Lodge5 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven with Lid - Dual Handles - Use in the Oven, on the Stove, on the Grill or over the Campfire - Black

I am a long time Lodge lover. The quality of the cast iron is superior. Like another reviewer said, don't buy cheap - you'll regret it. Follow the instructions, keep the pot properly seasoned, and cooking is a dream. I like the legs as it gives more versatility. I bought my first (smaller) Lodge to practice open hearth cooking.I bought this larger one so that I could actually bake a cake in it over hot coals. The legs keep the pot level and the cake bakes better. In a conventional oven, I put a cookie sheet on the oven rack and it works equally well. I have also used my Lodge dutch ovens with legs on top of the gas burner on my gas stove.... you do have to maneuver the legs around the burner grates, or if your burners are recessed, just remove them and stand the pot over the burner.One place it's tough to use these pots (due to the weight) is on a side burner on a gas grill. I was going to use the next size smaller one to make beans on the gas grill side burner, and the weight of it caused the side burner on a top of the line Charmglo grill to bend down and separate slightly from the grill - the frame holding the burner actually bent, and it made me quite nervous.In the winter, put your stew in, set it on some hot coals from your fireplace, top the cover with hot coals, and forget about it. Every couple of hours, replenish the coals. The aroma is divine. Note, you do need the proper utensils to move and lift these pots and lids when they are full as they are very heavy. Our fireplace is in the dining room and we can serve right from the hearth to the table. You can also bake an 8 inch cake or a 9 inch bundt or similar designed baking pan in this -- lift the baking pan out with 2 pairs of tongs and someone to grab it with mitts.Best advice I can give that hasn't already been mentioned is to invest in a pair of heavy duty silicon oven mitts - really thick ones. We got ours at a kitchen outlet and they were expensive, but you have good gripping and no heat transfer through them to your hands.Bottom line, top quality, worth the money, just an awesome, versatile pot.

I've debated if I would ever buy a Lodge Camp Dutch Oven. I already own a couple of indoor dutch ovens. My wife asked what I wanted for Father's Day, and I told her your going to think I'm crazy. She said I already think your crazy, so what is it? I said a Lodge Camp Dutch Oven. We are in our 50's, and our camping days have long since passed us by. But I've am intrigued by Camp Dutch Ovens, the history of them, how they work, and I wanted to learn how to cook with one. So I got my Lodge 8qt Deep 12 inch dutch oven from Amazon.com for this year's Father's Day. I read a lot about them on the internet. I found out that the rimmed edge on the lid was invented by Paul Revere, who was mostly know as a silversmith. I also learned the Lewis and Clark expedition had two items that they would not barter, or trade to the Indians. Their guns and their dutch ovens. That kind of tells you of the importance of their dutch ovens to them. The Lodge company has been in business since the 1800's. I have a Great-Grandfather who went from Missouri to California and back in wagon trains in the mid 1800's, and I'm sure he probably used a dutch oven along the way. This was a chance to own and use a piece of history in your hands. I tried the dutch oven out today for the first time. I cooked BBQ country pork ribs out on my patio and they turn out terrific! On Father's Day we invited the In-Laws over and I will be making Red Neck Kielbasa Stew. I'm impressed how the dutch oven works. I use briquettes on the top and bottom. I've always been impressed with the quality of Lodge products, made in the USA, they last forever, I would not by any other brand. They are worth the price if you are buying for the long run, don't skimp and get an inferior chinese product. I also realized that this item could be very useful if a disaster ever hit and we lost power. I could cook outdoors if I had to. It's so versitile you can, fry, bake, roast, stew, etc. I am so looking forward to trying out many new recipies, such as peach cobbler, pizza, mountain man breakfast to name a few. I like U.S. History, I like to cook, and I like to eat. I'm lucky to have an understanding wife of 29 years that let me indulge in my hobbies. I going to be having a very good Father's Day, this year and for years to come.

Excellent quality as to be expected by lodge products. Have not cooked in it yet. Will follow up with review and photos