Review topics: ["size","fit","quality","handle","results","construction","heat","pieces","base","durability","price","dutch oven","lid","meals","flavor","oven","features","addition","cooks","dishes","heat retention","difference","cleaning","versatility","spots","cast iron","option","pot","capacity"].
Reviews
Cast Iron Dutch Oven comparable if not better than Lodge.
"I have been an avid camper for the majority of life and am very loyal Lodge. Therefore, when trying the Napoleon Cast Iron Dutch 6qt, I was not expecting to be impressed. The oven arrived neatly and securely packaged from Napoleon. It has very impressive features, including spacers on top of the lid for stacking, or you could sear on the inside of lid as it has ridges. The handle connection points are unique and effective. While the oven itself is slightly thinner than my other cast iron pieces, I did not notice any hotspots or issues maintaining heat. The oven was very easy to clean, and all in all, I will continue using it both at home and while camping!"
— Verified B. (4/5)
Wonderful Results
"I’m in receipt of the cast iron Dutch oven as a tester for Napoleon, here are my thoughts after using it for the first time at Thanksgiving. (Yes I know you’re thinking what a risk 😱), nope couldn’t have been any better. I did a duck cassoulet with it and it couldn’t have worked any better, the skin came super crispy and the duck very moist after being covered with the lid for 90 minutes. I’d say the only “wish” would be that if all cast iron would come pre-seasoned, it would save time on the end users time and allow immediate use of the products."
— Verified B. (5/5)
Heavy-Duty Pot for Grilling and Cooking—Almost Perfect!
"We received this product for free as members of the tester team. The size and weight of this pot are impressive—it's made of heavy cast iron with a lid, perfect for grilling (I’m thinking shrimp and vegetables). It retains heat exceptionally well and is large enough for big batches (we made a big pot of chili con carne). It works perfectly on the BBQ and in the oven! The pot and lid are very stable and well-made. I would love to see the same product with handles because, when filled with food, it gets quite heavy. Handles would make it much easier to stir and carry. It’s also easy to clean—nothing sticks at all. However, when drying it with a towel, it tends to catch all the lint from the towel. Next time, I’ll pat it dry and let it finish drying by heating it in the oven. Overall, it’s a great product that we’ll use again and again!"
— Verified B. (4/5)
Great cooking and easy to clean!
"First time I’ve used any cast iron and it was incredible. I cooked a coq au vin and the chicken was so tender and juicey. The cleaning was incredibly easy and I can’t wait to make more recipes with it!"
— Verified B. (5/5)
What a brisket!
"I received the Napoleon Dutch Oven for free as part of the testing program. However, this is my honest feedback on my experience with the product. It was really solid which is great but that also means its heavy. It gets even heavier once its loaded up with ingredients. I did notice it was difficult to move in and out of an oven using the side arms as they are bit on the small side. The wire hanger is not practical when using in ovens where you are sliding it in and out rather than dropping it in. Performance was impressive as it did an amazing job on making melt in your mouth brisket roast. Relatively easy one pot meal that looks like it came from a restaurant. Looking forward to using it on my 825 once the weather improves."
— Verified B. (5/5)
You need to get one!
"I never knew I needed a Dutch Oven until I got one. I just got this a few days ago and I can say the quality is excellent just like all the other Napoleon products I have . I seasoned it yesterday and did my first cook today. I used it for smoked Over the Top Chili. It was so convenient to just sear the steak in it and then go to peppers/ onions and then straight to the chili. It's very heavy duty and could definitely hold up to campfire use as well. I look forward to all my future cooks with it!"
— Verified B. (5/5)
Very satisfied!
"I received the Napoleon Dutch Oven for free as part of a testing program. However, this review reflects my honest thoughts and experiences with the product. I was really impressed with the Napoleon Dutch Oven. It's built to last—very heavy and thick, which immediately gives a sense of durability and quality. One of the standout features for me is the handle, which makes it easy to carry, especially when using it on the BBQ and needing to bring it inside. The lid handles could be a bit bigger, which would make lifting the lid easier, especially when it's hot, but it’s a minor issue and not a dealbreaker. Another nice touch is that the inside of the lid can be used as a grilling pan—such a smart and useful design feature! I used the Dutch oven to make a delicious lentil chili, and it turned out perfectly. At 6 quarts, the size is ideal whether you're cooking for a big family or just for yourself with plenty of leftovers. Overall, I’m really happy with this Dutch oven, and I think it will be a great addition to anyone’s kitchen or outdoor cooking setup."
— Verified B. (5/5)
Why I gave the Dutch over 5 stars
"So, I got this 6 qt cast iron Dutch oven from Napoleon for free in exchange for my honest review, and I’ve been really impressed with it so far. It arrived right on time, and the packaging was excellent—double-boxed to protect it during shipping. The first thing I noticed when unboxing was just how heavy it is, which I actually appreciate. That weight helps a lot with even heat distribution and retention, which makes a huge difference in cooking quality. To test it out, I braised some beef shanks, and the Dutch oven handled it perfectly. It heated up quickly and held the temperature steady, which is exactly what you want for a slow-cooked dish. After searing the shanks, I added my liquids and aromatics, then let everything cook low and slow for about 8 hours. The result was incredible—super tender beef shanks that practically fell apart. The Dutch oven’s heavy lid did a great job of keeping in the moisture, making the shanks juicy and full of flavor. Clean-up afterward was surprisingly easy. The coating on the cast iron has a natural non-stick quality, which made wiping it down simple and quick. Even after such a long cook time, nothing stuck to the bottom. I really appreciate that the coated cast iron doesn’t require the extra maintenance that bare cast iron usually needs, yet it’s still durable and easy to care for. A couple of things to keep in mind: it’s a hefty piece, so you need to be careful when handling it, especially the lid. Dropping it on your countertop could definitely leave a mark! Also, the wire handle is a bit thin and strains your fingers when lifting the pot, but wrapping a small cloth around it really helps with comfort. Now, considering the size—this is a large Dutch oven at 6 qt—and the price, it’s a fantastic buy at around $99. You’re getting quality, versatility, and durability all in one for an affordable price. Overall, I’d highly recommend this Napoleon Dutch oven for anyone who loves cooking with cast iron and wants a high-quality piece that doesn’t break the bank."
— Verified B. (5/5)
Pretty good option for campfire cooking
"Received this product free in exchange for writing a true and unbiased review. Overall seems very well built and feels heavy duty. After a few cooks it has held up well and done its job without issue. The lid has a nice feature of feet and ridges to double as a stand alone grill which is somewhat impractical for home cooking but will be a very nice dual function feature in a camping setup cooking over fire. Only negatives I have to date are the handles. The lid handle is just small and not very user friendly if you have largish hands. Similarly the wire handle for the pot is just one single band and is not hand friendly at all, a coiled handle area would make it much easier to handle. Overall a pretty good option at a decent price point for those looking to use it outdoors and especially over open fire not on a contained grill setup."
— Verified B. (4/5)
well made, looks great
"I recently recieved this dutch oven as test product from Napoleon, I am a an avid user of cast iron cookware, so I was excited to try this out. First thing I noticed, was how well made it is, it is sturdy, without being too heavy, this piece is also versatile, I immediately took note that the lid could be used for grilling veggies and meat to be added to the pot for a quick meal. I opted try a couple of staple meals right away, first being mac and cheese, the second being chili, both dishes were so much better than in other cookware I often use. I see using this dutch oven for many meals, and plan to use it while camping, I expect it to really shine for camping trips, being easy to clean, and pack."
— Verified B. (5/5)