Lodge Vs. Le Creuset
I have long been a fan of cast iron cookware. I have tried just about every type of cast iron there is– from classic, vintage Griswold, to modern day Lodge
And since this test is done 100% of my own volition, with my own cast iron pieces that I own and no one sent me for free, my reviews are deliciously (literally!) honest. 🙂 Today I am giving an honest, “nobody paid me to say it” review of Lodge
What are we waiting for? Let’s do this!
First, if you are new to the Cast Iron world, let me explain the 2 main types of cast iron cookware, just to make it easier.
- Regular, black/seasoned Cast Iron. This is your classic Black skillet that Grandma probably used. This is like, the classic “black” Lodge skillet. The classic, non-coated cast iron must be “seasoned” (basically not washing the skillet after cooking but just wiping it out, and allowing oil to build up and create a slick, non-stick coating over years of use). In my opinion, these types of skillets are difficult to use, especially for beginners. They can rust if left in the sink, and the seasoning process can be difficult to master. And until they are “well seasoned,” everything will stick to them. Not my cup of tea, just being honest.
- Enameled Cast Iron. Enameled Cast Iron takes the classic heating properties of cast iron, and pairs them with the quick and easy cleanup of a nonstick pan. Enameled cast pieces can be left in the sink overnight, without rusting. They do not require seasoning. They DO require low heat (but it’s ok because cast iron heats like nobody’s business. More on this in a moment), or the enamel will crack or even, if the heat is super high, pop off in pieces. Before you say “Exploding enamel! Yikes! I will never get an enameled cast iron pan!” let me just say, I suppose a plastic knife could kill you, too. But you don’t stop using them, because you possess common sense. Don’t turn your pan (any pan) to high heat. It’s bad for your cookware, and bad for your food. I am able to get a gorgeous diamond grill pattern on steaks by turning my cast iron to 3.5 on the dial. Cast iron takes time to heat up, but you never need to use more than low heat. Those who skip the directions and turn it right to 8 or 9 are the ones with exploding enamel. But not you. Because you’re being smart and reading the directions first. You’re welcome.
Enameled cast iron is my favorite, bar none. It’s gorgeous bakeware, ovenware, stovetop ware . . . you name it. And I have never had a problem with exploding or cracking enamel, and I cook with it every day in some form. Just keep your heat low, and let the iron heat up slowly. It will get there. Just like a good relationship, cooking in cast iron is a labor of love that takes a little time . . . but will be totally worth it. 😉
When I FIRST started researching enameled cast iron, I kept coming up against 2 giants in the cookware world– Le Creuset, and Lodge. Lodge is a classic, tried and true American brand. People have been cooking with Lodge cookware for generations, albeit “usually” the black, classic “you have to season this pan” variety. I was curious to know how the 6 qt. Enameled Lodge
Now, what exactly IS Le Creuset? Oohh La La . . . I’m so very glad you asked! 🙂 Le Creuset has been making enameled cast iron since 1925. They are still produced in small quantities and limited colors in France, and shipped over here (wouldn’t you hate to do THAT postal delivery?!). They are well known for almost a century of craftsmanship and for their famous “lifetime guarantee.” However, all this French class comes at a price. A classic Le Creuset 5.5 qt. Dutch Oven
When I first wanted to get an enameled cast iron piece, I thought, “I wonder if the super expensive ones are worth the money?” And now, after having cooked with both . . . voila! I’m prepared to show you what I found and let you make your own decision. 🙂 I don’t want to just tell you “I think this oven is better.” Because, ya knowwwww . . . what if we have different taste? I’d much rather show you the features of each, and “how they handle,” and let you decide, based on specifics, which oven is right for you. 🙂
Appearance
In appearance, here is what I found:
Lodge: the color was surprisingly bright and good, but I did notice a few bumps in the paint. These in no way affect performance, but bumpy surface *can* sometimes indicate a more cheaply made piece, and I wanted to mention them. The pot didn’t seem to be dull on the bottom, as some cheaper cast iron pieces are. The shape was rounded and pleasing, and the handles were nice and large, but I found them to be a bit blockish. The round lid knob was a pleasing shape, and I liked the silver color. I also liked the ombre color effect of the oven, fading to darker on the edges. Overall, I give this oven a 9 out of 10 on appearance.
