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Good Grief, can't eat a few ashes?! Oh brother! I don't like the Lodge anyway. Think you have your fire up way too hot. Hope your anchor idea worked well for you. I'll stay with Griswold and Wagner.
So, aside of user error(dumping your ash on your pizza, focused propane flame), it seemed to work well. If you want to buy a one-thing-to-do-it-all piece of cast, this IS the one to get.
I bought one before seeing this review, (I laughed at the ending.) we've used it extensively in the fire pit with wood which is what it's actually designed for, not charcoal. So sir, if you do another review of this amazingly versatile piece, use it in a campfire or at least a fire pit the way it was designed. We've used it in nearly every configuration and, after two good initial seasonings, the first thing I made was pizza, it turned out perfectly. The CI trivit is a must or use a tripod or swing. I love this thing!
Just came across your video after owning this for a few months. Love your review, but we're actually very happy with this product. We use it camping and at home next to the charcoal grill. It acts as a second Dutch oven plus the pizza oven is awesome (haven't had any issues with ash in food). Grill is hit or miss, sometimes I prefer the open flame (like for steaks) but this is great for anything that tends to fall apart which I don't want to lose in the fire. Griddle is a tad small for the whole family, but it works. Love the skillet aspect, just need to manage where the heat is coming from. Overall, very happy we're using this on our camping trips. Haven't used your recommended boat anchor mode yet, probably will stick with our current anchor. It is very heavy, no doubt about that, but even my young daughters can haul it around.
Thanks for the review of this piece. To be fair ive had the cook it all for about three years and I take it camping with me every single time. It take some care and attention to get it hot but once thats done it cooks incredibly well. I think its probably not for everyone but in the right hands this cast iron piece can produce some masterful dishes, envious glances and memorable experiences when you are camping in the great outdoors. Too bad you didnt like it but I appreciate your honest opinion. It’s not one I share but I will leave it to others to try it out for themselves. Perhaps you should add that creativity and skill is a requirement to use this cooking piece?
Please! Whoever in R&D/Marketing at Lodge that thought reinventing the wheel was a good thing needs to be canned! The little 2 Qt (and up) dutch ovens should be flying outta your facility what with all the covid crap going on and people buying up cottage homes and thinking about heading for the hills should the shit keep hitting the fan. What are you thinking LODGE? OMG! Break out them old 2Qt molds already!
Wow! The cook it all is meant to be used for cooking over a campfire (open flame), not sitting on top of a propane gas stove or a charcoal chimney of burning charcoal. Of course it will get extremely hot in the center of the pan when you have it sitting on a propane gas flame focused in the center of the pan. DUH! It's a shame that some people who might have loved this product while using it the way it was intended have been discouraged from buying it because of your review. That's why I read a mix of reviews when researching a product, because I want to try and avoid having user errors affecting my purchasing decisions.
Hey guy there were multiple times when you said this probably works better over a campfire did you ever think that maybe instead of using the miniscule looking amount of charcoal that you used that look like they had no heat at all maybe you should use it over a campfire which is what cast iron was originally intended for
You would have to build a bonfire to cook in this. My opinion, but go ahead and spend $158 if you want and try it for yourself. Thanks for watching. PS This one is for sale.
There goes your Lodge sponsorship! I’m grateful for your research on this item. You saved me money and from having two boat anchors. Keep up the videos, you’re doing great.
I have bad the Lodge pizza pan for years, and it is marvelous in the oven or on the grill...so thinking the griddle/grill half of the Cook-it-all just might be a keeper. The "wok" half indeed looks like a gooch.
@@MikeB3542 You gave me a good idea for that. Just might use that top half for a pizza on the Weber. Setting in the box on a shelf right now. Sorry, I don't get notified of these downstream comments.
I too appreciate your review. I thought this might be the go to piece for camping. I asked Kent Rollins his opinion on it as well, he has not actually used it, but he said it wasn’t his style. When two veteran cast iron cooks says it’s a no go, it’s probably not worth having.
I was excited to buy this and even planned to make a trip to the factory store to pick one up. The trip got delayed and I started watching your videos. I'm glad it worked out that way. Thanks for all the tries and information in this over the last month.
After watching this, I just ordered one. It looks like everything you made came out great! I think it will work much better camping with a fire. The price has dropped and REI has free shipping, not that bad for large cast iron.
Perfect. It is too expensive, too heavy, too cumbersome, and it just doesn't work well. I hope Lodge realizes that your honest critiques are valuable to their customers. Lodge has so many great products, that it's inevitable that every once in a while a dud comes down the pike. I for one, am anxious to see what Lodge comes up with next. You done good!
I'm no expert either...but I do know that wood charcoal is better than briquettes because most briquettes burn to fast and get too "ashy" because they're basically powdered charred wood and pressed like a cake. Try natural wood charcoal and see if that works better for you.
Sir I have a few lodge pots and the only one I like is the skillet. The lodge dutch oven always gets rusty when I am cooking no matter how long I seasoned it and the black stuff has flaked off on my skillet leaving it uneven. What can I do? I had to switch to enameled pots to avoid the rust by the way.
I'm in agreement with you based on actual experience with iron skillets, pots and griddles on the trail. It takes a good fire to get it hot, then you have to move it away from the fire because it is too hot-so end of day? You are using a "cook it all" due to space...but need the space of a good size fire to use it. I'd say you would have to babysit it either way. Thanks!
What I learned from using cast iron is that it's all about that heat. What works for me is I use my rocket stove. Or my santa maria grill which is my favorite way. It is what it is.
I enjoyed your honest review. But to me this big honking chunk of iron is built more to the campfire cooking vs charcoal. Using my for a couple of years on campfires and it has yet to fail to deliver. But we all have what we like to use. Thats what outdoor cooking is all about. Take care and always invite friends over and strike a match and get to cooking...
