When it comes to consignment shopping, I suppose I have an unfair advantage. Monday through Friday, week in and week out, I spend at least 8 hours a day in a consignment shop. Because of that, I ‘ll admit that I have scored a lot of goodies for my kitchen. Sometimes I buy quirky, use-it-once-in-awhile things, like the avocado scoop I just had to have. Other times these purchases are among the best kitchen buys from consignment or thrift because they are items I use over and over. And these babies last. Keep your eyes peeled for the following every time you are out shopping thrift and consignment because they are always worth your money.
Le Creuset: Among The Best Kitchen Buys From Consignment and Thrift
One of my best scores of all time was an unused, 7 quart, Le Creuset Dutch Oven at a thrift shop for $25. Yes, you read that right. Not $250 but $25! I almost feel guilty writing this, but it’s true. And it is a gorgeous blue, that goes oh-so-nicely with my kitchen. I use this pan almost weekly and it looks like the day I got it, more than 7 years ago (thanks, in part, to Bruce and his religious use of Bar Keepers Friend to clean it). You can use these Dutch ovens to make French Onion Soup or Coq Au Vin. Their other enameled pans are wonderful for baking and roasting all kinds of goodies. If you find LeCreuset Enameled Cast Iron Pans at a thrift or consignment shop, grab them. My pan retails for about $300, so I saved a whopping $275! Now that’s a best buy!
Insider Tip: Le Creuset ceramics and serving dishes are also super high quality and worth a look whenever you can find them. Consignments Ltd. has these pieces regularly, and the prices for them are great. The enameled pans go like wildfire, so you have to get lucky.
You Can’t Beat Cast Iron Skillets From Consignment and Thrift
Whether it’s a vintage Griswold or a newer Lodge or Stargazer, cast iron skillets last! I’ve had my Grammy’s, 10-inch Griswold for almost 40 years and it’s still going strong with the occasional oiling and drying out on the stove. Use cast iron skillets for cooking a variety of things from frittatas to filet mignon. They go from stove top to oven and back without warping and the really retain heat. Southern Living Magazine recently ranked The Top 6 Cast Iron Skillets of 2024, so if you can get any of these babies on consignment, grab them!
Quality Stainless Flatware is Among Best Kitchen Buys From Consignment and Thrift
When my girls were setting up their first apartments we made the requisite trip to IKEA for all kinds of inexpensive household items. Flatware was NOT on the list. But each of my girls, in turn, chose IKEA flatware. They are both only in their 20’s and this stainless has already run its course. It’s just not up to the task of everyday use. Quality stainless flatware is worth the investment, because it lasts and lasts and lasts. I’ve had my Towle stainless for maybe 25 years and it still looks great. Finding a quality set of stainless flatware on consignment or at thrift is a real score. And if you don’t need it, I know a couple of 20-somethings who just might.
If you’re hungry for more, and that pun is definitely intended, check out my previous blogs on thrift and consignment like: Consignment Shop Best Buys and Fall Favorites From Thrift and Consignment.
Enjoy the hunt and have a lovely Sunday, my friends. Marianne
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