Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven - Best or Worst?

Question

HI

I m planning to buy "Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven" which comes for less price than Le Creust.

Want to know if the "Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven" is durable and will work perfectly for a long time or not?

When I searching for some reviews, I see some people say that this works perfectly fine and they were using for more than 10 years.

Some say that the enamel will fade its color and enamel will chip out (both inside and outside).

Need advice if I can go for "Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven" or not?

Le Creust is too expensive for my budget. I m looking for some long live cookware. I recently tried " Costco tri-ply stainless steel cookware" and the steel is getting rust.

I dont want to use Tephlon or Anaodized or Cast Iron.

So I want to know if I can use "Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven" or not?

Have any one used it? What is it durability? Will it last for atleast 10 years?


Thanks

Answer 1

Lodge is made in the United States, always has been. Link attached to their website.



Enameled cookware needs to be treated gently. Do not use metal tools/utensils in it because they can scratch the enamel coating. Do not put it in the dishwasher either. Do not use Brillo, SOS pads, scouring powders to clean it either. All will scratch the enamel. I have attached a link to the Use and Care section for the enameled cookware. They also recommend low to medium heat, never high heat. That causes the metal to expand too much and that then cracks the enamel finish.



A quality piece of cookware can last years IF it's taken care of properly. For the rust on your stainless cookware, try some Barkeeper's Friend. It's sold in a lot of grocery stores and discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target. Cheap! Made from rhubarb leaves. It's a powdered cleanser but does not scratch like Comet or Ajax or Soft Scrub can. Dampen the pan with water, sprinkle with the Barkeeper's, smear around with a sponge and let the pan sit for 10-15 minutes. Come back and scrub with one of those non-stick cookware safe nylon scrubbers. If it's really rusty, it might take a couple of sprinkle, smear, soak and scrub cycles. Then wash and dry thoroughly.

Answer 2

Before investing in your new dutch oven, check out the second hand stores in your area - with the advent of enameled cast iron, lots of people unloaded their old-fashioned black cast iron ware [which is stupid, these things live forever when properly cared for]. You should be able to find a decent dutch oven hidden away in a thrift store - Salvation Army, Good Will, "next-2-new" or wherever. I never pay retail for cast iron cookpots - have had several from thrift stores for 20+ years.

Answer 3

Salvation Army Thrift Store Ajax

Answer 4

I hate new lodge cast iron. lodge does not spend money anymore to make their product worthy of a homemakers buying it. they leave the pans so rough during manufacturing u cannot get them seasoned.. the pans tend to be very gritty and rough where many others are smooth and will not stick food after a few seaonings, I have an old lodge that is smooth and very nice but it is about 20 years old, so is vintage. put your money in a Griswold or wagner pan/pot and go from there.

Answer 5

Le Crueset is over-rated and heavy! I haven't heard much bad about Lodge, so it's probably OK. I have a Le Crueset covered casserole that I actually use once in awhile, but it's not my favorite because it is so heavy.