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Best-value Dutch oven
- Good value
- Excellent cooking performance
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Some reports of chipping enamel
- Limited color choices
If an expensive Le Creuset Dutch oven isn't in your budget, we found very good reviews for the Lodge 6-Quart Color Enamel Dutch Oven, which features large handles and a lower price tag than the top-rated Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Round French Oven (*Est. $280). Although owners report that it cooks as well as their more expensive Dutch ovens, we did find some owner complaints about chipping in the finish -- after just a few uses in some cases. We read in a number of reviews from owners that they bought a Lodge Dutch oven as a starter pot, but eventually bit the bullet and spent four times as much on a Le Creuset or Staub model. While the Le Creuset oven is available in many colors, the Lodge pot comes in four color choices: Caribbean blue, brown, green and red.
Editors at Cook's Illustrated and Fine Cooking magazines conduct thorough side-by-side testing of Dutch ovens. We also looked to owner reviews at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Cooking.com to see what owners have to say about their Lodge ovens and to gauge how they hold up after long-term use.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red
In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
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| Lodge Color 6-Quart Dutch Oven, Emerald Green | |
(624 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,786 store reviews | In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25! | $49.97 | See It |
 |  176 store reviews | In Stock. Lodge Color Enamel Dutch Oven, 6 quart., 10 - 3/4" dia. 6 quarts = 24 cups. ( Lodge - EC6D53 ) | $53.63 | See It |
 |  462 store reviews | In Stock. | $49.97 | See It |
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Our Sources
1. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Editors compare the Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven and nine other Dutch ovens. Testers use the pots to cook white rice and beef stew after browning the meat on the stovetop, and to fry frozen French fries in 2 quarts of oil. Testers prefer Dutch ovens with at least an 8-inch diameter, which allows larger batches of beef chunks to be browned on the stovetop. Of the 10 Dutch ovens included in the review, half receive a recommendation.
Review: Dutch Ovens, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, Jan. 2007
2. Fine Cooking
Editors at Fine Cooking magazine evaluate six mid-sized enamel cast-iron Dutch ovens. After searing meat, caramelizing onions, simmering chicken stew and reducing sauces on the stovetop as well as braising pot roast, testers evaluate each pot's performance. The Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven is not specifically covered in the review, but the smaller Lodge 5-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven is picked as the favorite over Staub, Mario Batali, Innova, World Cuisine and Le Creuset.
Review: Equipment Review: Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Ovens, Molly Stevens
The Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven is one of five recommended Dutch ovens in this recent review by editors of TheKitchn.com, sister site to the Apartment Therapy blog. Editors appreciate the low price of Lodge Dutch ovens and say the quality is comparable to more expensive brands.
Review: 5 Great Dutch Ovens: And 10 Recipes to Put Them to Work, Faith Durand, Sept. 7, 2011
4. Amazon.com
The Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven averages 4 out of 5 stars from nearly 550 owners. Other listings for this product at Amazon.com have similar ratings. Owners describe it as a high-quality but affordable Dutch oven that heats evenly and is easy to clean. A few owners report that their Dutch oven arrived damaged, while a fair number of users say their oven chipped during normal use.
Review: Lodge Color 6-Quart Dutch Oven, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Nov. 2011
5. Walmart.com
The Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven has multiple listings with owner-written reviews at Walmart.com. Owners rate their Dutch ovens based on five criteria: value, meets expectations, features, durability and appearance. This review of the Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven in red averages 5 out of 5 stars from more than 110 owners. Reviewers say you can't go wrong with this "beautiful" and "surprisingly easy to clean" pot, especially at this price. Several say their dishes turn out better than ever in their new pot.Â
Review: Lodge Color Enamel 6-Qt. Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Contributors to Walmart.com, As of Nov. 2011
6. Cooking.com
The Lodge 6-Quart Enamel Dutch Oven doesn't have as many reviews here, but nearly 35 owners give it an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. Owners agree it's an excellent Dutch oven for the price. One owner says it makes "perfect crust" on bread.
Review: Blue Round Dutch Oven Color Enamel by Lodge, Contributors to Cooking.com, As of Nov. 2010
