Lodge Adjustable Tripod Review

Welcome to my Lodge Adjustable Tripod Review.

There are several ways to cook outdoors, and having a tripod only increases those ways.

So, if you like making food over a campfire and like the idea of it hanging while it’s cooking, then you’ve probably considered getting a tripod.

Although there are many brands you might choose from, keep in mind that Lodge has an excellent reputation.

So, let’s look at one they make: the adjustable tripod.

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Product: Adjustable tripod
Brand: Lodge
Price: See Amazon
Material: Solid steel with galvanized chain
Dimensions: 2.95 L x 2.95 W x 60 H inches
Weight: 11.8 lbs.
Features: Adjustable legs from 40-60 inches, high-temperature black finish, 36-inch stainless steel chain with S hook, storage bag with self-healing zipper
Made in: Cambodia
Great for: Outdoor campfire cooking

What is an Adjustable Tripod?

A tripod is a piece of equipment that you use when cooking over a fire with a dutch oven. It has three legs that sit like a teepee and has a chain with a hook that hangs from the center. Although you primarily cook with a dutch oven, you can hang any pot with a handle as long as it can withstand the heat from the fire. You can set an adjustable tripod to different heights by pulling apart the legs or adding or removing the screw-in pieces . You can also raise or lower the chain to get your pot closer or further away from the fire.

A Little About Lodge

Lodge Cast Iron is a family-owned business in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

Joseph Lodge founded this company in 1896 and originally called it Blacklock Foundry.

However, after the building burned down in 1910, Joseph rebuilt and renamed the company Lodge Cast Iron.

Over the years, Lodge survived several economic downturns and thrived even when other foundries closed down.

And as business continued to grow, they built another foundry. The new foundry enabled Lodge to increase its manufacturing production by seventy-five percent.

Lodge makes cast iron and carbon steel cookware, though cast iron remains their primary production.

They offer a large variety of cast iron, including classic, enamel, chef, and Blacklock.

Additionally, Lodge carries bakeware, and several series, all of which are cast iron.

They also have many accessories and a line of cast iron grilling cookware.

Lodge continues to be a leading manufacturer worldwide and makes close to 2 million cast iron pans every month.

Answering Your Questions

Is the tripod solid steel?

Yes. And it will hold any size dutch oven with food. However, you may need to dig the legs down into the ground if it’s unlevel.

Can you leave the tripod outdoors?

Lodge makes the stainless steel tripod with a high-heat black finish. It won’t rust as quickly as cast iron, but eventually, the black finish may peel, and the steel will show signs of deteriorating from the intense heat or the weather if left outside.

Does the S hook hold the bail wire in place, or does it move around when stirring your food?

If the bail wire has an indentation to hold it in place, it will stay put. Otherwise, it may move a bit. However, the chain swinging may be more of an issue. So, you’ll probably want to hold the chain in place with one hand and stir with the other.

What is the diameter of the legs?

About 1/2-inch

Does Lodge make any other tripods?

Yes, they have a 43.5-inch and a 60-inch. The most significant differences I can see between these and the adjustable is the legs of the adjustable screw together, and it comes with a carry bag. All three tripods can adjust their height by moving the legs closer or further apart. Plus, the chain of the 43.5-inch is only 24-inches.

Is the case waterproof?

Lodge doesn’t claim the bag is waterproof, so it probably isn’t. One person says it’s canvas with a vinyl lining.

Can you attach a grill grate to it?

Sometimes tripods come with a grill grate so you can cook meat right on it. Or set a pot or skillet on the grate over the fire without having to hang anything. If you want to attach one to the Lodge tripod, you’ll need more chain and three hooks for a round grill grate. Or you could get a little fancier and do what the guy in the video does.

Lodge Tripod With DYI Grill Grate

Accessories and Tools

What are some helpful accessories and tools to have when using a tripod and cooking over a fire?

Must Have

Dutch oven or other hanging pot for cooking
Long utensil for stirring food

Might Want to Have

Leather gloves to protect hands while working near the fire
Lid lifter for a dutch oven lid
4-in-1 Dutch Oven Tool for setting the lid on while stirring the food

What Others Are Saying

Most people were happy with the Lodge tripod. They liked that it:

Is perfect for travel since it folds up small
Has a carrying case that keeps everything together
Has sturdy legs once you get them set in place
Is ideal for camping and cooking over a fire
Has a good length chain
Can hold at least 30 lbs and probably more
Is just what I needed, and wish I’d gotten it sooner
Worked well for making hot apple cider over the firepit
Is tall enough
Will last a long time
Is well-made and heavy-duty

A few people were disappointed with the quality. They said things like:

It wasn’t sturdy
One leg didn’t sit straight because the thread wasn’t straight (this turned out to be a manufacturing defect)
You’d be better off making your own
It wouldn’t stay in place on a paved surface

What Do I Think?

I watched a video about making your own with rebar, and I would probably have my husband make one if he was willing. That is if we needed one.

We don’t really need one, though, since we don’t cook outdoors over a fire (except maybe hotdogs once/year).

However, I think Lodge’s Adjustable Tripod is a good choice, especially if you don’t want to make one yourself or you want to travel with it.

The bag keeps the pieces together and offers protection. And the screw-in leg pieces mean you can adjust them to varying heights.

I would want the adjustable one for camping because it is easy to transport, assemble and take apart. The other ones would be bulky and take up more space in your vehicle.

Furthermore, I’m confident the tripod can hold any size dutch oven even when it’s full of food.

But if you’re only going to use it in your backyard occasionally, one of the other Lodge tripods would work just as well.

On the other hand, if you cook outdoors over a fire often, I would consider adding a grill grate because it makes the tripod more versatile.

So, as you can see, it all depends on where and how often you will use a tripod as to whether the adjustable tripod is the right one for you.

However, I recommend the Lodge Adjustable Tripod for anyone who often cooks outdoors over a fire, especially for camping.

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Dutch Oven Chili Using a Lodge Tripod

Pros

High reviews
Reputable Company
Good travel tripod
Heavy-duty
Plenty of chain for raising and lowering
Easy to assemble
It comes with a travel bag
Screw-in leg pieces allow you to have different heights
High-heat black finish protects the steel
Holds any size dutch oven with food

Cons

Some came with a manufacturing defect, making one leg bent and possibly less sturdy
It doesn’t offer a grill grate addition
Not made in the USA with Lodge’s cast iron products

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading my Lodge Adjustable Tripod Review.

Having a tripod when making food over a fire is a valuable tool for outdoor cooking.

Whether camping or enjoying a meal in your backyard, a tripod allows you more versatility.

For example, hanging a dutch oven over the fire is an excellent way to make chili or stew. There’s something about cooking it outdoors and in cast iron that makes it taste better.

The tripod is easy to set up and comes with everything you need for hanging a dutch oven or pot. It even comes with a bag for storing or traveling.

Therefore, I recommend the Lodge Adjustable Tripod for anyone who likes to cook outdoors over a fire, especially when camping.

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