Thank you Bro. Saved me some money. Was about go get this instead of my first camp dutch oven. Have now decided to get the Lodge 12 inch shallow as my first camp dutch oven.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel Really appreciate the suggestion. Will plan on the 12 deep first. Is there a cook table you would recommend? The lodge cook table or another one if recommended at all?
I appreciate your honest review of this product. I am new to cast iron cooking and was interested in this for overlanding as a means to keep cooking items to a minimum. The grill/griddle lid is what interests me the most. Can you recommend other products to accomplish this? Thanks again
Volcano bbq might work pretty well...very sturdy and easily packed in your rig because of its construction you don't have to be concerned about placing heavy items on top , which makes packing your gear so much easier
Great video. Don't worry, ashes like bacon grease, is a condiment here in the South. Keep em coming. BTW, I came to same conclusion as you. I cook our pizzas in a Lodge 14" deep turned upside down.
I really appreciate your honesty...when I first seen the cook it all I wanted one but I balked at the price. I'll stick to my dutch ovens, griddle and skillet.
I love mines, I pair it next to a Sportsman Pro with to cast iron pans and they do great for cooking up some great meals. Keep in mind I don’t have any other cast iron cookware. I just have the 4 pieces as a do it all. Works good enough to not have a tone of cookware for me. Pretty versatile pieces. I’m pretty sure There are other items in their line up that work way better but I don’t have the room for everything.
Hats off for such brutal honesty. I had got the same from amazon and its a disaster. Cant use it indoors.. very high fuel and not to mention too expensive. They probably need to make a 10 or 12 inch model.
The Cook It All is too heavy for me but I think I would have really liked it way back when. I prefer to cook over an open fire so it would work great that way.
I actually wanted one when Lodge first announced it. Then I started looking at it and thought to myself that this can’t do anything my Dutch oven, skillets, or griddle can’t do already. Your review confirmed this. Thanks for saving me 130 bucks.
If this came in a smaller size I might be interested as we cook over open fire. Something like a 10 inch size. 14 inches and 30 lbs is just too big for two people.
Love your channel. Thank you for the content that you put out for all of us. Thanks for saving me $130 on the Lodge Cook It All! Like you, I am a big cast iron fan. I own a lot of Lodge products. This one just doesn't seem to be one of their best.
Love your channel, but I think you have given this an unfair review. From what I read of this this it is designed to preform best on an open fire, that is why it is thicker. I do think they have some design flaws, but also believe they aren’t supposed to replace a dutch oven for everyday use.
Go ahead and give it a try yourself. If your cooking over a roaring campfire most of the time and you get the stand they show, it might work for you. I give my honest opinion after using their instructions. BTW Lodge sponsored my channel even after this review. Thanks for watching.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel that’s awesome they sponsor you. It is great to see they get behind people who use their iron. Thanks for the great content. My family loves the meals I’m learning from your and Cowboy Kent’s videos. You really do have one of the best cast iron channels out there.
So what i hear you saying is its 7 in 1. A grill, skillet, wok, pizza oven, dutch oven, griddle AND a boat anchor. Almost every do-it-all tool I ever purchased was a "jack of all trades, master of none" I imagine this is no exception. My cook it all just arrived in the mail. Wish i had seen your video 1st but I'll be giving it a 5 day test ride this weekend. Hope i have a better experience than you did. I'll check ulout your other videos and subscribe.
Hello backwoods, I just picked up a large frying pan with 3 legs. Its 14 inches wide,4 inches deep,has a 9 inch handle,very heavy,the walls aren't uniformed,thinner in places,. It's old,the only markings is 14. How can I send you a picture
I was enthused at first. But like medicine I knew to wait. New meds would come out and my docs,I was a PA, would start their patients on the new meds. I’d hang back. Within 6-8 months patients would start dropping like flies and my docs would scramble to switch their back to the older,and safer meds! This product looked like too good to believe. Respect your evaluations and glad I didn’t jump out and buy it. Don’t need to add it to my half ton of CI! Loved the ending!
BWG thank you for your honest review. I love cooking in my cast iron and decided to buy one of these for my son and DIL for Christmas...I really appreciate you saving me $130 plus shipping!!! If YOU don't find it beneficial to cook on with your extensive CI cooking experience, I would think most others would find it hard to use too. Personally, I'm too old to be lifting 30 lbs (and that's without any food in it) so I'll just stick to my other CI pots and skillets that are more manageable and effective. Love your videos...God bless!!
Absolutely loved the review, thank you so much for saving me the energy of trying to get hold of this item. I’m in Cambridge, England and this is on uk Amazon for over £230!
I'm like you I like my original dutch oven cast irons they do the job. I'm not even going to think about purchasing the lodge cook at all. I do have one question. Everyone has their own way of cooking and if it works for you don't change it. I used to cook with charcoal I just don't think charcoal is what it used to be.But my experience I found out cooking with wood coals has more heat and holds more heat longer and Cooks better than charcoal. For instance the pizza. I don't have the lodge cook at all. If you still have yours and not using it for an anchor try doing the pizza using wood coals and let us know how it does. Thanks for the video!!!
Thank you sir! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I could tell, you really didn't want to do this one, but had to because of your strong moral compass. I could tell throughout the series, that you really wanted to like the cook it all, but it just never really stood and delivered! Thank you for all your hard work, I know that this thing didn't fail from a lack of effort, but lack of research and design. Thanks again, happy to be subbed!!
Idk, seems like user error on the ashes and hot spot. I noticed you mentioned the weight to but completed the ash rim was to small. Fixing that would add more weight. I think if you would have used this in a camp fire youd be happy with it. This is how most of us use or will use it once we get it.
Thanks for the video. I was going to buy but that short charcoal rim is a no go for me. I would imagine an extended rim would retain more heat in Dutch mode as well.
Isn't it supposed to be used over a fire or sat directly on coals? That's the way their video shows it and not over propane. Wouldn't using it on the propane cause the center to get hotter and burning?
