Cookware Reviews

This is such an improvement over the standard stainless pots most people have. I love making soups and this is just perfect for that. It is quite heavy, but that's one of the nice things - it's solid! Great purchase - well worth the money!

This is a really good size.
Believe it or not we use some Le Creuset at work and because of the performance quality I bought this particular Dutch oven for my home. I love it. It is so very versatile... I can make soups, stocks, sauces and braise on the stove top or sear and roast meats or birds in my oven (the lid handle is good up to 500 degrees) and it makes a wonderfull rice pot. This is a good size for making a gallon of anything for two to twelve people. I have professional copper cookware at home so my choices of color were limited to "flame" or this...I like the contrast.
Although pricey and heavy (for the "home" cook ;-) you can't go wrong with this piece and the "granite" matches almost any decor. I liked this one so much that I bought an oval 6+ qt. also.
This will be a lifetime investment for you...enjoy
I'ma givin' dis babe 5*z

I received this Le Creuset 4-1/2-Quart Round French Oven as a birthday gift and it is perfect in every way. I cannot recommend enough the overall quality of le Creuset products. They are also very attractive and add enjoyment to all forms of cooking. This particular 4-1/2-Quart Round French Oven is a great size and shape and can be used for a variety of things. It also fits perfectly upon the le Creuset trivet. Other products of similar quality you might try are Global knives and Cuisinart appliances. You won't be disappointed.

I like to cook in a variety of ways: stovetop, oven, grill and campfire. There is only one type of pan that answers the call under all of these conditions: cast iron. I have a set of high quality non-stick cookware that has served me well. BUT...you can't use metal utensils, place it in the oven and heaven forbid..put it on the grill. One of my colleagues gave me an old cast iron skillet a few years ago and it had that beautiful black patina characteristic of well-seasoned iron pans. I was hooked! I have greatly expanded my collection of cast iron pans, all from Lodge, and in spite of their weight, they consistently produce superior results. This pan is large and heavy but has no hot spots, thus heating uniformly. These pans require some special treatment: proper seasoning, NO SOAP and a thin wipe with shortening after each use, but you will have a pan that will be your culinary companion for life

After all the fancy All-Clad pots I own, this one is becoming my new favorite. For some things like searing meat, only cast iron does such a fine job. The only thing I'd point out to buyers is that this pan is bigger than it looks. If I'd bothered to measure first, I would have gone with the 10 inch skillet instead of this one, but that's my own fault! This one is big and VERY heavy, but after seasoning it, it's awesome for cooking. Try a fajita or a nice seared steak!

As Grandmother and any great cook knows, cast iron is the best for cooking and this is not only a well priced item the fact it will last for years and is easy to cook in and clean up makes it a must own for any well stocked kitchen. Le Creuset and Lodge are the two brands of cooking items I own.

Interesting facts about cast iron. No, it doesn't have to rust when washed IF you remember to read the simple instructions on how to "season" or prepare for use, and if you rinse out and wipe clean after each use and NEVER use steel wool or any abrasive cleaner that will destroy the "seasoning" that you have made.

For frying chicken you simply need to make sure the skillet is hot and as the rule says "Hot oil Hot skillet food won't stick". The skillet like all cast iron holds and distributes the heat evenly and you get trace iron in your diet which is healthy because cast iron emits trace iron into the food you cook.

Heck we even lug this on back pack trips because we KNOW that it can be use to cook up anything we are having for a meal. You can do pancakes to stew in in, and it is nice because you can use it to hit a bad guy over the head if he tries to hurt you. (joking). Although I do advise if you use one often that you switch hands on occasion since this will build up muscles due to its weight.

I flat out love this fryer. I purchased it to replace one of those fancy electric deep fryers. By doing so, I've saved counter space, because this fryer sits on your stove and can be stored permanently on the back of your stove full of grease with the cover on it. It will heat grease fast, and because its cast iron there is an exceptional taste difference in everything you fry. Also, you can use it as a regular pot. If you are assembling just the basics or a dream kitchen, a cast iron Skillet, Grill, and Fryer are a must have. There is no replacement item, or substitute for certain things you cook.

