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The 26 Best Dutch Ovens: Top Consumers' Choices in 2024

Denise Lowe
  Mar 29, 2024 1:15 PM

There are many types of ovens on the current market, which makes you a bit confused to make a wise purchase for your kitchen. Our team including experts has spent time searching and collecting objective reviews from users to list the top 26 Best Dutch Ovens you may be keen on.

In this article, you will see common brands such as lodge, le-creuset, bruntmor, koch-systeme-cs, bayou-classic, crock-pot, landhaus, meigui, michelangelo, cuisinel, best-choice-products, tramontina, puricon, uno-casa.


Overview

When it comes to tasty food, Dutch ovens are ideal for creating deep flavors, delicious roasts, and cravings. The best dutch oven is a must-have for any serious chef. Dutch ovens are built to last and have been used for hundreds of years.

Until now, people still use it as a useful tool to cook delicious meals. Whether it's a holiday or a regular day of the week, this Dutch oven will bring you delicious stews, or braised, for family and friends. 

With a wide range of uses, the Dutch oven is truly multi-purpose cookware. If you are looking for an appliance that can help you cook delicious soups, soft stews, and even steak steaks or sandwiches, then join us in choosing the best dutch ovens.


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TOP Choice
1
  • SCORE
    9.6
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  • Brand
    Lodge
TOP Choice
2
  • SCORE
    9.6
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  • Brand
    Le Creuset
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3
  • SCORE
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  • Brand
    Bruntmor
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    Lodge
5
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    9.0
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    Le Creuset
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    Le Creuset
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    KOCH SYSTEME CS
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    Bruntmor
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    Bruntmor
10
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    8.8
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    Bayou Classic
11
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    8.2
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    Crock Pot
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    9.0
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    Landhaus
13
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    8.8
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    MEIGUI
14
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    8.6
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    Le Creuset
15
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    Le Creuset
16
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    8.6
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    MICHELANGELO
17
  • SCORE
    8.8
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  • Brand
    Le Creuset
18
  • SCORE
    8.4
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  • Brand
    cuisinel
19
  • SCORE
    9.2
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    Best Choice Products
20
  • SCORE
    9.2
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  • Brand
    Tramontina
21
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    9.0
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  • Brand
    Puricon
22
  • SCORE
    8.6
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  • Brand
    Crock Pot
23
  • SCORE
    8.8
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  • Brand
    Uno Casa
24
  • SCORE
    8.0
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  • Brand
    Tramontina
25
  • SCORE
    8.2
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  • Brand
    Crock Pot
26
  • SCORE
    9.2
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  • Brand
    Lodge

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Types

Dutch ovens are one of the indispensable cooking tools that home cooks can have. Usually made of coated or uncoated cast iron, Dutch ovens look like heavy pots.

Together with sturdy handles and a durable design, they feature thick walls with lids that trap heat and steam, allowing food to cook evenly. They can be used in the oven or on the stove to bake bread, braised meat, stew boiled, or bake baked goods. Because of their convenience and variety, there is a wide range of recipes that can be cooked using the best Dutch ovens

Because Dutch ovens have been around for a long time, now they are also heavily modified, into many different types. However, each Dutch oven has its advantages and characteristics for cooking.

1. Outdoor Dutch oven

Most modern Dutch ovens are manufactured for use in outdoor camping areas. They are made of thick cast iron, have three sturdy legs to rest on coal, a heavy flap with a bezel to hold the coal, and wire support.

Outdoor Dutch ovens are perfect for cooking on a fire, they allow cooking dishes like vegetables and meat very gently in the juice by themselves. They have specially designed lids that can be used as a saucepan or plate.

If you haven't one, check out the Uno Casa Cast Iron Camping Dutch Oven made from durable, highly conductive cast aluminum. This oven heats up quickly and evenly and won't rust.

2. Indoor Dutch Ovens

In addition to being companions who can cook delicious outdoor food, Dutch ovens can still be used indoors. They are manufactured for use as a modern oven and placed on top of a modern stove.

They are made of cast iron and can be thick or enameled. They have flat bottoms that can be placed on wooden, electric, or gas burners. Contrary to an outdoor dutch oven, the pot lid of a dutch oven is curved. 

If you are looking for a quality indoor Dutch oven and bring a deep and delicious flavor to your casserole then don't miss the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven. This can be considered the best Dutch oven today.

