The Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Review – Is It Worth the Buy?

It doesn’t matter what kind of chief you are. There’s a good chance that at some point, you’ve considered getting lodge enameled cast iron pots or pans for your kitchen. The enamel coating on these pots and pans is meant to make the surface easier to clean, which can be especially helpful if you’re cooking with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or wine. And enamel-coated cast iron has lots of other benefits as well: it heats evenly without hot spots; it holds heat well so dishes don’t cool down too quickly; and enamel-coated cast iron is oven safe up to 500°F (260°C) – perfect for roasting meats, baking bread, pies, cakes…even frying bacon! But with all of these benefits, enameled cast iron can be a little on the expensive side.

The Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven is one of the most popular enameled cast-iron pots on the market – and for good reason. It has a 6.5-quart capacity, which is perfect for family-sized meals, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. The enamel coating is chip and cracks resistant, and the pot itself is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil so it’s ready to use right out of the box.

The Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven also has an attractive speckled blue that will look great in any kitchen. However, is not cheap, but it’s one of the most versatile pots in your kitchen. Whether you’re boiling pasta or braising meats, enameled cast iron will give you great results every time. And since enameled cast iron has some outstanding heat retention properties like none other, any dish that requires long cooking times (like soups and stews) is sure to turn out flavorful every single time.

What is it used for?

The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven can be used for a variety of tasks in the kitchen, making it one of the most versatile pots you can own. This pot is perfect for boiling pasta, simmering sauces, braising meats, and baking bread. The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven can even be used to fry bacon or roast a chicken – pretty much anything you can cook in a regular oven can be cooked in this pot.

If you’re still not sure if enameled cast iron is the right kind of cookware for your kitchen, read on! We’ve put together a Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven review so you can see all the reasons why we’re enamored with enameled cast iron and this particular enameled Dutch oven.

First Things First: The Look

Let’s be honest: enameled cast iron pots and pans aren’t always going to look pretty. Because the enamel coating is applied over bare metal, there will be some marks and imperfections in the finish. But Lodge has done a great job of creating enameled cast iron Dutch oven with a stylish speckled blue exterior. There will be some aesthetic imperfections with the enameled finish, but they’re expected and won’t affect how well your enameled pots and pans work.

The Handle is made of Stainless Steel

Nowadays, many enamel-coated Dutch ovens have a silicone or plastic handle. Lodge has taken a different approach and uses a stainless steel handle on their enameled cast iron Dutch oven. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s actually a big deal. Stainless steel is much more durable than silicone or plastic, and it’s less likely to melt if you accidentally touch it with a hot pan. The stainless steel handle is also heat resistant up to 500°F (260°C), so you can safely use it in the oven.

The Lid is made up of Glass

Another nice detail on the Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is the glass lid. This might seem like a small thing, but it’s actually really handy. The glass lid allows you to watch your food as it cooks, which is great for checking on stew or soup progress or for making sure your roast turkey is browning to perfection. You can also use the glass lid as a skillet on its own, making it easier to prepare quick sides and desserts without having to transfer your food to another pan.

Performance

The Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven performs like a dream. The 6.5 Qt size is large enough to make family-sized meals for 4 people no problem, but it’s also compact enough that you can use the oven on your stovetop, in your oven, or in your grill. The pot is also oven safe up to 500°F (260°C), so you can use it for slow cooking, searing, or even baking.

The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven comes with a lifetime warranty, which is pretty much unheard of for cookware. And because the lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven is pre-seasoned, you can start using it right out of the box. You could even take this pot camping with you – because there are few things tastier than freshly baked bread right out of the campfire!

The enamel coating is Porcelain Enamel

The enamel coating on the Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is porcelain enamel, which has all of the benefits mentioned above – namely that it’s chip and cracks resistant. It makes for easy cleanup because food doesn’t stick to enamel as much as bare metal…it heats evenly without hot spots…and enameled cast iron holds heat really well so foods don’t cool down too quickly. The enamel coating on this enameled cast-iron pot is also a bright white, so it’s easy to see what’s cooking inside.

The Cast Iron is Pre-Seasoned with Vegetable Oil

One of the best things about Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is that the cast iron is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. This means you don’t have to worry about seasoning it yourself – and it also makes the enameled cast iron pot much easier to clean. The pre-seasoning will help protect against rust and make your enameled cast iron Dutch oven last for years and years.

Capacity

This Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven has a capacity of 6.5 quarts, which is perfect for family meals. It’s not too big, and the enameled cast iron Dutch oven is also easy to handle. The enamel coating on enameled cast iron makes it safe for use in the oven (up to 500°F/260°C), so it can even be used to cook casseroles if your recipe calls for it.

The enamel coating makes enameled cast iron super versatile – it’s perfect for slow cooking, sauteing, frying, searing, stir-frying…you name it! And because of the enameled cast-iron pot’s superior heat retention properties, you’ll notice that cooks with enamel-coated pots and pans tend to have more flavorful compared to those with traditional aluminum or stainless steel cookware.

