Kitchen

[Dazlin]

Thank you all ...very helpful in my decision. 

[AuntMame]

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@deepwaterdotter wrote:

If money is no object, I choose Le Creuset.

I staked out an estate sale in a high-class neighborhood years ago to buy mine used for $25.00.  I literally ran to the table it was sitting on to get to it before anyone else spied it.

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Lucky you!

If I were young I'd invest in Le Creuset. Durable, lasts a lifetime, high performance no matter what you're cooking. 

Growing older, it gets harder to lift that stuff when it's filled with food. And I'm not cooking as much as I did years ago. 

[nikkisaunt1]

I have two pieces of Le Creuset and I have had them now for nearly 15 years. They look almost brand new, perform as well as the first day I ever got them, and in my opinion, are the best quality cast quality cast iron Dutch ovens you can purchase. You do need to make sure you are buying what is made in France and the cast iron lid is superior to the glass ones. 

The company stands behind their product too.  This is investment cookware you should have for many years. 

The pan is heavy but it is my go to for cooking stews, soups, and meals like chicken in wine. I do not use it for making tomato sauce but that is probably just because I prefer my traditional stainless steel pasta pots for that. 

If the pan is just too heavy for you though then the brand is not likely to make much difference.   You could get the smaller cast iron pan they make ( the round one) and see how you like that. I have made bread in that one as well as casseroles. It isn't as large as the Dutch oven and as a result, not as heavy as that pan.  

[gardenman]

I have a 5-qt Carote Dutch Oven that I bought a little over a month ago for $35-ish from Amazon. It's fine. It works fine, looks fine, and does what I need it to do at a fraction (literally a tenth of some) of the "name" brands.  Enamelled cast-iron is enamelled cast-iron. 

[VanSleepy]

There is a youtube video by Prudent Reviews (less than 15 mins) comparing the popular brands. Pros and cons of each. If interested, search "comparing Dutch ovens" and you'll see it. 

[wagirl]

I was gifted a 6 qt dutch oven by my SIL--it was Macys brand, I think--and it is just fine. No way would I spend hundreds of $$ for a brand name. 

[YouGoGirl1]

Try Granitewear 18" covered oval roaster

15 lb. Capacity 17.74 at W. They also have smaller sizes. I have the oval one, it's great.

[Rockycoast]

I would go with either Le Cruset or Staub.  Both are superior to Lodge. Many years ago I worked in a kitchen goods store.  We sold Lodge cast iron.  Many a time when unpacking their shipments cracked fry pans, black residue that would come off on our hands.  I have many pieces of Le Cruset and a few pieces of Staub.  Durable, beautiful, well worth the pricing. I'll add i had a Le Cruset outlet within a 10 minute drive from my house.  Got many a piece from that store. 

[Dazlin]

My daughter has a cast iron dutch oven 5 qt from World Market...she likes it alot and hasn't had any problems with it.  It's a different brand,  maybe there own...idk.

Not too cheap either...$79.

Im hearing all of you...thank you!

[christikate]

I have the Lodge 5.5 qt and I have not had any problems with chipping or the lid not fitting. It's my go to pot for chilli, soups, and sourdough bread. I believe I paid around $40 for it a couple of years ago @ Walmart.