Since this oven has a larger composite knob that can withstand temperatures up to 500ºF, very few cookers can withstand such temperatures. The outer glaze is colorful, durable, and resistant to chipping and cracking

3. Bedourie

This Australian version of the Dutch oven is a rotating steel crucible with a unique shape that differs from traditional Dutch ovens. The bottom, top, and edges are much flatter than in other variants, and the lid doesn't seal like other designs. Rather, it has a large lip that covers the main pot, going down the sides of the pot. This shape also allows the lid to function as a frying pan.

These Dutch furnaces are named for the town of Bedourie, in Queensland, and these are a firmer alternative to brittle cast iron if dropped. The lighter weight solution is also more suitable for the independent characteristics of Australian grazing and jungles.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is the best Dutch oven for nomads or outdoor camping days because of its convenience. One example is the Geoffrey Zakarian Cast Iron Dutch Oven. This oven is perfect for potatoes gratin, ratatouille, apple crumble, and more, while the lid of the Dutch Oven also has a skillet for enhanced functionality.

4. Potjie

This Dutch oven is unlike most other Dutch furnaces, in that it has a circular base. Traditionally, it is a single cast iron pot, reinforced with ribs around the outer double or triple, one handle for hanging the pot, and three short legs to support the pot.

It has an appearance similar to a cauldron. It has a lid with a matching handle, which is recessed and convex so that hot coals are placed on top, providing additional heat from above. When storing the vessel for a long time, care must be taken to avoid the formation of seasoning rust.

"Potjie" can also refer to the technique of cooking potjiekos. Among the recipes that require potjie, there is a recipe for a type of bread called "pot brood", which literally means "pot bread".

If you still can't figure it out then take a look at the Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Potjie African. This potjie domed lid allows for optimal internal heat circulation throughout. The tall legs make it ideal for cooking directly over fire, coals, or gas burners. 

Maybe you are interested in Best Microwave Ovens


Buying Guides

Although there are many more modern kitchen tools today that can cook dishes that are not only convenient but also delicious, the Dutch oven has not lost its position by offering a completely different taste special and can be used anywhere. We have classified for you four typical Dutch furnaces above. Soon we will help you choose the best Dutch oven for you.

1. Shape 

Most classic Dutch ovens are round and oval in shape. If you mainly use it for standard size soups, stews and steaks then the round Dutch oven will be right for you. An example is the Bruntmor and Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven.

If you're going to roast a whole chicken, braise turkey feet, or cook other large, oval pieces of meat may be better for you. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Oval Dutch has an oval shape and is 45% larger than other Dutch ovens. Besides, it has handles that provide a sure grip, even with oven mitts.

2. Color

It sounds like an unimportant criterion and only related to aesthetics. However, during testing, we found that the inner color of the Dutch oven is very important.

Most Dutch ovens have cream-colored enamel interiors, however, we tested others with black and gray interiors. Darker colors make it difficult for onions to properly caramelize and turn brown. In addition, we believe that the cream color will satisfy most users from the kitchen to the dining table. 

However, with Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven by Le Creuset, you will not have a headache finding out which color you love or care about because this Dutch oven has 10 colors. and are all coated with cream-colored glaze inside, making your dish always look perfect.

3.  Material

Enameled cast iron is the most common material used for Dutch ovens. Cast iron evenly heats and retains heat, and enameled cast iron is more flexible than regular cast iron, allowing you to cook acidic ingredients that you can't do in plain cast iron. Enameled cast iron is more affordable to buy and easier to clean than copper.

Take the Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for example. This type of Dutch enameled iron oven is extremely versatile, the glass frit melts and fuses to the cast iron, forming a bond. Porcelain enamel on cast iron is heat tolerant and impervious to water and other consumables.

4. Size 

The best way to know which Dutch oven size to buy is to look at both the foods you plan to cook and the number of people you want to serve regularly and round up to the nearest liter size. That's how you can comfortably serve so many people without worrying about being missing.

For example, if you're going to cook for the whole family, then the six to eight-liter Dutch oven is the best choice for everyone. It's big enough for a whole chicken or a large batch of a casserole. In this case, the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven has a capacity of 6.86 liters and is the best-selling size in the U.S, and the company says this size serves at least six. 

If you want to cook soup and your family has not too many people, the Dutch Oven Pink, Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with 4 liters will be the best choice for you.

5. Budget 

When we talk about the price of a Dutch oven, we also say "You get what you pay for". Currently, Dutch ovens appear a lot with many different price segments in the market. To talk about the quality as well as the highest price in the segment, it must be mentioned that the Dutch Le Creuset furnace.

