The right Dutch oven can transform your cooking and make life a whole lot easier. This article will help you find the best Dutch ovens on the market today, giving you some background info on Dutch ovens and how they work, plus we answer:
- How does a chef use a Dutch oven?
- Can Dutch ovens be used as ovens?
- Can Dutch ovens withstand high temperatures?
- Which Dutch oven size is best for baking bread?
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Lodge Enamel 1.5-Quart cast iron Dutch oven
- You can use to boil, marinate and freeze food.
- Has a smooth glass surface that doesn’t react negatively to ingredients.
- Unparalleled in its heat retention capacity.
This Dutch oven has a 1.5-quart capacity to cook a perfect meal for a family. The Lodge cast iron Dutch oven is coated with enamel, which is why it is a perfect appliance for all cooking purposes and freezing and refrigerating food.
What we like:
No need for seasoning: Constructed with multiple porcelain layers, so you don’t have to season the oven like a regular cast iron appliance.
Durability: It can withstand the heat of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Superior heat retention: It retains a lot of heat and seals in the moisture so that you get a perfectly cooked meal every time. You save a lot of time cooking and even use less gas or electricity because of this feature.
Pros
- You can use to boil, marinate and freeze food.
- Has a smooth glass surface that doesn’t react negatively to ingredients.
- Unparalleled in its heat retention capacity.
Cons
- This appliance is not dishwasher safe.
What Dutch oven do chefs use?
Many famous chefs use Le Creuset Dutch ovens in their homes and workplaces, according to some online research. Most professional chefs prefer to work with enameled cast iron when cooking in Dutch ovens because they are healthier and safer.
Can Dutch ovens be used in ovens?
Yes. It is possible to use Dutch ovens inside ovens, and this is one of the many reasons why Dutch ovens are sought after by many cooks. They are incredibly versatile and durable in that they can withstand the high temperatures of an oven. Regardless of whether the Dutch oven is made of cast iron enamel or just conventional seasoned cast iron, you’ll get the same results when you use it in the oven.
Some professional cooks swear by cooking food in a Dutch oven inside a conventional oven. The food is evenly heated and cooked, so you don’t have to put in so much effort to check on your food and stir it continuously.
Where is Le Creuset Made?
Le Creuset is a brand of Dutch ovens that are made in France. Every one of these Dutch ovens is handcrafted with only top-quality materials. The cast iron enamel Dutch Ovens were a legendary creation that completely changed the way people cook. The high performance of all Le Creuset cookware is still unrivaled even after all these years of production.
Nowadays, some Le Creuset products are made in different parts of the world since the raw materials are gathered outside France.
Is the Le Creuset lid oven safe?
If you use standard Le Creuset lids with the phenolic knob in black, they are oven safe only up to a specific temperature, 375°F. However, if you use the Le Creuset cast iron enamel Dutch ovens, you can crank up your oven to a staggering 500°F and still have a working lid.
What is Le Creuset Dutch oven made of?
The classic Le Creuset Dutch oven is skillfully handcrafted from enameled cast iron. Some are stainless steel, but the most popular ones are the cast iron enamel Dutch ovens. These are popularly known for retaining heat and cooking food evenly. You can even use this in the conventional oven for baking, roasting, or broiling.
Can Dutch ovens handle high heat?
You don’t have to worry about heat damaging your appliance as long as you use the cast iron enamel duct ovens. However, if you use a Dutch oven made of a different material other than cast iron, you must avoid heating it at very high temperatures. If you do so, it could scorch the product’s finish and become unsafe for use.
How high should the heat be on a Dutch oven?
If you want an evenly cooked meal, it is best to use your Dutch oven on low to medium heat. Since Dutch ovens do a great job of retaining a lot of heat, the heat will circulate inside the Dutch oven from when you place it on the stove or oven. This is why if you crank up the heat too high, there is a chance that you will burn the food or scorch the finish.
The recommended highest heat is medium, even if your pot can take up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way is to use a thermometer to check the temperature at all times when cooking.
Can a Dutch oven go in a 500-degree oven?
Most Dutch ovens are conventional oven safe and can be used at even a high heat of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you are continuously using your Dutch oven at such high heat, there is a chance that your seasoning will wear off or that the coating on your Dutch oven will burn.
Can you ruin a Dutch oven?
Since Dutch ovens are made for extreme cooking conditions, especially when it comes to heat, it is not the most straightforward kitchen appliance to get ruined; unless you are using the wrong dutch oven with super high heat. For example, you can use your Dutch oven on high heat when it is made up of cast iron. However, for other materials, it is not safe. When you continuously use it on extremely high heat, you will probably have a ruined Dutch oven.