Le Creuset: the color is bright and extremely shiny. The handles are ample (although *some* LC models have smaller handles, so keep that in mind if you decide to purchase), and smoother than the Lodge handles. The handle was a matte black (although LC sells other handles including stainless steel, if you prefer) and had a nice, chunky grip. The paint was smooth as silk, overall. I saw no bubbles or flaws in the paint. I also loved the ombre paint effect. Overall, 10/10 on appearance for LC.
Quality
Lodge: The cheaper Lodge pan was surprisingly heavy, and I was pleasantly surprised. Generally, cheaper cast iron pieces tend to be lighter because manufacturers use fillers to save money. But this Dutch Oven was nice and heavy. No sign of quality skimping, here. The lid was nice and heavy, too, and it fit nice and snug (a wobbly lid is a sure fire way to tell you have a poorly made piece). I was slightly concerned that the interior white enamel was a little lumpy. Generally, pans that are not perfectly smooth do not have as long of a shelf life, and tend to crack and craze more easily, but that remains to be seen since I haven’t had this oven long. The slightly bumpy surface did not seem to affect cooking, so for now I will just keep an eye on it, and mention it. It bears mentioning, too, that the interior of the Lodge pan is rounded, which gives slightly less cooking space. I give Lodge 9 out of 10 for quality, which is really astounding considering its price point of about 25% the cost of its more expensive counterpart.
Le Creuset: The quality of Le Creuset is legendary for a reason. The pot is heavy and “equal” in my hands, with no unevenness at all. The surface of the enamel, both inside and outside, is like a mirror, it’s so smooth. To be honest, when I was trying to take a photo of the interior, to show you the difference, my camera was unable to find a “point” to focus on inside the LC. That should tell you something about the smoothness. So I “helped” out my camera and put the lens cap in there for focusing purposes. But seriously. They don’t get any smoother than this. The Le Creuset lid fits perfectly with no wobbling, and the lid is equally heavy and high quality. The angle of the bottom of the pan is straight, rather than rounded, which gives a squidge more cooking space (which I love). The LC Dutch Oven receives a 10 out of 10 for quality.
Cooking Ability
This is what I was really looking forward to seeing. Because, at the end of the day, even if a pan is pretty, it’s got to work hard to survive in my kitchen. 😉 I was curious to see how the Lodge held up to the much more expensive LC. A note on cast iron cooking: the better made the piece, the better it conducts heat. That just means that a well made piece will be able to sear meat on low heats, if given time to heat up. A cheap piece will not heat up as well, and you will need to turn the heat up higher to achieve the same sear as a more well made piece.
Lodge: I put the Lodge out at first on the same heat that I usually start my LC pieces on to brown meat: 2 on the dial. I know what you’re thinking. “Um . . . two? How can you cook anything on a 2?! It’s barely warm!” Well, a good quality cast iron pan will brown and sizzle on 2 on the dial. BUT you have to give it time. Too many people break the enamel on their pieces by turning up the heat too high, too fast. People who don’t cook with cast iron expect the piece to heat up in a minute or two, like a nonstick pan. But honestly, it takes a cast iron piece 8-10 minutes to achieve “full” heat. So when I’m going to cook something, I put my cast iron on the stove before I get any of my materials out, and start it preheating. Then, when I get my vegetables chopped, or my meat prepared, the pan is nice and ready.
*Ahem* haha. Sorry. I told you I was passionate about this subject. It’s hard not to ramble. 😉
So anyhoo . . . the Lodge. I started it out on 2 on the dial, like I do LC. I gave it 10 minutes to heat up. And I added my hamburger to brown. But I noticed that my hamburger was barely cooking. So I turned up the heat to 3. Still not really. So I went to 4. And then my meat started browning, but not burning up. So I had to turn the heat up higher than LC for this pan, which was an indication to me that the pan was perhaps not as good at conducting heat. However, with the slightly higher heat, it performed its little heart out. I was quite pleased.
