CATHRINEHOLM OBSESSED

Image via Ampersand

I’ve got a new addiction/obsession and it came about in the craziest way ever. To make a long story short, we almost had the most unfortunate thing happen in my apartment. Thankfully, at the end of it all, we only lost one of my fave cast iron pots- to say it was scorched/melted/destroyed would be an understatement.

So in my quest to replace my pot, I thought about my options. I could try to find a Le Creuset sale- that would be ideal. But I didn’t want to spend, so I thought about all the enameled cast iron options: Martha Stewart, Cuisinart, Lodge, West Elm even. But then, I decided to stop by Etsy to find a steal on a vintage one. Maybe an original midcentury Danish Dansk. Not as heavy or as durable as Le Creuset, but still pretty solid and with the lid that doubles as a stand for your pot, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was to be my next purchase. And just when I though my mind was made, I fell upon the Cathrineholm Lotus collection.

I had seen them before but just hadn’t given them much thought, I really don’t know why. But all of a sudden, I had to have them- they looked way too lovely. I figured they were just what my kitchen was missing. So, imagine my surprise when I finally made up my mind, to find how pricey this little suckers were. Apparently, as they have become increasingly rare, they have become the pride of many collectors, who don’t even cook in them. The more pristine the condition, the pricier.  It became my mission to find the best quality Cathrineholm at the least ridiculous price. Over the past few, I have what I think is as far as I’m going to go with my collection and I’m happy to say I spent well under what many are charging on Ebay and Etsy.  I find Ebay is more affordable when it comes to Cathrineholm. You might also luck into them at flea markets and random online vintage stores like I did. A few other things I learned red is so rare that you probably won’t find under $200. The kettles and salt+pepper shakers despite their small size tend to go for way way more than the largest pots.

If you remember, this was a quest to replace my cast iron pot. I now have 4 Cathrineholm Enamel (enamel dutch ovens not heavy duty cast iron) pots and I don’t think I want to cook in them. These suckers might be worth a lot more in a while. So back to Square one.  Hopefully I don’t end up with another distraction/new obsession.