I got the two piece set from Lodge for $37, it works pretty good. I have done the mountain man breakfast,pizza,roasted a chicken and made biscuits in it. So far so good.
You know... I've been Dutch oven cook'n, or as my family calls it, "Dutch'n", (like dad's out dutch'n, or we're gonna have some dutch'n for dinner), for about 25yrs now and I bought one of these. At first I was like you and hated this product, but after a few camping trips using this, I've come to like it, not quite love, but a good like. The ash thing doesn't bother me, but my wife and kids complain, so I use my hat to blow the excessive ashes off before I lift the lid. I found that it sucks to cook over charcoal, but works great in an open fire campfire pit down in the coals. I still use charcoal on the lid though. I don't do any dutch'n on propane so I don't know much about that. Now when I'm camping it's compact and does what I need it to do, but I'd never use this at home, as I have real Dutch ovens at home that do a better job. I think the thing I like the most about this is.. The fact that I don't have to lug my 200lbs cast iron cooking chest camping anymore, and I'm pretty sure the pack mule appreciates it also.
I'm a satisfied owner of a Lodge Cook It All, and agree with Ben on this one. If the audio in this review is turned off, all we would see is one great dish after another being turned out. When I campfire cook, I cook on an actual campfire, which may be the reason I haven't experienced issues with charcoal or propane. Chicken thighs aren't cooking? Increase the heat... Ash in the pizza? Dont rest the ash-covered lid directly above your food... Still got love for this channel! I've used many of your recipes on campouts; just dont see eye 2 eye on this one, that's all :)
777dannydan True statement about sex for the first. However, it helps to practice a lot while you’re waiting to have sex for the first time, as most teenage boys do. 😉
Well, that about wraps it up for me. Thanks ever so for this honest, practical demonstration and review. I was seriously considering purchasing one but wanted to watch a promo video first that was NOT put out by Lodge in order to obtain an unbiased overview. I’m a big Lodge customer and have reams of all manner of cast iron so this particularl product won’t put me off Lodge as a whole. But the price point - not to mention massive weight - just doesn’t deliver the goods needed to make this a useful addition to our cast iron family. Much appreciation to you for your appraisal!
I mean, get a dutch oven trivet or lid stand and you can flip the lid and use as a griddle AND grill steaks. And also use the lid as a pizza oven. The pot itself is not curved like a "wok", but I don't see why you can't do stir fry type dishes in the open pot of a camp oven.
Lake Tillery huh? Grew up there, had a house there. Learned ski and fish there. Beautiful lake! I’d love to pick your brain in person sometime. Love your channel!
I had this pliers like tool that had a cutter on the end, a round gap with teeth just back from that to grasp stuff with, a flat place behind that to mash something, a little hatchet on one side, and a little hammerhead on the other, one handle was curved with a claw on the end to pull nails and prying up stuff, and the other handle was straight with a screwdriver end on it. It could do everything! But nothing very good~~~~~somebodys big idea!
I've had mine for a bit, and I have to say, if your cooking on charcoal this thing just doesn't work. I use mine in an actual wood fire and just set it down in the coals and it works pretty darn good, but that is the big difference, mine can waste all the coals it wants, I am making plenty more.
I agree somewhat about the cook it all's price. But it works fine. You need cooking lessons not a different cooking vessel. A good cook doesn't blame the pot.
My dutch oven, skillet and griddle do everything this does for cheaper and does it BETTER. If you want to produce 8 videos and post them to TH-cam showing otherwise, I will watch, like and comment. Thanks for watching.
A note to Lodge: Please use the final step in the manufacturing process, and machine the inside of your cookware. If you are trying to keep it affordable, sell both finished and unfinished. Thank you.
Brother thank you for an HONEST review. I love my iron and I am always looking for new good products. If it's a good anchor then it's a good anchor. Thanks again for the great review and what not to buy! Have an awesome weekend!
This looks like an attempt to cook the way you have on other, smaller cast iron. This is bigger than you needed for any of this. Using this cooker for what you did would be like using a shotgun to shoot a fly. It would have been more impressive if you would have been able to adapt and use this. And I would argue you never used it properly. Also, wipe some ash off before you remove the lid and it won't fall.
I have made perfect pizzas in my cast iron skillets with a Dutch Oven lid many times. That worked far easier than the Cook It All. Angled bottom and tiny lip just doesn't work and there is no way to get enough coals on top. Tried this 5 times. If I can't make it work, the average person will never make it work either. Thanks for watching.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel thank you for your response. I'm going to have to see one in person. Hopefully you and others reviews will help them improve it. I'd like one smaller, for one person. Good concept.
I just spent the week in Pennsylvania camping & trout fishing . My Lodge 12 in. deep dutch oven ( now $60 @ Rural King ) & my #12 vintage BS&R skillet ( $8 ) was my “ cooked it all “. I guess your “ damning with faint praise “ morphed into just “ damning “. Loved the video . 😄 Semper Fi
You are right, the 12 " skillet and Dutch Oven are proven cooking tools over hundreds of years. We are leaving for the Smokey Mountains in a couple of weeks and that's what I have packed along with the Sportsmans Grill. Thanks for watching.
That will not make much of a difference on how this works. Get a dutch oven, a good skillet and a griddle for the same price. Don't waste your money on this gimmick product.
Thank you sir for your review, I was going to start saving up to get one, but after what I saw, I can do everything it can do with what I got already, You have a good one Laters
THANK YOU! when I seen the ad for it, I was excited, and wanted it. luckily the very next week, you started reviewing it. hopefully lodge watch,and will make improvements. did it make a good ($150) anchor?
Glad I saw this review before buying im on the fence about it, it seem like if I have a Dutch oven and skillet I'm good to go, do they sale the flip top buy itself at all.
