Dutch ovens are versatile pieces of cookware that everyone should have in their kitchen. Finding the best dutch ovens can be tricky, but don’t worry we put together a detailed guide on the best dutch ovens to use and what makes a great dutch oven over others.
Dutch ovens are great at slow roasting, braising, baking bread, searing, and much more. Ready to find out what the best dutch ovens are? Let’s go.
Best dutch oven product reviews
Below are our five top duch ovens that will cook all types of food with ease. These dutch ovens meet or exceed all of our expectations.
1. Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
This cast iron makes our list as the best dutch ovens of the bunch. It is oven safe up to 500 degrees and can be used for broiling or baking and it holds up to 6 quarts. It is a porcelain-enameled cast iron dutch oven and will fit any kitchen decor because of the variety of exterior colors you can choose from.
What we love
We love the fact this dutch oven can be used in a lot of cooking methods. From broil to baking this 6-quart dutch oven is very versatile. We love the fact that it also has excellent heat retention for even heating.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Well priced
- Very good at retaining heat and with heat distribution
- Can be used on almost any cook top including gas, electric , and induction
Cons
- Cant use on open fire
2. Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Pre-Seasoned Pot with Lid
This cast iron dutch oven makes our list of the best dutch ovens for many reasons. For one it is a multi-functional cookware that can slow cook excellently. Love to make chili? This pot holds a lot of it and the cast-iron retains heat well to also search food at higher temperatures.
What we love
- Seasoned: We love that this cast iron dutch oven is seasoned and ready to go. When we say seasons we are referring to 100% vegetable oil, no synthetic coatings, or chemicals. The more times you use a cast iron season pot they better the seasoning becomes.
- Built to last: Cast iron is tough and ready to last for the long haul. Simply wipe it down and make sure its dry before storing it.
Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Pre-Seasoned Pot with Lid
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Seasoned cast iron
- Extremely durable that last the long haul
- Easy to clean
- Great on open fire
Cons
- Could be hard to store because of weight
3. Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 4.3-Quart
This is a great enameled cast iron dutch oven that any cook would be proud to have within their kitchen. This can easily brown, boil, braise, and more from your stovetop. This dutch oven can be used on all cooking surfaces that include stovetops, inside the oven, and on a barbecue.
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 4.3-Quart
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Safe up to degree Fahrenheit
- Even heat distribution and retention
- Multiple color options
- Secure fitting lid included
Cons
- Smaller at 4.5 Quarts
4. Le Creuset LS2501-2667 Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven
The Le Creuset Dutch oven is known for its quality in kitchens and homes around the world. It is well known for its superior cooking and durability. Professional chefs and home cooks love this dutch oven to braise, slow cook, and much more.
What we love
Easy to clean and easy to use. Enameled cast iron delivers outstanding heat retention and distribution. Not only will cook great but it is the lightest cast iron per quart on the market. It truly is a great dutch oven.
The only reason this is not on the top of our list is that it is very expensive compared to other dutch ovens. However, if you have the means to purchase this dutch oven it is an excellent piece of cookware you’ll love to use in your kitchen.
Le Creuset LS2501-2667 Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- Excellent heat retention and distribution from enameled cast iron.
- Stay-cool lid knob
- 45% larger handles for easy grip even with oven mitts
Cons
- Expensive
5. Landhaus Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, Pot with Lid and Two Knobs Included
Here is another one of our best dutch oven we put onto our list because of the size and natural non-stick slow cook enamel. Each dutch oven has a four-layer, glass-fired enamel coasted non-stick interior. It is a food-safe enabled cast iron.
It is safe in the oven up to 450 degrees and is easy to cook with because of its non-stick surface. Not to mention its easy to wash and only needs a gently had wash with soup and a sponge.
Landhaus Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, Pot with Lid and Two Knobs Included
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Large 6.2 quart comes with two solid brass and chrome knobs.
- Non-stick interior, food-safe enameled for easy cooking
- Easy-to-clean
Cons
- Enamel can be delicate
Best dutch oven buying guide
Raw vs enameled
A lot of people like to choose enameled over raw and this is simply a personal preference. However, there are plenty of people who want to cook with something enameled free and choose to go with a raw material. Non-enameled posts are known to withstand a higher heat then enameled pots.
Size of your dutch oven
Know what size dutch oven you want. If you cook smaller meals opt for a smaller pot. If you cook for larger groups or have a larger family you’ll want a larger pot. Keep this in mind before purchasing a dutch oven.
You would think this rule of thumb would be an easy one to follow but it’s not. You would be surprised by the number of people who purchase a dutch oven or other cookware piece and they regard their size, mostly because they wnt to small.
Design is important in a dutch oven
There are a few design options you should look for when determining the best dutch ovens to purchase. Here are a few things you should always look for when purchasing a dutch oven.
- Lid: Make sure the lid fits nice and tight. And be sure the lid is oven proof. The lid is a very important piece of the dutch oven.
- Knobs: Make sure these are oven safe.
- Handles: Handles should be well made and large enough that you could handle them with an oven mitt
Easy to clean
Depending on what type of material your dutch oven is it will either be easy or really easy to clean. Non-stick enameled dutch oven is really easy to clean.
Warm soapy water will do the trick. For cast-iron simply wipe it down and for tougher foods that won’t come off, you can use some soap and water to remove and remember to fully dry before storing.
How to care for a cast iron dutch oven?
Caring for your cast iron pots whether they are a dutch oven or pan does not have to be complicated. In-fact it is simply to care from these types of materials. Here is a simple guide to follow:
- Simply was your cast iron by hand with either warm water or warm water and mild soap.
- Dry fully and quickly with a lint-free cloth or a paper towel.
- Rub the inside with a layer of vegetable oil. Dry and do this when the pan is warm a little.
- Store the cookware in a dry place till the next use.
Baking bread in a dutch oven
We get a lot of questions about baking bread in a dutch oven. This is because a lot of new dutch oven owners want to bake bread when they purchase this piece of cookware.
One of the main reasons so many like to bake bread in a dutch oven is the fact that the dutch oven acts like a really great insulated even headed sealed chamber that cooks bread great.
There are many great resources on this but one we really like is from the “theperfectloaf”. You can find that resource here.
Dutch ovens for open fires
When cooking over an open fire you will want to use a cast-iron dutch oven. They love an open flame and can take very high heat. They are durable and can take the pounding of outside or camping much better than other materials.
The Lodge cast iron dutch oven is a good choice if you looking or a cast iron material.
Our verdict for the best dutch ovens?
When looking at the major features and price points we have made our decision on of the best dutch ovens you can purchase. We went with…
Lodge enamel dutch oven
The lodge dutch oven has everything we wanted in a dutch oven. Easy to clean, cook with, and had a fair price. Although we will say if you don’t have a budget or are willing to spend the money you will not be disappointed with the Le Creuset Dutch oven its excellent.