Le Creuset's most expensive Dutch oven is the Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven with 9 liters. This oven is very good value for the money you spend. Advanced sand-colored inner enamel with higher abrasion resistance and much more durable than Dutch furnaces of the same type.

However, if you do not have a large budget and want to find a Dutch oven that has an affordable price but still has quality, do not miss the Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven which is extremely affordable but still available can save up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.


FAQs

1. Should I buy a Stockpot or a Dutch oven?

A stockpot is a pretty good pot for making stews and soups. It's a bit tall for the width, and it's heavy enough and big enough to make a nice pot. However, a Dutch oven can do all sorts of dishes and is very useful as a 6-liter oven.

In our opinion, you can braise in the oven and bake in a fine pot, just like in a Dutch oven. But buying a Dutch oven is quite large to make an everyday dish, and it is also quite expensive and heavy. So we recommend choosing a slightly larger stockpot of 6 or 8 liters.

However, if your heart is directed to a Dutch oven, and wants to give it a really rich flavor, go for it! With Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven you can still make stock in a large Dutch oven. Just partially cover the pot while boiling low to help reduce evaporation.

2. What’s the difference between Enameled Cast Iron and Cast Iron?

All Dutch ovens are made of cast iron, are excellent conductors of heat, and can be used in many of the same ways. The main difference between an enameled Dutch oven and a cast-iron oven is the finish of the pot, the price tag, and the amount of TLC your cookware requires. 

Unlike traditional cast iron, these pots have an enamel coating on the inside and outside of the pot. It creates a smooth, foam-free surface, although if not cared for properly, the finish can peel off. These pots can still be used to cook anything and everything on the stove and in the oven. However, you should avoid using it over an open flame. 

If you intend to camp outdoors, campfire pants with an attractive casserole pot then we recommend the King Kooker CI12S Pre-seasoned Outdoor Cast Iron Dutch Oven. This dutch oven is made from cast iron that can be baked over an open flame.

3. Are there lighter alternatives to cast iron cookware?

We know how you feel because it will be inconvenient if we just have to move a big and heavy pot like a Dutch oven. That's hard, though, because the weight of a pot is an essential quality in how good cooking is.

The worst thing in the kitchen, after a blunt knife, is a thin bottom pot. If you want a lighter tool, there are alternatives. One simple is to take a smaller Dutch oven. We have the Le Creuset 2 3/4 liter in the image above and it's really reasonable in weight. It is also large enough for most small family meals.

4. How to clean stains off the Dutch oven?

You can remove stains from your own Dutch oven with Bon Ami or Barkeeper's Friend when cleaning the pad. Gently use steel wool to remove some of the older stains.

Alternatively, you can choose pots that are easy to clean like the Non-Stick Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It has two side handles that allow for easy handling, and the non-stick finish means you can hand wash it without the rough scrubbing. 

5. Chipped yeast: Need to replace this Dutch oven?

See that little black spot? There is a coin-sized chip at the bottom of a dutch oven’s enamel oven. We certainly booked this pot which has been around for so long, so it's no surprise it eventually chipped. However, you don't want to replace an entire expensive Dutch oven just because of a little stain. What will you do?

The standard advice from most cookware manufacturers is that chipped glazed pots and pans are unsafe and should not be used. You shouldn't regret the dangers of contacting the cast iron as the enamel can further erode and you'll end up with pieces of yeast in your food. Not a pleasant prospect.


Final Thoughts

There are many other brands of Dutch ovens on the market at different prices. A quality Dutch oven will feel very heavy, showing its solid buildability and its ability to conduct heat. The walls should be relatively thick and the lid should fit properly. All hardware must be oven safe and securely attached.

Above we have given you suggestions for you to find yourself the best Dutch oven, here I will summarize with two best candidates.

Le Creuset is probably one of the most famous Dutch oven manufacturers and offers a wide range of colorful cast iron ovens. The best Dutch oven that belongs to this brand is the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven. This furnace stands out for its superior distribution and heat retention of le Creuset enameled cast iron and is indeed very durable.

The other is Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. If compared to the Dutch oven of Le Creuset, this product is still a few parts poor, but considering both the price and the usefulness, this Dutch oven is worth the investment. A flawless pairing of form and function that doesn't quit, the Lodge Dutch Oven is an enameled cast iron classic that's great for preparing and serving memorable meals.

Besides the two mentioned models, below are our other recommendations for different criteria:

And that concludes what we’ve got to say about the best Dutch oven. We hope that this article can help you navigate through the selection process. Don’t forget to tell us which is your favorite!


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