Wish I had got this a long time back instead of spending a fortune on all those expensive non-sticks and all! This is a great buy esp with the pre seasoned coating its just awesome. Cleaning is very easy! Trust me ...I have a huge cast iron skillet, griddle and this one. So if it's not worth it I would let know rt away. I would certainly recommend the Lodge cookware to anyone.

I own three pieces of cast iron cookware, and this item is one of them... and among my favorite cooking implements, period. For dishes requiring steady, even heat and for cooks who require durable cookware with easy clean-up, cast iron CANNOT be beat!

This fryer is going to last forever. Its care is easy: I scrub it with hot water only, and dry it with an old rag and apply a thin layer of vegetable oil while the iron is still hot... a year and a half later, it's still rust-free and delivering the reliable service I have come to expect and admire. No scratches interfere with its performance, as is the case with my allegedly-long-lasting Wearever nonstick cookware set (what a waste of money THAT was!). In fact, in this particular chicken fryer, I've produced everything from french fries to spaghetti sauce to eggs and bacon to french toast! It's a dependable griddle, skillet, grill, and pot, and it goes right from the stovetop and into the oven for maximum versatility.

The best thing about the chicken fryer is its somewhat smaller circumference than the skillet or the Dutch oven. It takes up a bit less stovetop space and provides greater depth, making it ideal for small batches of soups, stews, or deep-fried goodies.

I am an avid home-chef, and I can say without exception that my cast-iron cookware is the best kitchen investment I've ever made.

I was looking to buy some higher-end pans without having to refinance the house and these fit the bill. They are durable, the handles are comfortable and they clean easily. Lids fit well, pans sit nicely on a smooth top stove and heat evenly. Walls are thick but pans are not too heavy and have a good balance. You can't ask for more for such a nicely priced set. The only negative is that the outside of the pans will scratch. I found it was cheaper to buy a set with fewer pans and buy the 3-quart covered sauté pan separately.

These pots and pans will give you a new outlook on cooking and the subsequent cleanup. Easy, easy, easy. The cookware is heavy enough to do everything from omelets to fudge, and it cleans up with minimal effort. The lids are excellent also. This was a 'splurge' for me, yet it represents one of the smartest buying drecisions I've made.

These are some of the best pans you could own. First, there is no higher quality, heavy duty pan out there. Second, they is surprisingly cheap for such high quality. Third, I have never tackled a project with these pans that has not come out a success. It is truly professional grade for the home. Even if you are not a professional chef or a food enthusiast, these pans make building a great dish easy. You don't have to worry about those non-stick coatings that peel off but you also don't have to worry about your food sticking to the surface. Ignore the fact that it is more expensive than K-Mart Brand Pan--It is worth the extra cost! Food always cooks evenly and always seems to do so effortlessly. It is the perfect size for a family of four or five and can be used for just about any situation when you don't have the proper pan (although you should really go and check out all of Calphalon's other pans too).

excelent product. more people should get into low heat cooking.

I've owned this dutch oven for 3 years now and I must say, I use it at least 3-4 times a week. It is so versatile that you can make anything from soup to chili to even stir-frying when necessary. Although after using it for about a year the bottom looked really yucky, I bought some of the Le Creuset enamel cleaner and it was as good as new again. I love this pot and recommend it to anyone who wants a piece that they can use for almost anything. My only complaint about Le Creuset items is that it is extremely heavy due to it being made of cast iron. However... that's what makes it so durable and will last you a life time!

It seems as though there are few things left in the world that are truly great values. However, these Le Creuset classics undoubtedly qualify. While a little more expensive than the competition, they offer uncompromising quality and exceptional performance.

When you pick up one of these pieces the weight sends a message: this is substantial, no-nonsense cookware that will last. Plus, they are a joy to cook with. The French/Dutch ovens are perfect for braising, simmering and roasting. They are the equal of any of the anodized aluminum cookware at low heat and much better at higher temperatures. I routinely sear meats on a high gas flame in them before adding vegetables and stock for braising.

If you're someone who cares about food and cooking, you'll want a couple of these Le Creuset pieces in different sizes. But pick your colors carefully . . . you're going to have to live with them a very long time! -- Scott Loban

What a wonderful way to cook. We have never has food taste so good. Easy to clean! and a must to have. Thank you Lodge for making great cast iron cookwear.

