The “Essential Enamel” Lodge Dutch oven is affordable and a great introduction to cooking in enameled cast iron. It releases more steam when cooking and takes a bit longer to heat up, but it retains heat almost as well as higher-end models.
Pros
Cons
You’ve heard of Le Creuset, the gold standard of enameled cast iron. You’ve probably heard of Staub, which is just as good as Le Creuset, if not better. However, the affordable-but-popular kid on the block is Lodge.
Lodge may not have the snob appeal that my Le Creuset has (notice how I had to mention I own a Le Creuset?), but what it lacks in prestige, it makes up for with being supremely easy to get your hands on. You can buy it at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Tractor Supply– the list goes on.
Even more important is how it performs. Lodge cooks above its price level, making it a worthy alternative to the more expensive brands.
Side by Side Comparison with Other Dutch Ovens
Lodge 5.5 Quart
Our score:
80/100
Width
14.75 inches
Diameter
11 inches
Height with Lid
7.25 inches
Weight with Lid
12.5 pounds
Thickness
5.4mm
Country of Origin
🇨🇳 China
Le Creuset 7.5 Quart
Our score:
90.5/100
Width
11.75 inches
Diameter
9 inches
Height with Lid
6 inches
Weight with Lid
8.2 pounds
Thickness
3.6mm
Country of Origin
🇫🇷 France
Amazon Basics 6 Quart
Our score:
72/100
Width
11 inches
Diameter
11 inches
Height with Lid
7 inches
Weight with Lid
13.06 pounds
Thickness
unknown
Country of Origin
🇨🇳 China
Keep in mind that Lodge sells several different types of Dutch ovens. The company is well known for its natural (or raw) cast iron. It has a small line of American-made enameled Dutch ovens, called Lodge USA Enamel. The price of the US-made enameled cast iron is significantly higher than other Lodge products.
This brings us to the focus of our review today, a simple Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven, which is made in China and well-known as a budget alternative to Le Creuset.
The product used in our tests is a 5.5-quart Indigo Dutch oven purchased at Walmart.
Cooking Performance
The 5.5 qt Dutch oven I tested works well for everything from side dishes to casseroles. It will typically make 6 servings of whatever you’re cooking and is a great option for bread baking.
Searing
First up, I tested Lodge’s sear. I used the Dutch oven on my gas stove and set it to level six, then let my pork sear for 6 minutes. It actually outperformed my Le Creuset in the sear department, but it still wasn’t amazing. I did get some crust on the meat, but not as much as I would have on an uncoated cast iron even at the same temperature.
Braising Meat
I discovered that I could fit approximately 1 lb of meat per quart in the Lodge Dutch oven.
I was able to put in 5.5 lbs of pork, cut into 1 lb- 1.5 lb pieces. I set the oven to 300°F (149°C) and after an hour was pleased to see that the Dutch oven had come to a good temperature.
After 2.5 hours, the meat smelled great but wasn’t quite done. Finally, at 3 hours, the pork was pull-apart tender. This is comparable to the other, more expensive, Dutch ovens that I tested.
I did notice a lot of steam escaping the Lodge from under the lid, so it is not quite as tight-fitting as I’d like.
Boiling Water
Speaking of steam escaping, Lodge didn’t fare so well in the water test. To test heat and moisture retention, I boiled 2 quarts of water at level 6 on my gas stove. The water started at 70°F (21°C), and I tracked how long it took to reach 212°F (100°C).
After allowing it to simmer for 5 minutes at a steady temperature, I removed the pot from the heat. I set a timer and took temperature measurements at the 30-minute mark and the 60-minute mark to check how well the Lodge retained heat. After the water was cool, I measured the water in the pot to check the water loss. I did the same with Staub and Le Creuset Dutch Ovens.
| Lodge | Le Creuset | Staub | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to 212°F | 9 min 44 sec | 8 min 38 sec | 9 min 10 sec |
| Temp at 30 min | 156°F | 161°F | 166°F |
| Temp at 60 min | 127°F | 130°F | 132°F |
| Water retention | 87.5% | 91.8% | 95.3% |
Full Comparison: Staub vs Le Creuset vs Lodge Dutch Ovens
Lodge was slow to come to temperature, lost heat more quickly than the pricey Dutch ovens, and retained less water. The differences, however, were not major. Lodge took about 1 minute longer to come to heat and stayed within 4 degrees of the Le Creuset at every temperature reading. Even the moisture loss was only a 4.3% difference. Not too bad for a pot that costs a fraction of the price.
Bread Baking
Baking bread in a Dutch oven is very popular. I probably cook bread 90% of the time I use my enameled Dutch oven! My boule from the Lodge was very good, with a great oven spring, a good crust, and a denser crumb. I was very pleased overall with its bread performance, I’d love to try it again with a slightly larger Lodge to see if that opens the crumb a bit.
Build Quality
The Lodge Dutch oven is heavier for its size than Le Creuset, but comparable to other Dutch ovens of its class. The 5.5-quart model weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces without the lid and 11 pounds, 8 ounces with the lid.
