Lodge Logic Serving Pot with Iron Cover

Comment: I've been cooking exclusively with cast iron for nearly 30 years and won't use anything else. My 5 qt. Dutch oven is 33 years old and going strong. I have 3 skillets (the 10 and 1/4 in. one gets the most use), a chicken fryer, a grill skillet, a 3 qt saucepan, a 1 qt. saucepan, and I used to have a 2 qt. saucepan. "Used to have" because cast iron cookware, while unbelievably sturdy, is not indestructible.

Replacing the 20 year old 2 qt. saucepan was not easy; Lodge simply does not make saucepans in cast iron, and I did not want an enamel-coated one because enamel chips and because the cast iron enhances the flavor of my foods (and gives a good dose of absorbable iron for the body, too). So, I finally went with the covered serving pot, figuring it would be too shallow for much use, but I needed a pot with that volume.

Well, I was happily surprised when I got the pot Friday, cooked enough cheese and macaroni in it for 3 people on Saturday, and on Sunday, I made over a quart of spaghetti sauce in it. I brought the sauce to a boil with no spilling over the top; I stirred the sauce with no slopping over the sides. And the cheese and macaroni was also tossed and stirred well with plenty of room. I love this pot!

No, it isn't big enough for cooking a stew for 5 or 6 people, but no 2 quart saucepan is. For 2 or 3 people, it's perfect for side dishes, soups, sauces, chili, etc. And, of course, we've grown use to eating amounts that are two or three times what an actual serving size really is.

Comment: I was looking for a small dutch oven that wasn't enamelware and this Lodge Serving Pot fit the bill. Great for cooking for 2, maybe 3, people. Since it's small, it's not too heavy even when filled. I use it in conjunction with my 10-inch cast iron skillet also from Lodge.

The preseasoning allowed me to start using the pot right away, though the preseasoning finish on my pot was a bit rougher than I expected and noticed a few pits. It'll smooth out a bit with time and use, but I wish there was a way Lodge could do some quality control on the preseasoning layer. Some of it flaked off and now I'm trying to reseason those little patches and prevent rust.

I'd still recommend getting this item though. Amazon sells it the cheapest, and the packaging is decent.

Comment: I've been bitten by the no-knead bread bug and this small cast iron pot is the perfect size for baking a typical loaf. I do the second rise right in the pot. It's also very handy for making small batches of baked beans, soups, casseroles and stews. Best of all, it fits (snugly) into my large toaster oven, so I can bake bread or prepare a meal for two without heating up the big oven.

I make mostly sourdough whole rye (aka pumpernickel) and yeasted whole wheat bread. The results have been excellent from the start, but I found that, even with the seasoning and a light film of oil, the bread still tended to stick a little on the bottom until I started lining the pot with lightly oiled parchment paper. Also, when I use the toaster oven I have to adjust the rack to the lowest setting in order to get the pot inside with its lid in place. The top and bottom crusts get pretty dark during the final browning with the top off. I keep an eye on it and brush the loaf lightly with oil or butter as soon as I remove it from the pot. That way the crust stays tender. I've never had a failure yet with this method.

Like most people, I'm impressed with the durability and practicality of cast iron and the fact that Lodge apparently still makes these pots domestically is certainly a plus. I started with several cast iron pans - at least 50 years old and still perfect - from my grandmother's kitchen and I have been adding to my collection with Lodge items ever since. They're pretty much all I use at this point. This little pot is the latest addition and it certainly hasn't disappointed.

Comment: I cook bread in a 5 quart Lodge dutch oven, and was looking for a smaller pot to bake smaller loaves. I only ordered a couple, because I was concerned it would be too short. This is perfect for a half-loaf -- so I went back and ordered more so that I can fit four at once in my oven, or two beside my 5-qt pot. Love the Lodge quality... and Lodge is an American company, so that's even better.

Comment: I bought this pot for the sole purpose of being able to bake dark soda bread in it. I knew from past experience that the heavy iron pots hold heat well for baking and the size was perfect for this purpose. Owning it has made me want to bake more often, perhaps corn bread. I think I also will try it for things other than bread. I love the pot; it is not
too heavy to lift even when filled.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely! And I would buy it again from Amazon for their great packaging and quick delivery.