I've been monkeying around on ebay since no later than '98. And, only 4 years ago put myself on an absolute rule, don't go unless you're actually looking for a specific thing. Don't go, don't do it and never, ever after 6pm. Man, the crap that's shown up on my doorstep! I'm not the only one, am I?
Been wanting another enameled cast iron oven for a long time, years. Odd that I only have 1, but there it is. To be honest, the cost has kept me away. Rarely, if ever, do I buy anything new. Cameras and kitchenware can be had used, in great condition, a great price and usually of higher quality than I can afford new.
Last week, after my other Descoware Danish Oven developed a chip during some over-heating abuse, I decided just to look on ebay to see what there was. I still use the old oven, but can't store leftovers in it over-night, gets all rusty. Other than that, it's still in weekly use.
That's when I saw her, an unused Descoware 5 quart oven, in the original box with the original sticker on the front from 40 some odd years ago. The starting bid was 1/4 what a new Le Creuset is, I put in my bid of just a tad over. My first bid is my only bid, I gauge what I'm willing to pay and not a penny more.
I won.
Check that sucker out! You may or may not have heard about the ol' Descoware name. They started out in the 1940's and through the 1960's were plugged by famous chefs world-wide. Julia Child made mention of them and plugged them quite frequently on her cooking show way back when. The attention to detail, the quality of the cast iron and enameled coatings are unsurpassed, even today. Everyone's favorite color for enameled cast iron is Flame, that's an easy one right? Yeah, that was created first by Descoware. The signature dark grey interior of yore? Yup, Descoware first.
I tried it out last night and it was quite similar to using a non-stick combined with cast iron, flippin' amazing. I'm glad I decided to take a quick peek in to ebay, only if to look and see.
xo, Biggles
That pot is beautimous. So much cooler than that French thingie.
Score! I even love the funky label on the side. Good on you.
pfft...French thingies are cool. But this is too.
That's one kick-ass pot, Biggles. It looks made expressly for some long, slow-cooked stews.
Hey! That's mine!
Hee-hee!
Whatchoo waitin on foo? GET COOKING!!!!!
Looks great!
He shoots
He scores!
I've won a few Descoware pieces on Ebay too. One guy had them listed under enamelware so there were no bidders but little ol' me.
They are exceedingly sweet.
Getting the pot was easy, getting to cooking isn't quite as. Hopefully soon!
Biggles
ps - Thank you for the tip, Evil G!
Yo Big,
SA-WEET deal. I scored a 2qt flame colored descoware pot at GW for a couple a bucks. XLNT. I also have several pieces of that stuck up "Frenchie-ware". It is the bestest stuff on the planet. Pricey, but oh so worth it. Flea-bay is great, but dangerous.
Thanks for an awesome blog Love, love, love the flame height adjustment posts!
Hey Cathi,
Thank you! Well, Flea-bay (love that, going to use it!) has to be taken with a grain of salt. I consider some of my purchases on ebay to be "gambling" in the traditional sense. Although, I have found some great sellers on there and usually stick with them when I need something.
Cheers