When I added my lid after preparing the chili, it fit snugly enough that the chili simmered nicely, and I found that the simmer time was comparable to LC, albeit at a slightly higher heat on the dial. Overall, this Lodge pot performed like a champ! 🙂 The higher necessary temperature makes me wonder how the quality will fare in the long term, but I was quite impressed. Overall, the only problem I could find with this oven was that I had to use a higher temperature, but once I did, it cooked its little cast iron heart out for me. I give this oven a 9 out of 10.
Le Creuset: I can fill my LC with water, turn the dial to 2, and cover the pan. The water boils in 6 minutes. That’s how amazing these pots conduct heat. They are legends for a reason. I browned my hamburger on 2 on the dial (3 is enough to sear a steak), and simmered at 1/2 (turning it to 1 will actually be too hot, as they conduct heat so well). People who turn these ovens to 8 on the dial thinking “It’s not getting hot!” will have enamel crack or pop off. Don’t blame the pan. These babies are the Cadillac of cookware. They really can cook almost anything without going above 3.5 on the stove dial. Give them a little time and keep the heat low, and they will serve you well for a lifetime. 🙂
The LC browned my meat, bubbling merrily, at 2 on the dial. It simmered like a dream at 1/2, and the lid fit snugly and kept in the moisture, keeping everything nice and tender. I give this oven a 10 out of 10.
Other Features
Lodge: I love that the Lodge offers a 6 qt. size. I found it to be *just* big enough for a huge pot of chili. The LC oven is 5.5, and I felt that 6 qt. added that teensy little bit of extra space that made all the difference. I liked this extra “wiggle room” greatly.
Lodge has excellent customer service, but they do NOT offer a lifetime guarantee on their pieces. And I mean, seriously, who can blame them. The price of the Lodge oven is about 1/4 the price of a LC. These ovens aren’t expected to last a lifetime, and you aren’t paying for that. But they do really give you a nice bang for your buck, and if you have to replace it when you’re 70, then I still think that’s money well spent, and definitely more use than you’d get out of a cheapie store brand pot.
Le Creuset: The LC doesn’t offer a 6 qt. size, and I wish they did. The sizes jump right from 5.5 qt. to 7.25 qt, so if you want to make a pot of chili I find that the 5.5 is a squidge too small, and the 7.25 is a squidge too big. Of course, there are other smaller and larger sizes. Lodge currently offers only the 6 qt. and is experimenting with a braiser type, 3 qt. model in enameled cookware. While LC has many more size choices, I do wish that they offered a strict 6 qt. size.
LC also has their drool-worthy “lifetime guarantee.” I have personally taken advantage of this guarantee, and LC replaced my Dutch Oven, no questions asked. They were jolly well nice about it, too. Seriously. LC customer service cannot be beat. *however* LC will replace the pan only if it is not user error that caused the accident– it must be a flawed piece. This merely means that when you don’t read the directions, and you turn up the heat to 8, and your enamel pops off, and you destroy the Cadillac of cookware because you weren’t paying attention and giving it time to heat up on low heat, LC won’t replace a piece because of your error. And honestly, that seems fair to me. But they will replace any piece that is flawed, or has some sort of manufacturer error. Like I said, I have personally taken advantage of this guarantee, and they could not have been nicer, walking me through the returns process and sending me a new oven right to my door.
So, to sum it all up, here is what I found.
- The Lodge is about 1/4 the cost of a Le Creuset.
- The Lodge does NOT offer a lifetime guarantee, while LC does.
- Le Creuset offers many more color and size options in enameled cookware.
- The quality of LC is pretty much flawless, but Lodge gave a fine account of itself.
And at the end of the day, all that really matters is whether my chili tastes good or not. 😉 And friends . . . both chili recipes were DEEEEEEELICIOUS!
Me, personally, I think Le Creuset is absolutely worth the money. The quality is insane, and the guarantee is for life. I cook with my LC pieces every single day, and they have never once let me down or made me anything but proud.
But I admit I was highly impressed with the Lodge pan. For its price point, it gave a darned good account of itself in the kitchen. And I think if I were new to cast iron cooking, I would start out with a Lodge enameled piece– try it out to see if I even like cast iron cooking, without breaking the bank. And then once I decided that I LOVED cast iron (come on! Who doesn’t!!!), I would invest in the more expensive Le Creuset.
