What’s The Best Dutch Oven? Top 12 Revealed


dutch oven

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Many people think of a Dutch oven as a specialty product rather than a kitchen staple. That’s not entirely true. While we do have microwaves, non-stick pans, and toasters, a Dutch oven can serve all of these purposes and more without sacrificing any flavor.

A Dutch oven is a thick pot made with aluminum or ceramic. It features a lid that closes tightly and keeps all of the flavor and the moisture inside of the pot. It enriches the flavor of your food by featuring an extremely heat-absorbing thick bottom.

Dutch ovens are best for cooking any types of stews, soups, rice, beans, or meat. These cookwares have really been brought into the 21st century with stylish models and many features that allow you to cook all types of dishes on all types of surfaces.

If you’re ready to see if a Dutch oven is right for you, we’ve listed our top 11 picks so you can get the best Dutch oven for your needs.

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What’s The Difference Between A Dutch Oven And A Crockpot?

Many people wonder why they would need a Dutch oven if they already have a crockpot. Don’t they serve the same purpose? Not exactly.

Crock Pots are great for stewing food over a long period of time to bring out all of the flavors. However, if you want to do any searing of your food before serving, you’re going to need a different pot for that.

Dutch ovens are great all-in-one cookware that allows you to get the most out of your food in flavor, cook time, and moisture. For perfectly tenderized meats or soups with the most flavorful broths, you’ll definitely want to use a Dutch oven.

How To Pick A Dutch Oven

Dutch Oven on the table

image source: Unsplash

There are a couple of different types of Dutch ovens on the market today. Before you go out and purchase one, make sure you’re keeping a couple of things in mind to make sure the Dutch oven you purchase satisfies your needs.

Serving Needs

How many people will you be serving? If you’re buying your Dutch oven for a large family or if you frequently host dinner events, you’re going to want a Dutch oven that is at least 6-quarts in cooking capacity but perhaps more. To get an idea, 6-quart cooking capacity yield about eight servings.

What Will You Cook?

Before you purchase a Dutch oven, think about what you’ll be serving in it. If you’re cooking no-knead bread, you’ll want something with extremely high heat capacity. Many high-quality ovens allow temperatures for up to 500 degrees F. If you are just cooking stews and soups, you can use something with a lower heating capacity.

Where Will You Use It?

Every Dutch oven is made differently. Some can handle all types of cooking surfaces while some can’t handle gas or electric stoves. Before you buy, make sure the oven you’re purchasing is able to handle the kind of stove you cook on.

Additionally, if you’re going to be bringing your Dutch oven camping with you, you’ll want something more durable. Many non-enameled Dutch ovens are perfect for cooking outside and also double as a grill or skillet.

Our Top Picks

Now that we know what to look for in a Dutch oven let’s dive right into our top 12 picks so you can decide which model is the best Dutch oven for you.

[amazon link=”B000N4WN08″ title=”1. Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B000N4WN08″]

This is a great Dutch oven that comes in at a reasonable price for high quality. This Lodge model gets great reviews online and is very widely liked by consumers.

The model has a 6-quart size that is perfect for all of your needs. This Dutch oven also features enameled cast iron material with a porcelain finish. The porcelain helps the oven to be as heat tolerant as possible without cracking while in the oven up to 500 degrees F. This model also comes in lots of different colors so you can pick the one that fits your kitchen.

This oven is compatible with all types of stove tops and is also dishwasher safe. A downside of this oven can be that it’s too heavy. Some others have also reported that the plastic knob on the lib is susceptible to melting.

Overall, we found this to be a great oven that you can use for marinating, cooking, and serving without needing another container.

[amazon link=”B0084O7KCA” title=”2. Calphalon Tri-Ply Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B0084O7KCA”]

This stainless steel Dutch oven features aluminum core layers and stainless steel surface layers. Because of its design, you get evenly cooked food every time. We also liked that this model features a glass lid so you can watch your food while it’s cooking.

 

The handles on this Dutch oven stay cool when on a stovetop, so you don’t have to worry when it comes time to grab your food. This Calphalon model has been known to lose some of its stainless steel colors over time. This Dutch oven is also quite heavy, so you’ll need to be careful when using it.

