Review of Innova Color Cast Porcelain Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart Round Dutch Oven, Blue

I usually cook almost exclusively with Lodge Logic pre-seasoned cast iron cookware (Dutch ovens, skillets, etc.) and they are superb. However, when I make pasta sauce in their 5 quart Dutch oven, and simmer the sauce for several hours, the acidity of the tomato puree added to the sauce erodes the seasoning that coats the cast iron. This requires re-seasononing, which isn't difficult but is somewhat time consuming. I figured I'd try the Innova porcelain covered cast iron, but expected it to be lighter and cheaper than the Lodge Duch oven. Much to my surprise, it proved to be perfect for making sauce. It's heavy, retains heat well and the cover fits perfectly. Even better, after making sauce, all you have to do is rinse and wipe - no re-seasoning. If you like to simmer sauce for a long time, as I do, put this on the top of your shopping list. Also, consider buying a heat diffuser so you have no "hot" spots when you simmer. I use two different ones, and both are good. One is made by Nordic Ware, and the other by ILSA, an Italian company. They can be found in catalogues or with a Google search.


Product Description
Innova Color Cast porcelain enameled cast iron 5 qt. Round Dutch Oven in blue with lid. 25 year limited warranty

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Review of J.A. Henckels International Classic Clad 3-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven with Lid

I am thrilled with this purchase.

After purchasing and using the 1 quart saucepan for awhile, I decided to splurge and replace my old, cheaper SS pots with this brand.
I gave me great pleasure to donate the old ones to a charity.

I'm not likely to ever need new ones again, because these pots are so well made.My older ones would develop hot spots and tend to scorch unless you were glued to the pot while cooking.
This brand of cookware does an excellent job.The heat is evenly dispersed, the handles are hefty, they are very sturdy without the weight of enameled cast iron in similar sizes and they clean up easily.

What more could I ask for?

This 3.5 quart pot is a great size and very versatile.
The inside of the pot is 8 inches across.If you include the rolled lip (another great feature), it's 8.5 inches across.
The inside measurements are an added bonus.They consist of both qt and liter measurements, making it easy to add liquids without using a measuring cup.
The pot is almost 4.5 inches high. A great size for many stovetop and oven meals.

We have a 2 quart le creuset french oven that I use often, but it's not large enough for many things.I've given away some of my larger enameled cast iron cookware because they are so heavy that I found them cumbersome to use and clean.

I've purchased the Henckels Classic Clad in the 1 qt, 2 qt, 3.5 qt, 6 qt and 8 qt sizes and fully expect them to serve me and whoever inherits them indefinately.

Product Description
Henckels International Clad Cookware is tri-ply cookware composed of 18/10 stainless, aluminum and magnetic stainless.The middle aluminum layer extends from the base up the sides of the pan so the heat is conducted evenly throughout the pan.This increases the cooking performance of the pan and eliminates hot spots, which can burn foods because of uneven heating when cooking. The stainless steel material on the interior cooking surface and outside of the pan is high strength, resistant to rusting and does not react when in contact with food.

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Review of Lodge Logic 5-Quart Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven

I received my eagerly-awaited Dutch oven a couple days ago and made some chili to try it out.It works great, with excellent heat retention... good for browning beef at higher temperatures, and bubbles merrily away even at low heat.Great for anything you want to simmer long and low for the best flavor.

An added bonus - the lid from this Dutch oven also fits the Logic 10-1/4" skillet if required.

To clean, I fill it with hot water, boil a bit to lift the grease, then rinse with hot water and wipe with a paper towel, using a bit of nylon mesh from an onion bag for any stubborn bits, then dry and re-oil.

A couple notes:

If you receive a Logic Dutch oven and find a couple gobs of sticky, brown, almost rust-colored stuff on the handle flange, it is likely NOT rust.Because of the shape of this pot, the pre-seasoning process sometimes leaves a bit of extra, thickened oil in this location.If this is the case, it can be easily rubbed off with a fingertip, much like rubber cement.

The pre-seasoning is very effective, but the inside of the lid, well-designed to keep moisture inside the pot, is a vulnerable spot.Depending on what you cook, the inside of the lid will likely require additional seasoning; I only oiled the cooking surfaces and the first use (no tomato, but enough water to simmer the chili) removed much of the seasoning between the self-basting points.No rust, so it was a simple matter of wiping the inside surface of the lid with peanut oil and putting it in a 450 degree (F) oven a couple times.I'd suggest doing this to the lid before use, and any time the seasoning in this location appears to be thinning.I did not lower my rating for this, as its simply the nature of the beast, not a design or manufacturing flaw.

Product Description
The original slow cooker, this seasoned - ready to use5 qt dutch oven with iron cover cooks meats to perfection. Generous size to cook up even a large roast or chicken. 10 1/4" diameter, 4" deep

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