The best Dutch ovens holds an irreplaceable position in any kitchen, and it’s easy to see why. This deep, strong cast-iron pot with a lid can be used for many things, from braising meats to baking bread to simmering delicious stews. Dutch ovens are great at keeping heat in and spreading it out. This makes them perfect for slow-cooking methods that tenderize food perfectly.
Also, they have the best internal conditions for making artisan-style bread with great results. If these benefits aren’t enough to convince you, a good Dutch oven can last for many years. But because there are so many choices, it can be hard to choose the right one. Why does it have to be so expensive? We did a lot of study and put Dutch ovens through a lot of tests. We looked at things like heat distribution, heat retention, durability, and how easy it is to use. Below we have mentioned the best dutch ovens.
Best Dutch Ovens Comparison Table
| Dutch Oven | Size | Material | Lid Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Dutch Oven | 6-Quart | Cast Iron | Enameled |
| Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven | 5.5-Quart | Cast Iron | Enameled |
| Lodge 5-Quart Double Dutch Oven | 5-Quart | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Staub Round Cocotte | Varies | Cast Iron | Enameled |
| Misen Enameled Dutch Oven | Varies | Cast Iron | Enameled |
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 quarts |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Shape | Round |
| Color Options | Various colors available |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 500°F (260°C) |
| Lid | Included |
| Handles | Stainless steel |
This cast-iron Dutch oven from Lodge has a porcelain enameled exterior and a cream-colored interior for good visibility, just like many higher-end models. Because it has two layers of metal on the inside and outside, you can use it to marinate, cook, store, and serve food. In addition to the colored enamel, the modern design gives you wider handles that make it easier to hold when you have oven mitts on.
The pot can go in an oven up to 500 degrees and can be used to bake or roast. It has a capacity of 6 quarts, making it one of the Dutch ovens with the most space. Our testers found that cooking with a lid that fit tightly helped keep in moisture. They also gave the Lodge high marks for how well it spread and kept heat. The Lodge pot stayed hot for hours after I cooked chicken tagine in it. Our tester also said that, whether you’re browning chicken wings or cooking onions with spices, a little bit of liquid is all you need to loosen any bits that have stuck. Overall, it is one of the best dutch ovens that you can buy.
Pros
- The fact that it can go in the oven gives you a lot of cooking choices.
- Handles made of stainless steel are safe and easy to hold.
- Compatible with any kind of oven, even induction.
Cons
- Compared to some other Dutch ovens on the market, the price may be higher.
- Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven, Enamel-Coated Cast Iron
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.5 quarts |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Shape | Round |
| Color Options | Various colors available |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 500°F (260°C) |
| Lid | Included |
| Handles | Phenolic or stainless steel |
This Le Creuset pot is a classic, but it costs a lot, like all of the company’s cooking. With a capacity of 5.5 quarts, it’s big enough to cook most meals, but not so big that it’s hard to move. The inside is covered with white steel, so you can cook anything in it. You can use it on the stove or in the oven. The knob is either made of metal or a mix of materials that can handle temperatures up to 500 degrees.
The knob can be taken off, which gives you more options. If you need to cook at an even higher temperature, you can buy a metal knob to replace it. The Le Creuset Dutch oven did a better job of distributing and keeping heat than our home tester expected. “The pot’s high sides and heat-conducting properties made it easy to brown a whole chicken evenly,” she says. Thus, it is one of the best dutch ovens that you can buy.
Our lab tried the 7.5-quart model, which, other than being bigger, is the same as this 5.5-quart model in every way. The thick cast iron base took a few minutes to heat up in the lab, but once it did, it stayed hot. Plus, lab tests showed that it works well: chicken thighs browned evenly and came off easily on the stove, and food that spent some time in the oven didn’t stick either.
Pros
- Oven-safe design allows for versatile cooking ways.
- The lid helps keep the food fresh and full of taste.
- Handles make it easy and safe to hold something.
Cons
- It’s more expensive than some other Dutch ovens.
- Some people may find that 5.5 quarts is less space than they need for cooking.
