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Top 16 Best Dutch Ovens in 2024

Harry George
  May 14, 2024 5:34 PM

In addition to braising meats, baking bread, boiling pasta, cooking rice, and even deep frying, a good Dutch oven is a multipurpose cooking tool. In order to identify the best Dutch ovens, we tested 24 different models at our testing laboratory in Birmingham, Alabama. These are The top Dutch ovens.


Overviews

Dutch Ovens are a versatile addition to any kitchen, but even a seasoned cook may find it challenging to select the right one. The best models were chosen after our test kitchen examined 11 Dutch ovens to eliminate guessing while slow-cooking, baking, searing, or simmering meals. For instance, you can bake bread, braise short ribs, or even make deliciously crisp french fries in a cast iron Dutch oven. There are more and more factors to consider when choosing the best Dutch oven for your kitchen.

We put our potholders to the test by browning chicken thighs, banging metal spoons on interior surfaces, and more in order to help you choose the best model for your kitchen.


Top Reviews

1.Best Overall:  Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart 

Our test kitchen found that the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart Round Covered Casserole gave the highest value when compared to the other Dutch ovens we tested. We adore the nonstick surface and uniform heat distribution that enamel creates.

It did fantastically while washing as well. During the meal testing, the vegetables in the Cuisinart Chef didn't cook down as much as we would have liked, but a little extra time will address this issue and help you obtain a lovely sear on meats. The classic style is also unquestionably appealing.

Pros

  • Impressive given the price
  • Really practical for batch cooking
  • Quite strong

Cons

  • We're not grumbling

2. Best Basic: Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick 8.5-Quart 

The Calphalon Premier Nonstick 8.5-Quart Dutch Oven was our favorite among everything we tested because it satisfies all the criteria. Despite the tempered glass cover being less durable than some of the other options, the Calphalon Premier didn't even get a scratch during our tests. Bring on the stainless steel spoons.

Our test kitchen found that the chicken had uneven browning. For a cook who prefers rapid cleanup, this Dutch oven is perfect.

Pros

  • Extra space
  • Do not be concerned about sticking
  • Exceptionally thin

Cons

  • Unsuitable for small batches; large
  • Glass lids are fragile

3. Best Professional: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart

7-quarts is the ideal Dutch oven capacity for larger families who appreciate a delicious roast or ambitious dinner party hosts who want to keep everything in one pot. Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick The 8.5-Quart Dutch Oven is by far our favorite of the larger Dutch ovens. Due to its greater weight and traditional look, the Cuisinart Chef's Traditional may have caused us to believe it was a much more expensive Dutch oven, but according to our experts, it seemed like a reasonable price.

Pros

  • Exceptional value
  • Perfect for large amounts
  • Works just as well while being less expensive

Cons

  • Small handles
  • Potentially damaging to aesthetics
  • Slow to temperature

4. Best Budget: Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven

Even while not all of us have $300 to spend on a Dutch oven, quality shouldn't suffer as a result. Amazon Basics is really adaptable, and we suggest braising and stewing with it. In the early cooking tests, our experts discovered that it mostly produced even browning, although there was a noticeable hot spot in the center and the heat tapered off toward the pot's sides.

Due to the fact that the Dutch oven did exhibit minor damage during our durability test, we advise using wooden utensils when preparing food.

Pros

  • More difficult for a novice
  • Not the most powerful

Cons

  • Extended shelf life
  • Low cost for successful results

5. Best Value: ZWILLING Spirit 3-ply 8-qt Stainless Steel Ceramic Nonstick 

We advise using the Zwilling Spirit to create flawless loaves of bread. No scorching or hot patches result from the even heating. Using a Dutch oven to bake bread is usually enjoyable, but hot patches on the bottom of the pot can result in an uneven bake.

Even while it excels at producing golden loaves, the Zwilling Spirit can also successfully brown and cook meats, vegetables, soups, and sauces because to its nonstick coating and even heat distribution.

Pros

  • Nearly no sticking
  • Outstanding heat distribution

Cons

  • Only 400 degrees F is tolerable for the lid can

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Last update on 2024-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


How to Select a Dutch Oven

Material

The selection of the proper material is likely the most crucial phase in the creation of a Dutch oven. There are several functional and culinary alternatives for cast iron, enameled cast iron, ceramic, and stainless steel. Due to its sensitivity to temperature changes, ceramic has the biggest risk of breaking when cooking. Ceramics is the lightest of the four materials, making it the most manageable.

Size and Volume

We like to recommend that you should acquire a Dutch oven that enables one quart for one person when purchasing anything as size-dependent as one. A Dutch oven with a capacity of 8 quarts would be sufficient to feed 6 to 12 people.

Simple to Clean

We want something that will match your specific cooking needs and be simple to clean up so that its cooking skills are worthwhile. Bare cast iron may require more care if you plan to brown and braise, but it can be beneficial. Avoid doing anything that is too tough or won't ultimately make your kitchen better.

Temperature ranges

Some pots may not be safe to use in the oven because the lid handles have such small tolerances. The greatest option for cooking over a campfire would be a Dutch oven that can withstand even higher temperatures.


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