5qt or 7qt for home cooking? I'm very new to cast iron cooking, having just purchased & used one Lodge grill pan we're hooked though and I'm eager to purchase more pans. I'm especially interested in ditching my potentially lead leaching crock pot and getting a dutch oven I can use to make chili & soups... however I'm torn on which size to get. Would you recommend the 5qt or the 7qt, I believe my crock pot is a 6qt... I'd like the extra room of the 7qt I believe but am leaning towards the 5qt for ease of moving (handles vs the one spiral handle) and weight. Thanks for any tips! 5qt or 7qt for home cooking? I'm very new to cast iron cooking, having just purchased & used one Lodge grill pan we're hooked though and I'm eager to purchase more pans. I'm... » Read More 5qt or 7qt for home cooking? I'm very new to cast iron cooking, having just purchased & used one Lodge grill pan we're hooked though and I'm eager to purchase more pans. I'm especially interested in ditching my potentially lead leaching crock pot and getting a dutch oven I can use to make chili & soups... however I'm torn on which size to get. Would you recommend the 5qt or the 7qt, I believe my crock pot is a 6qt... I'd like the extra room of the 7qt I believe but am leaning towards the 5qt for ease of moving (handles vs the one spiral handle) and weight. Thanks for any tips! « Show Less
1815665
I have both sizes.I find that I use the 7 qt. far more than the 5 qt. Make that far, far more. In fact, the only thing I really use the 5 qt for is making No-Knead Bread. For stew, chili, soups and such I find that the "floor space" of the larger oven is much more useful for browning the meats and veggies. It is heavy, but really not too hard to maneuver, and I'm a scrawny 61- year old male. The oven itself lives in the oven of my range, oiled and ready to go.In answer to T R D's question, you could use the spiral handle ears for handles if you wished. I do that with my 5 qt oven.If I could have only one, I'd go with the larger Dutch Oven. I have both sizes.I find that I use the 7 qt. far more than the 5 qt. Make that far, far more. In fact, the only thing I really use the 5 qt for is making No-Knead Bread. For stew, chili, soups and such I find that the "floor space" of the larger oven is much more useful for browning the meats and veggies. It is heavy, but really not too hard to maneuver, and I'm a scrawny 61- year old male. The oven itself lives in the oven of my range, oiled and ready to go.In answer to T R D's question, you could use the spiral handle ears for handles if you wished. I do that... » Read More I have both sizes.I find that I use the 7 qt. far more than the 5 qt. Make that far, far more. In fact, the only thing I really use the 5 qt for is making No-Knead Bread. For stew, chili, soups and such I find that the "floor space" of the larger oven is much more useful for browning the meats and veggies. It is heavy, but really not too hard to maneuver, and I'm a scrawny 61- year old male. The oven itself lives in the oven of my range, oiled and ready to go.In answer to T R D's question, you could use the spiral handle ears for handles if you wished. I do that with my 5 qt oven.If I could have only one, I'd go with the larger Dutch Oven. « Show Less
688831
I am assuming you're referring to the Lodge Sportsman charcoal Grill which is a terrific piece of equipment. I also have the Smoky Joe and use that a lot too. This is a difficult question to answer because they're pretty neck and neck when it comes to quality, ease-of-use, and final product. The Smoky Joe has a cover the Lodge Grill doesn't. How important is that to you? I like the cast-iron grate on the Lodge better than the chrome grate on the Weber but that's something you have to decide for yourself also. They both hold about the same number of burgers, hotdogs, etc. even though the lodge grill is a little larger. And because it's cast-iron it's going to be very heavy-a little over 30 pounds. The Lodge does an excellent job with steaks and hamburgers and actually now that I think about it does a better job than the Weber for those two because the cast iron heats up better than the Weber . The cast iron grill will last a lifetime if you take care of it. You can't do long slow cooking on the Lodge because it has no cover so you have to ask yourself what you do the most of-quick steaks, chops, burgers etc. or roasts and ribs. guess if the cover is not that important to you then I would definitely go with the Lodge grill even though it's more expensive. Weber and Lodge both make great products ...you can't go wrong with either one of them.
