Which cast iron Dutch Oven

SaintJohnsEgger

There are currently two Lodge 5 piece cast iron sets on Amazon for $69.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Pre-Seasoned-5-Piece-Cookware-SX-5PC/dp/B073Q9GT4N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1538142702&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=lodge+cast+iron+5+piece+set&psc=1

and 

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Seasoned-Bundle-Griddle-Skillet/dp/B004QM8SLG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538142702&sr=8-3&keywords=lodge+cast+iron+5+piece+set

The only difference seems to be in the Dutch Ovens. So my questions are: which DO style is best? Which style do you prefer and why? Also is there something else I am missing that makes one set a better deal than the other set?

These will be used 95% of the time on my Eggs. I doubt I will ever cook over a camp fire and they will see very limited usage on the kitchen stove.

Thanks.

Mattman3969

I have the 2nd set. Dutch oven fits the small and after cutting the handles off so do the skillets.   The 8” works great on the mini.  

Carolina Q

In the Customer questions & answers section for the first one, two people said it was made in China. I thought all Lodge was USA made.

Also, the lid on the first DO is rimmed, typically intended to allow placing charcoal or campfire coals on top. Those usually have legs on the bottom of the pot though I don't see them in the Amazon photo.

This is what those lids/legs are for...

SaintJohnsEgger

Thanks @Mattman3969 and @Carolina Q  that's the type of insight I was looking for.

I don't see me putting coals on top much but the 8" skillet on the MiniMax I can see doing that.

Retirement and SS limits my funds. I'm trying to hold off on touching my main retirement funds for a few more years so I have to weigh my purchases carefully. I also want to get an Instant Pot. Not sure which to buy first.

SaintJohnsEgger

One more question. How hard is the Lodge stuff to keep cleaned and seasoned? OI have my Mom's CI skillet and its a pain in the A.

HoustonEgger

I have the 2nd one as well and it fits great in the large egg. I use Crisbee puck to season/maintain my cast iron. Simply clean after a cook, warm/dry pan on stove and then season with Crisbee and wipe clean. 

SaintJohnsEgger

Thanks @HoustonEgger

I have a stick of Crisbee here. I think I'll give that a try on Mom's old skillet.

Carolina Q

I don't have any Lodge CI, it's all Griswold or Wagner. Bought "preseasoned" from antique shops. All I do is cook in 'em, wash with hot soapy water and a scrubby, dry with a paper towel, then wipe on a little canola (inside only). Traditional is lard or bacon grease I guess, but I don't wanna waste it.

Never heard of Crisbee, but I just looked it up. Seems rather expensive for something to season a pan with. Canola works for me.

Mattman3969

The pre seasoning is decent at best.  I just started cooking and after 4 or 5 oily cooks it was all good. 
   The problem with any CI you use on the egg is the heat getting out of control and burning the seasoning off.  It’s a constant game for me. 

caliking

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

ColtsFan

I have the 2nd. Box says made in the USA. I use camp chefs cast iron conditioner on my current stuff. Never wash, just wipe and rinse

SaintJohnsEgger

caliking said:

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

Thanks @caliking That's the way I am leaning at the moment. Bed Bath and Beyond has the Duo Plus for $129 and with my daughter's employee discount it seems like a deal to jump on.

SonVolt

All of Lodge's raw cast iron products are still Made in USA. Their enameled and carbon steel lines, however, are made in China. 

If the dutch ovens will be used on the egg then get the standard version. The legs on the campfire versions would be problematic and the lids would be overly clunky if you're not planning to add coals to them. 

All that said... outdoor cooking is a lot easy using enameled cast iron and/or stainless steel. No battling seasoning or rust problems. Unless you're cooking over high-heat, then raw cast iron is the way to go. 

SaintJohnsEgger

caliking said:

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

Thanks @caliking That's the way I am leaning at the moment

SaintJohnsEgger

SaintJohnsEgger said:

caliking said:

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

Thanks @caliking That's the way I am leaning at the moment

Pulled the trigger today on an Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Using my daughters employee coupon (30% off) I paid $90.99. I'm excited for a new cooking method but I'll get back to the cast iron purchase in another week or two.

Carolina Q

SaintJohnsEgger said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

caliking said:

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

Thanks @caliking That's the way I am leaning at the moment

Pulled the trigger today on an Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Using my daughters employee coupon (30% off) I paid $90.99. I'm excited for a new cooking method but I'll get back to the cast iron purchase in another week or two.

Excellent choice!!! When it shows up, do this... absolutely awesome!!

https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/pressure-cooker-pot-roast/

Terrebandit

I have a couple CI Dutch ovens from Lodge.  If I had to have one, I'd buy the biggest one.  I believe it's 5 Qt.  it fits in the large too.  For smaller stuff, I actually prefer their chicken fryer w/lid over the smaller Dutch oven. 

SaintJohnsEgger

Carolina Q said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

SaintJohnsEgger said:

caliking said:

I would get the Instant Pot first. It’s a very versatile cooking device. 

Thanks @caliking That's the way I am leaning at the moment

Pulled the trigger today on an Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Using my daughters employee coupon (30% off) I paid $90.99. I'm excited for a new cooking method but I'll get back to the cast iron purchase in another week or two.

Excellent choice!!! When it shows up, do this... absolutely awesome!!

https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/pressure-cooker-pot-roast/

Thanks @caro@"Carolina Q"
 I love pot roast and its going to be one of the first things i cook in it.

xfire_ATX

I'm pretty sure I have this one L10DO3 could be the smaller one though.  I love it for the handle when pulling it off egg or out of the oven.  I just realized the other day the lid works on a skillet I have.

One thing in general I don't like is the inside of the lid has all these bumps- I'm guessing to push condensation back down but it a bit more challenging to clean.

Powak

7 QT Lodge, flat bottom, rounded top. I’ve Also gotta 5 qt Cabella’s Lodge with the feet and charcoal lip, and while that’s an entertaining way to cook it’s extremely inefficient and no good in the egg.

GoldenQ

9 and 7 QT lodge 

KGilma2018

I picked up the Lodge 7qt this weekend.  

THEBuckeye

KGilma2018 said:

I picked up the Lodge 7qt this weekend.  

All the DO you'll ever need. 

KGilma2018

THEBuckeye said:

KGilma2018 said:

I picked up the Lodge 7qt this weekend.  

All the DO you'll ever need. 

They had a 9 qt I wasn't sure it would fit on the LBGE, and I thought about how incredibly heavy it would be full of chili or stew lol.  

Carolina Q

I bought a Tramontina 6 1/2 qt enameled DO last year. $30something, even with the non-member surcharge at Sam's Club. I have a 3 1/2 qt Le Creuset that is sometimes too small so I wanted a larger one. I have yet to come close to filling this one up. No worries about cooking or storing acidic foods in the enameled ones.