This is a handsome cheerful pot

Le Creuset's new Post-it yellow pots will make anything you put in them look good.

This one is on sale at Williams-Sonoma (6 3/4 quarts; retail price $320, now $240). All my Le Creuset pots, bought in deep sales, are not this pretty and do not match. Maybe because I would never pay that much for them. The colors, which range from aqua (I'm not sure that hue was ever in fashion) to burnt orange, would all look dreary beside this sunny beauty.

But there's nothing like a Dutch oven to braise short ribs, make a big stew, simmer a chuck roast. Many places are offering deals this time of year. Don't consider investing in anything less than 6 quarts so your pot roast will be comfy surrounded by liquid. Shop around and make sure you get what you want. Your Dutch oven will be part of your kitchen legacy.

Sur La Table has this shiny 6-quart stainless steel gem (above) on sale for about $90.

This 6.1 quart stainless steel pot is made by Paderno, available at Bridge Kitchenware, a deal at about $88. Alas, it's out of stock and the price doesn't include a lid. Paderno is a very solid pot; look around the site and see what else is comparable. (NSF is a food safety certification.)

Sitram Catering is a line sold by China Fair of Newton and Cambridge. The stores carry a 7 1/2 quart casserole for $199 (the lid is extra).

Mario Batali 's 6-quart pot is made of enameled cast-iron, and comes in a variety of earth tones for about $110. (Tip: I often see these at T. J. Maxx for great prices.)

Happy slushy-roads cooking.