 

This Dutch oven is a great choice for busy families who want a simple oven that will bring them good food for their money. You can use any type of utensil on it, so if your kid accidentally scrapes the bottom of the oven with a spoon, it’s no big deal.

[amazon link=”B01BFFU27O” title=”3. Marquette Castings 6-Quart Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B01BFFU27O”]

This Dutch oven is ideal for families and people cooking for large parties, and for a couple of reasons. First off, this Dutch oven is big. At 6-quarts, you can fit enough for your whole dinner party. It can easily feed up to up to eight servings of your dish.

 

You can also use it on all different types of cooking surfaces including gas, ceramic and electric, so you don’t have to worry if you’re going to be reheating something at your friend’s place without knowing what kind of stove they have.

 

This Dutch oven is also great for clean up. On top of all the other dishes you have to do, you won’t have to worry about spending too much time cleaning your Dutch oven. The inside is completely non-stick that lets go of dried food easily.

 

On top of being an extremely functional Dutch oven, it’s also stylish and will look great in your kitchen.

[amazon link=”B00771VTAK” title=”4. Mario Batali 4-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B00771VTAK”]

As stated in the name, this Dutch oven is backed by a renowned chef around the world, Mario Batali. It also has a range of features that could make it the perfect Dutch oven for your family’s needs.

 

A 4-quart size makes it a great in-between for those who want something bigger than an individual oven, but don’t need to be cooking eight  servings for a dinner party every night either. The lid on this oven is self-basting, so you’ll be sure to get all the flavor and moisture retained in your dish.

 

This model is made to last. You can cook it at up to 500 degrees F without having to worry about cracking. If anything does happen, the model is backed by a lifetime warranty – no more worrying about chipping, cracking, or color fading.

 

This Dutch oven is most compatible with ceramic and induction stovetops, so if you usually cook on gas or electric, this oven may not be the best for you.

[amazon link=”B01N3JQ09T” title=”5. Zelancio Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B01N3JQ09T”]

For our fifth spot, we’ve chosen the Zelancio Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven. This oven has a cooking capacity of 6-quarts, so it’s great for family events and parties. This oven is the ultimate pick for food that is cooked to perfection.

 

The self-basting lid is going to keep all the moisture and flavor locked into your foods. This oven is perfect for making perfected marinated and tender meats as well as steaming vegetables.

 

This oven is super user-friendly. It features a heat resistant top knob that allows you to easily remove the lid at high temperatures. It also is made with nonstick ceramic for easy cleanup. However, this Dutch oven isn’t very dishwasher friendly, so it’s best to wash it by hand.

 

This Dutch oven is offered at a very reasonable price point for the features and convenience it offers. Be sure to look into this model more before checking it off your list.

[amazon link=”B00004SBH4″ title=”6. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5-½- Quart Round Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B00004SBH4″]

This Dutch oven is the perfect high-quality and high-end model, but it does come with a bit of a price tag. This oven is large enough to make most any dish you like and can be heated up to 500 degrees F without any risk of cracking.

 

This oven is versatile. If you need to use at over 500 degrees F, you can remove the knob which allows you to use at even higher temperatures. The knob can easily be put back on and taken off again whenever you please.

 

The enamel coating on this oven means you can cook whatever you’d like in it. But is it worth the high price tag? That’s up to you. If you’re looking for something that is customizable for your style, this oven comes in a wide variety of colors and features circle and oval shapes.

[amazon link=”B014Z248HY” title=”7. Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6-½-Quart Covered Round Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B014Z248HY”]

In contrast to our number six pick, our number seven spot goes to the best Dutch oven for people on a budget. This model offers premium features without coming at a premium price tag.

 

This oven can’t be heated to the same high temperatures many other ovens can, instead this one can only reach up to 450 degrees F. This is still plenty high and will fulfill your cooking needs for most dishes, however, can’t cook a few of the popular Dutch oven bread recipes with this model.

 

The oven has a strong enamel coating which allows you to cook roasts and meats without any issues. To get more value for your money, this oven also is backed with a lifetime warranty that will protect you from any cracks or dings on your Dutch oven.