As far as the ash issue getting into the food. They need to redesign the cook it all to help prevent this from happening. For us diy ers you could make a small fire ring that would fit on top of the cook It all or griddle to hold back the ash. If the ring is not to tall it could be stored inside the cook it all when not in use.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel I agree with you on that issue that is why i said that I said they need to redesign the cook it all so it had a higher edge to help keep the ash out of the food. I was just offering up an idea that i had to make it work better now that you already have time and money invested in it. You do a good job with your videos. I just thought that I might offer you the idea that I had if it helps make it more worthwhile to you.
Doc Hatfield riiiight, that must be it. Because someone his age with a channel devoted to outdoor cooking and cast iron and has hundreds of videos can’t cook as good as someone who works at Lodge. Yeah that makes perfect sense when you don’t think about it.
This is my opinion and I have searched TH-cam for other videos. Everyone has some of the same issues. If you would like to own a well seasoned one, it's for sale.
There are so many things wrong with this video. First, the Cook It All was never designed to make dinner for you and your wife. It was designed for groups. Whether camping in the back country or out at the RV site, this thing isn't meant to cook for two people. I don't know if someone paid you to just throw shade at this thing, but personally I don't see how you could possibly think a 6.8 QT pot and a 14" griddle/grill is meant to cook a few eggs or steaks on. The fact that anyone supports any of these statements is beyond me. No one here is that stupid. What are you getting at?
I do not work for lodge. I don’t think their social media team would take the time to post a response to something like this other than maybe a canned “sorry you’ve had a bad experience” response. My beef with it is that it’s inherently misleading for people that can actually benefit from the product. My concern is that I have a business logo with a business name and you assume that I work for them. Let’s be gentlemen about this. You tested a product for two people that is meant for groups of 4-8 people and you told them that it’s best use is as a boat anchor. I almost exclusively cook on cast iron and I’ve been very pleased with the performance to the point that we’re working on a review video of our own. In fact, we used it tonight to cook for my friends first solo flight party. I challenge you to cook with this thing again, but do it for 4-6 people and let me know if it’s different. Or don’t. I wouldn’t reach for this piece of equipment to make breakfast for myself and my wife.
I thought they were trying to overdo a tried and true Dutch oven with a skillet lid. I was right not to even think about it. Great vids and reviews. I'll stick with my Lodge wok.
I found your channel because I was looking for recipes for the cook it all I had already bought 🤦 But thanks for the great, honest review. I think I'm going to sell it and get a Dutch oven stand or a sportsman's grill
You did a good job at trying to find good points to the cook it all. I didn't like how awkward it was for you. I would modify it and use it as seperate units.
I too use a lot of cast iron and want to Thank you for all your videos which I believe watched everyone of them. Too bad Lodge missed it or maybe just haven’t found what it will excel at cooking. I believe I’ll just wait till prices come way down before I try one out. This all means that I trust your judgement. Keep up the Great videos and Thanks for this series.
I don't know what they were trying to do with this. Apparently the the "Highly Educated 23 year old Engineer" that they hired to design this thing has never cooked on cast iron outdoors before with any of the other great Lodge products? I'm sure I'm not getting that Lodge Sponsorship now. I was up for that, but can not say good things about a bad product. Thanks for watching
Backwoods Gourmet Channel if they don,t give you a sponsorship. Then it is for the best cause they do not want honest reviews to help improve their products. Which will be to their disadvantage.
I think you could get a 12" dutch oven, a 12" skillet, and a small plancha lodge makes for about the same price and do a lot more with those than the "cook it all."
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Good Grief, can't eat a few ashes?! Oh brother! I don't like the Lodge anyway. Think you have your fire up way too hot. Hope your anchor idea worked well for you. I'll stay with Griswold and Wagner.
Don't eat ashes from production charcoal. Most brands including Kingsford contain coal dust. So you can eat those if you like. Thanks for watching.
I don't use production charcoal.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel cast iron pizza on the weber
Dude! You just threw 160 bucks of your hard earned money in a lake!
So, aside of user error(dumping your ash on your pizza, focused propane flame), it seemed to work well. If you want to buy a one-thing-to-do-it-all piece of cast, this IS the one to get.
I bought one before seeing this review, (I laughed at the ending.) we've used it extensively in the fire pit with wood which is what it's actually designed for, not charcoal. So sir, if you do another review of this amazingly versatile piece, use it in a campfire or at least a fire pit the way it was designed. We've used it in nearly every configuration and, after two good initial seasonings, the first thing I made was pizza, it turned out perfectly.
The CI trivit is a must or use a tripod or swing. I love this thing!
Just came across your video after owning this for a few months. Love your review, but we're actually very happy with this product. We use it camping and at home next to the charcoal grill. It acts as a second Dutch oven plus the pizza oven is awesome (haven't had any issues with ash in food). Grill is hit or miss, sometimes I prefer the open flame (like for steaks) but this is great for anything that tends to fall apart which I don't want to lose in the fire. Griddle is a tad small for the whole family, but it works. Love the skillet aspect, just need to manage where the heat is coming from. Overall, very happy we're using this on our camping trips. Haven't used your recommended boat anchor mode yet, probably will stick with our current anchor. It is very heavy, no doubt about that, but even my young daughters can haul it around.
Thanks for the review of this piece. To be fair ive had the cook it all for about three years and I take it camping with me every single time. It take some care and attention to get it hot but once thats done it cooks incredibly well. I think its probably not for everyone but in the right hands this cast iron piece can produce some masterful dishes, envious glances and memorable experiences when you are camping in the great outdoors. Too bad you didnt like it but I appreciate your honest opinion. It’s not one I share but I will leave it to others to try it out for themselves. Perhaps you should add that creativity and skill is a requirement to use this cooking piece?
Lodge, if your listening please bring back the 16" dutch oven.
Yep, but do the 6 inch Dutch Ovens too!
Please! Whoever in R&D/Marketing at Lodge that thought reinventing the wheel was a good thing needs to be canned! The little 2 Qt (and up) dutch ovens should be flying outta your facility what with all the covid crap going on and people buying up cottage homes and thinking about heading for the hills should the shit keep hitting the fan. What are you thinking LODGE? OMG! Break out them old 2Qt molds already!
