I’m in the hunt for a new enameled dutch oven. I’m likely in the market for two, but one will need to happen this fall. Any love or horror stories to share on brands you have, or had?
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I have two Lodge enameled DOs and one Le Crueset. The Lodge DOs are excellent and we bought one for our daughter when she asked for one for her apartment last year. The LC is so much lighter compared to Lodge but the only reason I have the LC is my wife found it at Bed Bath & Beyond 5 years ago for a ridiculous close out price when the store by the house closed down.
Hope that helps - if you have specific questions, let me know.
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When I was looking a while back, Le Creuset (supposedly great customer service) and Made In were both pricey top choices. I only owned a staub that was a hand me down, I didn't use it much when I had it but my grandma had used it a lot and it was in perfect condition.Comment
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I have a Lodge and a Misen enameled Dutch oven. Both have served me well for years. Lodge has sales periodically, good time to buy.Comment
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I have zero enamel Dutch ovens but several black iron....but I have several enamel steel bean pots, lol.Comment
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I bought a Lodge enameled Dutch oven a few years ago and love it. It was my first and only enameled Dutch oven to ever own. It cleans up so easy and cooks just as well as the non-enameled cast iron versions. After having it for a while now, I can honestly say I would never go back to non-enameled cast iron, not that I’ll live that long but….. I also just can’t see spending any more money for another brand. For the money….I think Lodge just can’t be beat.
Last edited by Panhead John; October 10, 2025, 06:57 AM.Comment
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SheilaAnn Yeah, got in a hurry and wasn’t clear. I meant “non-enameled” cast iron…for a dutch oven. [gonna edit it]
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Why is enameled a prerequisite? They are usually more expensive than CI and don't offer anything better and can chip. I have an old Wagner 5 qt CI DO and use it all the time. Love it.
Maybe I'm missing something on the enameled DO's.Comment
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I own a few of both, I just like the enamel more for cooking, and I just have not heard a lot of good about acidic sauces in non enameled, (right or wrong not sure). I go through cases and cases of tomato’s in my sauces, so it has to be a part of the purchase. I’m looking more at the 7 - 8 qt sizes I think. -
Richard Chrz oh yeah, forgot about the issues with acidic sauces. That's a big one.
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I have Le Creuset (not sure if I'm spelling this correctly) and Staub enameled dutch ovens. I think I like the Staubs slightly better and for no real good reason other than the inner layer is black in the Staubs and doesn't show scratches like the Le Creuset. My son likes his Lodge, however, we have a decade worth of uses in the Staubs and 2 1/2 decades in one the Le Creuset. Good luck on your search.Comment
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This is just me…. But I think acidic foods and cast iron are not besties. Therefore we have enameled cast iron. I’m guessing that this is where Richard Chrz thought process is going. Correct me if I am out of line….
this is one of my favorite pieces the lid is one piece. All cast iron, no attachment.
And the kicker: found it at Marshall’s/TJ max for $40.
so, to answer the question…check out discount stores to see if you can score. If not… LC all the way. It’s an heirloom piece. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
and a cartouche will be your BFF.
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I have a few Dutch ovens now, and just trashed my lodge 6 qt. I’m a bit disappointed with them right now, although I am taking complete ownership.
For me it definitely needs to be enameled for the acidic purposes, I have pots going with tomato bases all winter long. I’m leaning Staub and LC right now, hoping for a 7-8 qt, and then a covered 5 qt braiser style with lidLast edited by Richard Chrz; October 10, 2025, 06:39 AM.
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I love my Staub. I have the larger (~7 quart), oval version, which is great for the big meals I make when all of the family gathers. I also use it for when it's just the two of us, freezing portions for future use on "Desperation Dinners" nights when I simply cannot face cooking a meal.
I have this exact one in the "Mer" color. I really like the dimples in the lid, supposedly to aid in dripping the condensate back into the pot, I was told. That seems to work.
FWIW, for years Cooks Illustrated recommended the Tramontina brand available at Walmart, Kohl's etc. I have a smaller (~5 quart) Tramontina, and it has also stood the test of time. It's only $83 on sale at Kohl's right now.
KathrynLast edited by fzxdoc; October 11, 2025, 06:15 AM.Comment
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So a bit of weird decision. I was really leaning Staub because of the black interior, For some reason when it comes to my tools for cooking, I’m a bit obsessive in cleaning, hence I cleaned the enamel right off the bottom of my lodge. So the idea of not seeing a discolored interior was a good idea. But their website “required” you accept all cookies, which to me said if I need customer service I will have to say yes to that, and did not want to say yes. Silly I know.
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I have a 7 quart Amazon Basics. It is fine. I would guess that it’s heavier than Le Creuset, but I’ve never held a LC. It is one of my most used kitchen items. I bought on price, even picking the red/orange color because it was $10 less.Comment
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Le Creuset is having a sale on their oval 8qt DO with free shipping ($299), it’s cheaper than the 6.75qt DO.
And like others have said, TJ Max is a great place for mark downs on these. That’s where we purchased my daughter’s and I’ve picked up a number of Lodge skillets there as well.
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There is an Oval 8 qt in Sea Salt being sent to me. At the end of the day the sale price got me. I know it’s expensive, even on sale. But I’ve learned some lessons from my lodge, on how “NOT” to treat it. It was truly all my fault, but I wanted bigger, and I wanted oval, that will put a damper in the next one being purchased anytime soon. lol! 😂
I told my wife, $175 off, she’s says, what, how much is it 😮. To which I replied, which of these colors do you like best… -
Hahah! Richard Chrz - but look at how much I saved!!!
I also look at some of these items as family heirlooms, and an LC is one of them! Congrats on the purchase! Can’t wait to see it in action soon! -
Richard Chrz Now THAT is the way to sell it! “Which of the colors do you like best..?” Perfect. LOL
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We have an older set of Le Creuset (30 to 40 years old). It's wonderful stuff, and has held up well for the most part (a couple have gotten chipped). I have no idea if what's being sold today is comparable, but this is truly a lifetime set and will get passed on eventually.Comment
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I believe that Lodge has or had 2 versions of enameled CI. One made in China, inexpensive, which I have, and one made in USA, much more expensive. The China line may have been discontinued; I should look at their web site.Comment
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