Cooking And Caring For Your Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron
Caring for your cast iron doesnât have to be complicated. Lodge cookware comes already seasoned and ready to use, so you can make your family’s favorite recipes right away. You can use it on any heat source, from the stove top to the campfire . The more you use it, the better the seasoning will get.
Misen 7 Quart Dutch Oven
The chic, modern Milo by Kana Classic Dutch oven is not your grannys cookwarebut it performs just as well. With a minimalist feel, this simple enameled cast-iron Dutch oven comes in rich hues like navy and emerald. Both of those colorways, plus the matte black, sport a dark enamel interior like Staub pots opt for the white Milo if you want light-colored enamel coating like a Le Creuset. Heavier than a Le Creuset but lighter than the Misen, the Milo Dutch oven is made of 40% recycled cast iron. This is the type of cookware you store on open shelving for everyone to see. T.H.
Does The Dutch Oven Have Handles
When shopping for a Dutch oven, Gray advised to for a good handle at the top as this will make it easier to lift the lid while you cook. Garant added that the pot itself should also come equipped with side handles made with the same quality and ideally forged in the same casting, which ensures they are a solid part of the pots structure.
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Why Buy Lodge Cast Iron
As the only full line of American-made cast iron cookware, Lodge boasts quality that has been unmatched for over a century. Even heating, a natural easy-release finish, versatility and durability are the hallmarks of our great cookware. We don’t just make cast iron we make heirlooms that bring people together for generations.
Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
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A flawless pairing of form and function that doesn’t quit, the Lodge Dutch Oven is an enameled cast iron classic that’s great for preparing and serving memorable meals.
Porcelain enamel on cast iron is heat tolerant and impervious to water and other consumables. Use it to broil, braise, bake, or roast in the oven up to 500° F, and sauté, simmer, or fry on any stovetop, as well as to marinate and refrigerate food.
Comes with 6 pot protectors that protect your enamel dutch oven from chipping and prohibit moisture build up when storing.
Dimensions : L34 X W28 X H18.5 Capacity: 5.6L
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You Will Use It When You Make Pasta
We all know that the key to glossy, better-than-restaurant pasta is adding starchy-salty pasta water to your sauce and then cooking your noodles right in there so they soak up all that sweet, sweet ambrosia. I used to attempt that in a regular old stainless-steel frying pan, and the pasta would always go everywhere, which is where the Dutch oven comes inits the only vessel in my kitchen that will easily fit a pound of pasta, plus whatever Im doctoring it up with. Sizzle a bunch of garlic in plenty of olive oil, throw some cooked pasta in there along with pasta water and a good knob of butter, stir it all around enthusiastically, and youll be sold on this whole Dutch oven thing after one bite.
Saucy.
It Browns Food Beautifully
Compared to the pricier models I also used in the kitchen, the Lodge did an identical job caramelizing a big batch of onions, and the stone-colored enamel interior allowed me to monitor the browning. The cast iron heated quickly and evenly and its weight and generously sized handles made it easy to carry across the kitchen, without feeling like I might drop it on my foot.
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Le Creuset 55 Quart Dutch Oven
My trusty Lodge works just as well as one of those fancy Dutch ovens with the sexy-sounding French names, but it costs a third of the price. With a shiny, smooth, nonstick enamel finishwhich is just as practical as it is prettythis thing is all about functionality, baking, braising, sautéing, and roasting food perfectly. I appreciate its slightly curved base, which makes for easy stovetop stirring, and its wide loop handles, which allow me to maneuver confidently from oven to table. Could you splurge on one of those pricey Dutch ovens? Suuuuuuure. But do you need to? Absolutely not. Alex Beggs, senior staff writer
Best Dutch Ovens From Consumer Reports’ Tests
Le Creuset is nearly synonymous with Dutch ovens, but our tests found that Lodge and others that cost a lot less are just as good or better
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You might be tempted to store a bulky Dutch oven in the back of a cabinet, but consider this heavyweights versatility. From stovetop to oven to your table, a Dutch oven can brown, boil, braise, and bake bread, even deep-fry.
