Need cast iron suggestion

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

i want to get some cast iron for when I get my egg. I am leaning towards Lodge CI. But I am having trouble with Dutch oven sizes. I can't get my head wrapped around 2qt, 3 qt or 5qt sizes. I just can't conceptulize the size I will need. I will be cooking for 6 but the size doesn't really matter for my kids will eat everything they see regardless f the pot size.

What size do you guys and gals use the most? What will fit on a large egg?

DMW · October 2016

You will want at least 5qt. 7qt should easily fit on the large I would think, but I don't have a large egg to confirm that.

Carolina Q · October 2016

Cooking for 6?! I would get at least a 7 qt., but probably the 9. Dimensions of every Lodge piece can be found on their website. Here's the 9...

https://www.lodgemfg.com/images/L12DO3_Measurements.pdf

RRP · October 2016

While you are in the thought process also be thinking about the style. The traditional DO has a flat bottom, while the camp style has 3 legs. I prefer my camp style in conjunction with my inverted PS. That way they is no fear of burnt food on the bottom and the DO seems to heat more evenly. Granted you can use spacers with a flat bottom to achieve the same. Btw both of my DO are 5 quarts and work well in my large egg.

bgebrent · October 2016

I use 5 and 7 on my L. Can't speak to the 9.

SciAggie · October 2016

Like @RRP I use camp ovens in my egg - but that's because I owned them before I had an egg. I agree they work well standing on the plate setter. I have a 10" and a 12" and I use both depending on the size crowd I have over to eat.
A standard Dutch oven works better if you plan on using it in a conventional oven. I use both styles on a propane burner for deep frying. None of this probably helps you - it's our job here on the forum to make you spend money.

Good luck.

MeTed · October 2016

5qt. Flat bottom works great for me for most everything but a 4qt. works great for bread.

onedbguru · October 2016

I have a 5qt for the past 30+ years. Works for most of what I do.

Little Steven · October 2016

Get the 7 quart my son, Ontarians don't lie. You don't have to fill it up every time but if you want to do a big chili or big moose stew you'll be glad for the extra room. Get some flaxseed oil to season it.

Focker · October 2016

A classic Lodge #12 DO should be in every kitchen. Perfect for the large egg. I also use a 5qt Lodge Double Dutch, where the lid doubles for a nice skillet, perfect for the small.

blasting · October 2016

I agree with the 5 or 7 quart. I also have the 2 and 4 quart, and as was mentioned, the 4 is great for bread. The two is almost useless.

I disagree though about the flaxseed oil. I'd suggest traditional seasoning with lard (4-5 sessions)

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

Little Steven said:

Get the 7 quart my son, Ontarians don't lie. You don't have to fill it up every time but if you want to do a big chili or big moose stew you'll be glad for the extra room. Get some flaxseed oil to season it.

I do love me some chili. But not much moose running around in Florida.

I'm leaning towards at least a 5qt. as my first purchase. Then a larger size for the second purchase.

Carolina Q · October 2016

If you start with a larger one, you won't NEED a second.

Mattman3969 · October 2016

I use a 5qrt in my small and a 9qrt (I think) in my large. Sometimes I struggle getting everything in the 5qrt so I would recommend going larger if you can.

Little Steven · October 2016

SaintJohnsEgger said:

Little Steven said:

Get the 7 quart my son, Ontarians don't lie. You don't have to fill it up every time but if you want to do a big chili or big moose stew you'll be glad for the extra room. Get some flaxseed oil to season it.

I do love me some chili. But not much moose running around in Florida.

I'm leaning towards at least a 5qt. as my first purchase. Then a larger size for the second purchase.

Sorry, I thought you were in St. John's Nfld

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

Little Steven said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

Little Steven said:

Get the 7 quart my son, Ontarians don't lie. You don't have to fill it up every time but if you want to do a big chili or big moose stew you'll be glad for the extra room. Get some flaxseed oil to season it.

I do love me some chili. But not much moose running around in Florida.

I'm leaning towards at least a 5qt. as my first purchase. Then a larger size for the second purchase.

Sorry, I thought you were in St. John's Nfld

No problem. I'm in Saint Johns county Florida. Where St. Augustine is located.

FatDog · October 2016

I'll vote with RRP and others for a camp style Dutch oven with legs: 5 - 6 quart will be fine. BTW, I use my "regular" Dutch ovens in my egg as well as the camp style depending on what I am cooking.

