Can anyone tell the difference between this Calphalon Dutch Oven and a Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, besides the obvious: price?
1657905
It is a tad bit bigger and weighs just a bit over half of what the Lodge cast iron dutch oven weighs.... I have arthritis in my hands and had to give up my cast iron cookware because it is too heavy for me. I love this Dutch oven!
1657906
Calphalon is not as heavy as cast iron pots but just as durable. Nonstick quality is the same besides outrageous price of cast iron dutch oven pots. Good luck!!
1255209
I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive. French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords=le%20creuset&sprefix=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 .
1883307
I purchased the 6 quart EC6D43, the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. My scale weighed it, with the lid, at about 13 lbs. This is the reason that I did not order the large size of 7.8 qt. With that larger weight, full of beef stew, I'd need a winch to get it out of the oven. Love this pot!
381739
I'm not sure about a dutch oven, but we have a 12 inch cast iron skillet, and the whole set up (with skillet) was very solid. Actually, a dutch oven is probably also okay. It's very stable.
1504632
The Lodge is completely enameled. Unless you scratch off the enamel, it will not rust. I love my Lodge Dutch Ovens, I have 3 now.
338567
Enamel-coated cast iron has it uses, as does regular cast iron. Enameled cast iron is great, particularly with Dutch or French ovens when slow cooking is desired. The enamel coating is not as reactive as plain cast iron allowing for slow basting of reactive ingredients such as tomato sauce (acidic). Tomato sauce cooked for an extended time in a plain cast iron pot will react with the cast iron and also has the potential of stripping off the very carefully cultivated seasoning on your pan. 'Naked' cast iron is great for searing and cooking meat because you can safely turn up the heat under your plain cast iron (something you should never do with enameled cast iron). Enameled cast iron should not be used with burners over the medium setting, limiting their usefulness in searing meat. I have both types and use them for different types of cooking. For a grill pan such as this one...my preference is this pre-seasoned Lodge pan and NOT an enameled version of the same.
619064
Its cast iron. Which means things won't stick if you season it correctly. No other coating on inside. Enamel is on the exterior, not cooking surface
1074070
The edge is not enameled. I have 4 Le Creuset enamel cast iron Dutch ovens that I use weekly. I purchased my first one about 10 years ago. I have never had any trouble with rust. I don't put them in the dishwasher; I handwash and let them air dry. I have occasionally left them filled with soapy water for 24 hrs or so...not because they needed to soak that long but because I was lazy...and they never formed rust. They were not fully submersed in water, just filled with water. I don't recommend doing this, but I would think if rust was going to form, it would have in such instances.
1255212
I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&u;rl=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords;=le%20creuset&sprefix;=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 . I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere.... » Read More I am used to these excellent pots since 30 years, while I lived in France. At the time they were very ordinary and cheap ones. Now they are expensive.French and Dutch oven seem to me marketing names for America, in France they are just Cocotte de chez le Creuset, see in Amazon.fr below, anyways the one that I bought as a present (my 30 year old one is still perfect) was much cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere. http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&u;rl=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords;=le%20creuset&sprefix;=le+creuset%2Caps%2C291 . « Show Less
1268871
A stockpot is the same thing as a dutch oven, the pot is just called by different names depending on the manufacturer. Both come in different sizes, from about 4 quarts to 8 quarts ...Enjoy the Scanpan. I use both Scanpan and Swiss Diamond. They are both the very top of the line for "nonstick" cookware. And yes, there is a caveat there. lol
1835874
The numbers don't mean anything to me. I bet the more expensive one has the gold band around the dutch oven. I have the cheaper one and it cooks just fine, but it does get the discoloration inside from heat. I just use a light scrubbing with a brillo pad--good as new again.
1690483
This is only a wild guess, but I imagine it's the labor that goes into the finish. I bought the less expensive for my husband last Christmas (he loves to cook) and have been very satisfied. We use Barkeeper's Friend to polish it up now and then and it looks great. He has a few pieces of the more expensive type, but other than a small difference in weight, I can't tell any difference in the cooking ability. If you are a real gourmet chef, you probably won't be happy with any but the most expensive cookware. However, if you are like most of us, the less expensive will serve you well for many years. :) This is only a wild guess, but I imagine it's the labor that goes into the finish. I bought the less expensive for my husband last Christmas (he loves to cook) and have been very satisfied. We use Barkeeper's Friend to polish it up now and then and it looks great. He has a few pieces of the more expensive type, but other than a small difference in weight, I can't tell any difference in the cooking ability. If you are a real gourmet chef, you probably won't be happy with any but the most expensive cookware. However, if you are like most of us, the less expensive will serve you well for many... » Read More This is only a wild guess, but I imagine it's the labor that goes into the finish. I bought the less expensive for my husband last Christmas (he loves to cook) and have been very satisfied. We use Barkeeper's Friend to polish it up now and then and it looks great. He has a few pieces of the more expensive type, but other than a small difference in weight, I can't tell any difference in the cooking ability. If you are a real gourmet chef, you probably won't be happy with any but the most expensive cookware. However, if you are like most of us, the less expensive will serve you well for many years. :) « Show Less
1681749
Lodge says the cast iron is Made in USA and the enameled cast iron is imported from China. See their website for more detail.
1255214
Le Creuset is a French company which is why I imagine they call it a French oven-why call it a Dutch oven when it is made in France? It is the same concept, the same thing. These are cast iron, very heavy and well made and will last for generations if well cared for, therefore, worth the money if you are a serious cook. Can be used on any cook surface, gas, electric, even induction, as well as in the oven. No so with some others. Your name is unusual.
435996
One has a porcelain cook well $50.99 this is the one I purchased. Clean up is easy and I think cleans up as easily as the stainless steel cook well. This would be a matter of personal choice the stainless steel cook well will probably last longer if you intend to use it a lot. I will use it occasionally and so I went with the less expensive one.
1749854
You could probably do it if you knew what you were doing, but I do know that Lodge sells flat bottom dutch ovens. You may want to look at those first.
220699
Good Morning wisew,Buy this Lodge product. I do not think You will be Disappointed.I switched to all Cast iron pans a couple of yrs ago&now; would cook with nothing else.It is very smooth+it is still made in America!The trick here is cleaning&seasoning; after cooking do it right and nothing seems to stick.....Kenneth