Review on 🍲 Lodge 3.6 Quart Enamel Cast Iron Casserole Dish with Lid - Carribbean Blue: Durable and Stylish Cooking Essential by Buffy Nystrom

I was hesitant to buy this pan even though I liked it. Like size and shape needs to switch to anodized aluminum with non-stick coating. I've never used a lodge on anything other than plain cast iron. I know it's a "good" brand. But mostly I have Le Creuset pots and other types of baking pans and they are great. (I only buy when there is a big sale.) The price was attractive, especially when it dropped $20 when I was hesitant about trying it or not. Reviews of chipping and lack of durability bothered me, as did the fact that it was clearly made in China. This does not guarantee poor quality or anything like that; it just means I expect less consistent quality than products made in Europe or the US. Lodge in the US doesn't make enameled ones, only non-enamelled ones. And I'm a lot happier not having to season or worry about rust, so it's either that or nothing. Anyway I received the pan yesterday, opened today. That is hard. The first thing that struck me was how much heavier it is than the LC version that arrived a few days early. I didn't mind the weight there; 7 pounds or so. That's 13 on the list. Ouch. I didn't have a good idea of what it meant before I bought it; For reference, a full gallon of milk equals 10 pounds. This thing is heavy when empty; I'm wondering how safe am I to handle it when it's filled with hot food? I've included a second photo to show you what I mean. The thickness of the two pan bases is therefore different; Their weight is noticeably different. The thinner the LC 3.5 qt, the thicker this lodge. Pros: The Lodge has a nice 10+ inch cooking surface on the bottom, giving you a little more room to fry than a thicker one. sloping pan like LC (about ten inches). The one I received was intact with no chips or enamel issues, but that doesn't say anything about wear. The color is nice, the finish looks good on the inside and the pot and lid go well together. Great pan, really. Cons: The main role is very difficult. Heavier than I expected. I love my enameled cast iron pots and pans. But it would be a real problem for me to use it safely. I don't hold a milk jug in every hand when I'm exercising. If you do, you might be fine. I have a 2.5 liter balm sheet from another manufacturer that is about the same thickness as the Lodge; It's a good pan, but I have a hard time balancing it on the left to hold it and scrape the contents into the container. If this one is hard, then this one will be a killer. If I drop it it will break. (Not really his fault, you really can't drop them.) I'm afraid the weight makes it more likely, especially if hand washed. I take good care of my enameled cast iron because I want it to last; this will make it a difficult task. Conclusion for me: A nice everyday pan, as its shape is really practical for many types of cooking. So I need to replace a non-stick model whose coating is wearing off after 15 years of service. But it also means I'll be using it a lot and want to use it most days, and if the weight makes it difficult to handle and wash I'll be less inclined to do so. And in that case, I'll really miss my old one. The LC is certainly heavier than my old aluminum but not enough to make it miserable to ride. I also have a 5.5 liter brazier from them and I can operate it with one hand better than a similarly shaped 3.6 liter stem. This 3.5L LC model pictured is much lighter and I don't have to worry about the quality (lifetime warranty) so I'm happy to pay the extra $$ (however it still has a 43% discount on the regular price). for something I can safely use every day. Sorry lodge. i wanted to love you I really did. I just need more time in the gym.