apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I use a deep casserole dish with a lid. Or I bring the pot out and plop it in the middle of the table on a trivet. In fact, before I'd buy a tureen I'd get a beautiful dutch oven like a Le Creuset that would do double duty.

I just use the Le Creuset pot that I cooked the soup in. Honestly, I don't have any dishes that are used just for presentation. We aren't that formal around here. :)

wrap the lid in a dishtowel, put it in a drawer, and use the pot on your landing strip to catch sunglasses and gloves when you're not using it.

keep your tea stash in it.

fill it full of rolled washclothes.

keep your blender/processor attachments corralled inside it.

there's always room in the tip top of the cabinet (or on top of the cabinet) for whatever once-in-a-while thing you really want. for me = huge cast iron wok, large enamel drink tub with spout on bottom (for punch @ parties) and an ice cream maker! and i have a pretty small kitchen.

Lindsey, do you have a picture of your stash of the less used stuff? We'd like to post it ....

Your ideas of other uses for the tureen are pretty inspired too.

haha, it's not pretty. they're just propped up on the upper cabinets (i have victorian high ceilings). i don't think it would inspire anyone!

I used to do what Lindsey did at my last apartment. There was an 18inch gap between the top of the cupboards and the ceiling. I kept a lot of stuff up there that I used at minimum once a month. I don't have that space anymore at the newer apartment, but this one came with a pantry closet (about the size of a linen closet) and we've modified it to hold a ton of stuff. I might even have room for a soup tureen...

Or is that "at maximum"?

Who DOESN'T own a tureen?

No tureen, and no lifestyle to support owning one.

I'd be interested in hearing more from the perspective of serial relocators. Those of us who move once a year, or more (or less), have probably whittled our way down to essentials, or at least struggle over new additions and desires.

We're facing an overseas move later this year, so I am preparing myself for basically getting rid of everything, especially if it plugs it (the mixer, sniff). Sucks to think of starting over (again).

The tureens are sweet, though, and some day I'd like to have a classic white one with the lion heads on the side. With a set of matching bowls, for french onion soup and general awesomeness on a pedestal.

I own a soup tureen in my small Brooklyn apartment. It's one of the things I store in the Ikea boxes I posted the other day: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/entertaining-tip-add-height-to-buffet-tables-with-ikea-045319

But I try to take advantage of it for more than just serving soup. It's a basic white tureen, with a matching serving spoon and platter. The platter comes in handy for innumerable dishes. The tureen itself can be used to bake in, or to serve side dishes, or even as a centerpiece bowl.

My only contact with soup tureens is through the appraisals on the Antiques Roadshow. It seemed like something from a lost era...though the comments are warming me up to the idea of one.

I have a tureen- actually an Emile Henry one that I bought about 10 years ago. I love it. I use it for soups and stews. I have served mashed potatoes in it at family dinners- I have put large salads in it for buffets. I have used it for popcorn on more than one occasion. I have these stupid cabinets over my fridge that I can't get to without a step ladder and I keep it up there with some extra glasses I got in Mexico.

i have...um..seven? nine of them? all ages, sizes and shapes. And if I'll stumble upon another one I like, I'll get it in a heart beat. I only used couple of then for intent purposes - loaded up with mashed potatoes for various occasions. But here is what I do with all others:
* one large and old with aged cracks on pedestal and round belly is in the bathroom, filled with unwrapped different soaps.
(most copied thing by my dear friends)
* smaller one in the bathroom hiding ugly rollers and hair elastics, sitting proudly on the open shelf between folded towels.
* another pedestal deep one, on the kitchen counter by the window used as an urn for potted various herbs.
* medium one, old and mysterious on the top open shelf, containing chocolates and lolly-pops for little visitors amusement.
* chunky one with dog biscuits
* another old and low serves ad succulent planter near fireplace.
* one on the kitchen table is filled with cloth napkins
* couple of them great for fresh flowers arrangements or as a centerpiece filled with lemons, avocados or fresh artichokes.

i made few people very happy, by giving them old tureens filled with baby socks ant toys or garden seeds as a gifts. My local Goodwill store usually have a row of them for $5-$8. I'm always on lookout for interesting shape, color or the cracked one.

Sure, you can throw your sunglasses, etc. in it (but I already have a place for all that stuff), or imagine some other use for it (that is probably already being served by another piece in your kitchen), but ultimately it's an indulgence. I barely have room in my apartment kitchen to store all the kitchen stuff that actually has more than one purpose. Also, if I had the expendable income, I would buy a Le Creuset dutch oven.

That being said, maybe I would have one if I had the money or the space for something that is solely used for presentation. They are really cute.

I like Astrid's suggestions - now I want a non-food tureen too. For serving, I use my le Creuset. It's table-to-stove cookware, don't you know?

I do own one. See? It's gorgeous. I love it.

I received one as a present and it's on the top shelf. I don't think I've ever used it for soup but in the summer we use to serve watermelon balls marinated in port wine...