Cast iron cookware is loved by many for its particular thermal properties. Its heavy material conducts heat very evenly, and browns food particularly well. However, not everyone is thrilled by the need to "season" cast iron. Lodge attempts to solve this particular problem by producing a line of enamel-coated cookware. One such piece is the three-quart apple-shaped pot/Dutch oven.This pot can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. The one I have is coated in a particularly glossy red (it's really quite impressive), and I have to admit that the apple shape--complete with leaf-shaped stainless steel handle--is quite nifty.
A bean dish that we made in this pot gave us the perfect opportunity to test out how easy it was to clean. The care instructions recommend hand-washing due to the harshness of dishwasher cleansers. After two hours in the oven, the underside of the lid was quite splattered with dried-on juices and the pot itself had the usual cooked-on ring where the food had reduced down. I expected this to be difficult to clean, but it wiped right off.
It's recommended that if you use this on the stovetop you use it on low to medium. Plan for a long start-up time if you need a soup to come to a simmer, but once it gets going a low heat setting works wonderfully. The cast iron does a remarkable job of distributing the heat evenly. In the oven this piece can be used at pretty much any temperature under 500 degrees F.
In short, if you don't mind the weight of the pot and want something you can slow-cook a soup, bean dish, stew, or something similar in, Lodge's enamel-coated line is a great choice. It's easy to clean and even-heating. It even does a wonderful job of keeping a soup warm on the stove once you've turned off the heat so you can go back for seconds!
Product Description
Many great American chefs put Lodge Cast Iron on the list of the tem most essential tools in their kitchen. That's because Lodge Cast iron cooks best. Not even the most expensive stainless or aluminum cookware can rival the even heating, heat retention, versatility, value, and the durability of Lodge Cast Iron. Lodge Enamel brings together the Lodge 108 year history of making cast iron cookware with the fine art of enameling. The raw iron piece is hand prepared before several layers of enamel are applied and baked in very hight temperature ovens.The outstanding design allows the cookware to be taken from the stove or oven directly to the table. Lodge Enamel is dishwasher safe but hand washing keeps best appearance. Great for gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops on low to medium heat settings. Ideal for inside kitchen ovens - for best performance, use below 500 degrees. Limited lifetime warranty
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