Logde vs. Le Creuset Braiser

One piece of cookware that every cook has to have in their kitchen is a cast-iron braiser or Dutch oven. But there are different brands, different qualities, and different prices. You’re probably wondering ‘what’s the difference between a Le Creuset cast-iron braiser and a Lodge one?’ This is exactly what we’re going to look into right now.

So, today I’m going to compare these two pieces of cookware. We have here a 3.75-quart braiser from Le Creuset (Signature series) and a 3.6-quart braiser from Lodge.

We all know braisers are very versatile dishes. You can do a lot of things in them.

Lodge vs. Le Creuset Braiser – The Look

The Shape

The first thing I want to say is that I was pleasantly surprised by the Lodge braiser. Its price caught my attention, but I wasn’t expecting that the product itself is also surprisingly good.
The next thing I want to talk to you about is the shape. The Lodge braiser has a shape with some kind of a squarish bottom. It’s a lot squarer here on the Lodge than it is on the Le Creuset.

Le Creuset is a little bit rounder at the very bottom. Even if I don’t think that makes a big difference, a lot of people don’t think so. So they will probably tell you that it gives it a little bit more flat surface area at the very bottom of the Lodge compared to the Le Creuset.

So if you agree with me that it doesn’t make a big difference there are still a couple of things on the outside.

The first thing is that the handles on the Lodge braiser are flat and they are larger than what you have on the Le Creuset.

Because they were a little bit larger you can only put like three fingers on Le Creuset while you can comfortable put the four fingers through on the Lodge. So I would give a point here to the Lodge.

The other thing is that the Lodge handles are flat as opposed to the Le Creuset and that makes it easier if you want to turn something upside down. So, that means another point here on the handles for the Lodge.

The Knob

If you opt-in for Le Creuset braiser don’t be surprised with the plastic knob on the Le Creuset braiser.

I need to say it can withstand very high temperatures already and we’re talking about five hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

So you shouldn’t be concerned about heating and putting this braiser in the oven with this knob. The good thing about this is that it will remain cold. Even when taken out just right out of the oven it will stay colder than the rest of the dish.

On the Lodge, you do have a metal knob right out of the box so you don’t have to add an additional cost. It’s another good point here for the Lodge.

The Weight

When it comes to weight, the Lodge is a bit lighter – it weighs 13.23 pounds while the Le Creuset’s braiser weighs 13.7 pounds. As you can see, there is no significant difference considering the weight of the braisers.

The Enamel

Now, when we open these two braisers the first thing you will notice is actually how smooth or not so smooth the enamel is. And I have to say the quality of the enamel on the Le Creuset is absolutely amazing. It is so smooth that it looks almost perfect.

You don’t have that smoothness on the Lodge, unfortunately – you can clearly see every difference.

The other thing I have to say is you can actually see the cast iron through the enamel on the Lodge and this is definitely not something you can do on the Le Creuset.

This might explain the difference in quality and the price difference eventually. But I have to say here the enamel on the lodge is a notch below what you can see on the under Le Creuset. So kudos and point this time go to the Le Creuset.

That sure makes a difference daily on the quality of the cooking.

The Lids

The first thing I have to say about the lid on the Le Creuset is that it is actually less flat than the Lodge’s lid. It’s a little bit curvy and, let’s say bell-shaped.

So, what’s the point? I would say you have more space for steam in the Le Creuset than you will have on the Lodge which could be a good thing.

Another detail that could make a big difference is the lip all around the lid and that lip is bigger and deeper on the Le Creuset than it is on the Lodge. That means the seal keeps the steam in your Le Creuset braiser.

The Finish

In the end, I will write just a few words about the finish. I mean these two pieces of cookware are absolutely beautiful but I have to say the Le Creuset is absolutely stunning – it’s perfect. It’s so smooth everywhere as opposed to this orange peel that you can find on the Lodge.

Again, this is a very nice piece of cookware I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this braiser for quite some time.

Lodge vs. Le Creuset Braiser – The Verdict

Now that we’ve looked at everything – the outside and the inside of the braisers – it’s difficult to make a decision on which one is the best.

I was pleasantly surprised by this Lodge which is made in China.

To conclude, if you only have 80 dollars and you want a really good braiser there’s nothing wrong with the Lodge. Go for it – it’s good quality, or at least it seems so.

If you have a little bit more money in your pocket and you want something that is absolutely flawless, or if you want perfect and you want the brand go for Le Creuset.

It’s really up to you whether you want to invest a little bit more in the Le Creuset or something that is still very solid robust as the Lodge.

Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API