I finally have the means to purchase a new dutch oven and considering getting a 7.25 quart Le Creuset in white. The only thing holding me back from getting it is whether the dutch oven will discolor over time and use. Any thoughts or experience? Should I just get it in a different color?
I currently have a blue Rachel Ray dutch oven and over time, it has picked up flecks of black spots that are incredibly hard to scrub off.
I own a white Dutch oven and it's impossible to keep 'clean looking' inside and out. That's strictly cosmetic of course but what you don't want to do is try to bleach out stains. While that will work short term, according to many it will weaken the enamel coating over time. The black spots are on the outside, yes? Not effecting the function? I get those too and think of them as kitchen badges of honour. I also put scalding hot pots on my wooden counters and leave tea mug rings where they form. Embrace the worn look?
On a related note, I had a big Le Creuset for many years. Stylish blue. Worked great. Paid full price wanting a pot that would last. A decade later and I turn around to hear popping in the pot. The enamel was literally popping off on the inside of the pot. Never stupid high heat, always with oil or similar in the pot (not dry), hand washed. All the right moves over the years. OK, I thought, this is why I paid $450 for a pot (circa 2000). Lifetime warranty.
Not only could I not get anything beyond an automated reply from LeCreuset Canada for months but I read from others online it's a crap shoot whether they'll honour the warranty. Usual customer dodging excuses. If they don't, you're on the hook for a 'discounted' replacement for sizable bucks or more shipping at your expense (they're heavy) to get the dead one back, not that you'd want to at that point. I bailed on them and bought not one, not two, but four generic and lesser known replacements for the same money (usually on Boxing Day sales) over the intervening years. Enamelled cast iron is a pretty predictable manufacture these days and many other makers are, in my opinion, just as functional. Maybe not exactly the colours you want but your ingredients won't care. I just today saw a solid looking 5-quart at my local megamart brought in for holiday sales at a whopping CDN$39 to give you some idea. My bet is that it'll have a half price sticker on December 26th because they sure don't want to ship and warehouse them all year.
TL:DR: I get that LC is desirable for other reasons but my experience says don't pay their crazy prices based on warranty service reliability. Get several generic equivalents in a rainbow of colours if you wish.
r/castiron may also be worth consulting. Most scorching and staining should be easy to remove with a light abrasive like barkeeper's friend.
picked up flecks of black spots that are incredibly hard to scrub off.
As in, chips in the enamel?