Le Creuset Dutch Oven

My parents' Le Creuset dutch oven is older than I am and it still looks like it could be new. That's the whole argument for spending $350 on a pot when a $40 Lodge does essentially the same job. The deep flame orange enamel coating has not chipped in 25 years of use. The cast iron underneath distributes heat evenly enough that you can braise short ribs on the lowest burner setting without hot spots. The lid is heavy enough to seal in moisture without any additional weight. It sits on the stove most days and I think my mom would rescue it before the family photos if the house were on fire. The brand has figured out that a kitchen tool in a bold color functions as furniture. The range of shades they offer, from Caribbean blue to artichaut green, means people display these pots on their counters rather than storing them in cabinets.