Our test engineers put a selection of Dutch ovens through their paces in the lab, boiling water, browning meat, simmering tomato sauce, and baking bread. They also recorded handle temperatures and evaluated ease of cleaning. Staffers gathered in our lab to weigh in on the moistness and tenderness of braised briskets, and the taste and texture of the bread.
All the Dutch ovens we tested are round, similar in height , and available in a variety of colors. Each pot holds 5 to 6 quartsideal for everyday cookingand works on any type of stovetop, including induction. Prices range from $45 to $340. If cared for well, these pans can last a lifetime, so dont be afraid to spend a bit more if it means getting the one you truly want.
Our tests found that any of these pots can do a fine job braising meat, and most can quickly bring 4 quarts of water to a near-boil. But we also found significant differences.
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What Is A Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven sometimes called a French oven or a cocotte is a large, typically heavy piece of cookware best known for its ability to slow-cook dishes like beef stew, pulled pork, Bolognese sauce and soup. Dourleijn noted the deep pot is also great for roasting chicken and other big meats.
Atticus Garant, the executive chef at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, added that you can even bake bread in your Dutch oven. the complete work horse in the kitchen, he said, noting that its thick base is the essence behind how handy a tool it can be in any kitchen.
What Are The Best Dutch Ovens Money Can Buy
Down to business. I have a Lodge, which I love, but there are plenty of great options out there at a variety of price points. You do absolutely need one, so choose the one that fits your budget. The best cast-iron Dutch oven doesnt have to cost $350but it sure can if you want it to. Here are our recommendations:
Into the idea of owning a piece of cookware thatll last for generations to come? Le Creusets iconic Dutch ovens are genuine heirloom pieces. Ive had mine for 10 years, my mom has had hers for 40, and I know folks using Le Creusets that have been passed down from grandparents. Theyre more lightweight than competitorswhich is key if youre in the market for a 13.25 quart Dutch oven to make enough soup for your soccer teamand come with that Le Creuset lifetime warranty . We use them in the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen. The downside is, of course, the pricewhich is partly due to the high quality and partly due to the fact that these things are still made in France, where the cost of labor is high. If you dont have a Dutch oven and a $350 pot is not in the cards, get yourself a Misen, Lodge, or Milo and upgrade when youre ready. Le Creusets are built to last, and no doubt when Im 80, Ill be using mine to stew prunes. MacKenzie Chung Fegan, senior commerce editor
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Staub 55 Quart Cocotte
You might be familiar with Misen knives , but the DTC company has expanded into cookware too. Their Dutch oven is durable, well made, and reasonably priced. While the sides of a Le Creuset or Lodge Dutch oven meet the bottom at a gentle slope, Misens base is more angular, which frees up surface area for browning but does make it a tad tricker to get into the corners with a spoon. The high sides contain grease splatters better than competitors, and the generously sized handles mean you dont have to worry about a heavy pot of stew slipping from your oven mitts. Choose between a regular lid and one that doubles as a grill pana cool feature, but trickier to remove from the pot when hot. Misens Dutch oven only comes in 7- and 9-quart feed-a-crowd sizes, so if youre looking for a smaller cast-iron pot, look elsewhere. M.C.F.
The 7 Best Dutch Ovens In 2022 According To Cooking Experts
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Though there are many kitchen tools a good chef needs to complete their collection, a Dutch oven is arguably one of the most important due to its versatility. This cooking pot can often be on the pricier side, but as Edith Dourleijn, cooking coach and owner of Creative Cook Co., noted, it can replace virtually every pot and pan you have. You can do so many things : roast big meats, bake your bread, bake your pies and all that type of stuff, she said. If you only need one pan, this would be it.
SKIP AHEADThe best Dutch ovens | How to shop for a Dutch oven | Dutch ovens vs. slow cookers
Before you invest in a Dutch oven which can easily run you upward of $200 for a quality model its important to know what youre investing in. We consulted chefs and cookware experts to break down how to shop for a Dutch oven and compiled some top picks based on their guidance.
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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.
