What Is The Best Size Dutch Oven For You
A Le Creuset 3.5 quart Dutch oven is designed to feed 3-4 people. So for a couple or small family, this is the size that you would require.
A Le Creuset Dutch oven 5.5 quart is suitable if you are feeding 5-6 people at the most.
If you are considering the Le Creuset Signature Enameled 5 1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven you should absolutely read my in-depth article which reviews this very special Dutch oven click here
The Le Creuset 6-quart Dutch oven only just browns a pound of stewing meat or braises six chicken thighs. The Le Creuset Dutch oven 7.25 quart would do the job better as there is a bit more room to work with.
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What Size Is My Le Creuset Dutch Oven
The words Dutch oven Le Creuset go hand in hand. One of the reasons this French Le Creuset brand of cookware is the Rolls Royce of cookware is the attention to detail.
This wonderful company has actually embedded the size of the cookware on the bottom of its various pans. The number on the bottom of the different types of Le Creuset cookware refers to the inside diameter of the oven/pan.
So flip your piece of cookware over and check out the size of your Dutch oven. Then all you have to do is compare it to the Dutch oven size chart below and you will have your answer.
Le Creuset Dutch oven dimensions dont forget that the NUMBER embedded on the pots underside equals DIAMETER or Le Creuset size
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven Sizes By Letter Number Capacity Weight & Servings
The round Dutch oven is Le Creusets classic signature cast-iron cooking pot and one of their most popular.
The round shape fits snugly on any cooktop and fits into a conventional oven easily.
You will note by the large variety of sizes is only outnumbered by the even larger array of colors available.
Depending upon the size you select it will fit almost any dish you want to prepare. Check out the Le Creuset sizes chart to choose the best size for your needs.
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Test : Cooking Jambalaya
To see how well the Dutch ovens cooked on a stovetop and in the oven, we used them to make Creole-style red jambalaya with chicken, sausage, and shrimp. This one dish tests Dutch ovens in a few key areas: searing meats and sautéing vegetables on the stovetop, then slow-cooking everything in a simmering broth in the oven.
Phase 1: Browning Chicken and Developing Fond Without Too Much Sticking
Serious Eats / Emily Dryden
Using just enough oil to grease each pot, we expected the boneless chicken thighs in our recipe to quickly brown over moderately high heat. Here, we uncovered a rare quality that really does distinguish one cast iron pot from another: the bottom surface area.
A larger surface area is critically important since it reduces crowding and allows better, faster, and more efficient searing. In the end, we just couldn’t abide pots that skimped on surface area for searing. All our winning models had bottoms that were a minimum of 8 inches in diameter or very close to it.
Beyond that, only one pot grabbed a disqualification in this phase of the test because its enamel coating latched onto the chicken so hard that the meat shredded when we attempted to lift it. That’s fine for ropa vieja, but not much else.
Phase 2: Wet Cooking
The rice for our jambalaya requires wet cookingsimmering the rice, meats, and vegetables in the cooking liquidbut it also tests how evenly the pots cook since the goal is to have all the liquid absorbed by the rice by the time it’s all done.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
The bottom of the Lodge has a slightly curved surface compared with Le Creusets oven. Thats an asset when sautéing vegetables or caramelizing onions, but the Lodge required a few extra minutes to achieve the same level of sear on large cuts of meat, compared with other ovens with flatter surface areas. The base is an inch smaller than that on Le Creusets oven, so you have a little less room to brown meat if youre cooking in large batches.
Weve seen complaints from Amazon reviewers, our readers, and a few Wirecutter staff members that the Lodges enamel chips easily. We havent experienced any chipping ourselves, and Lodge told us that its warranty covers cracked or chipped enamel. But one Wirecutter writer with a damaged pot did not hear back from Lodges customer service. The Lodge is much more affordable than our upgrade pick, but it may also have a shorter lifespan. Price isnt always a tradeoff for quality, but in the case of Dutch ovens, it may be something to consider.
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Le Creuset Dutch Oven Sizes
Le Creuset Dutch ovens are not the only cookware produced so I have also included Le Creuset saucepan sizes, Le Creuset skillet, and grill pan sizes, Le Creuset brasier/shallow oven sizes, and the Le Creuset saucier pan sizes.
You can use this Dutch oven size chart to assist you in selecting a Dutch oven size that will suit your needs. This guide will also come in handy if you have been given a pre-loved dutch oven without packaging.
Or if you have picked one up for a bargain at a flea market or thrift shop. As sometimes it can be difficult to identify the Le Creuset Dutch oven sizes. Especially if it has Vintage Le Creuset markings. It can be as easy as identifying Le Creuset sizes by letter!!!
If you already know what size Dutch oven you are wanting to buy click here. You will find a huge range of Le Creuset Dutch ovens and other cookware in various shapes and sizes. One of the largest array of enamel cookware colors around as well as prices to suit all budgets.
