I have a Le Creuset and I love it. I have heard a lot of good things about Lodge. Is the Lodge lined with something that's easy to clean? That's one of my favorite things about my LC.

Costco has a very nice one for $89.99.

http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature%E2%84%A2-6.5-Qt.-Enameled-Cast-Iron-Round-French-Oven.product.100090986.html

Thank you very much for your comments. If anyone has owned and cooked in a Lodge enameled cast iron dutch oven, please chime in.

Some years back Cooks Illustrated did a comparison of enameled cast iron dutch ovens and found that a $40 one from Target was nearly as good as the big names like LC and Staub. That item wasn't available at Target last time I checked, but it does point out that you can often pay a lot just for a name.

I have both LC and Lodge. The LC is marginally nicer, but I can't really tell any difference in the cooking performance. Even if the enamel on the Lodge flakes after a few years (and mine hasn't) you could go through 4 or 5 Lodge pots before you spend the same as what you would have spent for the LC. So I have no reservations about recommending Lodge. BUT you may wish to check TJMaxx. While you never know what you'll find there, I found an LC 'second' very cheaply--there was a swirl in the enamel of the lid, but that didn't affect the cooking performance at all.

I've been to an LC outlet store once, and was unimpressed--not very big discounts off retail, and no seconds.

I didn't know that Kirkland was made by Staub. I'll have to check that out. That 6.5 qt French Oven for $90 looks nice. The 7 qt Staub lists for $479, sells for $334 online; a similar Lodge pot is in the $60 to $80 range.

In sum: if you have access to a Costco, I'd probably go with the $90 Kirkland; if you don't, I wouldn't hesitate to try a Lodge enameled pot.

I've gotten some good deals on LC online. Can't remember the name of the store now, but they weren't hard to find.

I have LC, Staub and Lodge cast iron enamel. The Lodge has performed beautifully for about 10 years now.

My Staub is outstanding and I HIGHLY recommend it for browning and braising.

http://www.amazon.com/Staub-Quart-Oval-Cocotte-Graphite/dp/B000RWHHOI/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1449162682&sr=1-2&keywords=staub+cast+iron+enamel+oval

Nope, not cheap, but I got a terrific deal and paid about half.

You can also buy Staub directly from the US Distributor -- they are running very good cyber sales this week (limited colors and sizes, some may be seconds). The other colors are also 20% off using code CYBER20 (expiring soon). I have both Staub and Le Creuset, and had a very bad Martha Stewart one (chips galore). Some people prefer the light interior on the Le Creuset, but I find the finish, metal knob and heavier lid on the Staub to be better.

Nothing browns like the Staub, ime.

I do think this is true, I tend to prefer the Stuab. The 4 qt round is calling to me....

Try craigslist. Someone is probably selling one in your area for uber cheap. I got an antique enamel coated garlic shaped dutch years back. We also own non-enameled Lodge cast iron dutches, and love them. You can also go to an antique store and browse.

I need to correct Arley_gw - the Cook's Illustrated gave a top rating to the Tramontina enameled cast iron Dutch Oven sold at Walmart. It is 6.5 quarts. I bought it as a wedding gift for someone a few years ago, and they've told me they use it all the time, and it cooks fantastic.

Cook's Illustrated recently updated its rating by saying: "Tramontina has discontinued our Best Buy Dutch oven, and until we have the opportunity to test Tramontina's redesign (which introduced some changes), our Best Buy recommendation is now the Lodge Color Enamel 6-Quart Dutch Oven."

Here is the link to the Tramontina at Walmart - it looks the same to me, but perhaps it is not:

Tramontina 6.5 Qt. Enameled Dutch Oven at Walmart