They made a Dutch in 16" diameter??...
...yeah. +1 on your suggestion. I want one now.
@@schechter01 Camp Chef makes a 16" dutch oven. I have one and it works well.
I have been looking for a pizza solution but this doesn't seem to be it.
Thanks for this video you saved me a load of money.
Thanks for the honest review. You saved me $120. Going with the standard dutch oven.
Wow! The cook it all is meant to be used for cooking over a campfire (open flame), not sitting on top of a propane gas stove or a charcoal chimney of burning charcoal. Of course it will get extremely hot in the center of the pan when you have it sitting on a propane gas flame focused in the center of the pan. DUH! It's a shame that some people who might have loved this product while using it the way it was intended have been discouraged from buying it because of your review. That's why I read a mix of reviews when researching a product, because I want to try and avoid having user errors affecting my purchasing decisions.
Hey guy there were multiple times when you said this probably works better over a campfire did you ever think that maybe instead of using the miniscule looking amount of charcoal that you used that look like they had no heat at all maybe you should use it over a campfire which is what cast iron was originally intended for
You would have to build a bonfire to cook in this. My opinion, but go ahead and spend $158 if you want and try it for yourself. Thanks for watching. PS This one is for sale.
I might try it. I love cooking over a real fire so it might work. I think chiliwould work great
Make sure to keep your anchor seasoned well so it doesn't rust!
There goes your Lodge sponsorship! I’m grateful for your research on this item. You saved me money and from having two boat anchors. Keep up the videos, you’re doing great.
I have bad the Lodge pizza pan for years, and it is marvelous in the oven or on the grill...so thinking the griddle/grill half of the Cook-it-all just might be a keeper. The "wok" half indeed looks like a gooch.
@@MikeB3542 You gave me a good idea for that. Just might use that top half for a pizza on the Weber. Setting in the box on a shelf right now. Sorry, I don't get notified of these downstream comments.
I too appreciate your review. I thought this might be the go to piece for camping. I asked Kent Rollins his opinion on it as well, he has not actually used it, but he said it wasn’t his style. When two veteran cast iron cooks says it’s a no go, it’s probably not worth having.
I was excited to buy this and even planned to make a trip to the factory store to pick one up. The trip got delayed and I started watching your videos. I'm glad it worked out that way. Thanks for all the tries and information in this over the last month.
After watching this, I just ordered one. It looks like everything you made came out great! I think it will work much better camping with a fire. The price has dropped and REI has free shipping, not that bad for large cast iron.
I’d rather see a review where they are using a decent outdoor fire, not little bitty charcoal or gas!
Perfect. It is too expensive, too heavy, too cumbersome, and it just doesn't work well. I hope Lodge realizes that your honest critiques are valuable to their customers. Lodge has so many great products, that it's inevitable that every once in a while a dud comes down the pike. I for one, am anxious to see what Lodge comes up with next. You done good!
I want to thank you guys for this review. I was thinking about buying a "Cook it all"; but I am not sold on it now. Once again thank you. - Gman
I'm no expert either...but I do know that wood charcoal is better than briquettes because most briquettes burn to fast and get too "ashy" because they're basically powdered charred wood and pressed like a cake. Try natural wood charcoal and see if that works better for you.
Sir I have a few lodge pots and the only one I like is the skillet. The lodge dutch oven always gets rusty when I am cooking no matter how long I seasoned it and the black stuff has flaked off on my skillet leaving it uneven. What can I do? I had to switch to enameled pots to avoid the rust by the way.
Thank you from the Philippines! You would not want to know what they want for that boat anchor over here! I enjoyed your show, and subscribed!
A cast iron anchor? Man those guy's at lodge are genius's.you can cook your food with it and use it as a tool to help gather food as well.
Really appreciate your candid review. It is obvious that you are not a shill for Lodge.
I'm in agreement with you based on actual experience with iron skillets, pots and griddles on the trail. It takes a good fire to get it hot, then you have to move it away from the fire because it is too hot-so end of day? You are using a "cook it all" due to space...but need the space of a good size fire to use it. I'd say you would have to babysit it either way. Thanks!
I love mine. Haven't had a single problem every meal has turned out perfect.
Thanks for watching. If you want a second one, mine is for sale.
What I learned from using cast iron is that it's all about that heat. What works for me is I use my rocket stove. Or my santa maria grill which is my favorite way. It is what it is.
I enjoyed your honest review. But to me this big honking chunk of iron is built more to the campfire cooking vs charcoal. Using my for a couple of years on campfires and it has yet to fail to deliver. But we all have what we like to use. Thats what outdoor cooking is all about. Take care and always invite friends over and strike a match and get to cooking...
Thank you Bro. Saved me some money. Was about go get this instead of my first camp dutch oven. Have now decided to get the Lodge 12 inch shallow as my first camp dutch oven.
I would suggest the 12 inch Lodge Deep for your first one. Second 10 inch shallow. Thanks for watching.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel Really appreciate the suggestion. Will plan on the 12 deep first. Is there a cook table you would recommend? The lodge cook table or another one if recommended at all?
this about falls in to place along with my lodge wok.
I appreciate your honest review of this product. I am new to cast iron cooking and was interested in this for overlanding as a means to keep cooking items to a minimum. The grill/griddle lid is what interests me the most. Can you recommend other products to accomplish this?
Thanks again
The Lodge 20 inch Grill Griddle would be a good choice. Here is where you can buy it. amzn.to/2U4daPo
Volcano bbq might work pretty well...very sturdy and easily packed in your rig because of its construction you don't have to be concerned about placing heavy items on top , which makes packing your gear so much easier
Great video. Don't worry, ashes like bacon
grease, is a condiment here in the South. Keep em coming. BTW, I came to same conclusion as you. I cook our pizzas in a Lodge 14" deep turned upside down.
