Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this Dutch oven with very high hopes for it, as I have two cast iron skillets and one cast iron griddle, and I'm in the process of replacing older cookware, which had been coated with nonstick surfacing materials that have long since come off. The skillets were originally my grandfather's, although he'd used them only briefly before they became too cumbersome for him to maneuver, and were not pre-seasoned. I've been using them exclusively for several years and have been able to build up fantastic seasoning on them, and have had no problems with them at all. The griddle was purchased two years ago, was pre-seasoned, and, like the skillets, has given me no issues at all, although I use it much less than the skillets. So, given my past experiences, I'd anticipated similar results from this Lodge Dutch oven. So, imagine my surprise (and ultimate disappointment) when I received it, washed it prior to use and according to the instructions, prepared my first meal in it...and had the meal, porridge, come out black. Although the porridge was edible, it was decidedly unappetizing to look at, and gave me pause about what may have been in the Dutch oven that could account for this and how that might affect the body of those who ingested it. I washed the Dutch oven, again according to the instructions, and noticed that upon drying the pot that there was black residue on the towel used to dry the pot. I thought that was odd, used hot soapy water, washed it again, and noticed the same. I've never had this happen before. I prepared kitchari (a mung bean and rice dish), which also took on a black tinge during preparation, rather than the traditional golden colour. Again it was edible, but off-putting in colour. I washed the pot a number of times, but continued to get the same black on the drying towel. Finally, I made black beans because it would not matter if they turned black. As you can see from the images uploaded, the pot looks quite clean, has no leftover food residue, but continues to blacken the drying towels used. This is NOT normal behaviour for cast iron cookware! I've just completed scouring the pot with kosher salt (as one might do to remove stuck on foods) in an effort to rid the pot of whatever it is that is making all foodstuffs cooked in it black, and the salt became black...and the towels still turn black. I'm at a loss to explain this, but I do know that I will not be purchasing pre-seasoned cast iron cookware from Lodge moving forward. I will purchase cast iron cookware that is not pre-seasoned from my local hardware store, because I know that while it will take some time to build up the level of seasoning I desire, I will not have black-tinged food in the meantime. I hope that I will be able to return this, and I would urge caution to anyone who considers purchasing this item. It it not my grandparents' and great-grandparents' cast iron cookware!