Le Creuset vs Lodge Cast Iron Enamel Cookware

Not sure how many of you have checked out the line of Lodge enameled cast iron cookware...but if you're a already a fan of Le Crueset cookware you probably should. Unlike some of the enameled cast iron junk that is out there, the Lodge products appear to be every bit as durable and attractive as anything Le Crueset puts out and the Lodge products are about 1/4th the price.

Example: A round 5 1/2 quart Le Crueset "French Oven" on Amazon runs $229. A very similar round 6 quart Lodge "Dutch oven" runs $65.97. A 3/12 quart Le Crueset Cassrole runs $199 while a 3 qt Lodge casserole runs $41.98. BTW, I can't verify this but I'm pretty sure the Lodge line is American made (might be interesting to verify this however).

We own one small Le Crueset French Oven which I picked up years ago. I love cooking with this oven and have always longed for additional pieces but have had a hard time justifying the ridiculous prices they charge. Now that I've discovered the Lodge cookware I'm guessing there will be one or two pieces under the Christmas tree this year.

Lodge cast iron is made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee and has some mighty fine stuff. The enameled cast iron from Lodge is imported from China and Lodge states"....made to our strict standards...." I don't think it is that hard to make enameled cast iron. Where does Le Creuset make theirs?

I don't think it is that hard to make enameled cast iron. Where does Le Creuset make theirs?

Actually Ed theres a bit more to enameled iron production than you might think. One of things that separate Lodge and Le Creuset from lesser brands is the recipe for their iron and the thickness of the enamel that is put on the cookware. Both the iron making and the enamel process are real arts. I do believe that both Le Creuset and Lodges enamel stuff are made in China. I know somewhat recently Le Creuset opened a facility in America but I dont know what kind of production level they are doing. We have several pieces of non enamel Lodge that weve used for camping for years,and one lodge skillet that spends alot of time on the stove top. That said we prefer Le Creuset for over Lodge for kitchen use. Part of my reason is just wanting to stay loyal with the company that stuck with it and kept pumping out good cookware despite ever changing trends in cookware market place. I am not sure if this true,but I have heard during WW2 the Le Creuset factory was converted to make hand grenades. Im thinking a "flame"colored enameled grenade would make a cool salt shaker.

Le Crueset is actually made in Charleston, SC... the factory is in the center of downtown amongst the trendy bars and upscale apartments...you can even tour it. The best part is you can buy the imperfects onsite for much less. They do the whole process there.

If you have the opportunity to go to South Pittsburg, they have a outlet store. I have picked up quite a few pieces there over the years when we go to Chattanoga. We have not stoped in the last few trips (I have a LOT of cast iron!), so I do not know if they have the enameled there or not.

We have several pieces of non enamel Lodge that weve used for camping for years,and one lodge skillet that spends alot of time on the stove top.

John,

Enameled cast iron aside for just a moment...You hit the estate sales once in a while, if you ever run across any old Wagner or Griswold cast iron...jump on it. I've got a couple of pieces of each and both are superior to the stuff Lodge puts out these days (not that Lodge puts out a poor product mind you). If you "flick" your finger on the bottom of a Lodge frying pan you hear a big "thunk"...do the same on a good Wagner or Griswold frying pan and it will ring like a bell.

I was just at the Lodge Factory outlet in South Pittsburg and yeah they have the enameled stuff there. They also have a lot of really neat regular stuff at extremely low prices.

Le Crueset is actually made in Charleston, SC... the factory is in the center of downtown amongst the trendy bars and upscale apartments...you can even tour it. The best part is you can buy the imperfects onsite for much less. They do the whole process there.

Not all of it is made there. A friend recently purchased a piece and it had a made in China sticker on the bottom. The place you mentioned in SC must have been the N American operation I read about. It would be great if they phase out the China made stuff here in the states and go to all American made.

I got my enamel dutch oven at Sam's Club for about $40. It's the member's mark brand (made by tratmonita) and got a very high rating by Consumer Report. I've had mine about a year now. We use the heck out of it. It heats very evenly, and is durable as all hell. It's also extremely heavy! We love ours!

I got my enamel dutch oven at Sam's Club for about $40. It's the member's mark brand (made by tratmonita) and got a very high rating by Consumer Report. I've had mine about a year now. We use the heck out of it. It heats very evenly, and is durable as all hell. It's also extremely heavy! We love ours!

OK, so the question that comes to my mind is: Considering the number of affordable (and quality) products out there how does a company like Le Creuset stay competitive ? What with Americans (in general) becoming more value conscious I'm guessing their market share will be under a weee bit of stress over the next few years.

We've picked up some pieces of Le Creuset at Tuesday Morning for a substantial discount. The availability is highly variable.

I got my enamel dutch oven at Sam's Club for about $40. It's the member's mark brand (made by tratmonita) and got a very high rating by Consumer Report. I've had mine about a year now. We use the heck out of it. It heats very evenly, and is durable as all hell. It's also extremely heavy! We love ours!

OK, so the question that comes to my mind is: Considering the number of affordable (and quality) products out there how does a company like Le Creuset stay competitive ? What with Americans (in general) becoming more value conscious I'm guessing their market share will be under a weee bit of stress over the next few years.

So it appears I may not have had some of my facts straight. The review was in Cooks Illustrated.

http://www.consumersearch.com/cookware/ ... dutch-oven

Although the Tramontina reviewed well, the Lodge Dutch Oven was rated almost as highly as the Le Creuset for a fraction of the cost.

My feeling on the matter is that there are 2 probable reasons that Le Creuset stays competitive. The first is the prestige factor. The second is familiarity with the brand. Everyone has heard of Le Creuset. Not everyone has heard of Tramontina. Hell, I had to look it up 3 times to figure out how to spell it! Nevertheless, I love my unspellable enameled dutch oven!

Love my Le Crueset. Last set of pots I will have to buy. It keeps my arms strong and my cooking temps steady. It also has the added advantage of baking the best 18 hour no knead bread, crispy with big holes. mmmm. I know it is expensive I cringed when we ponied up the dough for a set but I feel it is very worth it.

Just as kind of an update...I was in Target' Boutique yesterday and they had a nice selection of the Lodge enameled cast iron. As good fortune would have it they had the the 3 qt. Dutch Ovens on clearance (for what reason I don't know) for only $22 !! FN-A...So I bought them out. This was at the Springhurst Target, not sure if other Target stores have the same item in stock or on sale.

When I brought 'em home I compared 'em side by side with a piece of Le Creuset and there is zero discernible difference in terms of quality and weight.

Wow, Steve! You got a deal!