I've owned several other Lodge products, both natural finish and preseasoned. When possible, I've usually been willing to spend and extra buck or two to get the preseasoned version of a cookware, because they've been worth it. The preseasoned cast iron cookware comes pitch black, like someone has cooked 200 pounds of bacon in it. However, something is amiss with this 7qt Dutch Oven - it didn't meet my expectation of what a Lodge preseason cookware usually is.
When I got this Dutch Oven from Amazon, I was a bit shocked to find the finish was dark gray, instead of the deep black of evry other Lodge preseasoned item I own. But there were patches near the handle and rim of deep black coating. It seemed like something went wrong during the preseasoning process and that the coating had almost completely peeled off, leaving tiny remnants. There were several small pits on the lid as well. And the inside of the pot felt rough, not smooth like my other Lodge pans.
Amazon did not want the pot back and were nice enough to give me a refund without return. So I called up Lodge to see what was up. They have an incredibly friendly customer assistance team. They even returned my calls and remembered my name when I called them back. Lodge sent me a replacement dutch oven without any hassle.
Unfortunately, the second Dutch Oven looked just like the first. Maybe it was from the same batch, but it just seems like Lodge isn't doing a good job of quality control with this particular item. There was also a half pound difference between the two pots; perhaps this is normal. In addition, the replacement pot had a broken handle.
Having gotten the pot for free, I decided to try it out. But first I washed the pot and seasoned it properly myself! I melted some Crisco, rubbed the entire pot and lid (inside and out) with a LIGHT coating, and placed it upside down in a 425 oven for 1.5 hours (put some foil on the bottom to catch the drips). I turned the oven off and let the pot cool in the oven (otherwise it can crack). Then I repeated the procedure twice. Now I finally had a nice deep black pot! Plus, the inside of the pot had actually become smooth as well!
Due to the enormous size of the pot (12" wide and 16 pounds), the walls seem thinner than the smaller size dutch ovens. So the pot doesn't seem to heat as evenly as Lodge's other products. But perhaps it has something to do with my burners not being large enough for this big pot.
Despite the faults, I actually do like this Dutch Oven. It has always browned meats well and is absolutely perfect for braising on the stovetop or the oven. There's almost no leakage of steam from the lid, so you don't have to worry about adding water during long sessions in the oven. The inside of the lid is different from Lodge's other lids: There are concentric raised rings, as opposed to the spikes on the other models. I like the rings better since it makes the lid easier to clean and season, but it might be less efficient at keeping the food moist. I wouldn't worry about it. I do like the more modern style of the Pro Logic series.
So, if you find this cheap enough (I got mine for thirty-seven bucks), get it and season it yourself. Don't bother paying a premium over the non-seasoned model. But there's also another line of preseasoned Lodge cookware that's not Pro Logic. I've seen that line's Dutch Oven at the stores and it seems to be properly seasoned.
Lodge is still a much better deal than other manufacturers, specially for Dutch Ovens. Ultimately, this is still a good product and will get the job done.
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Similar item to consider
Amazon's Choice
Discover similar items
& Up
Price: $50 - $100
More Filters
No results available. Please adjust the filters and try again.
$20 List: $21.95
$129
$113 List: $149.99
$30
$31
$69
$66
$24
$74
$24 List: $29.99
$65
$40 List: $44.99
Most-loved picks for you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Bold by design. Nonstick by nature.
Every piece of Lodge Bold Cast Iron comes ready to use and entirely nontoxic. The naturally seasoned surface is made of just iron and oil and becomes increasingly nonstick with use. We recommend cooking dishes with more oil or fat the first few times you use the pan to help build up the seasoning, whether it’s hamburgers or roasted veggies in oil.
Ready for anything.
Cast iron is designed to perform on all stove tops—including induction and glass-top—in the oven, on the grill, even over a campfire.
Confident cookware that lasts a lifetime.
Cast iron is made to last for generations. Keep it in your home and out of the landfill while unlocking performance that gets better with every meal.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Compare with similar items
 | Lodge BOLD 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Wok; Design-Forward Cookware | Lodge 15 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet – Signature Teardrop Handle - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill, or Over a Campfire, Black | Lodge LCC3 Cast Iron Combo Cooker, Pre-Seasoned, 10.25" -Quart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (314) | (7148) | (105105) | (22076) |
| Price | $99.90 | $49.96 | $49.99 | $49.90 |
| Shipping | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details |
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:02
Click to play video
How to Sear a Steak with Lodge Cast Iron
Lodge Manufacturing Company
Videos for this product
0:52
Click to play video
Lodge - How to Clean Cast Iron
Lodge Manufacturing Company
Videos for related products
0:57
Click to play video
We Love Dutch Oven Bread! So Moist And Tender!
Dude RVs Gear Recommendations
Videos for related products
0:57
Click to play video
Our Point of View on the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven
WTI
Videos for related products
0:11
Click to play video
Cast Iron Cooking, do you like it? #kitchen
✅ SBA Reviews
Videos for related products
0:11
Click to play video
Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
Supply Shop USA
Videos for related products
3:34
Click to play video
Lodge L2SP3 Cast Iron Serving Pot, Pre-Seasoned, 2-Quart
Elite Demonstrations
Videos for related products
0:49
Click to play video
MOM'S REVIEW- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The Proffitt Family - Meadowlark Farms
I have had cast iron pans for years and never anything like this has happened I'm very disappointed with this happening ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
I put in on my electric stove to warm up as I was dicing salt pork to brown with the bacon that was in the pot for Baked Beans and it made a load pop I checked it out and had split half way across the pot. I have had cast iron pans for years and never anything like this has happened I'm very disappointed with this happening to a new pot.
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Mark
Great value and holds up well to very high heat
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2020
Jacob Michaud
Excellent cookware, have been using it for about 3 ...
Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2014
