A few weeks ago, our beloved dutch oven developed a chip in its enamel, and after much deliberation, we've decided to go ahead and replace it. (Thank you, everyone, for all your great advice!) Here's our next question: what should we do with the old dutch oven?
We really can't imagine just chucking this dutch oven into the trash, so we're trying to brainstorms some clever ways we can put it to another use - either in the kitchen or out. We already have a short-list of ideas gathered from the comments on the last post with a few of our own:
• Use it to store bread or other baked goods
• Use it to store onions and garlic
• Use it to store potatoes (though not with the onions!)
• Use it to store spices
• Use it to store grains
• Use it as a planter
Now that we've been thinking about it, we can see a lot of advantages to using a dutch oven for food storage. The thick metal means that the contents will stay relatively cool if we store the pot in a cupboard away from the stove or direct sunlight. With the lid on, it will also be dark in there, which makes it ideal for light-sensitive foods like spices and potatoes. The heaviness and tight fit of dutch oven's lid should also protect contents from little critters.
The biggest disadvantage is that dutch ovens are pretty heavy and can be fairly unwieldy. We're not sure we want to use it for anything that we'd need to access frequently. Ideally, it would sit on a low shelf or even on the floor of the pantry and we could just lift off the lid to get inside without having to move it.
What do you think? How would you re-purpose this old dutch oven in your home?
Related: Good Question: Can I Recycle or Fix Up Old Knives?
(Image: Emma Christensen for the Kitchn)
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Use it on your patio (if you have one) as a storage vessel for all your outside dining needs. It'll look decorative on the table filled with napkins, utensils, corkscrew, salt and pepper shakers or whatever else you need on hand for dining outside.
www.lemontart.ca
Could you still bake bread inside, just so long as the pot was lined with parchment?
This is going to sound crazy, but my dad turned an old Dutch oven into a wind chime/gong. He drilled a hole in the bottom (now the top of the chime) so he could hang it as well as attach a clapper and a weight to catch the wind. The sound it makes is incredible...
I used my old one as a colorful planter. Looked great until someone stole it off my porch.
@ndk, I'm jealous! I bet that sounded amazing. Huge bells are some of my favorite sounds.
I was going to suggest using it as a planter but now I'm going to second ndk's idea. You could use a rollerblade wheel for the clapper, I think. I've seen them used for huge glass bells so I don't see why it wouldn't work here.
planter -- no. plants need drainage, so unless you're planning on drilling a hole in the bottom, i'd say no.
the patio storage option lemontart mentioned is cute.
I am a huge fan of the freecycle lists. Whenever I have had items to get rid of in the past, I would just post them there, and someone with use for them would usually respond within a few hours. For example, when I upgraded my pots/pans/knives, I was able to give the old pans to a newly-formed co-op house in my neighborhood. I was glad to know the cookware would be put to good use!
Lemon - that is so smart! Seriously... never even thought about that. I'd add a lighter and maybe some small glass encased tealights, if they fit.
Donate it to a charity thrift store. Someone won't mind the chip in enamel, the charity will get some money for it, and you'll have pared down your possessions.
It's the kind of thing I'd use for keeping compost in till I can run them to the pile. But it'd be a bit big to keep on most counters, I guess.
Having inherited an imperfect yet lovingly used orange la crueset set from my grandmother, I couldn't part with a piece of it, chip or no chip. I vote for the wind chime (brilliant idea), or....succulent planter. No need to drill drainage hole, just use pebbles at the bottom.
All planters need a drainage hole, regardless of what's planted.
I think a planter is a great idea...so is the wind chime!
Broken glass in the bottom for drainage if using as a planter is all you need. Just imagine fresh herbs growing in this lovely pot.
Other suggestion - fill with water and empty wine bottles - place in the freezer, when ready to use simply substitute the empty bottles with new bottles and viola an ice bucket that won't fall over.
You can always try to have it re-enameled.....Le Creuset has a lifetime warranty.
I use my old one as a dedicated bread baker- I use parchment paper with it anyway, and don't have to worry about it cracking under high heat because it is a back-up.