Lodge vs. Le Creuset

[happyhomemaker]

I am considering getting a cast iron skillet. DH has one from his bachelor days but it is small. I was thinking a 10-12 inch. I love the look of the Le Creuset with the pretty enamel, however it is pricey. I have heard good things about Lodge also and it is considerably less. Which do you prefer? Right now I don't know how much use it would get, but after I got it I might use it more than I think.

[hausfrau]

Both are good, but the Lodge will serve you just as well as the Le Creuset. I would only buy the Le Creuset if you have your heart set on the colored enamel and nothing else will do.

[wawa]

Nov 2, 2012 13:35:43 GMT -5 hausfrau said:

Both are good, but the Lodge will serve you just as well as the Le Creuset. I would only buy the Le Creuset if you have your heart set on the colored enamel and nothing else will do.

yup. this.

[sillygoosegirl]

Lodge also has some enamel stuff now, not sure how good it is. I've never owned any enameled cast iron, but I can tell you the traditional stuff is great and you certainly don't need enamel. Sure pretty though, huh?

[happyhomemaker]

Thanks for the replies. I figured that you are paying for fashion over function with LC. It is soooo pretty!

[wawa]

I do have a random piece of enamelware from some brand I'd never heard of that i picked up at homegoods 6 years ago. It's held up really well. The white inside is stained pretty badly, but red outside is still pretty. And no chips or anything, despite my endless abuse. And my tendency to use it as a bread cloche in a 500 degree oven.

So honestly...if you want a pretty one I'd consider offbrands. Enamel over cast iron is bound to be pretty durable just because of the nature of the beast. But if you just want a good 12" workhorse skillet I'd go with the naked cast iron lodge.

[pickle123]

I have a Lodge Blue dutch oven, it's awesome.

[simpsongal]

I prefer a naked cast iron skillet - and I don't think you can go wrong with a $20-25 skillet. I have a couple from the Emeril line and they're great.
Dutch ovens - I'd spring for Le Creuset or Staub, but Lodge is a great inexpensive alternative (esp if you don't use it a lot).

[happyhomemaker]

I will definitely be getting a Lodge. For $15 and change even if I don't use it all the time I won't feel bad. If it turns out that I use it a lot, I will late get a pretty one. Thanks everyone!

[heliocentric]

Lodge is great. Once seasoned you'll have it forever.

[TBM]

I use my Lodge cast iron skillet more than any other skillet that I own, but for anything that I need a dutch oven or a saucepan, I go to my LC pieces. I had a cheaper brand of enamel over cast iron before, and I looked at the Lodge, but after owning LC I don't think that I will use anything else...they are well worth the money imo. I also love my LC bakeware. We have an outlet nearby and get a lot of special sales prices.

[auntie]

I have both.

The Lodge- once perfectly seasoned- is an awesome workhorse. I have both skillets and a Dutch oven. I do use the skillets more. The Dutch oven is harder to keep seasoned and clean, but it can go in a fire when camping.

The LC is prettier on the table and easier to clean since its lining can handle detergent and even a scrubber pad. But they aren't bullet-proof and can chip if dropped of banged. LC is the most well known of these, but there are other manufacturers that are as good and less expensive. Marshall's Home Goods often has them and I just bought one of these for a niece-
www.lenox.com/mario-batali?N=4294965970+4294966047

at a Lenox Outlet on a 20% off sale.

[pamela]

I use my enameled more than my bare cast iron because it's quicker to clean. I'm awful about caring for my regular skillet and keeping it seasoned. I like cleaning with soap and getting the grease off, doesn't work with bare cast iron.

[pumpkin]

For me I feel the enameled serves a different purpose than the bare cast iron. I have a bare cast iron skillet that Iove but use it for specific things that for whatever reason I don't make in my regular stainless cookware and would prefer the bare cast iron over then enamaled. And I love my LC Dutch oven for soups and roasts,etc.

[emisi]

Nov 2, 2012 14:32:49 GMT -5 happyhomemaker said:

Thanks for the replies. I figured that you are paying for fashion over function with LC. It is soooo pretty!

Eh, not really. I have both, an LC dutch oven that I loooooooooove and a Lodge skillet that I also looooooooove. They're for two different things, really. I'd go with Lodge for the skillet and LC (or a similar brand) for dutch ovens - cast iron dutch ovens are a pain, since you can't use soap on them.

[kellikans]

my HomeGoods has Le Creuset all the time. might be worth checking out if you want the prettier one for a discount.

[sporky]

If you want enamel, go LC. While I have loved my enameled Lodge Dutch Oven that I've had for about 5 years, it's starting to chip on one of the handles. I haven't had that problem with any of the LC.