[amazon link=”B000LEXR0K” title=”8. Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven And Casserole” /]

[amazon box=”B000LEXR0K”]

If you’re not in the market for an enameled cast iron oven, this non-enameled version is a great choice. It’s durable enough to use for camping and your other outdoor activities. This Dutch oven is perfect for your next outdoor adventure by featuring a lid that also serves as a skillet allowing you to pack fewer items with you.

 

This Dutch oven is also nonstick so it’s very easy to clean up. If you’re outside, you probably don’t have a nice sink and sponges to scrub out all your pots and pans, so this model ensures easy cleanup.

 

The Lodge L8DD3 is great for soups, cornbread, and all your campfire favorites. The downside of this oven is that is can burn off seasoning at high temperatures. This isn’t too big of a deal and won’t harm the cookware at all, you’ll just need to reapply the seasoning.

 

With this Dutch oven safe for any type of stovetop, campfire, or grill, it’s the perfect multi-use Dutch oven.

[amazon link=”B009PIA54E” title=”9. Camp Chef Pre-Seasoned Square Cast Iron Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B009PIA54E”]

Circle and oval Dutch ovens frequent the market much more than other models. But what about square ovens? There are occasions that a square-shaped Dutch oven will be a better fit for your needs.

 

This square oven is great for baking. You can make biscuits, brownies, cakes, rolls, and all sorts of things on this square surface. However, this oven is also great for roasts and casseroles. The 8-quart cooking capacity ensures you’ll have room for all of your dinner guests.

 

Although this Dutch oven isn’t the most visually appealing, you can start using it as soon as you purchase it because the oven comes already seasoned. The surface is also nonstick so you’ll have easy cleanup.

 

This versatile model also serves as a grill. All you have to do is reverse the lid. Overall, this is a great pick for people who want a functional, gets-the-job-done Dutch oven.

[amazon link=”B00OS43AE2″ title=”10. BergHOFF Neo 3-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B00OS43AE2″]

Rating: 3.5/5

Sometimes a bigger Dutch oven doesn’t fit your need as well.  If you want a Dutch oven perfect for cooking small dishes, this one is a great pick. This Dutch oven is much more lightweight than other models and better for bringing around your kitchen.

 

Unfortunately, this model is that it doesn’t have an extremely high cook temperature. The model cannot exceed 400 degrees F. This is fine if you’re just cooking things like stews and soups.

 

This Dutch oven is also very visually appealing. The glossy enamel will keep the oven looking nice for many years. On top of that, it’s also very versatile and you can use it with any kind of stove top.

[amazon link=”B0017HRLFC” title=”11. Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Covered Casserole” /]

[amazon box=”B0017HRLFC”]

This Cuisinart Dutch oven is one of the best Dutch ovens you can buy today. Its large capacity makes it great for bigger families and entertaining. You can perfectly fit all types of dishes in this oven.

 

The large size allows for more evaporation, a more condensed broth, and more flavor. Unfortunately, all that extra space also means extra weight. This Dutch oven is quite heavy and not ideal for carrying around your kitchen. On top of this, the oven comes with smaller handles so it’s a bit hard to grip tightly.

 

Overall, this Dutch oven is a great pick despite some design flaws. The oven cooks food perfectly and will be sure to please your family or guests.

[amazon link=”B0076NOO5G” title=”12. Le Creuset Signature 6.75-Quart Enameled Dutch Oven” /]

[amazon box=”B0076NOO5G”]

This favorite French Dutch oven is turning into very popular cookware all around the world. The cooking capacity is big enough to satisfy a big family, potlucks, or get-togethers.

 

This oven is in an oval shape, different from many Dutch ovens that are only offered as a circle. This will save room in your oven and when storing it away in the kitchen. Aside from an ideal shape, this Dutch oven is really a winner because of how lightweight it is. You won’t have to worry about hurting your back or losing control when bringing it from the stove to the table.

 

This Dutch oven is also safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees F. The cast iron is also completely coated so you won’t need to fret if you’re use ingredients with high acidity. The only reason why this model isn’t higher up on the list is that it does come with a steep price tag. With that being said, you do get what you pay for in quality and durability.

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