I was looking into cast iron for a long time, and couldn't get past the prices. I had been learning the steady lesson in cookware that "you get what you pay for." I bought cheap pans, and threw them out after a year. So I was wary about the prices of Lodge cookware. But after listening to Alton Brown expound upon their greatness, and watching the myriad things he was able to do with his skillet, I decided to take the plunge. I wanted a skillet and a Dutch oven. I found this set, and said "perfect!" I get 2 skillets, the dutch oven (with the lid that fits one of the skillets too), and a griddle, for the price of a skillet and a dutch oven.
The only piece in this set I could do without is the griddle. I own a larger griddle/grill that I use far more frequently because of its more convenient size, but even so, I don't feel cheated because it was basically like a free gift at this price. And I use both skillets and the dutch oven so frequently, the meager investment isn't even a consideration.
About the cookware itself: yes, cast iron has a small upkeep. You can't clean it like you clean every other pan. You have to coat it with oil after EVERY cleaning. You MUST season the pans. BUT, this stuff is impossible to stick to after a cure has been worked in. Also, it's bulletproof. No more worrying about using those metal tongs in your teflon pan...you can scrape and jab and cut and bang, and that cure stays put. The only thing you can't do is soap it. But nothing sticks to it, so cleanup isn't really that big an issue.
PLUS it imparts natural iron to foods that are cooked in it.
So to sum up: affordable, needs maintenance, bulletproof, naturally non-stick, and makes foods a little more nutritious. What are you waiting for??

Down south, we know, and have known for years... nothing cooks as well, or cleans as easily, as well seasoned cast iron. Like so many good things of the past, all the small foundries have been forced by unremitting government regulation to cease production. Wagner, Dixie, Griswold and all the furnaces of Rome, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, and the steel corridor of the north now burn cold. Fear not, for one bright light burns on. Lodge is there, blazing the way for a new generation of cooks to experience the glory of cast iron. It matter not one whit, if you are competing with the Iron Chef or the talented Boy Scout next door, you will improve your chances with cast iron... and nobody pouring steel in America today does cookware like Lodge of Tennessee... America come home, out of the heartland greatness still runs, and as is so often the case, Tennessee points the way. Try it and establish a base line by which all other cooking will be measured... You just cannot beat cast iron and pig parts... Y'all come ya hear... South Carolina --- still too big to be an asylum and too small to be a nation

My brother gave us this for Christmas. At first, I was pretty disappointed if only because a pair would make more sense for a family of four. This pan is not very large and at this price, why not splurge? However, this is a fantastic pan for pancakes. It heats quickly, it makes one fast, fluffy, huge pancake at a time, it's a breeze to clean, and it's sort of funny! Also the potholder is useful when I use my "real" pans.

I've used this twice now and have been impressed....it's just like the restaurants.
I always make sure the vegetables are not fully cooked because they will cook in the fajita skillet, since it gets so hot.

I love cooking with cast iron. These fajita sets are so versatile. We do our steaks on them. Heat the skillets on the grill first, get them RED-HOT!.... then drop your steaks on them. Turn once. And serve them to guests SIZZLIN'... Your guests will be impressed... and of course they're good for fajitas, too. Ever tried drop biscuits on them? Drop some butter, preheat the skillets, then drop the biscuitdough on.
The secret to castiron cooking is to PRE-HEAT IT!!! and when you're through, wash up, turn upside down in heated oven to dry. Protects your seasoning of skillets.
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My mother introduced me to T-Fal. Smooth surfaces, easy clean-up, good temperature distribution.

I had to get a new set of cookware. So I went shopping, and I spotted these. The price was unbelievable, so I bought them. I had heard of T-Fal and always thought they were so [high in price], but not this time! They are so well made and I simply love them. I plan on keeping them for many years to come. If I have to purchase another set it will be T-Fal.

I thought this was the only set of pots I'd ever need but I was wrong. I loved the quality so much I bought another set for my boyfriend on his birthday to replace a warped, peeling, "bachelor" set of cheap no-brand pans (he thought I had spent a fortune.) When we decided to get married, my best friend and my sister were hoping to get the "extra set". No luck, I kept them. I simply haven't seen pans that are as non-stick, durable and easy to clean up as these, at an affordable price. It's been ten years, the coating is intact and the pans, amazingly, look almost new. No need to hide them in the cupboard!