I have been using Lodge brand products for several months now and have found them to be supreme quality for a reasonable price. I had bought the 5 qt dutch oven at my local Walmart, and ever since had been wanting the biggest one (without the legs) I could get to cover the spectrum in size. Most places want at least $80-$100. Amazon and Walmart were the only ones to have it for the astounding price of $59, and of the two only Walmart had them in stock online. What was even more amazing is this 22 pound beast only cost me $3.97 in shipping costs (it would have been free if I had it shipped to my local Walmart!) Diameter is 13 1/4", and it stands 4 3/4" tall. These are outside dimensions. Inside it is about 12 3/4" (approx.) at the top tapering smaller to the bottom a bit, and it goes about 4 1/2" tall from inside bottom to lip. The lid, I believe, will fit the Lodge 13 1/4" cast iron skillet (also on my "to-get" list.) So there is yet more utility out of this than just the dutch oven part itself. It has the bail handle (the only option available in the 9 quart "non camp" dutch oven line.
As with any Lodge product it comes "pre-seasoned", but what they always fail to really clarify is that to get it into a "non stick" phase it needs more seasoning. The thing is that cast iron that is not shipped pre seasoned is done in a wax (to keep it from rusting) that must then be removed by the purchaser and then a seasoninregimenne started. The Lodge form of seasoning keeps the pans from rusting in transit, and if need be allows instant use. So, as always, season your cast iron (I give at least 3 good coatings before really starting to use them.) There are tons of ways to season cast iron, so I won't bother with those details.
If you need a spacious dutch oven, this is your pick. If you are looking only to dabble more in a general sense I would suggest splitting the difference between the 9qt and 5qt by getting the 7qt (also available from Walmart). The 5qt will fit a 5-6 pound chicken for roasting, but would be too small to do a good sized batch of dutch oven cinnamon buns, something the 9qt will do no problem. Thus the 7qt should give you the best of both worlds. In my Lodge dutch ovens I have roasted chickens (wonderful!), made soups and have joined the "dutch oven artesian bread" movement (super wonderful!). No matter what size you choose you can't go wrong with one of these black beauties!
Product Attributes:
Value
5out of5
Meets Expectations
5out of5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:25 - 34
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:A few times per month
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Review 3 for Lodge 9 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
09/24/2012
By Cryptkeeper ,
Hattiesburg,MS
5out of5
I saw this on Walmart's web site at a reduced price not the size I was looking for but even better than the smaller 5-Qt oven and cheaper too. I bought his to cook on my grill outdoors. See www.bbqpitboys.com
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:55 - 64
Gender:Male
Ownership:2 - 7 weeks
Usage:A few times per month
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0points
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Review 4 for Lodge 9 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Very nice seasoned oven.
,
09/11/2012
By RGFF ,
Creal Springs, IL
5out of5
The product arrived at my local store undamaged and timely. Lodge products are always a value and excellent quality. I purchased this one to use as a fish fryer. The cast iron holds heat so you get even cooking. I hated to put it on open flame of my propane cooker as the amber preseasoned surface looks so good.
Product Attributes:
Value
5out of5
Meets Expectations
5out of5
Recommends this product? Yes
Age:45 - 54
Gender:Male
Ownership:3 - 4 months
Usage:A few times per month
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+1point
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Lodge 9 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven