If one of your friends can weld, I'd ask them if they can weld the crack. At least then the pot would not leak. Not sure about the re-enameling, but the rustiness kinda gives it character anyway.

I'm practically weeping and it's not even my pot.

I don't have any ideas to add - just my sympathy and support.

I thought one of the big selling points was an insanely long, transferable warranty/guarantee.

Bummer.

I echo the thought that your best bet is to contact a tub refinisher, and see what they say. They may be able to patch the enamel- my fear is the difficulty you'll have getting a color match.

I know you mentioned the lifetime warranty was no help, but if I were in your shoes, my first step would be to call Le Creuset and ask for their suggestions. They might do in-house repairs for a fee, or they might refer you to a good repair specialist. If anything, they could at least give you some insight about what type of repair you need, what materials (and enamel pigment) to use, what to look for in a repairman, and so on. Good luck.

you will definitely need to have a professional do the repair if you want the enamel fixed. The enamel is cured in a kiln (so at a temperature of about 1500 deg F for a long period of time). You cannot duplicate this in your oven or otherwise - so do not try any paint-on in home enamel products. If you do go to a tub repair place, make sure they use a high-heat enamel (a bathtub would never see temperatures higher than 212 deg F while your cast iron pot may experience temps above 500 deg F)

Seconding the suggestion to contact Le Creuset with your story. My friend got detailed cleaning instructions from their customer service after she badly burned something in the bottom of the pot. They may have other tips for how to go about repairing it.

So sorry this happened!

I thought "lifetime Warranty" meant the lifetime of the object, not the owner O_o

Usually dropping/falling would be covered by a warranty.

I would contact them to see if they do repairs, if not bite the bullet and get a replacement.

I am soooo, soooo sorry for you! It's really a beautiful pot, and a wonderful story.

Do NOT go to a tub repair "re-enamel" place!!! They don't actually "re-enamel" the tub/sink -- to do so would require a large, industrial kiln (as another commenter said). Rather, they chemically etch the enamel surface and then paint on an acrylic or epoxy coating -- it is thin, wears off, and is NOT something you would want to heat or eat off of. (I did much research on the subject when looking to refinish my claw-foot tub a few years ago)

I would definitely contact Le Creuset and see what they say. If they offer a repair service, I would go with that.

Otherwise, you can try a place that makes pottery (or has a kiln) and talk to them. They might have some leads.

Alternatively, you can look into powdercoating -- this is a baked-on enamel. I don't know how food-safe it is, but find someone who does it and talk to them. This place does powder coating of cast iron: http://dutchovengear.com/index
They might be able to help you!

Thanks so much for suggestions and support everyone! I guess these things happen when you love beautiful things, but ug, right?

I've contacted Le Creuset for their suggestions on getting the crack fixed. (I think I can learn to love the chip in the enamel.) If all else fails, I can always just use it as-is to make yogurt...

Thanks again!

Erin

i have an old decoware dutch oven from Belgium that is use to bake bread in, among other things. chip in the bottom since Jimmy Carter was president. And i'm not dead yet. I figure it's just cast iron, right?

I called the Le Creuset number about my pot with a small chip in the bottom. The person could not have been nicer and all she asked was what color and size it was and to send it, sans top to them with the code she gave me. Very soon afterwards, a lovely brand new pot came in the mail. Gold stars for Le C!!!!

You can buy a new one.

The things are timeless and the colors are the only things that change with the whims of advertising and fashion.

I'd contact Le Creuset. I had a pot that was a wedding gift for my parents (in 1947). When it got chipped, they sent a new pot, no questions. I kept the old one for nostalgia's sake--it is now a watering hole in the garden.

Since you've indicated the metal of the pot is actually cracked, I would be worried about the crack growing and creating an unpredictable, possibly dangerous situation under the stresses of heating and cooling with use. Cast iron is brittle, and will be even more so in the area around that crack where it's now been stressed by the impact of the fall.

I agree with folks who've suggested you contact Le Creuset and tell them your story. What do you have to loose at this point? They might fix it, or have good recommendations of what would be safe and effective. Anything else you do in the way of an off-label attempt to repair this is likely to void your warranty if one still applies.

You don't have to be the original owner. I had a Dutch oven that was given to me as a gift and I didn't have a receipt, and when I dropped it and broke it, I mailed it to Le Creuset and they gave me a coupon for 75% off a new one (since the damage was technically my fault) - written up here: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/kitchen-supply-stores/le-creuset-great-customer-service-experience-085815

Le Crueset will replace this for free! They have a lifetime warranty. I have been in a store before and literally seen someone walk in with a small chip and hand it over... and get a new one in return. This lady had her original one for at least 10 years also.....

I would be sad too! My dutch oven is one of the best investments I have EVER made and I would be in tears if mine were damaged. You should check with the company again...I believe Le Creuset will still do the repair for you...here's hoping!

If you don't want to replace the pot with LC I would turn it with the chip to the wall and keep it on your counter to store things in. As it has sentimental value you could have it still be useful in another way.

Le Creuset has always treated me well and honored their lifetime warranty, and I've done some really bonehead things with my pots!

i'm late to the conversation but there is hope! i found this thread after i dropped my LC dutch oven & it chipped. i emailed the company @ their customer service department & they honored the warranty! yippee!! their email address is: cservice@lecreuset.com