1013503
I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would... » Read More I actually would recommend the Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for camping instead of this one. I own both. The reason I use this one more at home is because of the handles. Easy into the oven, easy out of the oven. The reason I would recommend the Double Dutch Oven for camping instead of this one is; because of the handles. Much easier to two-hand the other one. If you are going to REALLY go camping though, you will want one with a lipped lid so you can put charcoal on top and not have it slide off. This isn't a bad choice at all for camping; would just be my second choice for camping. « Show Less
1551090
It all depends on what you wish to do. If all you want is to cook a couple of burgers then go with the smaller one. The clean up will be easier as well. But this thing is 7 gauge steel and that is thick and heavy. And for cooking there is nothing better than heavy gauge steel. And it has a fairly large cooking area so you can get that good ol' diner style cooking going on. But bare in mind that this is not "stainless steel". So there are proper care procedures involved. I use mine at home on the stove for that good restaurant style cooking. It goes over two burners and I can get a couple of things going on at once. Hope this has helped you some. It all depends on what you wish to do. If all you want is to cook a couple of burgers then go with the smaller one. The clean up will be easier as well. But this thing is 7 gauge steel and that is thick and heavy. And for cooking there is nothing better than heavy gauge steel. And it has a fairly large cooking area so you can get that good ol' diner style cooking going on. But bare in mind that this is not "stainless steel". So there are proper care procedures involved. I use mine at home on the stove for that good restaurant style cooking. It goes over two burners and I can get a... » Read More It all depends on what you wish to do. If all you want is to cook a couple of burgers then go with the smaller one. The clean up will be easier as well. But this thing is 7 gauge steel and that is thick and heavy. And for cooking there is nothing better than heavy gauge steel. And it has a fairly large cooking area so you can get that good ol' diner style cooking going on. But bare in mind that this is not "stainless steel". So there are proper care procedures involved. I use mine at home on the stove for that good restaurant style cooking. It goes over two burners and I can get a couple of things going on at once. Hope this has helped you some. « Show Less
467754
Get the 6 quart if you cook for a family. I got the 4 quart and it's just enough for my husband and I with a little left over for lunch the next day.
1428720
Amazon obviously screwed up on dimensions. I have both, and they're both #12's, the only difference is the 8 quart is the #12 DEEP. Use depends on whether baking or "stewing". The more shallow 6 quart is perfect for sourdough biscuits, (or biscuits in general). I do more baking than stewing and find the "deep" ovens perfect for raised breads. (Read my review of Lodge's 2 quart Dutch oven.)
1436862
I have the 5 qt dutch oven with the handles instead of the bail wire handle and I'm going to go and buy one WITH the bail wire because it's easier to carry and to remove the lid. If you want one without the bail wire just buy the 5 quart that has handles on the side and the lid with matching handles, that doubles as a bowl/skillet. That's the one I use for baking my bread (plus you get a multi functional lid).
2172408
For our use, we like a 12 or 14 Qt size dishpan, stainless as opposed to aluminum. We use ours for preparing produce for canning. You want something large enough to fill 7 to 14 quart jars, as we use two canners. We wouldn't want anything smaller.
1911767
I have been able to cook enough for 2 people in the 9 quart. It actually holds quite a bit in the 2 slots. Only draw back is tub depth which limits cooking like a whole chicken or such. If you are planning to cook large items then go with 11 qt. If you don't mind cutting things up then the 9 is OK.
79479
I use my 5 1/2 qt dutch oven for meals for my husband and me. Plenty of room. I think you could easily double my recipes and cook for 4 with it. Probably be good for pan frying chicken -- might reduce the spatter because of the taller sides than a frying pan would have.
524090
I would say go with the cast iron, because that is what I have and it works very well. I bought a griddle and a regular new grate for my grill (both sides were old and very rusted and gross), and I must say that I am happy with both sides. Only thing that I don't care for is that it is made in China.
941009
Ron, as many of the people responding to your question have done, I purchased the 6 Qt. as well. I often downsize my recipes to a serving for 2 or 3 and a great cook book for these recipes is America's Test Kitchen, "Cooking for Two, 2012". There are slow cooker recipes that work great in the larger slow cooker and come out just fine. I purchased this specific Cuisinart because of its oblong shape - makes it easy to cook meat or chicken on skewers. And, with the larger size you are prepared for the eventual times you want to cook a roast or larger meal. Hope this was helpful.
467755
Thank your interest in our GW22602 Pressure Cooker. 4qt is a good choice, it all depends on how much you plan to cook (4 qt = 16 cups, 6 qt = 24 cups). Either one would be a great gift. Hope this helps.
1268873
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
832124
Bill, I will have to get back to you on this. The Double Dutch Oven is my birthday present from my wife and I can't open it until tommorrow 3/4. Based on pressure cookers and slow cookers of similar size that we cook in, I would say the DDO is plenty big enough for most anything. The 7 quart would be good for cooking for large groups or making more then you need and freezing or canning it. You are dealing with almost 2 gallons of food and a pretty large bread loaf in the 7 quart.Harry
796798
I have this Dutch Oven and a similar Le Creuset. On gas ranges I prefer cast iron. For electric ranges I prefer this one in stainless. I'm buying another because I'm now cooking on electric and I'm no longer seeing them at Marshals. Just the inferior ones with welded on bottoms. Cast iron takes too long to heat on electric.
969264
As good or better overall. I have the 14.5, two 18.5s and the 22.5. The 14 is nice for small cooks. I overloaded it once and had to add charcoal. If you stick to smaller cooks, you won't have that problem. I have had no issues with temp control on it. Either using water or without water. Have roasted chickens in the 320-335 range and have smoked fish at 200-225 and also have done ribs and butts in between.