I really appreciate your honesty...when I first seen the cook it all I wanted one but I balked at the price. I'll stick to my dutch ovens, griddle and skillet.
I love mines, I pair it next to a Sportsman Pro with to cast iron pans and they do great for cooking up some great meals. Keep in mind I don’t have any other cast iron cookware. I just have the 4 pieces as a do it all. Works good enough to not have a tone of cookware for me. Pretty versatile pieces. I’m pretty sure There are other items in their line up that work way better but I don’t have the room for everything.
Hats off for such brutal honesty. I had got the same from amazon and its a disaster. Cant use it indoors.. very high fuel and not to mention too expensive. They probably need to make a 10 or 12 inch model.
The Cook It All is too heavy for me but I think I would have really liked it way back when. I prefer to cook over an open fire so it would work great that way.
I actually wanted one when Lodge first announced it. Then I started looking at it and thought to myself that this can’t do anything my Dutch oven, skillets, or griddle can’t do already. Your review confirmed this. Thanks for saving me 130 bucks.
Maybe Lodge will pay me $100K to take down this video. Thanks for watching
If this came in a smaller size I might be interested as we cook over open fire. Something like a 10 inch size. 14 inches and 30 lbs is just too big for two people.
Love your channel. Thank you for the content that you put out for all of us. Thanks for saving me $130 on the Lodge Cook It All! Like you, I am a big cast iron fan. I own a lot of Lodge products. This one just doesn't seem to be one of their best.
That was truly an LOL use for it... worth the wait.
wouldn't of been to difficult to take a whisk broom to take the ashes off. you could of put more bricketts inside trivit. all I see, users problem
OK, go ahead and buy this and try it out for yourself. $158
Love your channel, but I think you have given this an unfair review. From what I read of this this it is designed to preform best on an open fire, that is why it is thicker. I do think they have some design flaws, but also believe they aren’t supposed to replace a dutch oven for everyday use.
Go ahead and give it a try yourself. If your cooking over a roaring campfire most of the time and you get the stand they show, it might work for you. I give my honest opinion after using their instructions. BTW Lodge sponsored my channel even after this review. Thanks for watching.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel that’s awesome they sponsor you. It is great to see they get behind people who use their iron. Thanks for the great content. My family loves the meals I’m learning from your and Cowboy Kent’s videos. You really do have one of the best cast iron channels out there.
I would like to replace my aluminum fish frying pot with a cast iron one. What size and make would you recommend?
So what i hear you saying is its 7 in 1. A grill, skillet, wok, pizza oven, dutch oven, griddle AND a boat anchor. Almost every do-it-all tool I ever purchased was a "jack of all trades, master of none" I imagine this is no exception. My cook it all just arrived in the mail. Wish i had seen your video 1st but I'll be giving it a 5 day test ride this weekend. Hope i have a better experience than you did. I'll check ulout your other videos and subscribe.
Hello backwoods, I just picked up a large frying pan with 3 legs. Its 14 inches wide,4 inches deep,has a 9 inch handle,very heavy,the walls aren't uniformed,thinner in places,. It's old,the only markings is 14. How can I send you a picture
Check out the Backwoods Gourmet Group on Face Book. You can post there after being accepted.
We've used our cook-it-all while camping many times. It works perfect for us and was well worth the price. All you need is a fire pit and some wood.
I would like to have a try if they have a 8-10 inches cook it all. The 14 inches is way too heavy to clean and maintain
Thanks for you honest review, if you would have recommend I would have bought.
I was enthused at first. But like medicine I knew to wait. New meds would come out and my docs,I was a PA, would start their patients on the new meds. I’d hang back. Within 6-8 months patients would start dropping like flies and my docs would scramble to switch their back to the older,and safer meds! This product looked like too good to believe. Respect your evaluations and glad I didn’t jump out and buy it. Don’t need to add it to my half ton of CI! Loved the ending!
BWG thank you for your honest review. I love cooking in my cast iron and decided to buy one of these for my son and DIL for Christmas...I really appreciate you saving me $130 plus shipping!!! If YOU don't find it beneficial to cook on with your extensive CI cooking experience, I would think most others would find it hard to use too. Personally, I'm too old to be lifting 30 lbs (and that's without any food in it) so I'll just stick to my other CI pots and skillets that are more manageable and effective. Love your videos...God bless!!
Get them a Lodge 10 inch DO instead. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely loved the review, thank you so much for saving me the energy of trying to get hold of this item. I’m in Cambridge, England and this is on uk Amazon for over £230!
I'm like you I like my original dutch oven cast irons they do the job. I'm not even going to think about purchasing the lodge cook at all. I do have one question. Everyone has their own way of cooking and if it works for you don't change it. I used to cook with charcoal I just don't think charcoal is what it used to be.But my experience I found out cooking with wood coals has more heat and holds more heat longer and Cooks better than charcoal. For instance the pizza. I don't have the lodge cook at all. If you still have yours and not using it for an anchor try doing the pizza using wood coals and let us know how it does. Thanks for the video!!!
Thank you sir! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I could tell, you really didn't want to do this one, but had to because of your strong moral compass. I could tell throughout the series, that you really wanted to like the cook it all, but it just never really stood and delivered! Thank you for all your hard work, I know that this thing didn't fail from a lack of effort, but lack of research and design. Thanks again, happy to be subbed!!
Thanks much for your honest review. I was thinking about buying one until I watched your video.
Idk, seems like user error on the ashes and hot spot. I noticed you mentioned the weight to but completed the ash rim was to small. Fixing that would add more weight. I think if you would have used this in a camp fire youd be happy with it. This is how most of us use or will use it once we get it.
Thanks for the video. I was going to buy but that short charcoal rim is a no go for me. I would imagine an extended rim would retain more heat in Dutch mode as well.
Isn't it supposed to be used over a fire or sat directly on coals? That's the way their video shows it and not over propane. Wouldn't using it on the propane cause the center to get hotter and burning?
