Staub vs Lodge cast iron "toys"

Dear Chefsteps Chefs and people out there,

i notice chefsteps videos featurnig quite a few Staub pots etc lately and i couldnt help wondering, why not use the local brand Lodge ? I personally love Staub for their colours and lovely design but while shopping for some cast iron pans, i couldnt help wondering why Lodge costs 1/3 of the Staub price ! They both claim they're making cast iron cookware of the best quality but brands and price tags aside, is there a difference really ? I'm pretty sure cast iron, like all things, comes in different qualities.. does anyone know if these brands ( actually there's another major player : Le Creuset ) have any actual differences in iron quality ? ( Staub's enamel coating inside the pans is another feature but i'm sure it doesn't justify the price bump )

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Comments

tshewman

am a big fan of Lodge (have 4 pans, 2 enamel dutch ovens) and have been pleased with all of them so am also interested in the differences.

Matthew_Snyder_68770

Don't know that I've ever checked, but does Lodge make enameled cast iron cookware?

Alex_311927

I use Lodge dutch ovens mainly for bread baking and they work great, but the factory seasoning is not that great. You'll need to improve it as you use it. Obviously not being enamel coated they can rust. Staub is too expensive where I live but I have about 5 Le Creuset enamel coated pots and they are bulletproof. Very well made.

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

yes, I have one...awesome

it has just done deep fryer duty and

is dirty...

fisher23

Humm, isn't that the one that is so tough it broke your stove? Oops maybe I shouldn't of reminded you.

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

yes......and that was painful....you have to buy the set (square piece AND the round broken part..$160 ooooooooouch!

Matthew_Snyder_68770

Huh, didn't realize that was a Lodge piece when you posted that the other day.

tshewman

I have one of these as well. Love it!

tshewman

you can get lodge enamel at a decent price. Worth considering for the future.

o52guy

i think i will get a couple of Lodge pans to get me started ( they are pretty cheap anyway ! ) but given, the chance i'll surely get some nicer enameled french ones too !

Let's see if anyone knows any details on the differences there may be in the iron they're made of

tshewman

If money is an issue, get a couple different sizes. I can tell you the enameled dutch ovens work well (I've had mine for ~5 years) and the cast iron pan I've had.....well let's just say for a long time. One was left to me and is ~15-20 years old. I use them for allot of things, like roasting the bones for stocks to searing to....whatever I wanna beat up. :-)

Rob_Ransome_176184

You may want to edit above ^^^^^

o52guy

Oh dear GOD !! My copy-paste really went nuts !! I better watch out for any rogue charges on my next card statement ! Lol !

Thank you for spotting this Rob !!

o52guy

You are right, I was given as a ( pretty great !) present a big Staub Dutch oven which has cooked some lovely things so far. I just want to get some skillets too so as to steer clear of the whole "how safe is Teflon" thing

fisher23

Wow glad you caught it. I saw that but really thought it must be a joke.

Alex_311927

yea probably, but Le cresuet has a big prescence here and lodge doesn't and I'm pretty set with cast iron at the moment. I don't have anymore space for a sixth

Gregg_349933

Mileage will vary for obvious reasons, but you may be surprised at what you can find at yard or estate sales when it comes to cast iron cookware. I like to pop in on these every once in a while just to see what's available.

I have a couple Lodge skillets and I'm happy with them.

Matt_Porter_420457

At the end of the day, cast iron is cast iron, of course there will be differences in design but they are all relatively similar. See this buyer's guide for dutch ovens for suggestions on brands and more information dutch ovens.

RebeccaStewart121_815680

I personally use Lodge dutch ovens generally for bread baking and they also work great, but the particular factory seasoning is not really that great. You will have to enhance it as you utilize it. Obviously not being teeth enamel coated they can deterioration. Stub is too costly where I live yet I have about five Le Secrete enamel protected pots and they are usually bulletproof. Very well produced.

Now, we just can’t say that one particular model is the “best” for everybody… unlike what some other websites attempt to do. That would be like saying, “These are the Best Frying Pan for everybody. ” Well, if I’m going to a dinner party, I dang sure do not want to be within a pair of mountaineering clothes with my official use.