As an aside, I have a few Lodge pieces and really like them but I have discovered the joy of cast iron at good prices from Agri Supply. Bought a fajita pan, ground off the handle and now have a nice cast iron surface for my eggs. Did the same with a 10" griddle pan.

bigbadben · October 2016

There is another option, lodge makes a very reasonable 6 qt enameled DO. They make a variety of sizes, but I just picked up a 6 qt from amazon for $60. The enameled finish means no seasoning (no big deal) and more importantly you can cook acidic or reactive foods.

Mikee · October 2016

What is the setup when cooking indirect with a pot/dutch oven? Today was my first time cooking a pork roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions. I had the platesetter legs up and the cooking grid on top of it. Set the pot on the cooking grid so the bottom would not get too hot.

Grillnugget · October 2016

I use a lodge 6 qt enameled DO. I picked it up at Academy on sale 40% off. I love it but I'll admit the discount drove the purchase. I've cooked bread, meatloaf, stew, chili and jambalaya. I will eventually get a DO with legs....because I can. Buy the best deal you can get because either type will cook great for you.

fishlessman · October 2016

atleast a 7, you need a 7 just to do a descent sized potroast. im a fan of enameled for most cooks but the regular ci dutch makes a better potroast, so two 7's

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

I had some money left on an Amazon Gift card so I ordered a 5qt DO and an 8" skillet. I didn't have enough money to go with a 7 qt or 9 qt so I tried to maximize my buying power and I'll add the larger ones later.

I ordered the 8" skillet as I have a 10" I got from my mom. Its a no name brand that she has had for years. I'm off now to clean and recondition it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JSUF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008GKDG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it and will follow it on future purchases.

THEBuckeye · October 2016

7 qt DO does and a large skillet just fine on a Large

Terrebandit · October 2016

I got a 7 and it works for everything. I wouldn't want one any bigger. The lid that comes with the 7 will also work on a 12" skillet, so that's a bonus. I did buy a Lodge " chicken fryer" that is probably about 3 quarts which is handy as heck for the smaller stuff and it also comes with a lid that works on a 10 inch skillet.

http://www.lodgemfg.com/deep-skillets/3-quart-cast-iron-covered-deep-skillet.asp#galleryPopup

BilZol · October 2016

I went cheap and bought Utopia 5 and 7 quart DO's off amazon and am completely satisfied. Already had a Lodge 5qt deep skillet I use as a dutch oven and a couple of other pieces. Happy with them all but saved a bunch going with the Utopias.

smokeybreeze · October 2016

I use a 10 quart Lodge DO on my LBGE and it makes stews, gumbos, jambalayas, chilis, and so much more. Sometimes even this large of a pot is too small...

Sirk98 · October 2016

silly question: if you use an enameled dutch over (like the one mentioned above) on an egg: do you get a lot of soot, etc, on the outside? Wondering if my wife would let me use the 'kitchen' one on the egg and still let it back in the house

BilZol · October 2016

Sirk98 said:

silly question: if you use an enameled dutch over (like the one mentioned above) on an egg: do you get a lot of soot, etc, on the outside? Wondering if my wife would let me use the 'kitchen' one on the egg and still let it back in the house

It got my coffee perculator a bit sooty but it wiped right off.

Yes, I've made coffee on the egg.

northGAcock · October 2016

As a owner of about 20+ pieces of Cast Iron.....I would say that you should think about what you want to cook. From there, choose you piece. As you expand your desire to cook other things, then add to your collection. I don't think there is a piece I use more than others.....and I also use them indoors a great deal as well. It is excellent cookware and very versatile. If I was pressed to make a purchase, I would get a 12 inch skillet....followed by a dutch oven.

Take good care of it....and it will take good care of you.

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

northGAcock said:

As a owner of about 20+ pieces of Cast Iron.....I would say that you should think about what you want to cook. From there, choose you piece. As you expand your desire to cook other things, then add to your collection. I don't think there is a piece I use more than others.....and I also use them indoors a great deal as well. It is excellent cookware and very versatile. If I was pressed to make a purchase, I would get a 12 inch skillet....followed by a dutch oven.

Take good care of it....and it will take good care of you.

I already have a 10" skillet. So I went with the 5qt DO and the 8" skillet.

I'll make do with those until I see how my needs pan out.

Chauncy · October 2016

I find the 10" too big for my needs; go with the 7" you won't be sorry

Need cast iron suggestion

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