Great video thanks for sharing this I was thinking about buying one but nope
thanks for warning was thinking of getting one since sportsman wasnt available, and i dont own a boat
I got the two piece set from Lodge for $37, it works pretty good. I have done the mountain man breakfast,pizza,roasted a chicken and made biscuits in it. So far so good.
Good review...warts and all. Expensive boat anchor.
You know... I've been Dutch oven cook'n, or as my family calls it, "Dutch'n", (like dad's out dutch'n, or we're gonna have some dutch'n for dinner), for about 25yrs now and I bought one of these. At first I was like you and hated this product, but after a few camping trips using this, I've come to like it, not quite love, but a good like. The ash thing doesn't bother me, but my wife and kids complain, so I use my hat to blow the excessive ashes off before I lift the lid. I found that it sucks to cook over charcoal, but works great in an open fire campfire pit down in the coals. I still use charcoal on the lid though. I don't do any dutch'n on propane so I don't know much about that. Now when I'm camping it's compact and does what I need it to do, but I'd never use this at home, as I have real Dutch ovens at home that do a better job. I think the thing I like the most about this is.. The fact that I don't have to lug my 200lbs cast iron cooking chest camping anymore, and I'm pretty sure the pack mule appreciates it also.
I will stick to 1 skillet, 1 dutch oven of the same size and the griddle. Only a few pounds more, but they work. Thanks for watching.
That's what i wad thinking Ben. It's almost like having sex the first time or maybe the second time around... Everyone gets better with practice. 🤔😉
I'm a satisfied owner of a Lodge Cook It All, and agree with Ben on this one. If the audio in this review is turned off, all we would see is one great dish after another being turned out. When I campfire cook, I cook on an actual campfire, which may be the reason I haven't experienced issues with charcoal or propane.
Chicken thighs aren't cooking? Increase the heat...
Ash in the pizza? Dont rest the ash-covered lid directly above your food...
Still got love for this channel! I've used many of your recipes on campouts; just dont see eye 2 eye on this one, that's all :)
777dannydan
True statement about sex for the first. However, it helps to practice a lot while you’re waiting to have sex for the first time, as most teenage boys do. 😉
Ben Hawke ... re: brushing of excessive ash...
Will need to concur.. seems “SOME” claim to be rustic cast iron cookers...
When in fact...
Well, that about wraps it up for me. Thanks ever so for this honest, practical demonstration and review. I was seriously considering purchasing one but wanted to watch a promo video first that was NOT put out by Lodge in order to obtain an unbiased overview. I’m a big Lodge customer and have reams of all manner of cast iron so this particularl product won’t put me off Lodge as a whole. But the price point - not to mention massive weight - just doesn’t deliver the goods needed to make this a useful addition to our cast iron family. Much appreciation to you for your appraisal!
That pretty much sums up my opinion of this product. I was very disappointed.
Honestly, if you have a 12 inch camp oven, you have 90% of the capability and then some, since that can be used over coals.
I mean, get a dutch oven trivet or lid stand and you can flip the lid and use as a griddle AND grill steaks. And also use the lid as a pizza oven. The pot itself is not curved like a "wok", but I don't see why you can't do stir fry type dishes in the open pot of a camp oven.
That has got to be one of the most honest reviews that I have ever seen.😆
Never try to reinvent the wheel.
Lake Tillery huh? Grew up there, had a house there. Learned ski and fish there. Beautiful lake! I’d love to pick your brain in person sometime. Love your channel!
I had this pliers like tool that had a cutter on the end, a round gap with teeth just back from that to grasp stuff with, a flat place behind that to mash something, a little hatchet on one side, and a little hammerhead on the other, one handle was curved with a claw on the end to pull nails and prying up stuff, and the other handle was straight with a screwdriver end on it. It could do everything! But nothing very good~~~~~somebodys big idea!
I guess I do it wrong. I learned to cook with a Dutch oven with coals straight out of the fire. My Dutch oven has baked lots of cakes.
I've had mine for a bit, and I have to say, if your cooking on charcoal this thing just doesn't work. I use mine in an actual wood fire and just set it down in the coals and it works pretty darn good, but that is the big difference, mine can waste all the coals it wants, I am making plenty more.
My wife just surprised me with this kit for my birthday. I think she got it mixed up with the Camp Chef Deluxe! Back it goes to Costco
I agree somewhat about the cook it all's price. But it works fine.
You need cooking lessons not a different cooking vessel.
A good cook doesn't blame the pot.
My dutch oven, skillet and griddle do everything this does for cheaper and does it BETTER. If you want to produce 8 videos and post them to TH-cam showing otherwise, I will watch, like and comment. Thanks for watching.
A note to Lodge: Please use the final step in the manufacturing process, and machine the inside of your cookware. If you are trying to keep it affordable, sell both finished and unfinished. Thank you.
They used to do just that!
Which is why I like OLD Lodge stuff.
steve
Brother thank you for an HONEST review. I love my iron and I am always looking for new good products. If it's a good anchor then it's a good anchor. Thanks again for the great review and what not to buy! Have an awesome weekend!
This looks like an attempt to cook the way you have on other, smaller cast iron. This is bigger than you needed for any of this. Using this cooker for what you did would be like using a shotgun to shoot a fly. It would have been more impressive if you would have been able to adapt and use this. And I would argue you never used it properly. Also, wipe some ash off before you remove the lid and it won't fall.
Your. An honest reviewer I fell out of my chair with the boat anchor idea 👍
And just think, they now help sponsor our channel.
Looks to me as if you didn't get enough heat.
Did you find out how hot you got it?
Specifically for the pizza.
I have made perfect pizzas in my cast iron skillets with a Dutch Oven lid many times. That worked far easier than the Cook It All. Angled bottom and tiny lip just doesn't work and there is no way to get enough coals on top. Tried this 5 times. If I can't make it work, the average person will never make it work either. Thanks for watching.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel thank you for your response.
I'm going to have to see one in person.
Hopefully you and others reviews will help them improve it.
