece in the same color and style. In other words, if you need to replace a bright yellow 1 qt from the 1970's, you may get a red 1 qt pot instead. Since the yellow is no longer made, you will be out of luck. Some expert out there who knows how to correctly apply and fire vitreous porcelain enamel and, is willing to give customers a long term guarantee or Le Creuset's seal of approval could make a comfortable living restoring or refurbishing beloved, but well-used Le Creuset cookware. Hint, hint! :-)

Finally, I think one of the best features of LeCreuset is the colorful easy-to-clean enamel coating which does not give off any toxic fumes or odors. The true flavor of your food and ingredients comes through. And, it is the best cookware for low - moderate heat cooking. Once the food gets to a certain stage of doneness you can remove it from.the heat source and residual heat in the pan will continue to cook your food. Ultimately, that represents a savings to you in time (no babysitting or overcooking your meal) and a little less $$ spent for cooking fuel. Le Creuset pots and pans cook food evenly as long as they are set evenly on the heat source and, unlike uncoated cast iron, they can be used for marinating. But, you can't use them in the microwave. For more information about Le Creuset cookware, visit their website " lecreuset-usa.com" . Their warranty plus some use and care information is posted there along with the most current colors and styles available. They also have a toll-free phone number to call if you have additional questions or need help. I hope this information has been helpful to you. If so, be sure to let me know by answering "yes" below. :-)

(c) 2007 Blessings to you from a Le Creuset Lover, User & Collector of 30+ years.