Whether it’s brazing meat, baking bread or simmering a stew, there is really nothing that an enameled cast iron Dutch oven cannot do. They are easy to heat, even easier to clean and virtually indestructible. Conventional wisdom has it that Le Creuset Dutch ovens are among the best, especially because of the way they distribute heat evenly and efficiently. But since they don’t come cheap (a 5.5 quart Dutch oven will set you back $ 350), we spent a lot of time looking for a certifiable dupe. Le Creuset strategist and sidekick editor Maxine Builder says this one from Lodge delivers the closest thing to Le Creuset’s performance for the price, and in some cases could even be better. For example, unlike its more expensive counterpart, the Lodge Dutch Oven has a rounded interior, which means your spoon won’t get stuck on the edge stirring all the onions you’re trying to slowly caramelize. It’s a steal even at its full price of $ 115, which is why we were all the more thrilled to spot the blue colourway on sale at 44% off, or just $ 64. But don’t just take our word for it – nearly 23,000 five-star reviews on Amazon can attest to its impressive performance, too. “I was tempted to buy a Le Creuset, but glad I stayed with Lodge,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s easy to clean and maintain, cooks evenly and distributes heat well. I have had my Lodge Cast Iron Skillet for a decade and I predict this Dutch oven will last just as long.

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