dutch/french oven recommendations?

[sure-ur-rightdancer]

I have been wanting to get one for a while - I love to stew so I think I will get a lot of use out of it (in the winter of course) however the prices really vary..... le creuset are like $250 for the 6 qt, rachel ray/ emeril are like $150 and target has some for $30- 50 (all are cast iron w. porcelain layer) - are they all the same and its just the brand name (which even though I am a bit of a cookware lover I wouldn't mind saving $150)

[deadheadskier]

people I know who have a le crueset swear by them.

but perhaps they're just saying so because they want to justify the extra $150 (lol)

personally, I'd go with a tri-ply stainless braiser; much more versatile

something like this:

http://www.lecreuset.com/en-us/Product-Range/Tri-Ply-Stainless-Steel/Specialty/Braiser-5-qt/

[HoopsTer]

I should tell stephen to post to this thread. he's dutch oven obsessed....
and yes the kind you cook with.

[bsktcase]

I should tell stephen to post to this thread. he's dutch oven obsessed....
and yes the kind you cook with.

:funny1:

[georgi]

Dutch oven! :funny1:

[HoopsTer]

His is the Lodge dutch oven...

[tarapin]

I have a lecreuset and I love it - I got mine at the outlet, in woodbury commons, or you can alway pick them up cheaper and marshals --- spend the money - you have it for life!!!!! - just remember with any one you choose never put the m on high heat - always med.

[sure-ur-rightdancer]

I was at homegoods today and they had a le cruset for $90 and I was debating it then the guy marked down a Cuisinart one to $36 and that totally sold me..... for $36 if I hate it/break it/ burn it / chip it who cares

I actually went on a serious home spending spree..... grill pan $20, sauce pan $7, 7" omelet pan $10, tart pan $3!!!!, bamboo cheese board $10, table cloth $10, napkins $3, placemats $8 kitchen towels $3 and new sheets $29

[Jersey Thug]

let me know what you think of the Cuisinart one please, as i'm in the market for one of these myself...

and what grill pan did you get? i swear by my square Calphalon grill pan...i have purchased 3 of the same one since i bought my first one 10+ years ago.

[SunshineDrummer]

His is the Lodge dutch oven...

This one?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4196b56bCPL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

That's the one I have & I love it. Chris makes awesome beef stew and its even awesomer now that he uses this. :V:

Cast iron is the shit. :pimp:

[sure-ur-rightdancer]

let me know what you think of the Cuisinart one please, as i'm in the market for one of these myself...

and what grill pan did you get? i swear by my square Calphalon grill pan...i have purchased 3 of the same one since i bought my first one 10+ years ago.

the grill pan seems to just be a no -name one - its circle .... its that black stuff anodized aluminum I think? I was looking at the big nice cast iron ones but I wasn't sure if I would like how it works... having used it 3 times in the 6 days i have had it makes me think that I should have sprung for the big square one.... its soooo nice I love using it to cook meat & fish and I would love it more if i could throw it in the oven since I like to sear and then oven finish meat sometimes

and I can't wait to use the dutch oven though I have a feeling it might not be till this fall or something as the only thing I dont' like about my kitchen is that b.c my kitchen / LR is open & on the 3rd floor it gets HOT when I cook... even on the stove top!

[Jersey Thug]

same here...it gets SO hot when i bake!

if you decide to spring for a bigger/better grill pan, you really can't go wrong with the calphalon one! stay-cool handle, does really well in the oven, lasts a really long time, and it's the next best thing to grilling outside that i've found.

http://z.about.com/d/cookingequipment/1/0/Z/4/-/-/grillpan_calphalon.jpg

[sure-ur-rightdancer]

mine is almost just like that! its just round instead of square....
my next one will be like this http://www.lecreuset.com/en-us/Product-Range/Enameled-Cast-Iron/Skillets--Grills/Square-Skillet-Grill-10-/
with the panini press top!

http://www.lecreuset.com/Global/Products/Cast%20Iron/Grills%20Skillets%20and%20Grillits/Skillet%20Grillit/Square%20Skillet%20Grillit/310x290images/20121_26_06.jpg

[Eddie Z]

Yeah, just get the Lodge Cast iron one at some yard sale for like $5.00. It'll rock out. You don't need anything fancy.