Related read Le Creuset Color Guide
If you have bought a Dutch oven that is in a bad state of repair you can check out the following article about how to clean a Dutch oven after cooking here. You can also refer to my article Le Creuset Cleaning and Care Guide to help you keep your investment/cookware in top shape.
This will help you to get the interior enamel and exterior enamel finish of your Le Creuset cookware back to its former glory.
Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven
We love Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Ovens because they are versatile and stand the test of time. Pryde’s owner, Louise Meyers, has cooked more than a thousand dishes in hers including spaghetti, soups, vegetables, roasted chicken and braised meat.
The iconic Le Creuset Dutch oven is indispensable in the kitchens of home cooks and professional chefs alike. Expertly crafted from enameled cast iron, the everyday versatility of the Dutch oven makes it ideal for everything from slow-cooking and braising to roasting, baking, frying and more.
Individually crafted by French artisans from the finest quality materials since 1925, the Le Creuset Dutch oven is beloved for its perfected design and exceptional heat retention that locks in moisture and flavor to produce superior results from stove to oven to table. Designed for generations of durability, the easy-to-clean vibrant porcelain enamel requires no seasoning, minimizes sticking and is dishwasher-safe.
Features
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Work Out Your Dutch Oven Capacity
The general rule of thumb is that 1 serving of food generally equals 1-quart. So the Dutch oven size for a family of 4 people you would need a 4-quart Dutch oven.
But because everyone eats different amounts of food you would, in this case, add a couple of extra quarts.
So to feed four or five people I would purchase a 7-quart. Or possibly an 8-quart Dutch oven as these sizes would feed 5-7 people.
Related read Le Creuset Sizes by Letter
What Is Le Creuset
Le Creuset is an iconic French cookware company that was founded by Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq in 1925. This is when Le Creusets first cocotte Dutch oven in its signature color Flame, similar to the glow of molten cast iron, also known as Volcano was released.
Le Creuset cookware is one of the most expensive types of cookware on the market. But, why? What makes it different from any other type of pot or pan that you might buy at your local kitchen store?
Le Creuset uses high-quality materials. Their cookware is designed for performance, durability, and reliability, withstand high heat and safety with large handles and knobs for easy use. Le Creusets almost 100 years of experience honing its proven innovative designs and manufacturing skills are backed by offering lifetime warranties.
Related read Why is Le Creuset so expensive and is Le Creuset worth the investment?
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The Best Heritage Cast Iron Dutch Ovens: Le Creuset 55
There’s a reason Le Creuset continues to be one of the most recommended manufacturers in this category: It has a proven track record. We’ve used Le Creuset for years in our homes and test kitchen, reaching for it countless times to develop hundreds of recipes for Serious Eats, and it’s never let us down. The price is high, but Le Creuset has never failed to make the purchase worth it. While Le Creusets are available in more than 17 core colors, about half of them ship with a black phenolic knob that can handle up to 500°F given the price, we’d like to see all their pots come with the brand’s heavier-duty stainless steel knob option.
Like Le Creuset, Staub has a long history of making handsome enameled cast iron in France and costs a little less. Some home cooks may not like the black enamel interior, which does a fine job of hiding scratches and browns meat well, but can make it harder to see fond developing. Otherwise, this Dutch oven, available in nine colors, is a solid bet with a reputation for durability.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven Sizes: Le Creuset Cookware Sizes
What size is my Le Creuset cookware? is a common question. Le Creuset products are available in so many types of cookware shapes, and different sizes, including their signature, enameled cast iron Dutch oven, along with interchangeable lids. Combine this with almost 100 years of design, manufacturing, and the changes that come with it the confusion is real.
How are Le Creuset sizes calculated? Each pot is embedded with a number on its underside which equals the diameter in centimeters, or its size! Each pot also has a letter next to the number that corresponds with a matching lid.
Le Creuset has all the popular sizes including 10 Signature round Dutch oven sizes ranging from the 1-quart suitable for a single-serve all the way up to 13.25-quart Dutch oven that can feed 10 people comfortably. 9 Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch oven sizes range from 1-quart up to the large Dutch oven that is 15.5-quarts and will feed 12-14 people.
Le Creuset 3.5 quart Dutch oven will feed 1-2 people singles or a couple. A 5.5 qt is suitable if you are feeding 3-4 people or a small family. A 6-quart Dutch oven would feed 4 with leftovers. A 7.25 qt oven would do the job better as there is a bit more room to work with and would suit a family of 4 to 6.
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The Best Heritage Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Staub 55
What we liked: Rounding out the heritage set of options, Staub’s Dutch oven performed well in all our testing. While it’s the same 5 1/2quart capacity as the Le Creuset, the Staub is heavier by 1 pound. Large side handles and a tall, easy-to-grab knob on the lid make handling the pot easy.
With a pot floor 8 5/16 inches in diameter, it accommodates more food at once for searing, making crowding less of an issue. The fond that develops comes up easily with just a little scraping from a wooden spoon, making it even more of a pleasure to use.