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits to using enameled cast iron in the kitchen, including:

• The enamel coating prevents food from sticking to the pot, making for easy cleanup.
• The Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so you don’t have to worry about seasoning it yourself.
• The lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven comes with a lifetime warranty, making it a long-lasting investment.
• The lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven is oven safe up to 500°F (260°C), meaning it can be used for slow cooking, searing, or even baking.
• The enamel coating makes it easy to clean because food doesn’t stick to enamel as much as bare metal…it heats evenly without hot spots…and enameled cast iron holds heat really well so foods don’t cool down too quickly.
• It is perfect for slow cooking, sauteing, frying, searing, stir-frying …you name it!

Our top 3 picks:

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Mickey Mouse Applique Round Dutch Oven, 4.5 qt., Cerise

This enameled cast-iron Dutch oven from Le Creuset is a top pick because of its beautiful design and excellent functionality. The enameled cast iron pot comes in a variety of colors, including cerise, Marseille, and Arctic Blue. It has a capacity of 4.5 quarts and features an attractive Mickey Mouse applique on the lid.

The enamel coating is chip and crack-resistant, making it a great choice for everyday use. The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is also oven safe up to 500°F (260°C) and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Features:

• Brand: Le Creuset
• Material: Enameled Cast Iron
• Capacity: 4.5 Quarts
• Color: Cerise
• Finish Type: Enamel

Pros:

• even heating without hot spots
• excellent heat retention properties
• The enamel coating is chip and cracks resistant, making it a great choice for everyday use

Cons:

• maybe too heavy for some people to handle
• The lid is not oven-safe, so it cannot be used under the broiler
• enameled cast iron Dutch oven costs more than other enameled cast iron pots

Puricon 5.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Round Enamel Dutch Ovens Pot -Red

This enameled cast-iron Dutch oven from Puricon is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable enameled cast iron pot. It has a capacity of 5.5 quarts and comes in a variety of colors, including red, white, green, and black. The enamel coating is chip and cracks resistant and the enameled cast iron Dutch oven is oven safe up to 500°F (260°C). The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven also features a loop handle for easy transport, and it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Features:

• Brand: Puricon
• Material: Enameled Cast Iron
• Capacity: 5.5 Quarts
• Color: Red, White, Green, Black
• Finish Type: enamel

Pros:

• It is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil for easy use
• The enamel coating is chip and cracks resistant and the enameled cast iron Dutch oven is oven safe up to 500°F (260°C)
• Puricon 5.5 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven costs less than other enameled cast iron pots

Cons:

• This enameled cast iron pot might not be capable of holding up heavy use
• Doesn’t have a lifetime warranty
• Enamel finish may not be as attractive as some of the other pots

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser, 2.25 qt., Caribbean

This Le Creuset cast iron braiser is a 2-quart capacity, and it’s available in the timeless Caribbean color. It has an attractive speckled blue enamel finish that will withstand scratches and chips. The pot comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil before the first use to reduce sticking and promote healthy cooking.

The Le Creuset Signature Braiser is oven safe up to 500°F (260°C). The braiser is a great choice if you’re looking for an attractive piece that’s capable of holding up heavy use.

Features:

• Brand: Le Creuset
• Material: Enameled Cast Iron
• Capacity: 2 Quarts
• Color: Caribbean
• Finish Type: enamel

Pros:

• The pot comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil before the first use to reduce sticking and promote healthy cooking.
• The pot has an attractive speckled blue enamel finish that will withstand scratches and chips.
• This enamel cast iron braiser will hold up heavy use better than other pots made from traditional materials like stainless steel or aluminum.

Cons:

• The pot is not dishwasher safe.
• It has to be washed by hand.
• Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron braiser is more expensive than other pots made from traditional materials.

Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven (FAQs):

Q- Is lodge a good cast iron Dutch oven?

A- Absolutely! Cast iron enameled pots and pans are filled with benefits that go beyond just being a nice-looking addition on the stovetop. Cast Iron Enameled Dutch ovens offer a variety of health benefits including omitting toxins from your food while cooking, regulating the heat to produce perfect results every time, add zero flavors to foods naturally resulting in delicious dishes without any effort what-so-ever.

Q- What should I cook in my enameled cast-iron Dutch oven?

A- One of the many benefits of owning a Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven is its versatility. You can use it for baking, braising, broiling, stewing, and frying. The options are endless!

Q- What is the difference between enameled cast iron and other cast iron?

A- Enameled cast iron is a type of cast iron that has been coated with enamel. This enamel can be a solid color or a two-tone. The enamel helps to prevent the food from sticking to the pot, makes it easier to clean, and gives it a decorative finish.

Conclusion:

The Lodge Enameled Cast iron Dutch oven is a beautiful addition to any kitchen. This pot is made of cast iron which has been coated with enamel. This enamel can be a solid color or a two-tone. It also has many benefits that go beyond just being an attractive cooking vessel. Whether you’re looking for the perfect enamel cast-iron pot or pan to add some color into your space or if you want something durable and versatile enough to use in every type of dish imaginable, enamel cast-iron is worth checking out. The lodge is one of the most trusted and reliable brands in the enamel cast-iron category, so you can’t go wrong with a purchase from them. Thanks for reading!