Lodge Logic L8DOL3 Pre-Seasoned 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Loop Handles

When I saw the price,free shipping, and factory pre-seasoning, this dutch oven proved irresistable. The size is great and the black color was attractive.Sadly, the factory pre-seasoning did not meet expectations! I learned to cook using cast iron, and I still own several "original finish" cast iron skillets, griddles and specialty pans (tri-ply stainless steel is wonderful, but some things just cook more evenly with cast iron). While cast iron is not difficult to season,it was just an added bonus to order a dutch oven that I thought would have an even, well applied finish to begin the seasoning process (properly seasoned cast iron pans only get better over the years). When the dutch oven arrived, I was surprised by what seemed to be a discoloration under the finish on the inner surface of the pot lid. I used the dutch oven for the first time to make chili. The steam from the chili caused the "pre-seasoning" on the inner surface of the lid to mottle badly, and the area that had...Read more

Short review. This will become one of the most important pieces in your kitchen. I like the handles better than the other lodges, and NOTHING compares to cast iron.

Alton Brown raves about this thing and for good reason. He also writes of a casserole pot, don't get it unless you are a chef. This works everywhere that one does. An excellent buy.

My only word of caution. I love the loop handles, but IF you are one of the rare people who still cook with a campfire, get the other 5qt lodge.

First off I enjoy quality kitchen tools. I never minded paying for a quality tool. But when you get prenium quality at a rock bottom price, well it just doesn't get any better than that. Also any of the cast iron products from Lodge will easily last a lifetime or two, with minimal care. I previously owned a 7 quart duch oven and loved it. But my daughter finally has moved out, and it's just the wife and I at home now, so I downsized to a 5 quart dutch oven. I was happy to see Lodge offer a dutch oven with side handles instead of a wire bail, because we do most of our cooking at home in our oven, not at a campfire. The 5 quart dutch oven and 10 inch skillet would be a perfect gift for someone just starting out in life. They probably would not realize the value of what they recieved, until they are cooking a pot roast or a pot of chili for their grandchildren thirty years later. Update May 2011. I just purchased another Lodge 5qt. dutch oven to give to my daughter's boyfriend as a...Read more