It goes without saying that during quarantine, we have all been cooking a ton more. For many of us, stay-at-home jobs have also meant having to cook at home, which can only mean one thing: We’ve practically become experts on what cookware truly works. If you’re anything like us, you’ve been using your Dutch oven during this COVID-19 lockdown. A Dutch oven is one of the most important (if not the most important and adaptable) items of everyday cookware.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DUTCH OVEN, I hear you ask?
A Dutch oven is a heavy-duty pot with a tight-fitting lid that does the hard work when it comes to slow-cooked dishes like braised cuts of meat, homemade broths, and winter stews. It is flexible, durable, and regarded as the workhorse of all cookware. A Dutch oven is often made of nonstick-coated cast iron or aluminum and can be used in the oven as well as on the cooktop. The hefty bottom is perfect for braising in the oven or simmering for hours on the stovetop after browning meat and vegetables. We use a Dutch oven to prepare hearty meals like classic beef stew and oven-roasted root vegetables.
WHY THE STEEP PRICE POINT, I ask you?
You might be wondering why so many Dutch ovens seem to be priced at or over $200 or even $300 when they are one of those essential items of everyday cookware. They’re frequently an investment piece that you can use to bring a burst of color to your kitchen and keep on hand for a lifetime of usage, as our friends at Good Housekeeping noted.
In other words, given its durability and adaptability, a good Dutch oven is a wise investment. A Dutch oven serves as both a functional kitchen fixture and an attractive decorative item thanks to the variety of lovely and vibrant ceramic finishes available. You’ll surely use your Dutch oven season after season, whether you keep it hanging from a strong pot rack or storing it deep inside a cupboard.
OUR CHOICES
We considered the following important elements when selecting the top Dutch ovens:
Longevity. One of the most crucial considerations is longevity because we only wanted to feature options that endure (and endure well) throughout time. We evaluated which Dutch ovens endured the best in terms of food stains, corrosion, and enamel chipping.
Durability. We spent months testing out different recipes in our Dutch ovens on the stovetop and in the oven to determine which models actually function well in our regular cooking. Durability and versatility go hand in hand.
price range. The final factor we looked at was price point, as there are now many wonderful new direct-to-consumer cookware businesses that provide less expensive alternatives to the exorbitant price tags of the past. Given the caliber of each brand, we included a range of prices that we believe to be reasonable.
We conducted in-depth research to uncover the top-rated Dutch ovens, reading evaluations and advice from professional sources like Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine, and WireCutter. Only products with overwhelmingly positive evaluations and quality ratings that have been verified by experts were included. Several of the models on this list, including the Milo by Kana Dutch Oven, the Caraway Cookware, and the Great Jones’ The Duchess Dutch Oven, were also put to the test by hand.
1 Dutch oven in cast iron, Milo by Kana
As the site’s resident food/drink editor, I have been very vocal about how much I adore this Milo from Kana Dutch Oven. When the direct-to-consumer company Milo introduced their range of more reasonably priced enameled cast-iron cookware in 2018, I fell in love with their Dutch oven the moment I used it. This marijuana is simply not worth the $120 asking price.
There are two sizes of this enameled cast-iron pot: a 5.5-quart size (which I own) and a smaller 3.5-quart size. The glossy enameled interior of this pot makes it inherently nonstick in addition to being dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The enameled finish has developed a little chip or two with use over time, but overall this has changed the way I prepare my everyday meals, especially soups and stews.
2 Dutch oven with caraway
Caraway is yet another amazing direct-to-consumer cookware company that has recently experienced tremendous growth. They create their goods from high-quality, nontoxic ceramic. Recently, our site’s director Erica Murphy put her sauté pan to the test and was astounded by how really “nonstick” it proved to be.
Similar in design, the 6.5-quart Dutch oven from Caraway has an aluminum core, a nontoxic ceramic surface, and handles made of contrasting stainless steel. This versatile Dutch oven costs $125, which is considerably less than similar models from more premium manufacturers. It is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
3 Excellent Jones The Dutch Oven of the Duchess
The only downside is that this Dutch oven weights about 15 pounds, so have that in mind when making your choice.
Reviewers also laud the nonstick surface of this enameled cast-iron Dutch oven, saying that its slick enamel finish makes it simple to deglaze and clean. We suggest The Duchess for a unique flash of color in your kitchen at a price range far below $200.
4 Staub Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The lustrous, robust 6-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven from chef-favorite brand Staub is a true work of beauty. This piece of cookware stands out from the crowd thanks to a distinctive multicoat enameling process that produces a highly colored, colorful “majolique” surface. Though it is attractive, this finish is also resistant to rust, chipping, and cracking. The coating doesn’t need to be seasoned further like some other cast-iron cookware does.
Although this Dutch oven has a steep price tag, reviews overwhelmingly attest to its high caliber and durability. Our parenting editor, Cat Bowen, is adamant about using this essential piece of cookware, which is also a wise investment.
5 Lodge Dutch oven, enameled cast iron
The 6-quart Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is dishwasher safe, oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and dishwasher friendly. Users adore this pot’s large, comfortable side handles, smooth, easy-to-clean enamel interior, and stylish yet sturdy exterior.
Given this pot’s absurdly low price of under $100, easy-to-grip handles, and slightly curved base that helps prevent food from becoming stuck and caked on during cooking, Wirecutter recently rated Lodge’s Dutch Oven as their top overall selection.
We’d be remiss if we left out Lodge cookware from our list because it costs a fraction of what Le Creuset’s cookware of comparable quality costs.
6 Le Creuset Signature Dutch Oven Enameled Cast Iron
We advise you to splash out on the legendary Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven if you could only buy one piece of cast-iron cookware. This hard-wearing pot is ideal for slow-cooked dishes like substantial beef stews, braised roasts, and root vegetable soups. It will come in handy season after season and is likely to become a beloved family treasure.
This Dutch oven’s 6 34 quart capacity, substantially wide cooking surface, and stain- and chip-resistant enameled interior make it a master at evenly heating and locking in moisture throughout cooking. The good news is that these Dutch ovens frequently go on sale. We understand that the price tag can be difficult to stomach.
7 Classic Nonstick Dutch Oven from Calphalon
Don’t overlook dependable brand Calphalon if you’re short on storage space or need a lighter-weight Dutch oven that yet has all the features of the heavier-weight selections above. This compact 5-quart aluminum Dutch oven, which weighs under 6 pounds, has two nonstick coatings to help keep food from sticking and make cleanup much simpler.
Recently, Food & Wine selected this Calphalon pot as the best non-stick Dutch oven, citing its portability, modern style, and cleanable interior.
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