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.
Price at time of publish: $360.
The Best Heritage Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Le Creuset 55
What we liked: The Le Creuset cast iron Dutch oven is a beautiful pot that comes in 17 core colors, plus special editions. Weighing just over 11 pounds, the 5 1/2quart Le Creuset isn’t as heavy as many of the other models we tested , but that didn’t appear to affect performance. On the stovetop, it cooks very well: There wasn’t an excessive amount of sticking when we browned chicken thighs, and the fond that developed was easy to see because of the contrast against the interior enamel’s beige color. The Signature line has larger handles than the older Classic model, which we’re all forit makes the pot easier to grab and carry. We can also vouch for Le Creuset products’ longevity, given that we’ve used their pots for years at work and home without any major complaints. Splurging for the Le Creuset means investing in a reputation that’s backed by generations of satisfied users all over the world and a warranty that anecdotal evidence says you can rely on. The Signature pot comes in 1- to 13 1/4-quart sizes.
Price at time of publish: $420.
Best Budget: Cuisinart Chefs Classic 5
For less than $100, this Dutch oven was hard to beat. It has a roomy cooking surface, and everything I made in it turned out great. While its handles were a touch small, they were still large enough to comfortably grasp and its lids knob was as wide as the Le Creuset knobs. It was easy enough to clean, too, but it did chip when I whacked the rim with a metal spoon, so its not as durable as some of the other pots I tested. Its lid also came with a large sticker, which left a sticky film that was frustrating to remove.
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The Criteria: What To Look For In An Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Serious Eats / Will Dickey
Dutch ovens are made from steel or cast iron, both with and without an enamel coating. For this review, we targeted enameled cast iron only because that’s the type we find to be best suited to the dishes we usually make in this type of potstews and braises, chilis, and hearty ragùs. We prefer cast iron for many of these dishes because of its great heat retention and enamel because it offers a protective coating that’s easy to cook in and clean. Acidic dishes, such as sauces and stews that call for tomato or wine, can develop a metallic taste after spending hours in plain seasoned cast iron, making enamel an even more important factor.
Dutch ovens also come in two common shapes : round and oval. While the latter can be helpful for certain kinds of oblong roasts, a round Dutch oven is more practical for most recipes, so that’s the kind we settled on for this review.
Test : Rating Dutch Oven Design
Serious Eats / Emily Dryden
As we washed, cooked with, lifted, and examined the pots, we noticed which details made certain Dutch ovens more user-friendly and which frustrated us. As described above, handle and knob design was one of the more important design factors we encountered .
Some aspects of a Dutch oven’s build turned out to be not as important as we had expected. We measured the thickness of the wall and the bottom of each Dutch oven and found that there wasn’t much of a correlation between those numbers and performance. Our top picks were all over the map in terms of bottom thickness, with the Cuisinart the thickest and the Le Creuset on the thinner side. And yet they all performed well in cooking tests.
Enamel quality, meanwhile, was difficult to assess. In many cases, failures can occur after many months or years of consistent usenot something we could easily reproduce in our tests. Still, we tried some more extreme abuse trials to see if we could uncover any obvious differences in quality. We banged the pot bottoms together and smacked the insides with a metal measuring cup to see if we could chip the finish. Some pots retained slight scuff marks from the metal, but most wiped clean with minimal effort, and none chipped. The test proved to be a great stress reliever, but it didn’t help us eliminate any of the contenders.
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Why You Should Trust Us
Weve been covering Dutch ovens at Wirecutter since 2015. Ray Aguilera, who wrote the original version of this guide, had been a professional product reviewer 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, who wrote the most recent version of this article, covered a variety of kitchen items from hand mixers to small saucepans in her time at Wirecutter. 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.
Enameled Vs Non Enameled
Enameled cast iron cookware is normally easier to deal with. You shouldnt have to season it, the surface is smoother and can take a more vigorous cleaning.
With enameled cookware you get the heating efficiency of cast iron, with an ease of use approaching non stick.
As a bonus, enameled cast iron pots come in a cool range of colors.
Whats the catch?
Well non-enameled cast iron is very simple. Its a single block of iron. It can crack but that is rare. As long as you look after it, it will last generations. You can even restore it if it rusts.
Bare cast iron is similar to carbon steel, and both can withstand very high temperatures, making them ideal for high heat cooking.
Enameled cast iron is more susceptible to damage. The enamel layer can chip or crack much more easily. And once thats started I would avoid cooking with it .
So enameled cast iron is easier, but may not last as long.
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The Enamel Coating Is Porcelain Enamel
The enamel coating on the Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is porcelain enamel, which has all of the benefits mentioned above namely that its chip and cracks resistant. It makes for easy cleanup because food doesnt stick to enamel as much as bare metalit heats evenly without hot spotsand enameled cast iron holds heat really well so foods dont cool down too quickly. The enamel coating on this enameled cast-iron pot is also a bright white, so its easy to see whats cooking inside.
Why Use A Dutch Oven Over Other Cookware
One word: versatility. It lends itself well to a variety of cooking styles and can go from stovetop to oven with ease. Its durable construction will help it stand up to frequent use, and most Dutch ovens are attractive enough to act as a serving dish, too, adding a touch of rustic elegance to the table.
