TL;DR: Lodge is an American cast iron cookware manufacturer that’s been around for over 100 years. When buying a Lodge cast iron Dutch oven, consider what size you want, if it’s seasoned or enameled, and if it’s an oval or round pot.

I grew up learning to cook from my mom, and have been cooking ever since I was old enough to safely work a stove. I’ve been a fan of cast iron cookware ever since I picked up my first Lodge skillet. Now, my most used piece of cookware is my Lodge Dutch oven, which I use to make soups, roasts, chilis, and bake bread.

My experience with different types of cookware has made me realize what a huge difference having a well-made pot or pan can make in terms of your results. I’ve done a lot of research into what makes a good piece of cookware. If you’re thinking of getting a Dutch oven from Lodge, you’ve come to the right place.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any Curated Kitchen Expert! Our Experts are here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Who Is Lodge?

Lodge Cast Iron was founded in 1896 as Blacklock Foundry. In 1910, the name was changed to Lodge Cast Iron in honor of the founder, Joseph Lodge. Their cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens were all made by hand at that time.

It wasn’t until the 1950s that the foundry was able to move to an automated process. Cast iron cookware is formed using a sand mold, as stone melts at a higher temperature than iron does. Molten metal is poured into the mold, left to cool, and then the mold is removed.

In 2002, the company became the first to offer pre-seasoned cast iron products. Buyers were expected to season their cast iron before that, and the cast iron was coated in castor bean oil to prevent it from rusting while it sat on the shelf.

What to Consider When Buying a Lodge Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens are a very old type of cast iron pot, and there are a lot of different types and choices. Here are a few good questions to ask yourself.

What Size?

Dutch oven size is measured in how many quarts of liquid it can hold rather than by its dimensions. As Lodge has a wide variety of Dutch ovens, there are several different sizes. I’ll cover the ones shared by most of their products.

• 4-quart: A standard size for a smaller Dutch oven, with the majority of Dutch oven makers offering it. This size is across almost all of Lodge’s Dutch oven offerings, and is called for in a number of recipes.
• 5-quart: This is an in-between size, as most recipes call for either a 4-quart or 6-quart pot, as those are standard sizes for stockpots, too. 5-quart pots can handle any 4-quart recipe with room to spare and can manage a pared down version of a 6-quart.
• 6-quart: For most cooks, 6-quart is the best size. It's large enough to feed a group of people but not so large as to be unwieldy to move (cast iron is heavy!). It can also handle smaller roasts easily.
• 7-quart: If you love to make large batches, a 7-quart or 7.5-quart (depending on the line) is a good choice. These pots are starting to get pretty heavy, but they can still fit on a large burner and the oven with no problem. They can handle large sauce or soup recipes, as well as big roasts like a pork shoulder.

Seasoned or Enameled?

Lodge offers options in both seasoned cast iron and enameled cast iron. There isn’t one right answer here, as one isn’t decidedly better than the other in terms of performance. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Seasoned

A seasoned cast iron has a few thin coats of vegetable oil baked onto it. That process creates a protective layer that prevents the metal from rusting and gives the Dutch oven nonstick properties. Seasoned cast iron has no problem with high heat, so it can be used to broil. These are less expensive than enameled ones, and if the seasoning gets damaged, it can be removed and replaced at home.

It’s not a good idea to make tomato sauce or anything acidic in seasoned cast iron, as it’ll eat away at the seasoning. You also need to be careful about how much soap you use to preserve the seasoning, and you need to dry it right after washing it to prevent rust.

Enameled

A ceramic coating is baked onto enameled cast iron, serving to protect it from rust. As ceramics are tough and nonreactive, they can handle acidic or alkaline foods with no problem. The enamel coating allows you to wash it just like you would your stainless steel pots.

It is pricier than seasoned cast iron. Enamel can chip, and it’s near impossible to repair that at that home. The coating is also vulnerable to abrasive scrubbers or cleaners, meaning it’s a good idea to soak it to get stuck-on food off and preserve the coating. As with ceramic dishes, rapid temperature changes or uneven heating can cause the enamel to crack, meaning it isn’t broiler-safe.

Round or Oval?

Dutch ovens come in two shapes: round and oval. In the majority of cases, I'd recommend a round Dutch oven, but there are certain cases where an oval one is better.

In short, get a round Dutch oven if you plan to use it on the stovetop a lot. The round shape fits better on a burner, allowing for more even heating. For those who want to make a lot of soups, stews, chilis, and stocks, this is the shape you want.

Oval Dutch ovens do better in the oven. Their oblong shape allows you to fit larger roasts in them, like a leg of lamb or rack of ribs.

Types of Lodge Dutch Ovens

Lodge has several different varieties and lines of Dutch ovens, depending on your needs and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s an overview of each one.

Seasoned Cast Iron

This is Lodge’s basic line of Dutch ovens. They have a plain, round design with loop handles on the sides and lid.