As mentioned above, the Lodge lid doesn’t fit tightly, which allows more moisture to escape. While the lid does have self-basting “bumps”, they don’t seem to work as well as those on a Staub, because of the moisture that the lid loses. The domed shape of the Lodge lid may have something to do with that, too. It feels like Lodge tried to be the best of all worlds with its lid, and fell short.
The biggest problem was the quality of the enamel. The exterior enamel developed a large area of discoloration and damage. After my tests, the interior also had a small chip. Lodge uncoated cast iron is famed as multi-generational cookware – but the budget enamel must not be made with the same quality.
Design and Comfort
Lodge’s enamel is light-colored, which lends itself more easily to staining, than brands with black enamel. However, some cooks prefer light-colored enamel. It helps you watch for browning and burning and is a visual reminder to not treat it roughly with a metal spatula.
The handles on the Lodge are thinner, and the openings aren’t as wide as the Le Creuset, but I could still easily grasp the handles with pot holders. I also like the knob on the lid, as I found it comfortable to grasp with an oven mitt on and remove the lid.
The Lodge Dutch oven comes in a variety of colors, but not all are available from each retailer. You can purchase a 5.5 qt Lodge enameled Dutch oven from Walmart in blue, red, or white. Amazon sells a 6 qt Lodge in 21 different colors. Meanwhile, Lodge’s website only lists 12 colors, with several being sold out. These are made to function – not as collector’s pieces. It can be a little confusing if you’re shopping for a specific size or color.
Versatility
Lodge’s enameled Dutch oven is very versatile, creating a lovely bread, a nice stew, and delicious fork-tender pork. It’s not great for searing, but will do in a pinch if you’re trying to make a one-pot meal. It can be used in the oven and all kinds of stovetops, including induction.
Just be careful to bring cast iron up to temperature slowly on induction and electric stovetops! And don’t let it scratch ceramic or glass cooking surfaces.
I found that the Lodge holds 5.5 quarts of water when filled to the very top, so large batches of soups or stews require leaving a little wiggle room or risking it boiling over. This seems to be standard among Dutch ovens I’ve used; the listed capacity is truly the maximum the pot can hold.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Lodge enameled cast iron can’t – or shouldn’t – go through the dishwasher. I have a hand-me-down, less-valued Le Creuset piece that I put through the dishwasher all the time, and it honestly has held up fine. But since the Lodge is already chipping, I wouldn’t risk it.
The Lodge pot is heavy, so it’s harder than LC to hand wash. But, like other enameled Dutch ovens, it doesn’t need to be seasoned – unless it chips. I don’t recommend using badly chipped enameled cast iron, but if you do, the exposed iron needs to be seasoned.
Longevity and Warranty
I’d give Lodge full points for its warranty – although not for its longevity. The Lodge I tested was relatively lightly used but showed signs of damage.
Lodge offers a limited lifetime warranty on its enameled products. This warranty offers a repair or replacement of products damaged in the normal course of cooking. This does cover chips, cracks, and even damage during shipping.
This warranty does not cover rust, staining, scuffing, or damage due to misuse. If you drop it or the enamel changes color, you’re out of luck.
If your product has to be replaced there is no guarantee you will receive the same color replacement. Color is subject to availability.
Price and Availability
You can not fault the price of overseas-made Lodge enameled cast iron! It’s available everywhere from grocery stores to big box stores.
Color and even size availability varies by retailer. Walmart has a 5.5 qt Lodge Dutch oven, while Amazon only has 4.5 qt and 6 qt (among other sizes). Target carries limited sizes and colors. My best advice is if there is a specific Dutch oven size or color you’re looking for, check multiple retailers for it.
Health and Safety Considerations
We have an awesome in-depth article on the safety of enameled cookware! However, here are a few quick facts about the safety of Lodge enameled cast iron.
Company and Environmental Impact
Lodge has a company-wide recycling program, uses biodegradable packaging, and appears to be taking steps to make its Tennessee factories cleaner and greener, which is great for its natural cast iron and Lodge USA enameled cast iron.
Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the products made overseas, like most Lodge enameled cast iron.
As a material, enameled cast iron is generally a climate-friendly choice. It lasts much longer than nonstick or ceramic-coated pans. Enameled cast iron can last decades – though a Lodge may be in rough shape after that time. It is also made without synthetic chemicals that can pollute the environment.
What Else Do People Say About It?
Lodge is often mentioned in the same breath as Le Creuset, usually as a budget alternative.
From positive reviews on CNN to Food & Wine – to a 4.7-star review from over 34,000 customer reviews on Amazon – Lodge proves itself time and again not to just be “good enough for the price.”
When it goes toe-to-toe with more expensive brands, the consensus is that Lodge is not quite as good, but is a legitimate threat. It’s at the top of the pile among budget brands of Dutch ovens.
Conclusion
Lodge is a solid choice when it comes to enameled cast iron. It does have a few drawbacks, like its heaviness and moisture loss. It also discolored easily. But – it’s also a fraction of the price of high-end brands like Staub and Le Creuset.
Lodge enameled cast iron is perfect for casual users, bread bakers, and those who simply don’t care about the snob appeal of having a $300 Dutch oven. If you’re looking for a reliable piece of cookware at a good price, consider Lodge.