- Lodge 5-Quart Double Dutch Oven Made of Cast Iron
Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 quarts |
| Material | Cast iron |
| Shape | Round |
| Color Options | Black |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 500°F (260°C) |
| Lid | Included |
| Handles | Integrated loop handles |
This raw cast-iron Dutch oven has already been seasoned to help you get a pot that doesn’t stick. But that’s not the best part. The lid of this Dutch oven can also be used as a pan with two handles on each side. This means you get two pots for the price of one. You can let your soup simmer in the pot while making cornbread in the pan. Our home tester also found that the skillet worked great for cooking meat in two batches at once. Once they added more spice, even the cinnamon rolls came out without a crumb left behind.
Our lab tried the 7-quart version of this pan and found that it did a great job of browning chicken, making the edges crisp and not sticking very much. The rice was also cooked well, with no stuck or hot spots found. We also checked this model’s longevity and found that it can be used with metal tools and can be handled roughly without getting damaged. This is a piece that can be passed down for a long time. Still, it is one of the best dutch ovens that you can buy.
Pros
- On one side, it has a Dutch oven, and on the other, it has a pan.
- Because it is made of cast iron, it keeps heat well and cooks evenly.
- Pre-seasoned so that the surface doesn’t stick to itself.
- Built-in loop handles make it easy to carry and move.
Cons
- There are only black colors to choose from.
- The 5 quart size may not be big enough for large groups or cooking in batches.
- Some people might find that the double Dutch oven is quite heavy.
Staub Round Cocotte
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Capacity | Varies (selectable sizes) |
| Shape | Round |
| Lid | Heavy, tight-fitting |
| Handles | Ergonomic, heat-resistant |
| Oven-safe temperature | Up to 500°F (260°C) |
| Suitable for | All stovetops, including induction |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
Our testers liked that this Staub Dutch oven has a big surface area, which makes it easier to brown more food at once. In contrast to many other Dutch ovens, this one has a dark interior, which helps hide spots and flaws and makes food colors stand out when it’s time to serve.
In our tests, this model made a good beef stew that kept its liquid well, but it didn’t brown as well as some other versions. The lid was a little on the heavy side, which made it harder to wash and handle. Overall, it is one of the best dutch ovens that you can buy.
Pros
- Retains moisture for flavorful dishes
- Suitable for all stovetops, including induction
- Easy to clean with dishwasher-safe properties
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to other options
- Heavyweight may be inconvenient for some users
Misen Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Capacity | Varies (selectable sizes) |
| Shape | Round |
| Lid | Heavy, tight-fitting |
| Handles | Ergonomic, heat-resistant |
| Oven-safe temperature | Up to 500°F (260°C) |
| Suitable for | All stovetops, including induction |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
Our cooking experts love that this pan, which won our 2021 cooking Gear Awards, has two lids: one with a handle and one that can also be used as a grill pan. When we made beef stew in the Dutch oven for our usual tests, it came out tender and full of flavor. We also tried out the grill pan lid, and when we put our steak on it, it got nice char marks.
This pick is great for small homes because it can be used for more than one thing. The only problem is that the grill pan lid can also be used directly on the fire, which makes it more likely to get stained. However, a powdered cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend can make it look as good as new. Overall, it is one of the best dutch ovens that you can buy.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy cast iron construction
- Stylish and sleek enameled exterior
Cons
- Comparatively high price point
- Enamel coating may chip or crack if mishandled
FAQs
A Dutch oven is a large pot with a lid that fits tightly. It is usually made of cast iron and has thick walls and a flat bottom. Dutch ovens are known for keeping and spreading heat well, which makes them great for braising, stewing, roasting, and baking, among other things.
Dutch ovens work because they keep the heat inside the pot, which makes food more even. The cast iron material soaks up heat and spreads it evenly across the pot, so cooking is always the same. The tight-fitting lid keeps in wetness, which makes the food tender and full of flavor.
Yes, Dutch pans can be put in the oven and used to cook. They can handle high temps and are often used to bake bread, roast meat, and make casseroles. But it’s important to check your Dutch oven’s exact temperature limits because some have limits.
