If it's a Le Crueset, it has a 99 yr warranty so you can have it replaced.

I've had terrible problems with cracking enamel on "knock offs". After replacing 3, I bit the bullet and bought a Le Crueset. Had I done that to begin with, I would have saved myself a lot of $$.

I don't think you want to continue using it, as mentioned you run the risk of enamel coming off in your food. I wouldn't repair it either, as the fact that some burned on rice ripped it off is a sign the enamel isn't sound. You could use it has a pretty bowl, or perhaps a planter.

I have a Fontignac and same thing happened. Without a box or receipt I took it back to Bed Bath and Beyond and they exchanged it no questions asked. They have an incredibly forgiving return/ exchange policy. If they sell what you had, I'd go there first.

But I definitely wouldn't cook on it. When mine did it, it splintered off bit and I didn't want to be crunching down on enamel while I ate.

You could theoretically take the pot to a scrap metal place? You might be able to get a few bucks for it that way, and it would be recycled into other steel products. I'd call your local scrap metal place first to check, though.

Assuming it isn't name brand & can't be exchanged for a new non-chipped pot, you could still use it to bake bread in. I have a Target enameled pot that began to crackle in a bad way after a few too many abuses, and I simply line the pan completely with parchment paper before I put the bread in. It's actually nicer to bake bread this way - when the round is done I can quickly lift it out by grabbing the edges of the paper.

Seconding Le Crueset cookware, though. I bit the bullet a few years ago and now can't believe I bought so many cheap pots and pans... LC, and their customer service, are amazing.

A little off topic. To avoid disasters like this, I have found that cooking in these is a breeze in the oven. (perhaps that is why they call them French ovens?) For example rice, bring it to a boil on the stovetop and pop it in a preheated 250F oven. There is little to no risk of things burning or even getting scorched on the bottom of the pan and it is less trouble and worry.

I don't have anything to add that previous users haven't already said, but I did want to chime in and tell my story. I had a similar problem w/ a Mario Batali enameled 6 qt dutch oven, and even though it was 5 years old, Wilton (the company that manages their warranty) replaced it free of charge. All I had to do was send them pictures of my old one, and the shipping address where they should send the new one. I even have my old one, which they said I could keep. So I too have been trying to think of uses for it. Either way, easiest replacement I've ever done, hands down...

Claire here - the pot was bought from a discount variety store here in Australia. And I don't think they would replace the pot. I think my problem may have stemmed from the fact that I put the pot into my Big Green Egg when making a no knead bread. The intense heat might have weakened the already cheap and nasty enamel.

Just yesterday I received a flyer in the mail for a scrap metal company that buys cast iron. So I'll try my luck there, and use the couple of dollars I'll get for it to go towards the purchase of a Le Crueset!!

Thank you all for the lovely suggestions and advice. I don't think I'll be using cast iron for my rice cooking in the future!

Many thanks for the question asked & the answers. I was heart-broken when my LC skillet's enamel sprouted blisters after a loved one put another LC skillet inside of it hot to clear stove space while cooking. Based on your comments abt LC's customer service, I will contact them in hopes of receiving a replacement.

For Aust - call Le Crueset and ask them where you can get it repaired in your city. They can recommend places which can re-enamel the pot (businesses that enamel baths etc)