I got the 'wild hair" that I wanted to try baking sourdough bread as it would be healthier, fresher, and I could control exactly what the ingredients where in the recipe.Almost all the cooking books recommended that a good cast iron dutch oven is "the way" to bake sourdough bread in the oven. So who am I to argue with tradition.Get ready for a thick, heavy, well made, and multi-functioned dutch oven. This set of the pot and lid is HEAVY, and I do mean heavy. But don't let that one fact deter you from getting it. I decided to opt for the 7 quart size as I didn't want a pot that was too small or too large, I needed the Mama Bear size....just right.The lid can serve two purposes; one for covering the pot to keep the heat in and the bugs out, AND when you turn the lid over you now can use the lid as a stove-top pan for cooking bacon, eggs, pancakes, almost anything. Two functions for the lid, wonderful. The set also comes with a steel coiled lid lifter for when the hot pot and lid is still cooking the goods and you need to check up on how things are coming along. You could use a pot holder to lift the lid, but if you're using the dutch over OVER a camp fire , in the oven, or on a bbq grill, you need a safe and secure way to lift and replace the lid. The included lid handle lifter is ideal.This cast iron dutch oven arrived pre-seasoned, but a bit more seasoning will help for the overall cooking experience.This is a SOLID, very well designed and cast piece of cooking material. The 7 quart size, holding almost 2 gallons of either soup, stew, bread, beans, or whatever, is a great size. But with the big size comes weight. Almost all my pans and skillets are cast iron as I've learned over the years just how versatile, easy to clean, and durable cast iron is, especially if you've taken to time to learn how to properly take care of this special type of cookware.Back to this set, the lid fits perfectly, the big pot/oven portion also has a metal handle attached that make lifting and moving a hot and heavy pot easier. This dutch oven can be suspended dover a roaring fire, placed in the hot coals of a fire, , placed in a conventional oven, on used on top of your cook top. This is so versatile and complete set.Well made. Multi-functional, and designed to last a life time. Plus, the price is right for all you get.