Old Mountain 4-Qt. Pre-Seasoned Casserole with Dome Lid

This pan works well for baking bread. I have no problem with the lid like others claim. I bought this pan for its size. It produces the perfect size loaf. I use this recipe https://www.girlversusdough.com/classic-italian-bread/ but use these cast iron cooking instructions. 1) I cut parchment paper to fit the pan bottom and up the sides, then put it aside.2) Heat oven to 450 degrees. When oven reaches 450 place the cast iron pot with lid in the oven and heat pot for 30 minutes.3) Per the recipe carefully shape dough into a batard/torpedo about 12 inches long. Transfer to the prepared parchment paper and make slits with a bread lame. At this point I brush the dough with beaten egg whites and sprinkle sesame seeds for added flavor. Cover with a tea towel and let rise another 20 to 30 minutes.4) Remove preheated pan from oven and gently lower the dough in the parchment paper into the pan. Cover and return to oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the crust achieves a deep golden-brown color. Bread will be done when tapping on it sounds hollow. Times could be different depending on your oven. Remove bread from oven and place bread on cooling rack.

While the reviews about it being rough (a little like fine grade sandpaper) are true, it's not smooth like my Lodge, I couldn't find this size and shape in Lodge, and can't see why it wouldn't work for anyone wanting this size and shape.The lid has a little movement in it, but mine sits flat and will hold in moisture and heat, that was my biggest worry after reading reviews.I'm baking bread in it and didn't want to spend 100's of dollars to do it.I won't give it a 5, but for the money, it's definitely a good buy in my opinion.

Cleaned and seasoned when I got. Works great for making sour dough bread

Received as a gift and immediately returned. Lid was warped. Inside the pot, there were large lumps of slag iron. Don’t waste your time.

I purchased this as an anniversary gift for my husband of 30 years. We both insist the only way to cook is with Cast Iron and since he is the "Chef" most of the time, it was perfect as a gift. He has used it so many times I am afraid it will never make it to our lake home or maybe I will just buy another one for down there. Thanks for making me make my wonderful husband happy with a simply wonderful piece of cast iron. This comes pre-seasoned and ready to use. It is the perfect size for 2-6 people. It has been used to make soups, roasts and meatloaf's. Great product. Company shipped fast and safe. Thanks to all.

I have a small wall oven, yet I can fit two of these side by side! I have cut my baking time in half. I have baked dozens of beautiful loaves already.

I bought one of these and it's working great. I needed another one so I can bake two loafs of bread at the same time in my oven, so I ordered another one. This second one had a slightly warped lid so there is a small space between the lid and the pot at one of the handle sides. So I replaced it with a new one. It came so quickly but when I opened it up, I was disappointed that it had the same issue. This time, the long side of the lid was lifted a bit. I've read in the review that someone had the same issue. The heat escapes from the opening, and it looses some heat, so the bread does not get baked at the same timing. The one with the defective lid takes total of 15 more minutes to bake, compared to the one with the good seal. I'm going to try to order one more time to see if I get lucky and get a good lid this time.

I got this because it was an oval roaster/Dutch oven and not enameled. Its sole purpose in our household is bread baking.Yes, the finish is rough.Yes, it is manufactured in China, and I was extremely reluctant to buy it for that reason.I own three Staub enameled cast iron pans that are truly close to perfection—worth every penny. But, enameled cast iron is not supposed to be heated empty. Yes, I know “everybody” heats them up empty for bread baking. And supposedly there is never a problem. But, I’d be heartbroken if one of mine cracked. My solution previously had been to put the bread in the Dutch oven before heating it, but I wanted the flexibility of heating it up first.This very affordable, very rough, Chinese made pan is the solution that worked for me. I tried to find a better option, but ultimately caved, and just got it.From the way I understand it, Old Mountain is a step in quality below Lodge, and a step above Camp Chef. I have no personal knowledge if this is true. I have vintage (smooth surface) Lodge, and a handful of other vintage and antique cast iron pieces that I regularly use.If you are looking to acquire cast iron, don’t overlook searching for vintage. And, there are some new US made smooth surface cast iron products out there now. We have a Field skillet that rivals our Griswold in quality, it is thin and smooth.A seller on eBay currently has a similar size and shape roaster manufactured in the Ukraine. I suspect it is better quality than the one here. I did in fact order the other one, but incorrect item was delivered and I opted to see what the Old Mountain roaster was like.Back to this roaster... it is not something I would want for anything other that bread baking. But, for that purpose it is fine.PS, another reviewer mentioned that the lid did not fit tightly. Mine does not when it is turned one way, if I reverse the way it sits on the pot, the fit is much better. I wish the top handle was a bit more substantial.