alonewiththemoon | (no subject)

I think I just ruined a small Le Creuset saucepan :-((((((( I decided to make my own lip balm, since I am allergic to so many additives. The directions said to just put the plastic pot of lip balm base in a pan on low heat. Without thinking I put water in the pan too. Then I re-read the directions, noticed that they did not call for water, and dumped the water out. Bad bad call on my part, as I think the directions should have included the water after all. Melted plastic pot all over my little saucepan :-( I did still make the lip balm, as the plastic pot hadn't melted through, but even if I can get all the plastic out of the saucepan, I don't know what that will do to the finish and whether it will be fit for making things for human consumption. Feh. They don't actually make this particular saucepan any more, but a similar one is at least $100. A year or so ago my big Dutch oven took a tumble off a counter and cracked. It makes me very sad to see the set gradually go beyond its usefulness. Years ago* in Chicago I got a four-piece set for something like $79.95, an astounding deal, and using the pieces always made me feel like a real cook.

*come to think of it, it was at least 20 years ago. Which makes me feel better about the cookware's longevity, but dear god does it make me feel old.
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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

if plastic is like wax, you might be able to melt it and add a piece of newspaper or fabric in the pot, to help absorb the liquefied plastic.

If the pan is coated like so many creuset pans, you could be ok

just a possibility. good luck!

It's enameled cast iron, so it probably has a coating. Right now I'm just despairing every time I look at it, but perhaps this weekend I can tackle it. A complicating factor is that there's still lip balm base in there, which has a different melting point and burns when it hits the hot pan :-/

you might be able to get another for pretty cheap at marshalls or tj maxx.

I've heard that they sell seconds at those two stores--I will definitely keep my eyes open!