You should also keep in mind the washing instructions. If the instruction manual says it is best to hand-wash, don’t pop it in the dishwasher as it may scrap off the pot’s insides.
What size Dutch oven is best for making bread?
If you plan to bake a loaf of bread in your Dutch oven, a 5 to the 7.5-quart oven is the best. This will accommodate a standard loaf tin, and this size is ideal since you need to leave the bread enough room to rise and expand.
Does the Dutch oven have handles?
One of the best features of Dutch ovens is their handles. Since the pot itself is usually heavy, you will probably need the handles on both sides to lift the pot at all. Some brands have a lot of different colors to choose from.
Can you boil water in a Dutch oven?
Yes, you can boil water in a Dutch oven, and you can use it to boil water on a stovetop or even in the oven.
What is the difference between a Dutch oven and a slow cooker?
There are a lot of differences between a Dutch oven and a slow cooker. A Dutch oven has multiple uses, starting from boiling and roasting to baking, marinating, and freezing different kinds of food. In contrast, a slow cooker is meant only for cooking food.
Another mention is that Dutch ovens can be used on a stovetop or in an oven. Slow cookers usually only have one power output, which is usually electrical.
Reviews
The Amazon Basics cast iron enamel Dutch oven is designed to retain heat and evenly distribute heat so that you can cook your food properly in a short period. This Dutch oven comes with a fitted lid with side handles. You can use this in the oven for up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What we like
Cook and Serve: You can use the unique and sleek design for cooking and serving purposes. After you cook your food, you can even store it in the same pot in your refrigerator.
Versatility: You can use it for roasting, braising, boiling, or baking. You can also find this range in a variety of fun colors.
Cast Iron: Built with heavy-duty cast iron and will not get ruined even in high temperatures like 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- The cast iron construction makes cleaning up easy
- High level of heat retention
- No non-stick chemicals on the surface to worry about
Cons
- The weight of this Dutch oven is quite a lot, and it is not easy to carry around.
This artisan Dutch oven works as a crockpot that can quickly cook food in high temperatures and evenly distribute the heat inside the pot. The best part about this pot is its self-basting lid that generates an ideal environment for constant basting.
What we like
Versatile use: You can bake or broil and even use this in a convection or conventional oven for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Compatible with various cooktops: You can use this on ceramic, induction, gas, or electric cooktops.
Heat Retention: This artisan Dutch oven is made with cast iron, allowing maximum heat retention to perform different cooking techniques. You can fry, braise, broil, stew, bake or sauté as you like.
Pros
- Oversized handles that boost mobility
- The Artisan Dutch ovens are all made to be rust-free and long-lasting
- The durable cast iron construction allows the distribution of heat.
Cons
- It is not dishwasher safe.
This pre-seasoned cast-iron Dutch oven comes with two large side handles for easy accessibility and can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. You can pop this in the oven to cook, roast, bake or boil anything you want. You can serve a small family of 3 or four with this appliance.
What we like
Pre-seasoned: Typically, you need to season the pot with cast iron before use, but you don’t have to do any of that with this oven. It comes pre-seasoned so you can get to cooking in the oven directly.
Cast iron construction: The heavy-duty cast iron is durable and can withstand a lot of heat, and it is also oven-friendly.
Oversized handles: The oven comes with handles on both sides that are looped for more comfort. You can move your pot around as you wish without getting burnt.
Pros
- The oven comes pre-seasoned.
- It has an optimal heat retention system for even and quick cooking
- It is not as heavy as other 2 quart Dutch ovens.
Cons
- You only get a 1-year limited warranty with this item.
This 2.75 quart Le Creuset dutch oven is handcrafted with enameled cast iron which sib both durable and versatile. It also comes with knobs that are ergonomically placed for easy mobility. You can do just about anything with this oven, from slow-cooking to baking and more.
What we like
Cast Iron Enamel: It provides superior heat retention and even heat distribution for that perfectly cooked meal every time.
Optimal Shape: This oven comes in an oval shape which is excellent for cooking significant cuts of meat and can even fit a whole chicken. You can also fit an entire standard-sized load tin for baking purposes.
Colored interiors: Since the inside of the oven is light in color, you can easily monitor the cooking process of your food at any given time.
Pros
- There’s no need for seasoning the pot
- It has tight-fitting lids, which help circulate and return moisture into the food.
- It is dishwasher safe.
Cons
- This Dutch oven is quite expensive.
Verdict
You can use Dutch ovens for just about anything! They are made to withstand heat, so Dutch ovens are ideal for cooking. We suggest the Lodge cast iron Dutch oven if you plan to get one.
The heat retention of this appliance is fantastic! It also has a self-basting lid that traps moisture and infuses taste into the food. You save money and time while getting a perfectly cooked meal every time.