Lodge dutch oven size

[rowdyrabbit]

I was looking at the Lodge dutch ovens at Walmart tonight. I have a couple of large outdoor ovens, but now I'm looking for one to use indoors. They sell the 5 quart and a 7 quart.
Does anyone have experience with either of these particular ovens? I would prefer the smaller size if it would be big enough. Just hate to get it and find it's not big enough. If you have either of these do they do what you want, or do you wish you had bought something different?
I would mainly use it for roasts, soups, gumbo and the likes.

Thanks

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I don't have the Lodge ovens. I did see them on Amazon Prime the other day for a Smokin deal, almost half price and free shipping. I almost bit in the 5qt. But decided I'd avoid death this week... We have two 8 qt., and a 6qt. that we use indoors. I use the 8 most if the time as I like to make large batches of edibles. My wife uses the smaller one most the time.

For outdoor DO I use my 12qt the most.

So I guess it comes down to what you think you'll be using it for. If you get the larger one you can always cook less food in it. If you get the smaller pot you can't cook more!

 

[foamheart]

I don't know quarts from beans, but the best dutch oven for indoor use IMHO is a #8. Its big enough to handle a family and small enough that a little old lady can move it around. A #8, you are a family of 4 you've got left overs, easily feed 6 to 8.

I cook gumbos, I never cook gumbo in cast iron. They just ain't made for it. I always cook gumbo in alumium, occassionally a heavy stainless. Liquid type meals easily ruin the cast iron seasoning unless you really know what you are doing and/or wash the pot fast. I save my cast iron for roasting , baking, frying.

 

[rowdyrabbit]

The 5 quart is about 10" and the 7 is about 12". Both are about 4" deep. I know on skillets going by the # can get a little confusing. It's not all standard. I've got a #12 that I fry fish in and have used it for gumbo. Like you say, it can be hard on the seasoning but it always seemed to hold the temperature better when using it outdoors. I've got a stainless pot I usually use for gumbo, but thought I'd try something new.

They were both in boxes so I couldn't tell a whole lot about size. I hated to bust them open knowing I wasn't buying one tonight. I'll decide which I want and open it before buying. If I don't care for it I will go with the other.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I always go bigger than I think I need...JJ

 

[historic foodie]

I'm assuming by Dutch oven you mean, in this case, a legless pot.

Based on my experience with a four-quart Le Crueset (a wedding gift many years ago), I wouldn't consider anything less than five-quarts for family use.

As others' have said, you can always cook small in a large pot, but it's difficult to do the opposite.

And, fwiw, I wouldn't cook gumbo in anything but cast iron, just the way I learned it from the CAs out in the swamp.

 

[rowdyrabbit]

Yes, I meant the legless variety. I wound up buying the 5 quart that I had been looking at. It is around 10" x 4". Seems to be a good size for what I wanted it for. If I find it to be too small for things down the road, I'll pick up the larger 7 quart.