I have been collecting CI for only about a year and it has been primarily for personal use and gifts. My focus has been on pans that have an outer heat ring. I have a set of 3 - 10, of various makes ( The Favorite, Sidney Hollow Ware, Erie) and they are used continuously. Such a pleasure. Came to the site to find information about the usability of an early (has a casting gate) 12" Dutch Oven. it was given to my son for use with Boy Scout Camping. He gave it to me to clean. Doing so, I found two cracks in the lid (from misuse) and want to know if they are stable enough for continued use on camping trips. I have talked with my son about the need to SLOWLY bring up the temperature of the lid before adding a few coals and then add more with time. So, I will search the postings and add mine if I see no answer