This article is part of our series battle of brandswhere we compare category-leading products to similar products to determine which ones are really worth the money.
Long acclaimed for its signature enameled cast-iron cookware, Le Creuset, the French company’s Dutch ovens have become heirloom-worthy kitchen staples around the world. Of course, it can braise, poach, and braise almost anything to perfection. But is its price tag of several hundred dollars really worth it?How much would you give up if you saved yourself a few hundred dollars and went for the cheaper but still respectable Lodge dutch oven
During our extensive testing of Dutch ovens, we discovered one obvious fact: When it comes to cooking, all pans perform similarly. The details that make a huge difference in day-to-day use — handles, lids, weight, and heat distribution — are actually what separate the good from the bad.
And, evaluating these tiny details, the Lodge Dutch oven is on par with the famous Le Creuset oven.
The Lodge’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven outperforms more expensive competitors. The large handle and shape to fit the spatula make moving from oven to stovetop a breeze and the surface is easy to clean. Even after years of regular use, its performance hasn’t faltered.
For nearly a century, Le Creuset’s signature colorful Dutch oven has been the go-to choice of serious cooks. While it’s considerably more expensive than most of the models we tested, its perfect heat distribution, ease of handling, high performance, and durability make it a family heirloom you can pass on to your kids.
In terms of performance, there wasn’t a huge difference in results between the different Dutch ovens we tested. All made light, fluffy rice that didn’t burn, despite the rice grains sticking to the sides of most pans.
But the Lodge’s 6-quart size is just right for a variety of tasks—boiling water for pasta or corn on the cob, whipping up slow-cooked stews and stews, and even tossing a simple no-knead bread into the oven to make fresh, dinner-time Warm and crispy bread.
When we tested how quickly each pan brought water to a boil, the Lodge wasn’t as quick as the Le Creuset — which boiled water much faster than any model we tested. The Lodge did deliver tender braised pork shoulder, slow-cooked for over three hours. Our no-knead balls came out crispy and golden, with a little more color on the bottom than Le Creuset.
Overall, though, while all the recipes we’ve made have been good, Le Creuset always turns out slightly better. For example, when we tested different areas of the dutch oven with an infrared thermometer, all pans produced fluffy, light rice, but while the others left at least some grain stuck to the pan there was a difference in heat distribution , Le Creuset left behind without a trace of rice, showing perfect heat distribution.
When cleaned up after each round of testing, the Lodge looked like new after a brief soak in soapy water, with no visible stains, nicks, or cracks. (It’s dishwasher safe, but we choose to hand wash all models.) We’ve owned a Lodge for three years and can report that it doesn’t show its age even after nearly weekly use.
Le Creuset, even after cooking the red sauce and hours of simmering, still looked like new. Of course any enamelled pan can chip or peel, but we’ve owned a similar Le Creuset model for 15 years and it hasn’t happened yet. In case of any damage, a lifetime warranty is available.
build and design
Le Creuset has excellent heat retention and distribution and locks in moisture thanks to its tight fitting lid. It certainly has a slight edge over the Lodge due to its wide handle, as well as the comfort of the lid knob, which is big enough and placed high enough that it’s hard to grab the lid while wearing oven mitts. At 11.5 pounds, it’s the third lightest, which makes a noticeable difference when removing a heavy, steaming roast from the oven.
The Lodge’s enamelled Dutch oven also boasts large handles and a lid with generously sized metal knobs, two features that make working with heavy pans easier – a must especially if you’re wearing oven mitts or handling with a kitchen towel Yes, because these pans get hot, handles and all.
Granted, the Le Creuset earned top marks for comfort, but the Lodge, which costs less than a fifth of that high-end model, was a close second. The Lodge is easy to maneuver, even more so than most lighter models. Its slightly sloped sides allow the spatula to scrape everything along the edge.
There’s no denying the impressiveness of the classic Le Creuset round Dutch oven. But it’s more for serious cooks looking to pass on cookware to their kids. For a fraction of the price, the Lodge won’t disappoint – its quality and form-conscious build, combined with top-notch performance, will elevate any home chef’s kitchen for years to come.