Kitchen Gadgets: Dutch Oven

So just what is a Dutch Oven? Well, it's only the finest cookware to grace any kitchen. We swear by this piece of cookware so much that if you see a recipe requiring a pot or pan on this website, we more than likely recommend that it be a Dutch oven.

Let's get one thing straight, though, when I say Dutch Oven, I'm using it as an umbrella term to help you understand two slightly different cooking pots. There is a Dutch Oven, which is essentially a cast iron pot; then there is a French Oven, which is a cast iron pot with an enamel coating. For the sake of this article, I will use the term Dutch Oven to describe both.

Advantages

Why is the Dutch Oven the most fantastic item to grace your kitchen, and why should you invest in one? If you pull up nearly any recipe requiring a stove, it will likely mention how you need to use a heavy-bottom pot, saucepan, etc. Made of thick and heavy cast iron, a Dutch Oven is the definition of heavy-bottomed. The key is their ability to conduct and diffuse heat. If you heat a thin metal pan, there will be warm spots and cold spots leading to uneven cooking. However, with a Dutch Oven’s thick material, the metal heats up evenly and retains heat longer. Each Dutch Oven also comes with a heavy lid that is fantastic at keeping your food warm. A good quality Dutch Oven is made from the same material as old-age cannons. These are durable pieces of cookware that will last for generations if cared for properly.

450-degree oven? No problem. Drop it on your floor? No issue at all. Cooking Chicken Stock all day over the stove? That’s light work. When I say durable, I mean it!

Cleaning is also a breeze. Although I don’t recommend putting it in a dishwasher, robust scrubbers and stainless steel are entirely acceptable to use when cleaning. One caveat to this, when using non-enameled cookware (i.e., bare cast iron), I recommend using the same cleaning techniques as you would a cast iron skillet, avoiding soap and abrasive scrubbers. You’ll also have to worry about seasoning. These extra care steps are why I recommend purchasing enameled cast iron. 

Thanks to its durability, it's also effortless to clean. However, Dutch Ovens with an enamel coating may scratch with strong scrubbers, so it's best to check the care instructions.

Remember those heavy lids I mentioned? Not only do they keep in heat, but many brands have little domes or designs on the bottom. The design helps to self-baste whatever it is you’re cooking. Steam rises, condensation forms on the lid, and drips down via the little domes. It is an ingenious design! Not all Dutch Ovens have this design, so it’s worth checking to verify before purchasing.

Disadvantages

With superior heat conduction and durability, it is difficult to find disadvantages that outweigh the benefits. However, both the weight and price of a Dutch Oven can be hard to swallow.

Because a Dutch Oven is made of cast iron, it is nearly impossible for it to be light. The one I own weighs 17.14 Pounds. However, it is their weight that makes cast iron cookware superior to all others. The only other material that rivals cast iron is copper cookware. I don’t mean copper threaded or painted (both are scams), I mean solid copper pans with a tin or stainless steel coating on the cooking surface. However, copper pans are very expensive and don’t work on induction stoves.

**Induction Stoves: If you are looking into purchasing an induction stove, I would strongly recommend you avoid it. Copper cookware does not work with them. As for electric stoves, they are also inferior. The heat turns on and off, leading to inconsistency during cooking. Gas is the best option as it provides even heating and is easy to control.

Weight isn’t the only drawback of these fantastic pieces of cookware; there is also the price. A five-quart red Dutch Oven from Le Creuset will cost you $370. Yes, it's expensive, but you'll pay for their lifetime warranty, hand-crafted cookery dating back to 1925, and a family heirloom that'll be passed down. In a day and age where it is tempting to buy cheap, I recommend buying durable and long-lasting instead. Le Creuset or Staub are fantastic brands that will last multiple lifetimes.

What Can You Cook in it?

A Dutch Oven will take nearly anything you throw at it. Need to sear, brown, or braise something? The Dutch Oven has you covered. Need to make a soup that'll boil for hours? Easy. You can even make bread in your Dutch Oven. The Dutch Oven will be able to handle anything that calls for any pot or pan, whether it's cooked on the stove or in the oven. My Dutch Oven is my go to pot/ pan for whatever I am cooking up. You will quickly see how big of a difference the even heating will make. You don't have to worry about burning half your steak while the other half is raw.

We can't wait for you to give a Dutch Oven a try, and if you have a special recipe you like cooking in it, share it with us on our recipe group page!

Cheers

Chef Olson

"The Flying Chef"