Lodge3 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid – Dual Handles – Oven Safe up to 500° F or on Stovetop - Use to Marinate, Cook, Bake, Refrigerate and Serve – Island Spice Red

I started making sourdough bread last year. I have a 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven that I use in my regular oven. I recently bought a Breville portable oven and the large Dutch oven didn’t fit. So I got this Lodge 3 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid. It fits perfectly inside the Breville. I mostly use this Dutch oven for making bread. It is very sturdy. It obviously isn’t as heavy as the larger sizes. Which is great because the heavier one stresses me out when lifting it out of the oven. This one works great for a loaf of bread. It doesn’t chip. It works just as well as my more expensive larger one. I recommend this to anyone looking for a smaller Dutch oven. And I love the blue/gray color. As you can see from the photo there is plenty of space above the knob.

I have these Lodge dutch ovens in 3 quart, 4.5 quart, 6 quart and 7.5 quart. I also have the Lodge 3.6 quart cast iron enamel casserole pan. I have had these for about six months and I use them all the time.Lodge never claimed that these dutch ovens are made in America, their cast iron skillets and such are made in America, and I guess if where something is made is what determines whether you like an item, you will most likely not like this dutch oven.I am not sure what some of the reviewers are doing with these dutch ovens that they have started on fire or peeled and cracked really bad. I use my 6 quart dutch oven pretty much every other week and I use one of the others that I own weekly. I take care of them, I don't put them in the dishwasher, which is what causes the enamel to crack, I store them carefully, though I guess not too carefully as they are stacked together, and I don't wash them when they are still hot, but I don't let the food sit in them for extended periods either. I heat them up prior to putting food in them to cook, though I do use high temperatures at times. I put them in the oven almost every time I use them after starting on the stove.These dutch ovens have held up wonderfully and make the most wonderful meals for me and my family. I love them, and they are not super expensive. Seeing as I have five items from Lodge, if there was really something wrong with them, I would assume I would have experienced something by now with at least one of the ovens, and I have not. Don't put them in the dishwasher!! They will not hold up. These are truly wonderful dutch ovens. I make the best pot roasts, short ribs, chicken coq au vin, and more with them.I have made pot roast and beef stew in the 3 quart dutch oven, and it has come out so good, so don't pay attention to the people that say you can't do so with the smaller ovens. You 100% can. I make my elder parents food in the 3 quart all the time, and it the makes perfect amount for them to have a couple of dinners. The 3 quart is also great for baked ziti dishes, bread, and the like. This dutch oven is perfect for a single person to make magnificent meals in.The 4.5 quart dutch oven is also perfect for making pot roasts, stews, and such for a couple of people. It has a little more room than the 3 quart, making it perfect for two people.The 6 quart dutch oven is perfect for making food for my husband and I that we can eat for a few days. It is also great for making food when we have company over. This oven would be perfect for a family of four, though you could also make enough for six without leftovers.The 7.5 quart dutch oven is perfect for a large family. I use this when we are eating with my brother and his children, or we are having several couples over and want left overs. My husband loves leftovers.Finally though it is not in this listing, just as an FYI the 3.6 casserole is perfect for chicken coq au vin, and one pot chicken and rice, and dishes like those. I absolutely love that pan and I use it frequently. I make enough food for four people comfortably, five or six depending on portions. It can fit about 8 chicken thighs with skin and 1 pound baby potatoes or a cup of rice.I hope this helps. This is the only time I have ever written a review this long or detailed. I really love these ovens and find them extremely useful. I like the slow cooker, but it doesn't compare to a dutch oven in the oven slow cooking.

So I have always been resistant to using cast iron, despite living within 15 minutes of the Lodge factory. It just seemed like too much work, but I needed a new pot and decided to try these.First off, they are beautiful. I got my first one and instantly fell in love and proceeded to order every single size that Lodge made. Fortunately they were all around 40% off too.Not only am I a cast iron convert, every single piece came in pristine condition. They heat so evenly and actually do make food taste better. Then there's the added benefit of it being non-toxic, a concern I had about non-stick pans.Really I can't say enough good things. I just don't understand the negative reviews. No... cast iron is not non-stick... even enameled. I use a little oil and less heat and everything comes out easily. No you should not put them in dishwasher, but they are worth the effort of washing ONE pan. As far as chipping and peeling, yes if you don't follow directions on cleaning and storage, you will probably have issues. Are they a little more work? Yes but worth it. I can't believe people actually complained about them being heavy. Uh... yeah... they are cast iron. What did you expect?If you want a quality product that will last a lifetime, these are it. If you are willing to follow directions, this is the cookware you need. If you don't mind a little extra work, for a better result, you need these.They still have the Lodge lifetime warranty, like everything they make. You can't leave a bad product review for something that happened in shipping like so many have. That doesn't help anyone. Go leave a bad review on the carrier (USPS, UPS or FedEx)... not on the Lodge item listing. I can't believe one reviewer complained because it was shipped in manufacturers packaging, thus ruining his surprise for his wife. The listing literally says that's how it ships and gives a gift option.I truly believe all the negative reviews are ignorant people who don't read, don't understand and want to blame the wrong people. Not one single legit negative review. You buy a used piece to save a few dollars on an item. The listing clearly states not returnable, so the only way they are selling "used" items is if they had to accept them back for defects. It's not rocket science.