DO's at Harbor Freight

[Archam]

Just noticed today that Harbor Freight is carrying a 12" Dutch Oven Camping model for 24.95. Don't know about seasoning or quality, maybe someone with more experience on these can comment or check them out and give us the scoup.
Jack

[ironhead]

Made in China Here read the reviews for it not very good
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ca ... 44705.html

[Mightydog]

I've looked at them at the local HF store and agree with their reviews...

The walls and base aren't consistent in thickness. The lid didn't seem to seat very well to form a steam seal. For $25, it seems like more frustration that it's worth.

You could probably find a used DO for that amount if you have the time/energy to invest in garage and estate sales.

New Lodge DO's are a little more than double that cost but well worth it.

[Zollinger]

Lodge is the only way to go. As long as you take care of them, they will last a lifetime. Also are the only company that makes them left in the US. You never can be sure about what is in the metal in the ones made elsewhere. My 2 cents worth.

[starleen2]

those HF Cast iron DO's have a waxy substance inside that keeps them from rusting and is Heck to get out. Had to re season mine twice before i took a torch and burned the stuff out. The standard cleaning didn't work. not worth the aggravation

[RAYVILLIAN]

They're not very good quality and a little hard to season but they're all we could afford and I haven't seen anyone complaining about the food we cook in them. So if you can afford Lodge go for it but if you want to get into DO cooking cheap they work fine. Just try to inspect them before you buy and pick the best of the bunch.

Gary

[Mike B]

I bought a 12" deep at Harbor Freight because I needed something with that capacity. I checked for lid fit, and it was fine. I have used it a few times with no problems, but the last time I used it I noticed that the lid no longer fit well. This made the cooking time for my Dutch oven potatoes go way up, so I haven't used it since. Apparently, the lid or the body warped because of the heat.

My suggestion is to spend a few more bucks for better quality. I know I will the next time I purchase a 12" deep. In the meantime, I am stuck using my regular 14" Lodge for the same tasks.

Mike
Hayden Lake, ID

[tonyj]

They're not very good quality and a little hard to season but they're all we could afford and I haven't seen anyone complaining about the food we cook in them. So if you can afford Lodge go for it but if you want to get into DO cooking cheap they work fine. Just try to inspect them before you buy and pick the best of the bunch.

Gary

As with many things in life, it is not the quality of the tools used, but the talent of the person using the tool. If Gary and Trudy used the HF cast iron, and their vittles are any indication of the result you can achieve, then I would have to say that the HF cast iron produce some mighty fine tasting food.

(Gary, is it obvious that I am already sucking up for breakfast at Lake Bistineau? )

[Rock]

I bought the 12" at HF for $12.99 on sale I think. The wax was thick but IIRC I just left it in there while I heated it for seasoning. Most ran out but I'm sure some soaked in. Overall the seasoning has held up very well.

The lid has always fit well and continues to do so. I've made pizza and bread in it a couple of times where the entire top was buried in coals and no warping yet. I even dropped the lid on concrete this summer and it didn't crack or chip.

I suppose the quality might be hit or miss but it's likely to have been made in the same Chinese foundry as Cabela's or Camp Chef. And yes the Chinese are fantastic recyclers so mine may be made from an old Chevy engine block and somone else's might have been made from old steam radiators.

And the people roasting hot dogs on a stick sure don't complain about the food that comes out of mine either.

Eric