Enamel vs Castiron Dutch Oven?

[loudmere]

I have decided I want a dutch oven. I mean.. they are endlessly useful! But, now comes the hard decision, which one? The lovely Le Crueset are a bit out of my price range and I was looking at the Lodge Enamel Dutch oven & the traditional cast iron ones. What is the difference

Comments

[linda3m]

I got the Lodge enamel 7-quart a couple of years ago as a Christmas present and I love it. I've used it for soups and stews, pot roasts, I've baked bread in it. The thing rocks.

[basilwhite]

I got the Le Creuset for Xmas...

Le Creuset 7 1/4-quart round french oven NO CHERRY NO RED NO FLAME NO ORANGE http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=le+creuset+7+1%2F4-quart+round+french+oven&x=20&y=21

...but I read the review from Cooks.com and this would have been my second choice...

Mario Batali Italian Essentials Pot by Copco any color http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Batali-6-Quart-Italian-Essentials/dp/B000MPNQ54/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1253327418&sr=8-2-fkmr1

[onemeatball]

Maybe buy enamel first, cast iron later? Of course this has to do with how much and what type of cooking you do. I found a smaller (3.5 qt I think) Le Creuset oven a few years ago at TJMaxx. It was marked waaay down, and I've seen others since then.

[evil_mom]

I was shopping for one of these for myself a couple of years ago. I was considering the Batali over the Le Creuset, because of the handle being able to withstand higher temperatures.

I came accross my final choice in a Calphalon outlet. I didn't even know they made enameled cast iron. I got the 6 quart round and 9 quart oval for less than what one 6 quart Creuset would have cost me, in the exact colour I wanted (deep red), and the handles are safe to 500. Win all around :)

[falnfenix]

i like not having to worry about my enamel dutch oven rusting, or needing to be seasoned.

i'm lazy like that.