These are my thoughts, and you will have your thoughts. But give cast iron cooking a try, today. Your Grandma was smart– she knew cast iron was the way to go.
And the chili tastes just fine, whether it came out of a red or a green pot. 😉
You did it. And I’m just so proud of you.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which just means that we get a few pennies if you purchase through our link. I never recommend products that I don't personally use and love. Thanks!
I’m 53 and grew up using cast iron frying pans. I hated them because everything stuck. I’m looking for a new set of frying pans and and seriously considering the enameled cast iron ones. Since I’m on the older side would buying the lodge ones last me for the rest of my life if taken care of because I can’t really afford the LC ones? But I don’t want to have to buy replacements in a few years.
thanks
Hi there Toni, if you have never used enameled cast iron (just the regular black kind that is uncoated), then I’d start with a single, lower priced pan or skillet first to see if you like it. The Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch Oven is a great place to begin. If you find that you love enameled cast iron, then you can slowly upgrade to Le Creuset. I hope this helps and enjoy your new cookware! 🙂
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Cheers
Sure– share away. Thanks for stopping by. — Emilie
I’m really thankful for you mentioning the low heat thing! I just got my LC not too long ago, and even the recipes w LC cookware in the pics will tell you to use high heat, so I had no clue! I knew it took time to heat up cast iron pans, but didn’t ever read abt the concrete numbers on how low the heat should be. SUPER helpful! Will be sure to do that in the future.
Question regarding when to use uncoated vs coated cast iron pans as I have one of each and can’t decide when to use which. Do you have thoughts on that? Thank you!
Hi there Melody– thank you for taking time to write. I agree– I think the snafu occurs when we realize that “high heat” on an enameled cast iron pan could be like, 4 on the dial. I tend to think that high heat is like, 9 or 10, but my steaks get a sear in my LC on 4. I just have to give the pan time to heat up slowly, which spares my enamel as well. Welcome to Le Creuset! You will have those gorgeous pieces a lifetime if you keep the heat low and slow 🙂 You can eventually turn them up a little bit more (no more than 5), but do it slowly and give the pan a chance to heat before you raise the temperature.
Regarding enameled vs. regular cast iron, I have both, and I use both. Generally I use the enameled when I’m doing soups, stews, caramelizing– things that take some time, since I like to keep the heat low and slow for the enameled pieces. The non-coated pieces can go to a higher heat because they are not enameled (enamel is basically a layer of glass, which is why the temperature should not change quickly– just like you wouldn’t move a glass pan from freezer to oven.). So I use the non-coated pieces when I need high heat or when I’m cooking outdoors, say on the grill. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by! — Emilie
This was beautifully written. I own Lodge, so far so good. I do agree that the standard black cast iron pans are so frustrating to work with. I own two Dutch ovens which I purchased on sale for $50 each and a few black cast iron pans. I would love to try LC once I get a hold of some extra cash because wooohooo they are pricey. Thank you for you honest reviews, I laughed a few times because I can definitely relate. 🙂
Aww thank you Pamela! Your comments made my day– thank you! <3 And keep an eye out for LC at thrift stores-- sometimes you can score them at much lower prices! Ebay is a great place also. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Just so everyone is aware. Yes, the Lodge ones are made in China but are tested by a 3rd party and is FDA compliant as well as California Prop 65 compliant – which addresses toxicity of products to include lead and cadmium. I too, myself, are a little hesitant but as long as those strict standards are met, there should be no issue with the enamel on the Lodge products. I just want everyone to be aware of that. I’m not a Lodge spokesman nor for Lodge products – just stating facts. They also offer the Limited Lifetime Warranty for their enamel products.
Thanks so much for this info! Good to know! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I read on the Lodge website where the color coated cast iron products are made in China.
Hi there Donna. I know that Lodge is a tried and true brand from TN, but when I looked into it, you’re right. It appears they get their pieces enameled in China. That personally doesn’t bother me to have products made overseas, but yes you’re correct. Le Creuset are still (as they always have been) made in France.
More a question than a comment. If you were going to buy one iron cast piece of cookware, which size or design would it be? Not talking about the brand.
