Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 Qt

Last updated: November 17, 2021


The Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 Qt is a great product for cooking large quantities of set-it-and-forget-it dishes, like chili or casseroles. The lid is just as thick as the sides and bottom, which allows food to cook evenly after the pan heats up in the oven or fire. You'll be thankful for the handles, as this dutch oven is very solid and can become quite heavy when filled with all that delicious food.

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 Qt

We looked at the top Cast Iron Cookware and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Cast Iron Cookware you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: The Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 Qt is perfect for casseroles, chili and other dishes.

In our analysis of 115 expert reviews, the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 5 Qt placed 7th when we looked at the top 18 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The Lodge L8DD3 Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven, 5-Quart is sturdy, integral, and features ovenproof loop handles for lifting and handling convenience. Tightly controlled metal chemistry and exacting mold tolerances deliver consistent product for even heating and superior cooking performance. The High Dome lid offers greater capacity and also works double duty as a skillet. Electro statically coated with a proprietary vegetable oil, and cured at high temperatures to allow the oil to deeply penetrate the surface of the cast iron. Measures 12.62″ x 10.38″ x 6.3″ with lid. The item is sealed with a pre-seasoning oil which leads to a drop that can appear like rust which will burn off with 1-2 cookings.

Our Expert Consultant

Julie Chernoff
Culinary Expert

Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Yesterday was my first time using the full Dutch with the top and my whole chicken came out awesome! I have used the lid-skillet several times and it’s great for side dishes like veggies or if you are making something for a few people.
This is a very unique Dutch oven because the lid has another purpose which is using it as a skillet. This indeed does enlarge your kitchen tools and gives you extra space in cooking with different style.
The lid of this Dutch oven doubles as a skillet with two side handles, so you get two pots in one for an incredibly low price.
I also like the fact that this is a solid cast iron piece. This will make it easier for you to have a great piece that is going to last you for years to come and will make it quite a bit easier for you to have a piece that will cook the food properly.
The Lodge Logic can be heated up to a maximum of 500 degree F and still going strong. Due to the 100% cast iron material, it can really handle extreme high heat.
The L8DD3 Lodge oven is a sturdy choice that comes with integrated handles on the base of the lid and top of the oven for secure transport of the oven.
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This is a most versatile pot that performs great on flexible heat sources—from braising on stovetops, baking bread in the oven, making barbecue on the grill stove to roasting chicken at a campfire.
It is sturdy and can be used with its side handles so that it can be transported securely without spilling any food.
The Lodge’s construction is one of the best. Because it’s made of cast iron, it’s one of only two metals that can work with induction stovetops, and it provides more even, consistent heat for your dishes.
It can be utilized on electric induction, gas thus making it ideal for your prestigious cooking Lodge seasons it’s with pure vegetable oil; no chemicals or synthetic coatings chemicals. The more you make use of your iron, the great the seasoning will obtain.
The oven has plenty of fantastic features that are hard to find elsewhere on the internet. One of these is the innovative lid.The lid that sits on top of the Dutch oven can be used in many different ways. One way is to use it as a deep fat fryer or a skillet, maybe for frying eggs, for example. The lid only has to be taken off to perform as a skillet, no hassle, no stress.
It is compatible with induction ranges.
The best part is the double-duty lid that can transfer to 10.25-inch skillet, for occasional preparing side dishes or searing steaks.
One of the notable features of this oven is that the lid of this oven can be used as a skillet. The lid is also tight-fitting and does not allow heat and moisture to escape the oven.
It has ovenproof loop handles for easier handling
Two major advantages over other similar ovens is a deep 1.5” lid, and the fact that it can be used as a skillet – excellent value! In addition, integrated handles on both the lid and base are a good size, so you can easily lift it without worries.
With this Double Dutch oven, you have the perfect tool to sear, sauté, simmer, braise, bake, roast, and fry. Use on the grill, any stove top, inside your oven, with an outdoor fire, or over coals and charcoal. This is truly an exceptional and incredibly versatile piece of cookware.
This Dutch oven comes pre seasoned with vegetable oils and the product is designed in such a way that the pre seasoning does not vanish soon.
To ease handling and using the pot, it comes with side handles that are sturdy.
It has a very large capacity, coming in at 5 quarts. This means that it will hold enough food to feed 8 people. This makes it great for a large family, a Cub Scout den, Boy Scout Patrol, or small division of a commune! The lid will double as a skillet.
You can use it on any cooktop type including induction and on an open flame. Again this one comes pre seasoned and ready to use as soon as you get it.
Can be used on all cooking surfaces, grills and campfires.

What reviewers didn't like

The downside of the skillet feature is that the lid doesn’t have a top handle for lifting.
I have to say that the one thing that I did not really care for with this dutch oven cookware was the fact that it is going to have a lid that does not secure down on the top of the dutch oven as well as what I would like. This is mainly because this is an item that is going to turn into a skillet. However, at the same time, I really want to have the lid that is going to fit snuggly on the dutch oven.
However do take note if you are using the L8DD3 to bake cakes or bread for the first time. Though it arrives pre-seasoned, it is recommended that you fry it with some food that will generate natural oil such as bacon or ham.
You have to be careful about cleaning. You can’t use the dishwasher or even just soap, because the soap eats away the oil that makes up that cast-iron seasoning.
A bit heavy.
The large design might not suit some kitchens.
Some customers reviewed the product as the pre-seasoning wears off after a few uses.
Despite being entirely made of cast iron and the manufacturer recommending it as suitable for outdoor cooking, it lacks the legs and the large handle that let you manipulate it easy even when very hot.
Do not use harsh detergents,hand wash only.
While cleaning it does not require too much effort, it is recommended that you only hand wash it.
The downside is that the convenience of that capacity will cost you in terms of weight, so if you were planning on throwing this bad boy in your hiking pack and hitting the trail, make sure to plan accordingly.
This one doesn’t come packaged with silicon handle covers so you might want to think about buying them at the same time.
Constant re-seasoning and hand washing are recommended to help it stay in shape and look good
View our Cast Iron Cookware buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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