One signature Staub detail is the flat lid. The underside of the top is dotted with raised dimples, which the company claims helps promote even distribution of condensed water back onto the food, though we haven’t been able to think of a cooking scenario in which this would really matter. Another detail worth noting is the black enamel interior, which, for some less experienced home cooks, might make seeing the brown fond a little more difficult. The Staub Dutch oven comes in sizes ranging from 1/4 to 13 1/4 quarts.
Staub also has a solid reputation for standing behind its lifetime warranty. The company is the only one we found that didn’t mind cooks using coals on their pot lids, which replicates an oven-like environment outdoors. During our research, we didn’t turn up many complaints about Staub cast iron failing.
Serious Eats / Emily Dryden
Upgrade Pick: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast
Le Creusets Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5½-Quart Round French Oven is the best Dutch oven you can buy. Its the most durable oven weve tested, and we think its the best option for cooks who want a heritage piece of cookware. Le Creusets oven turns out great food every time, and its the most enjoyable to use of any we tested. Le Creusets oven is one of the lightest we tested and has the largest handles, which makes it the easiest oven to cook with and to clean. Le Creusets pots have a durable enamel coatingwith a smooth finish for even cookingthats backed by a lifetime warranty. Le Creusets oven is expensive, and if you get it, youll be investing in longevity. In our tests we didnt find that it cooked that much better than the Lodge, but in our experience its enamel has far more staying power.
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Can A Le Creuset Dutch Oven Go On The Stovetop
Yes, these enameled cast iron Dutch ovens have been designed for use in the kitchen as opposed to the traditional exposed cast iron Dutch oven you would use over open flames or hot coals.
Use these beautiful pieces of Le Creuset with care and you will not damage your Dutch oven or your cooktop.
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Round Vs Oval Dutch Oven 5 Or 7 Quart Dutch Oven
Round ovens are popular choices great for slow cooking stews, casseroles, sourdough bread, a round boule loaf, deep-frying, and side dishes. Oval shape ovens are well suited to meat on the bone and roasts. Baking bread in an oval Dutch oven is also a breeze.
Those of you who have not yet purchased a new Dutch oven why not head over and look at my article that gives you the information about what kind of Dutch oven you should buy.
The article will assist you with the choice between round or oval ovens as well as choosing a 5 or 7-quart Dutch oven.
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To Finish Le Creuset Dutch Oven Sizes: Le Creuset Cookware Sizes
Choosing the correct Le Creuset pot sizes is important. Because with your care you will be using this cookware for a lifetime. You will also be handing this cookware on to a loved one or friend.
It is my hope that you have gained some further knowledge about Le Creuset Dutch oven sizes by using the Le Creuset size comparison charts above.
to see it for yourself at Amazon in the beautiful Marseille color which is pictured below
Le Creuset Signature 5 1/2 Quart Round Dutch Oven
CHECK OUT this Dutch oven, price, and buyer reviews
One-Pot Cooking Rocks
The Best Dutch Oven Size For A Family Of 4
The most versatile size for a family of 4 is the 7.5-quart round Dutch oven. The 7.5-quart size would cover almost anything you may want to prepare for 4 to 6 hungry mouths.
If you want to feed any more than 6 people you should go for something a little larger. Bearing in mind you need to be able to carry the Dutch oven once the meat, produce and liquids are inside the Dutch oven.
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Round Or Oval Dutch Oven 5 Or 7
What is the most popular size round Le Creuset Dutch oven? Well after a ton of research it appears that the most popular Dutch oven size goes to the Le Creuset Dutch oven 7.25 qt. It is practical for most people to use as it is large enough to prepare meals for 4 to 6 people.
The round Dutch oven fits snugly on most cooktops which allows for lovely even and consistent heat. The Dutch oven is also not too heavy for most people to carry when full of food.
So from the cooktop to the oven and the oven to the table for serving the 7.25-quart size seems to be the most popular Dutch oven.
If you would like to check out an extremely large variety of Dutch ovens and accessories click here to head over to Amazon.
Who This Is For
An enameled Dutch oven is a multipurpose pot that you can use for all kinds of recipes, including braising, baking bread, boiling pasta water, and even deep frying. These pots are particularly well-suited to slow cooking not only because they effectively retain heat, but also because they can be transferred from stovetop to oven, so you can sear and then braise meats. Their lids trap in moisture as food cooks, which makes everything inside extra-tender. And unlike bare cast iron, the enamel is easy to clean and maintain.
A 5½- to 6½-quart oven should serve two to four people, and we think this size will work for most cooking tasks. If youre feeding a crowd, you might want to bump up to a 7-, 9-, or even 13-quart version. Keep in mind that the bigger the oven, the heavier and harder it will be to move around a kitchen, especially when its brimming with chili. When it comes to shape, a round Dutch oven will work better on the round burners of most stoves, whereas an oval oven may heat less evenly and be difficult to fit on a small stovetop. However, an oval oven can be useful for large, long roasts like a tenderloin. It will of course fit nicely on an oval burner, and it should also work fine on a large round burner for something like a braise, which you start on the stove and finish in the oven.
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