Thanks
Hi there Gerardo. That’s a very interesting question. I think, if I could have only 1 cast iron piece, I would pick the Le Creuset 5.5 qt. Dutch oven. I find myself reaching for this one more than any other. If I could have 2 pieces, I’d go with the LC 5.5 and my LC 10 inch deep skillet (my 2nd most used piece). Thanks for stopping by! <3
Wonderful article!! Thank you! I am wondering what happened to your LC that you had to replace?
Hi there Irina– great question. After about 15 years of hard use, I actually wore through it 🙂 But they were amazing and replaced it for a new one, no questions asked.
Pingback: Easy Sloppy Joes – Cookies for England
I’ve always wanted a La Crueset and still kick myself for not buying one listed at $50 at a thrift shop (I was poor at the time but still…). I’ve compromised and bought the Lodge and am very happy with it. (I decided getting the higher end KitchenAid mixer was a better use of my kitchen money.)
$50 wowza!! 🙂 I need to start going thrifting with you! 🙂 But I agree– the Lodge performed splendidly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one. 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to read. <3
Thankyou for throwing light on unceasing debate on cast iron cookware. We have a Le Creuset store nearby. On weekends,when we go out i stand by the glass window of the Le Creuset shop and gaze at the products endlessly. The dislplay , the colors, lighting wow I get mesmerised(Euphoria moment!!’). I am an avid cook. On one such occassion, i splurged and bought myself a Le creuset cast iron signature casserole and boy i don’t regret it one second. This is my first ever (probably my last!!as it costs the earth)cast iron cookware. I use it daily and it not only gives sense of pride to own but also immense pleasure cooking for my family. It is a treasure i will hold on to for many years to come. Your article has validated my purchase . I don’t think you can be any more honest . You are an articulate woman . Hats off!!!
Thank you so much Jaishree! I agree– Le Creuset is a gorgeous Cadillac of cookware that I use pretty much every day, and I love it! Like you, I don’t have many pieces, but it’s ok because they last forever, and I will get my money’s worth. 😉 Thank you so much for your sweet comment– it made my day. 🙂
Thanks for the excellent review! We, too, are just learning of enameled cast iron. We have used cast iron for years and have never been disappointed. And yes, there is a learning curve but with continued use and proper care, you will master cast iron cooking. We stopped in the Lodge factory store in South Pittsburg, Tennessee-a manufacturing facility for Lodge-and was pleasantly surprised with the sales staff and the information they offered about the enameled cooking pieces. I was informed that they do have a limited, lifetime warranty on their enameled cookware. We purchased a 4.5 and a 6 quart dutch oven. For the price of $39.99 and $59.99, respectively, I feel I can’t go wrong with either of them with the warranty. We haven’t used them as of yet, but are eager based on your review. Maybe when I hit the lotto, I’ll splurge and purchase La Crueset!
Thanks so much for the helpful comment, Lisa! I agree– nothing like cast iron cooking! 🙂 Now I need to plan a trip to TN to see the Lodge factory store! I wonder if I will be able to move my car after I load it up with everything. haha. 🙂
All of my Le Creuset (for the exception of gifts) have been from the LC outlet, where you save usually at least 50%. Otherwise I wouldn’t have many either! haha. There might be an outlet near you– and you’ll love it! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Thank you so much for this review! First off, I love your voice in your writting, it was fun to read as well as being informative. I have been using my grandma’s hand-me-down standard cast iron skillets for years but have been drooling over the delicious cast iron enameled LC colors for years… at a distance… afraid to make a splurge. I appreciate your honest opinon between these two brands. I feel that I can make the compromise with Lodge and not lose out on too much functionality! Thanks again!
Dear Bonnie, your comment made my day! 🙂 I agree– I think definitely I would start with Lodge. If you find you love it, then you can invest in the more expensive ones. But I found that Lodge worked very well, and I was very pleased with it! Thanks for stopping by! Your comment made my day. <3
I came late to enameled iron but I love it. After my last one died, I bought a Lodge 6 quart because I couldn’t believe the price of LC. Mistake. The LC mat enamel along the rim and the lid of the pot was not applied properly and promptly began rusting upon second use. Lodge could care less, I could not get a replacement after less than 30 days. I kept using it for a while, being careful to clean, dry quick, and oil to keep rust from forming. I had uneven browning with the Lodge after about 6 months. Finally had to replace for fear of rust forming and leaking into the food during oven braising.