I'd like one smaller, for one person.
Good concept.
Thank you for this great review!
I just spent the week in Pennsylvania camping & trout fishing . My Lodge 12 in. deep dutch oven ( now $60 @ Rural King ) & my #12 vintage BS&R skillet ( $8 ) was my
“ cooked it all “. I guess your “ damning with faint praise “ morphed into just “ damning “. Loved the video . 😄
Semper Fi
You are right, the 12 " skillet and Dutch Oven are proven cooking tools over hundreds of years. We are leaving for the Smokey Mountains in a couple of weeks and that's what I have packed along with the Sportsmans Grill. Thanks for watching.
Use wood chunk charcoal , beeter heat , larger coals , less grit in ashes. There is filler in briquettes, note the ash difference
That will not make much of a difference on how this works. Get a dutch oven, a good skillet and a griddle for the same price. Don't waste your money on this gimmick product.
Thank you sir for your review, I was going to start saving up to get one, but after what I saw, I can do everything it can do with what I got already,
You have a good one
Laters
Thanks for the honest review. I have been on the fence about this purchase. I think I will save my money.
Did it work a boat anchor?
YES! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the no nonsense honest review. 🍻
THANK YOU! when I seen the ad for it, I was excited, and wanted it. luckily the very next week, you started reviewing it. hopefully lodge watch,and will make improvements. did it make a good ($150) anchor?
Wish broom works great for ash management.
Glad I saw this review before buying im on the fence about it, it seem like if I have a Dutch oven and skillet I'm good to go, do they sale the flip top buy itself at all.
As far as the ash issue getting into the food. They need to redesign the cook it all to help prevent this from happening. For us diy ers you could make a small fire ring that would fit on top of the cook It all or griddle to hold back the ash. If the ring is not to tall it could be stored inside the cook it all when not in use.
We should not have to modify something this expensive to make it work right.
@@BackwoodsGourmetChannel I agree with you on that issue that is why i said that I said they need to redesign the cook it all so it had a higher edge to help keep the ash out of the food. I was just offering up an idea that i had to make it work better now that you already have time and money invested in it. You do a good job with your videos. I just thought that I might offer you the idea that I had if it helps make it more worthwhile to you.
Did you ever think that the people at lodge might just be able to cook better than you. I have seen others who are very satisfied with it.
Doc Hatfield riiiight, that must be it. Because someone his age with a channel devoted to outdoor cooking and cast iron and has hundreds of videos can’t cook as good as someone who works at Lodge. Yeah that makes perfect sense when you don’t think about it.
This is my opinion and I have searched TH-cam for other videos. Everyone has some of the same issues. If you would like to own a well seasoned one, it's for sale.
Ours works grate in the hunting camp need to know your limits and proper way to use it! We give it a 👍
The end review is awesome. Sooooooo funny! I'm thinking my current Dutch ovens can do all that the Cook All can do. Thanks for the honest review!
There are so many things wrong with this video. First, the Cook It All was never designed to make dinner for you and your wife. It was designed for groups. Whether camping in the back country or out at the RV site, this thing isn't meant to cook for two people. I don't know if someone paid you to just throw shade at this thing, but personally I don't see how you could possibly think a 6.8 QT pot and a 14" griddle/grill is meant to cook a few eggs or steaks on. The fact that anyone supports any of these statements is beyond me. No one here is that stupid. What are you getting at?
Do you work for Lodge?
I do not work for lodge. I don’t think their social media team would take the time to post a response to something like this other than maybe a canned “sorry you’ve had a bad experience” response. My beef with it is that it’s inherently misleading for people that can actually benefit from the product. My concern is that I have a business logo with a business name and you assume that I work for them. Let’s be gentlemen about this. You tested a product for two people that is meant for groups of 4-8 people and you told them that it’s best use is as a boat anchor. I almost exclusively cook on cast iron and I’ve been very pleased with the performance to the point that we’re working on a review video of our own. In fact, we used it tonight to cook for my friends first solo flight party. I challenge you to cook with this thing again, but do it for 4-6 people and let me know if it’s different. Or don’t. I wouldn’t reach for this piece of equipment to make breakfast for myself and my wife.
Glad I watched your review. Saved me some money. BTW, I like your cleaver-shaped pizza cutter. May I ask where you got it?
I made this cleaver myself from an old circular saw blade. Thanks for watching.
Backwoods Gourmet Channel Nice work! I’ll Have to look for something similar as I have 10 thumbs...
I thought they were trying to overdo a tried and true Dutch oven with a skillet lid. I was right not to even think about it. Great vids and reviews. I'll stick with my Lodge wok.
Very Informative. Thanks. zane
thanks for your honesty
I found your channel because I was looking for recipes for the cook it all I had already bought 🤦
But thanks for the great, honest review. I think I'm going to sell it and get a Dutch oven stand or a sportsman's grill
Appreciate your honesty!
Love your new boat anchor.
You did a good job at trying to find good points to the cook it all. I didn't like how awkward it was for you. I would modify it and use it as seperate units.
I too use a lot of cast iron and want to Thank you for all your videos which I believe watched everyone of them. Too bad Lodge missed it or maybe just haven’t found what it will excel at cooking. I believe I’ll just wait till prices come way down before I try one out. This all means that I trust your judgement. Keep up the Great videos and Thanks for this series.
I don't know what they were trying to do with this. Apparently the the "Highly Educated 23 year old Engineer" that they hired to design this thing has never cooked on cast iron outdoors before with any of the other great Lodge products? I'm sure I'm not getting that Lodge Sponsorship now. I was up for that, but can not say good things about a bad product. Thanks for watching
Backwoods Gourmet Channel if they don,t give you a sponsorship. Then it is for the best cause they do not want honest reviews to help improve their products. Which will be to their disadvantage.
I think you could get a 12" dutch oven, a 12" skillet, and a small plancha lodge makes for about the same price and do a lot more with those than the "cook it all."