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What Is A Dutch Oven Used For
Dutch ovens are often used for big batches of chili, soup, stew, or stock, but theyre equally great for deep frying donuts, making a loaf of no-knead bread, roasting whole birds, making mashed potatoes, and even baking a cake. Dutch ovens are also the perfect size and heft for taking a tough, inexpensive cut of meat, like a pork shoulder, and cooking it at a low temperature with wine or stock. Some Dutch ovens might be expensive, but you can truly get your moneys worth. And if you need more ideas, we’ve got all the best recipes over here.
Cooking And Caring For Your Lodge Enameled Cast Iron
1. Allow cookware to cool.
2. Although dishwasher safe, hand washing with warm soapy water and a nylon Scrub Brush is recommended to preserve the cookwareâs original appearance. Citrus juices and citrus-based cleaners should not be used, as they can dull the exterior gloss.
3. If necessary, use nylon pads or scrapers to remove food residue metal pads or utensils will scratch or chip porcelain.
4. Slight stains can be removed by rubbing with dampened cloth and Lodge Enamel Cleaner or other ceramic cleaner according to directions on bottle.
5. Dry cookware thoroughly before storing. Do not stack cookware.
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Upgrade Pick: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast
*At the time of publishing, the price was $360.
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 weve 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 It Used For
The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven can be used for a variety of tasks in the kitchen, making it one of the most versatile pots you can own. This pot is perfect for boiling pasta, simmering sauces, braising meats, and baking bread. The enameled cast-iron Dutch oven can even be used to fry bacon or roast a chicken pretty much anything you can cook in a regular oven can be cooked in this pot.
If youre still not sure if enameled cast iron is the right kind of cookware for your kitchen, read on! Weve put together a Lodge enameled cast-iron Dutch oven review so you can see all the reasons why were enamored with enameled cast iron and this particular enameled Dutch oven.
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How Big Of A Soup/stew Pot Do I Need
The one thing that buyers get confused about the most while buying a pot is the size. And this factor is something that is going to depend on your requirement. Let us explain why.
If you are planning to occasionally cook stew only for the family members, you would be more than fine with something that is around 5 quarts in size. That will enable you to cook in a small amount. Also, it will allow you to cook for your entire family.
On the other hand, if you plan to host dinner parties where you wish to serve your delicious stew, you should opt for something that is 10 quarts or larger. Those are ideal for cooking in bulk.
Also, those will enable you to took cook in a large amount and save some for later. You can easily serve it on the days where you do not feel like going near the kitchen.
Is It Really Worth Buying A $50 Dutch Oven
No doubt all you guys know I love enamel cast iron for a variety of reasons.
It has all the benefits of cast iron which means that it is very resistant to changes in temperature and once it gets hot, it holds on to it. This means you can sear at high heat or cook things low and slow.
It has no drawbacks of cast ironno need to worry about seasoning, no need to worry about cleaning properly, no need to worry about acidic or reactive foodsit wont damage seasoning or leach of iron particles into your food.
The benefits of enameled cast iron is clear for all and perfect for a home kitchen. They really are great.
As you all also know, Le Creuset are considered the gold standard of enamel Dutch ovens. They are the Rolls Royce of the industry. What we also know is they come with a Rolls Royce pricein the region of $300 plus for a dutch oven.
Lodge Cast Iron have a phenomenal reputation when it comes to cast iron production, incredibly famous for its skillets and outdoor ovens. They have come up with a solution that cuts the price significantly in comparison to Le Creuset. Their offering is available at around $50a massive saving on the more premium brands.
So, lets take a look at the Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven and see what we are getting for $50. I have to say I was skeptical at first. How can they charge so little for something that does the same job as something that can cost $300 plus?
Lets take a look at the actual body and construction:
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Lodge Ec6d43 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 6
- Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
- Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Amazonbasics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven
Like all the other basic necessities, AmazonBasics is also offering some of the best pots for making soup in the market. And this one that we are going to talk about is one of them.
To begin with, you will have the freedom to choose from four different sizes. It comes in 4.3 quarts, 6 quarts, 7.3 quarts, and finally, 7.5 quarts. That means whether you are planning to cook soups for yourself only or the entire family, you are going to find one that has an adequate size easily.
Just like some of the other manufacturers, AmazonBasics is also offering a few color options. It is available in red, green, and blue. You can choose the one that will blend well with the other kitchen utensils.
Apart from that, the material that the manufacturer utilized for the overall construction is cast iron. That material makes these pots exceptionally durable. You can expect these to last for an extended amount of time. Also, the heat retention and the heat distribution capability is highly enhanced because of that material.
The handles that it features on the side will provide an adequate amount of control. Also, the fitted lid has a large-sized knob, which will make it easier for you to maneuver it during cooking.
Lastly, the pot is compatible with most of the cookers. You can even put it inside an oven without having to worry that much.
Pros
Pros
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The Handle Is Made Of Stainless Steel
Nowadays, many enamel-coated Dutch ovens have a silicone or plastic handle. Lodge has taken a different approach and uses a stainless steel handle on their enameled cast iron Dutch oven. This might seem like a small detail, but its actually a big deal. Stainless steel is much more durable than silicone or plastic, and its less likely to melt if you accidentally touch it with a hot pan. The stainless steel handle is also heat resistant up to 500°F , so you can safely use it in the oven.
First Things First: The Look
Lets be honest: enameled cast iron pots and pans arent always going to look pretty. Because the enamel coating is applied over bare metal, there will be some marks and imperfections in the finish. But Lodge has done a great job of creating enameled cast iron Dutch oven with a stylish speckled blue exterior. There will be some aesthetic imperfections with the enameled finish, but theyre expected and wont affect how well your enameled pots and pans work.
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