I bought a 7.25 LC recently and it is awesome. It’s larger than the Lodge but is easier to manage with the larger handles. It cleans like a charm where the Lodge stained badly. Another thing I hadn’t realized (and you don’t address in your review), is that the LC has a flat bottom while the Lodge is rounded. There is much more room for browning meat due to this difference.
I regret not buying LC a long time ago! I suspect buying the cheaper brands cost me more in replacements than it would had I bought he LC to begin with. Thanks for your review! I was actually looking for info on heat settings as I tend to overdo!
Thanks so much for this info! I agree re: the rounded vs. straight bottoms of the pan. I tried to show that in the photos, but I will go back and add a line of text to support this. Great observation– thank you! And I could not agree more– I cook with my LC pieces every day, and they clean up more easily, just like new, whereas the Lodge has gotten more dingy the longer I have used it. I think over a lifetime of cooking the more expensive piece more than pays for itself vs. the cost of replacing the cheaper models multiple times. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Thank you for the time you spent in preparing this review. I have been searching the various cookware review websites trying to decide whether to make the splurge on purchasing a la creuset over the less expensive Lodge. This review was soooo helpful. Concise, objective and very informative. I felt that of the myriad opinions and reviews on the web, this was by FAR the best on the web. I love to cook and now I feel comfortable purchasing the La Crueset. What really sold me was your picture showing the difference in the enamel finish. Thanks again Emilie, very well done!! Cheers!
Thank you Dan! Your comment made my day. Thank you <3
How did they compare weight wise? Was one heavier to pick up than the other?
Hi there Terri– any cast iron piece is going to be heavy. They were very similar in weight, but the Lodge was a squidge larger than the Le Creuset. I think overall the LC is a touch heavier, quart for quart, because it doesn’t have as many fillers. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Lodge does Enameled does come with a “Limited Lifetime Warranty”; not sure if you saw that on their website. Back a number of years after they first started selling Enameled cookware I used that warranty and had no issue they replaced with no problem. I had a flawed pot, have not had an issue since. I also never turn the heat up past say 6 on a 1-10 dial, normally it is at 3-4. Anyway here is a link to there warranty. http://www.lodgemfg.com/Lodge-Enamel-Warranty.pdf
Awesome info Nick! 🙂 And I agree– I never really need to turn cast iron above 3-4 on the dial. Great tips! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’ bought my Lodge enameled Dutch oven when they came out in 2005 for $50. I didn’t know that you had to keep the temperature low. I’ve used mine on high heat hundreds of times and thank goodness I’ve never had a problem. My pot is just as nice today as the day I bought it, almost 13 years ago. I will keep the temp low from now on after reading your very helpful and insightful article.
So glad to hear you found it helpful, Yvonne! I generally keep all cast iron pieces low to medium low, but I will say that I have been able to turn up the Lodge to a medium heat with no problems. If you’ve cooked successfully all those years without damage I think you must be doing something right! 🙂 Thanks for taking time to comment and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Thanks for the article. I didn’t realize the cooking temperature difference and have only used a Lodge, BUT just received an LC and will be cautious with the heat. By the way, I’ve used my Lodge for a couple of years and no issues, although it’s possible the enamel is wearing down. I’m excited to try out the LC but won’t be tossing out my Lodge, it’s a keeper.
Thanks for the great insights, Angela! I have used LC longer than Lodge and was very curious how Lodge held up in the long run! Thanks for sharing. I agree– the lower heat needed for LC (I never go above 4 on my dial and they all still look like new) is a definite clue that LC is higher quality, but honestly, Lodge did really well, especially at about 25% of the price of LC, and I won’t be throwing out my Lodge pot, either! 🙂 Cast iron aficionados unite! 🙂
My Lodge enameled pot was fabulous for about 5 uses, and then the enamel started cracking and things stuck to it. I use their back cast iron every day, but definitely wouldn’t recommend their enamel cookware (sadly).
Great to know! Sounds like maybe the cheaper version doesn’t hold up long term! Thanks for sharing Sarah! 🙂