Benefits:

• Affordably priced.
• Have spikes on the lid to create a “rainforest effect” where the moisture content drips back down onto what you’re cooking, making it excellent for braising or slow roasting.

Be Aware:

• Have a plain design.
• Not good for acidic foods.

Essential Enamel

These highly affordable cast iron Dutch ovens compete with their much more expensive counterparts in terms of performance. The stainless steel knob on the lid is comfortable, and the Dutch ovens are made of thick cast iron for excellent heat retention.

Benefits:

• Lots of color and size options.

Be Aware:

• Made in China, unlike most of Lodge’s cookware.
• The rounded bottom limits the cooking surface.

Blacklock

The name is in recognition of what Lodge Cast Iron used to be called and is part of a newer line. These Dutch ovens are made of a different alloy, which is lighter.

Benefits:

• They are triply seasoned, so they're more nonstick, and the seasoning lasts longer.
• Has an aluminum knob on the lid to keep it lightweight.

Be Aware:

• Only comes in a 5.5-quart size.
• Expensive for seasoned cast iron.

Camp

Cast iron is also great for campfire cooking, and Lodge has a line of Dutch ovens designed for that purpose. They have a stainless steel handle that makes them easy to carry and allows you to hang them over a campfire.

Benefits:

• The Dutch ovens stand on three legs, which allows you to stand it above the coals of a fire.
• The recessed lid makes it easy to pile coals on top of it for an even heat source.

Be Aware:

• The legs prevent it from working on the stove or most oven racks.
• A bit heavy to carry around on a hike.

USA Enamel

This is a new line that Lodge recently introduced. They started manufacturing some enameled Dutch ovens in a factory in the United States, creating a different type of enameled Dutch oven.

Benefits:

• Made in the USA, like Lodge’s seasoned cast iron.
• Has an elegant design.

Be Aware:

• Comparable in price to high-end competitors like Le Creuset
• Has limited options in terms of colors and sizes.

Bail Handle

There’s also a line of seasoned cast iron Dutch ovens that have a stainless steel bail handle. The handle attaches to either side of the Dutch oven and has a curled stainless steel area that’s easy to grip.

Benefits:

• Stainless steel handles won’t rust.
• It can double as a camp Dutch oven as it can be hung over a fire.

Be Aware:

• Only comes in three sizes.
• Lacks loop handles on the sides, meaning you have to use the bail handle.

Dual Purpose

For those looking to save space, there are Dutch ovens with lids that also work as a skillet or grill pan.

Benefits:

• Cheaper than buying the Dutch oven and pan individually.
• Conserves storage space.

Be Aware:

• Limited size options.
• Difficult to use the Dutch oven and pan at the same time.
• Only available in seasoned cast iron.

Features to Look for

Lodge is a solid brand that makes good quality cookware, meaning that it’s difficult to go wrong with any of their offerings. That being said, here are some features I prefer for my Lodge cookware.

• Made in the USA: Most of Lodge’s products are made in the USA, and I prefer to buy USA made cookware because I know it’s great quality.
• Spiked or rounded lid: Having a lid that has indentations on the inside or is rounded helps with retaining moisture and ensuring that your creations are tender.

How to Pick the Best Dutch Oven for You

Lodge has a lot of different choices in terms of their Dutch ovens. I’m going to describe three people and what I’d recommend each of them buy.

Enrico: Graduate Student Looking for Multipurpose Cookware

Enrico has moved into an apartment with a roommate and has limited space in his kitchen. He wants cookware that has multiple uses and has heard that Dutch ovens are incredibly versatile. He doesn’t have a lot of excess income, so he wants something affordable and not too big.

Features to look for:

• A dual-purpose piece of cookware.
• Seasoned cast iron.

Recommended products: Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Lodge Chef Style Double Dutch Oven

Lucinne: Camping Enthusiast Who Wants Good Cookware

Lucinne loves to go camping and enjoys nothing more than cooking over a campfire. She’s looking to get good quality cookware to make her camping excursions better. She doesn't mind having cookware just for that purpose, but it’d be nice if she could also use it at home.

Features to look for:

• A handle to hang the oven over a cookfire.
• Seasoned cast iron for heat resistance.

Recommended Products: Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven, Cast Iron Dutch Oven With Bail Handle

Ramona: Busy Mom Looking for High-Quality Dutch Oven

Romona works full-time but still wants to be sure she makes home-cooked meals for her children. She's heard that Dutch ovens are excellent for one-pot meals and roasts. However, she doesn't want to spend too much time caring for it.

Features to look for:

• Enameled cast iron for less required care.
• A round Dutch oven for versatility.

Recommended Products: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, USA Enamel Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Find the Right Lodge Dutch Oven for You

A well-made Dutch oven can last for generations, meaning that it's a commitment to buy one. Sometimes, just looking at the item description isn't enough to tell you everything you need to know, and that's where our Kitchen Experts come in! Every one of our Experts is a cooking enthusiast, meaning they can answer questions, address concerns, and make recommendations as needed. And best of all, chatting with an Expert is completely free!