Product Description

Seasoned and ready to use. This portable "camp stove" is the pot that does it all. Flanged lid for hot coals inverts for use as a griddle. Integral legs on oven for campfire and fireplace cooking. 6 quart capacity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13129 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Charcoal
• Brand: Lodge
• Model: L12CO3
• Released on: 2005-05-01
• Dimensions: 7.20" h x 13.10" w x 13.20" l, 20.00 pounds

Features

• Pre-seasoned ready to use
• Integral legs for campfire or fireplace cooking
• Flanged lid converts for use as a griddle
• Made in USA
• Lifetime Warranty

Amazon.com Review
Relive the vivid pleasure of childhood camping meals with this 6-quart cast-iron Dutch oven. Cast iron creates superior heat retention, heats evenly, and loves a campfire, unlike flimsier pans. Use the wire handle to set this heavy-duty three-legged oven in a bed of coals and pile more on top—its flanged lid keeps coals from rolling off. At 12 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep, this oven holds a crowd-pleasing heap of stew, fruit cobbler, or cornbread. While the skillet comes preseasoned to prevent food from sticking, it works best when sprayed or lightly coated with vegetable oil before use. When cared for properly, this virtually indestructible pan should last for generations. --Ann Bieri

Customer Reviews

Recommended by experts and doesn't disappoint
Before my wife and I were recently married, we both enjoyed camping with groups. Now we are establishing our own collection of camping equipment, and enjoying camping on our own. In studying camping, I became intrigued by the Dutch oven, and the fact that you can do about anything with it you can with a stove and oven at home - bake, broil, boil, fry, roast, etc. Mainly, I dreamed of making a pizza in camp!

Reasearching many publications by Dutch oven fanatics, one thing was consistent: Lodge is the best. They also recommend starting with a 12" oven, as most recipes are for this size. (Probably because a 12" oven has nearly the same bottom area as a standard 9x13 baking dish or cake pan.)

I can't compare against any other makes, as I don't have any, but this oven does not disappoint. It seems well-made, and the lid fits precisely as it should.

I didn't want to pay extra for the seasoning, but with Super Saver shipping, Amazon was selling this for almost half what I could get the non-pre-seasoned model for shipped from anywhere else. (Most mail-order retailers add an additional fee for the heavy Dutch oven on top of their regular shipping charge.) I am amazed at how easy it is to clean, even with my amateur experiments. I haven't had to use any more than very little scrubbing with a Scotch-Brite pad to get a few stubborn spots off, and the pre-seasoning allowed me to bake with it the evening it arrived!

In the first week, I've tried brownies, pizza, sourdough rolls, cinnamon rolls, baked macaroni and cheese, and fried up bacon on the lid. I'm looking forward to getting a lifetime of use out of this, and will shortly add some other sizes. (I suspect the 8" will be better for casserole-type meals for just me and my wife.)

Lodge is the Best!
Anyone who grew up in a family with an active outdoor lifestyle that included camping, hunting, fishing and horses will most likely be very familiar with the Lodge brand name and with these Dutch ovens. This review is for those who haven't had as much exposure to these wonderful products.

I own 5 lodge cast iron Dutch ovens (1 x 10in 4qt indoor, 1 x 10in 4qt camp, 1 x 14in 10qt camp and 2 x 12in 6qt camp) and I couldn't be happier with them. Since the link for this product is for the 12in 6 qt camp oven I will concentrate on that one but this review can easily be applied to any of the Dutch ovens produced by lodge.

I purchased one of my 12in ovens last year the other was my fathers and has been used for well over 15 years. The first question you may ask is, "Why Lodge?" Well, I respond by saying, "Made in the USA!" The other popular brand on the market is based here in Utah but the label clearly states that it is made in China. Second, you should choose Lodge for the quality of the product. Lodge produces a thick and heavy feeling oven that other brands don't seem to have. Lodge just feels much denser. Yes, these are heavy as most cast iron products are. But, it's this heavy cast iron that makes them work so well. It isn't hard to achieve and maintain desired temperature with cast iron. Cast iron requires seasoning to prevent food from sticking to the surface and this seasoning, once established, should not be cleaned with dish detergent. If you use detergent you should use very little; otherwise, you will need to re-season the oven. The blacker these things get the better they cook. When not being used, cast iron should be coated with a thin layer of cooking oil or shortening. My father coated his with shortening and it has been stored in a shed, exposed to water and weather, for several years since his passing and it doesn't have a single spot of rust.

Camp Dutch oven cooking is becoming increasingly popular and there are numerous resources available to help you get the most out of your oven. I firmly believe the best oven to start with is the 6qt 12in oven. It is really the standard oven that most recipes are created for. If you want to purchase another one right away I would recommend the 10in 4qt for deserts and breads. As far as the indoor cast iron Dutch ovens are concerned, I really only use mine in the winter when I can't get outside to play with my other ovens. But, the indoor 10in does make an excellent chicken fryer and gumbo pot!

Excellent product, but...
Watch the price. It fluctuates drastically, and you need to keep in mind that you can pick it up for $41.67 at Wal-mart.
I have 9 Lodge Camp Dutch Ovens (2 of this size), and they are all great. There is a learning curve, but is a delicious one.