Just got a cast iron "french" oven...

[dougp]

le creuset is pretty much the best. I won't trash talk them 🙂

(of course, the fact that they're only marginally better than a $40 dutch oven from walmart is a whole other discussion 😛)

The best what? The enamel completely negates the primary principle of a dutch oven, and the only thing they off over a traditional pot then is consistent heating.

I'd rather have a Lodge than any other cast iron manufacturer ...

 

[nageov3t]

The best what? The enamel completely negates the primary principle of a dutch oven, and the only thing they off over a traditional pot then is consistent heating.

I'd rather have a Lodge than any other cast iron manufacturer ...

cast iron can react with some acidic foods, though.

 

[lxskllr]

cast iron can react with some acidic foods, though.

That makes it healthier, if not better tasting ;^)

 

[nageov3t]

That makes it healthier, if not better tasting ;^)

if you like the taste of rust 😛

 

[dougp]

cast iron can react with some acidic foods, though.

Then don't cook said items in cast iron.

Primary reasons to cook with cast iron is the natural anti-stick and flavor from being taken care of.

 

[Perknose]

Shoulda bought a Dutch oven, it would have cost less and showered more often.

I admit it. I lol'ed. 😀

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Pot roast

/thread 😉

 

[nageov3t]

Then don't cook said items in cast iron.

Primary reasons to cook with cast iron is the natural anti-stick and flavor from being taken care of.

... or cook them in an enameled cast iron pot.

imo, the primary reasons to get a cast iron dutch oven are consistent heating and ease of moving it from the stove to the oven, none of which are hampered by the enamel.

 

[dougp]

... or cook them in an enameled cast iron pot.

imo, the primary reasons to get a cast iron dutch oven are consistent heating and ease of moving it from the stove to the oven, none of which are hampered by the enamel.

A good stainless steel pan can do the exact same thing ...

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

should have bought a Lodge enameled cast iron. A lot cheaper and still very good.

 

[spidey07]

A good stainless steel pan can do the exact same thing ...

With 6 pounds of food? No.

 

[dougp]

With 6 pounds of food? No.

Never had an issue in my Calphalon pot ...

 

[K1052]

should have bought a Lodge enameled cast iron. A lot cheaper and still very good.

This is what I own, I just didn't want to part with the difference in $ for the Le Creuset name.

Cast iron (both enameled and unenameled) rules.

 

[TallBill]

should have bought a Lodge enameled cast iron. A lot cheaper and still very good.

I only paid like $50 out of pocket. Rest was a gift from my mom and she wanted me to have a Le Crueset. My next cast iron piece will definitely be a flat griddle, but first I gotta see what I can do with this sucker. Unfortunately my schedule sucks for about a week or so and I have no time to make a nice pot roast.

 

[Bignate603]

A good stainless steel pan can do the exact same thing ...

It would have to be a ridiculously heavy stainless steel pot to give as even of heat as a good enameled dutch oven.

Also, for ours you can go from the stove, to the oven, to the table. It looks nice enough to have out on the table even for a relatively nice dinner and it holds heat well so the food stays warm.

It's not like the advantages or uses of an enameled dutch oven are poorly documented. Good cooks use them all the time.

 

[spidey07]

Never had an issue in my Calphalon pot ...

You simply cannot do in a pot what you can do in an enameled cast iron oven. It's just not possible. Stews and roasts, the even browning and subsequent deglazing for base flavor, the heat control you get etc.

You're really missing out on one of the must have pots in the kitchen to make good eats. I've got all kinds of pots and pans and the enameled cast iron is the ONLY thing to use for stuff like that. It really is our most used pot.

Try roasting bulk beef and making gravy in a stainless steel pot. A dutch oven is meant to go from the stove top into the oven most of the time.

 

[BurnItDwn]

the last thing I cooked in my dutch oven was gumbo... it was pretty good 🙂

oooohhhh yummmmmm




I vote for OP to make Gumbo as well
Or, make a prime rib roast ... soooo goooood mmmmmmm but pricy as hell 🙁