Customer Reviews

Lodge Enamel Cast-Iron 7-Quart Dutch Oven, Liberty Blue

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This dutch oven is simply great. It's hefty, beautiful, and cooks like a dream. The handle is really neat, too. The quality of the pan is top-notch. It cooks well and cleans up with ease. (...)

The pan does appear to be made in China to Lodge's specifications. It's clearly a Lodge pan with their name engraved on the handles. It doesn't bother me in the least, but if that's something that bothers you than best of luck.

For me, I have found a pan that's going to be in my kitchen for the rest of my life.

I've always wanted a Le Creuset Dutch oven for a long time, but they are just too expensive. I like my Lodge cast iron pan a lot so I decided give their enamel Dutch oven a shot. I was impressed the moment I opened the box. It looks and feels like a Le Creuset. I have used it for 2 slow-cooking dishes and it performed flawlessly. Nothing stuck to the inside or outside of the oven. When wearing oven mitts, I also like the handle more than that of Le Creuset.

Purchased the 7 quart model some months ago. Used it the day after it arrived. I noticed the pot had a hump in the center of the bottom. The high spot caused a hot spot and lent itself to burning no matter what I tried. I fired off an Email to Lodge, and explained my problem. Their reply was immediate, and said they would supply a UPS mailer so I could return it. (Glad I saved the original carton.) I had no problem with their customer service. My replacement came two weeks later, and this one had a flat bottom. After using it numerous times I've become a "Lodge Fan" I gave it 3 stars based on their quality control. Not on the pot's performance or their customer service which was superb. My inconvenience, and the cost of the replacement could have been avoided if quality assurance had been better. Especially when spending $[...] for this item or any tem of theirs for that matter.

I made my first-of-many gumbos in the Lodge Dutch Oven today. While it seems to take a while longer to get up to heat vs. stainless or plain cast iron, it does fine once you get there. If a roux usually takes 2 beers, according to Emeril, this may take 2.5. Or maybe I need to jack the heat in the initial stages; we'll get it figured out.

Anyway, a beautiful tool. The white interior makes it easy to ensure that you don't burn the roux. Also, no one has mentioned the extras here--stalactitic knobs on the lid that encourage condensation, which aids in braising/stewing. Nice stainless inlays on the handles. Lodge paid attention to the details here; this is a fine lifetime investment. When you add in that it's 100 or so less than the Frenchified version, it's a no-brainer where I come from. This is the best value going in enameled cast-iron cookware.

The Lodge Dutch Oven is an excellent product, particularly for the price. It is comparable to LeCreuset, but at half the cost. (...). So...if you don't mind blue, this is a great pot at a great value.

Was I surprised when I opened the box- this product is so attractive- like a luxury model in kitchenware. I really did a lot of thinking before selecting the Lodge pan over the competetors brand. Not only was the price fantastic but the quality is there- I read about the enamaling processes involved in making the pans and Lodge wins hands down.
When cooking, make sure and let the pan come to temperature (which takes a while but the low consistent heat used more than makes up for it). This will be our favorite pan for generations to come!

I'm completely happy with this pot. It heats evenly; retains the heat well; the enamel surface is easily cleaned; I've had no scratching or chipping; and with the handle being metal, it is oven safe to a higher temp than Le Crueset. If I bought another, I'd stay with the Lodge.

This piece looks and cooks like a dream. Quick boil, slow simmer,very easy clean up. Dollar for dollar the best buy on the market. If Lodge gave us more size options Le Cruset would need to rethink their prices.

I have fallen in love with my cast iron cookware! If you can handle the weight of the units, the results are worth the excercise. I have cooked my family's pot roast and stew recipes with outstanding results. The meat has been more tender and juicy than when cooked in my non-stick sets. Clean up was a breeze. The weight is considerable and the side handles could be larger. Those are the only reasons I did not award five stars. Make sure to buy the enameled pot(not the plain cast iron)for ease of cleaning and non seasoning need. When ordering, buy some silicone utensils so as to not chip the enamel. I have found the silicone pot holders easy to use also. The 7 quart is extremely large and perfect for larger meals. I also bought the Mario Battaglia 6 quart enameled pot which is equal in cooking results to the Lodge.

I received my beautiful Lodge Enamel 7 quart pot a few weeks ago and it performs and looks beautiful.

My only complaint is the "Made in China" label on the box. Lodge prides itself as being the only cast iron maker in the US, and now makes it's highest priced enamel line in China!! That alone is worth at least a one star reduction.

I am now revising my review. After over a years use, the enamel finish still looks almost like new. I'm now a firm believer in the Lodge Dutch Oven.

Recently I was frying shrimp an mistakenly left the burner on and smoked the pan. I checked the temp and it was over 500 degrees. I thought sure it would be warped and the enamel finish toast. After cooling it down gradually, amazingly it was still flat and the enamel finish unharmed. This is a great product and Amazon has the best price anywhere to be found.