What Is The Difference Between A Dutch Oven And A Slow Cooker
Though Dutch ovens and slow cookers serve similar purposes in the kitchen, they dont provide the same results when it comes to quality or versatility. Dourleijn explained that since Dutch ovens retain heat better, its easier to brown foods in them. Gray added that with a Dutch oven, you can start off on the stovetop and then go straight into the oven, which you cant do with a slow cooker. However, if you are new to cooking and want something you can set and forget, Dourleijn said a slow cooker is a fine starting point.
CORRECTION : A previous version of this article misspelled the last name of the executive chef of the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. He is Atticus Garant, not Grant.
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Red Lodge 6 Qt Dutch Oven
Dutch Oven, Enamel, Red, 6 Quart
5.7 liter. Porcelain enamel on cast iron. 100 years & still cooking. Since 1896, the Lodge family has been making cast iron cookware of the highest quality. We always strive to provide an unmatched experience at the greatest value. As times change and techniques evolve, we look to pioneer progress, but always with our roots firmly in place. Lodge’s century-old tradition of excellence continues as we marry the benefits of cast iron with the beauty of porcelain enamel. Workhorses in the kitchen and show pieces on the dinner table, our enameled iron will become your go-go cookware. And with Lodge’s pledge to quality, it is sure to be a part of fond memories for many years to come. Our enameled cast iron is made to our strict specifications by our partner foundry in China. The right tool to marinate, refrigerate, cook and serve. Unparalleled in heat retention and even heating. Smooth glass surface won’t react to ingredients. Smooth glass surface won’t react to ingredients. Saute, simmer or fry on any stovetop. Electric. Gas. Glass. Induction. Oven. www.lodgemfg.com facebook.com/lodgecastiron Made in China
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven
Several of the chefs we spoke to said they use Dutch ovens from Le Creuset either at home or in their professional kitchens. Todd Gray, executive chef and co-owner of Federal Fritter in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, said hes a fan of the bright color options and the enameled cast iron material. This Le Creuset has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 460 reviews on Le Creusets site.
Gray also noted that he likes to keep a smaller version on hand specifically for the toaster oven when he wants smaller portions.
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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.
Why You Should Trust Us
Weve been covering Dutch ovens at Wirecutter since 2015. Ray Aguilera, who wrote the original version of this guide, has professionally reviewed a wide range of products since 2006, in addition to being an avid cook and home brewer. Kevin Purdy, a former Wirecutter staff writer, previously updated this guide.
Anna Perling is a Wirecutter kitchen writer who has covered everything from hand mixers to small saucepans. To update this guide in 2020, she read new editorial reviews on Dutch ovens, including ones from Epicurious, The Kitchn, The Strategist, and Americas Test Kitchen. She also read up on the science of cookware, consulting Cooking For Engineers and Cooking Issues.
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What Is The Dutch Oven Made Out Of
All of the experts we spoke to agreed that the best Dutch ovens are made out of cast iron. According to Garant, this material will promote even cooking and temperature distribution. Its also important to note that there is a difference between cast iron and enameled cast iron: While both of these give you the heat retention benefits of cast iron, the enameled versions make clean-up and maintenance much easier, Garant noted.
…the complete work horse in the kitchen.
Atticus Garant, executive chef at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles
Other types of Dutch ovens you might see on the market include stainless steel Dutch ovens and ceramic Dutch ovens. , executive chef at meal delivery service Trifecta, explained that though stainless steel Dutch ovens are relatively affordable, they usually dont come with a lid and wont retain heat as well as the other options. Ceramic Dutch ovens, meanwhile, are the lightest of all the options and because of this can crack easily if dropped or if temperatures change too abruptly, Limaudran said.
Maybe The Best Part You Will Cook Things In It And Then Serve Those Things In It Straight From The Oven To The Table Because Its Pretty
Classically pretty, like puffy sleeves and brooches. Why get a separate platter dirty? Are you obsessed with doing dishes or something? I mayOR MAY NOTown a very specific pumpkin-shaped cocotte that I use approximately once a year, but for the entire months of October and November it decorates my mantle and doesnt rot into mush like real gourds. Put a kitten in it! Make a photoshoot of it.
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