Lodge Color Dutch Oven

by Lodge

• Dishwasher-safe, but washing by hand recommended; lifetime warranty.
• Lid fits 11-inch Lodge color skillet; oven-safe to 400-degree F
• 2 Coats of durable porcelain enamel in colorful exterior, cream-colored interior
• Heavy cast iron pot cooks on stovetop or in oven; superbly retains heat
• Lodge color series enameled cast-iron dutch oven; holds 6-quart

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000N501BK
• Item model number: Lodge Color
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,346 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #1 in Kitchen & Dining > Cookware > Dutch Ovens

Product Description

Size: 6-Quart | Color: Island Spice Red

Amazon.com

Lodge Color is one of the newest lines from this respected American cast iron cookware company. Traditionally shaped and more affordable than some European brands, Lodge Color enameled cast iron is just as durable, requires no seasoning, and attractively serves at the table. Lodge infuses this 6-quart Dutch oven with two coats of hard-as-nails porcelain enamel, in a choice of several bright colors that are gradated (dark to light) on the exterior, and which are nicely set off by a cream interior. Embellished with concentric circles and a black knob, the lid, which also fits the Lodge Color 11-inch skillet, is oven-safe to 400 degrees F, so you can start a stew or casserole on the stovetop and finish by baking it in the oven. The 6-quart Dutch oven measures 10-3/4 inches in diameter and 5 inches deep.

Lodge enameled cast iron makes a smart choice due to its versatility-you can marinate raw meats in it, since it won't absorb odors or flavors, and you can braise, sauté, simmer, and bake in it. Made in China to Lodge's meticulous specifications, each cookware item is first clad in matte black enamel before the color is added. The black rim that shows on the oven is actually the scratch-resistant matte enamel, not the raw cast iron. Though the Dutch oven is dishwasher-safe, washing by hand is recommended to best preserve the glossy finish. Look also for the pricier Lodge Enamel series, with its unique L-shaped lid knob, in a different set of colors and sizes to suit any kitchen. All Lodge enameled ware is covered by a lifetime warranty against defects. --Ann Bieri

Product Description

This 6 Qt enamel Dutch oven is great for cooking, marinating, refrigeration and freezing. The color porcelain enamel on cast iron can be used on gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops, as well as in the oven. Not recommended for use on outdoor grills or over open outdoor flames. Not for use in microwaves. Lodge Color Porcelain Enamel on Cast Iron cookware is cast from molten iron in individual sand molds. The porcelain surface eliminates the need to season cast iron. The cast iron vessel has superior heat distribution and retention, evenly heating bottom sidewalls and even the lid. Tightly fitting lid seals in moisture. The excellent heat retention reduces the amount of energy needed for cooking. Two layers of very hard, glossy porcelain enamel are chip resistant and easy to clean. Lid knob is oven safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The black rim on the pot is matte porcelain, not exposed cast iron. Hygienic porcelain enamel is non-reactive with food. Although dishwasher safe, hand washing with warm soapy water is recommended to preserve the cookware's original appearance. 10 3/4" diameter, 4 1/2" deep. Island Spice

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1,185 of 1,198 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Le Creuset on a budget October 24, 2007

By N. Lafond

Color Name:Caribbean Blue| Size Name:6-Quart|Amazon Verified Purchase

Enamel on cast iron cookware like this, was, until recently, only available from makers like Le Creuset. Lately, several lower cost makers have come on the scene, like Target and Innova. The new budget priced Lodge cookware is in the same price range as the low cost alternatives but completely out performs them.

I have all of the brands I have mentioned. The Lodge is the same weight as the Le Creuset which is much heavier than the other budget models. The ridge where the lid and sides meet is a matt black porcelain on the Lodge and Le Creuset but is just exposed cast iron for the other budget models (which leads to rusting if you are not careful). The porcelain resists staining (even tomato sauces) in the Lodge and Le Creuset but the other budget models stain very easily. And finally, the Lodge and Le Creuset maintain a very polished interior finish that resists sticking which others do not. So, I see no performance differences at all between the Le Creuset and the Lodge whereas the comparably priced budget models are certainly inferior.

If you plan of using these pots very heavily (every day for example) you might want to upgrade to the higher priced Lodge product. It has 4 coatings of enamel as opposed to 2 in this model. But if you use them once or twice a week I dont think you will need the added wear resistance.

359 of 368 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value and construction January 19, 2008

By T. Triche

Color Name:Caribbean Blue| Size Name:6-Quart|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this from Amazon around mid-December and have been using it probably 3-4 times/week since then. It is as well constructed as my mother's Le Creuset french ovens, but at a much more reasonable price. I find Lodge products to be a good value, although this piece represents a departure for them as it is not made in the USA, but rather China. Nonetheless, it is very well constructed, with details like the black porcelain enameled rim of the pot and the lid setting it apart from some of the other inexpensive alternatives. I have used mine for mussels in white wine, no-knead bread (more on this below), stew, and various other dishes, and it has held up very well thus far. In another 20 or 30 years I should have a better idea of whether it will hold up as well as my mother's LC pots, but the materials appear to be suitable for the long haul. At one-sixth the price of Le Creuset, I'm willing to take that bet.

One aspect of the pot which I found wanting was the knob. The black phenolic knob completes the Le Creuset lookalike styling, but as with the LC product, it is not heat-safe to 500 degrees. I preheat the vessels for my bread baking at 500-550 degrees for 30-60 minutes, and the knob would not survive. Therefore, I went to the local hardware store and bought a substantial chrome-steel knob of the same base diameter as the included knob, with matching screw, and have used it ever since. For $9 total, the unit is now safe to 550 degrees F and beyond. Net cost: $59.

Great value and I recommend it highly.

625 of 650 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars OK pot, Great Price. Some flaws. March 2, 2008

By J. G. Pavlovich

Color Name:Island Spice Red|Size Name:6-Quart

This is a terrific value. The quality and performance match my Le Creuset pieces at a fraction of the price. The only slight design flaw I have found is that the rounded bottom makes browning large pieces of meat awkward. Other than that I have no complaints. Even heating. Easy clean up. I use it several times a week.
UPDATE: I found a second minor problem. The inside rim of the lid has a couple of raised spots which prevent the lid from seating tightly. This causes steam to escape much faster than I would like during a long braise or stew.

Update 2: Three years in I am dropping my rating to three stars. It's still a decent pot at a bargain price, but it will not be an heirloom piece like my Le Creuset. The loose fitting lid turns out to be a manufacturing shortcut. The lids and pot rims on the Le Creuset are machined flat so the lid fits tightly. The lid on this (and other inexpensive enameled cast iron pieces I have looked at) is cast with three raised spots which allow the lid to sit "flat" (like a tripod) on the pot without the extra machining step. This shortcut, unfortunately, makes it impossible for the lid to seal tightly. This makes the pot unsuitable for some tasks unless I make a foil gasket for a tight seal. Secondly, I now have several small chips in the enamel (on the lid and outside) on this pot. My Le Creuset pieces, which I have had much longer and use just as often, have no chipping.

Bottom line: the quality you get is the quality you pay for.

Update 3: I am informed in some of the comments that the products shipping in 2011 have a smooth rimmed lid rather than the "tripod" design. I cannot confirm this, but it would remove one problem I have described above. Meanwhile I am sending this pot to Goodwill and have replaced it with a French made oven from Costco.