The 10 Best Dutch Ovens, Ranked
Whether you're an expert chef or more of a casual cook, a tool in your kitchen that shouldn't be overlooked is a dutch oven. The classic pot can easily go from your stovetop to your oven and into the fridge. It even works well as a serving dish on your table. This pot may seem like a simple addition to your cookware, but its multi-purpose nature makes it a no-brainer for anyone hoping to get a little more creative at mealtime or to make their life easier.
The demand may have spiked with the interest in this cookware piece during the pandemic, but many of your favorite brands have long recognized the importance of a dutch oven. There are endless factors to consider before settling on the best item for you. This list of dutch oven brands is based on size, – dutch ovens range from a mere cup to a whopping 13 quarts — material, cost, and how easy they are to clean. Some are ideal for baking bread, and others were made to serve up heavy meals for the family. Any one of these brands will advance your kitchen game. So, let's get into the best dutch oven brands.
10. Sertodo Copper's Beautiful and Big Recycled Copper Dutch Oven
If you love anything recycled, then you've come to the right place. This large dutch oven by Sertodo Copper has plenty of room for larger meals, and the material is a better environmental option. However, the best often comes at a price. This one comes in at more than $500 for the 6.75-quart oven and a staggering $700 plus for the extra spacious 11.5-quart pot. This dutch oven has plenty of pros and might even work well in a professional kitchen, but it's the most expensive option on the list and might not be necessary for a standard home.
Recycled copper makes an excellent heat conductor, which means faster cook times and more evenly dissipated heat. All heat aside, think of how great this pot will look on your stovetop. The carefully hand-crafted copper is hammered to perfection. You might love the shimmering copper so much that you'll soon be buying copper hardware and other copper finishes for your kitchen to match.
The Beautiful and Big Recycled Copper Dutch Ovens ships with the lid included, and the inside is a non-stick surface. This is great for cooking and makes cleaning a breeze. However, you'll want to avoid tough scrubbing with steel wool or Brillo pads on this material.
9. LoafNest Incredibly Easy Artisan Bread Kit
Calling all bread makers and bakers around the world, the LoafNest dutch oven was truly designed with you in mind. This option is made of heavy cast iron built to last but also provides the ideal environment for bread baking. This carefully orchestrated oven keeps the heat high, which creates a crisp outer crust and traps humidity, which makes a doughy, springy inside. Perfect for experienced bread makers and beginners alike, the LoafNest makes baking no-knead bread feel effortless.
This oven ranks high on the easy-to-clean scale as well. An insertable non-stick silicone liner that goes in the bottom half of the oven is included. Not only does this liner give the entire loaf the perfect crunchy crust, but it also makes cleaning a breeze. If properly cared for, the liner should last for approximately 2,000 uses. Simply peel off the silicone insert after your bread is done baking and wash it. Then wipe out the bottom of the oven with a towel.
The technology of the LoafNest makes it the best dutch oven for baking bread because of its ability to create and circulate steam. However, it is not as diverse as a typical dutch oven. With such a wide base, it is difficult to use on the stovetop. At approximately $200, this oven comes with a hefty price tag — although it will likely last you a lifetime.
8. Smithey 7.25-Quart Dutch Oven
Smithey is a trusted brand when it comes to kitchen tools. Their wider, deeper dutch oven is enviable for both style and function. With versatility in mind, this pot was designed for gas stoves, glass and ceramic tops, ovens, open fires, and grills. This cast-iron dutch oven is naturally non-stick and provides ample space for large meals. It's a heavy-duty kitchen tool you'll likely own for a long time. However, some might find it too clunky for what it's worth.
In terms of appearance, this oven is a gorgeous blend of modern style and a classic, sturdy look. The heavy-duty cast iron exterior with a polished stainless-steel knob is a traditional look, although the inside has an advanced non-stick surface. A wider surface on the bottom is ideal for searing and browning larger pieces of meat before popping the whole thing into the oven.
Cleaning the cast-iron dutch oven is simple because of the chainmail scrubber that breaks down food, sold separately. And you can polish up the non-stick surface with Smithey's seasoning oil. The oven could make an excellent gift for any fellow cook — for an extra fee of $40, you can add a personal engraving to the bottom, such as a last name or important date.
7. Great Jones The Dutchess
The Dutchess is great for family meals or when you want to have some leftovers, and the style is refined enough to be a perfect serving dish. One of the shining aspects of the 6.75-quart Dutchess is the oval shape, which will fit and roast a whole chicken perfectly. Most dutch ovens are round and, therefore, too small to make a crispy roasted chicken. This wider bottom surface can brown meat easily, and it will fit great across two gas burners.
Although this oven is reasonably priced at around $160 for the extra large size, it's about 16 inches long and 10 inches wide, and it is a hefty pot to lift or move around the kitchen. With the lid, but not including whatever meal is inside, the oven weighs a staggering 15 pounds. The Dutchess is made of enameled cast iron, and it can go in the dishwasher.
You'll have to be careful to hand dry the oven as soon as the cycle finishes, or water spots may cause the edges to rust. However, that might be worth the trouble because maneuvering this 15-pound kitchen tool in the sink could prove to be difficult.
6. Staub Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
This Staub oven is on the high end of the price spectrum, but it has been meticulously crafted and comes in a variety of sizes and colors. This company was established in France in the '70s and, through meticulous care and detail, created a commercial-grade oven that meets many high standards. Whether you're simmering a delicious braised lamb stew, baking a loaf of bread, or roasting meat, this oven will make easy work of the job.
Staub's dutch ovens are designed in various bright and bold yet simple colors, so they look good on your stove and on the table as a serving dish. Choose from lilac, sage, burnt orange, matte black, and graphite gray. In addition, they have plenty of sizes available. Yet, what makes this oven stand out is the matte black enameled cast iron interior that is rust-resistant, making it heavy-duty and non-stick.
Quartz can be found on the interior as well, which is excellent for browning and roasting because of its added texture. The purpose of the many small bumps inside the lid is to guide any moisture or juices back onto the meal cooking inside. This is particularly great when roasting meats and vegetables. And, perhaps best of all, it's dishwasher safe.
5. Combekk Sous-Chef Dutch Oven
This dutch oven ranks high on the list of best brands for an important reason that is often forgotten about. This very classic-looking pot is the best sustainable option on the market because of the 100% recycled cast iron materials it's made of. The cookware is layered in enamel and is great for the planet, but it's a heavy one to work with. There are also only two sizes available, 24 centimeters and 28 centimeters.
The simple design of the pot works with every heating source and gets the job done without extra flair or detail. One other great thing about this product ties into the company's mission as a whole. The brand works to make more sustainable cookware that has a positive impact on the environment — this dutch oven included. At about $125, the oven is middle-range in price and ships directly from the Netherlands. This is an excellent option for amateur cooks and chefs who prefer simplicity and sustainability.
4. Caraway Home 6.5-Quart Dutch Oven with Lid
Caraway offers a dutch oven that will spruce up even the darkest kitchens with bright, cheerful colors. On top of good looks, the 6.5-quart oven has a non-toxic coating that will not filter chemicals into your food during cooking while also releasing 60% less carbon dioxide than most non-stick coatings. In addition, the aluminum core and stainless steel handles are free of PFOA, PTFE, PFAs, lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals.
This oven has easy-to-use handles, and its materials aren't as heavy as other options, which makes moving it from stovetop to oven and maneuvering it to clean less difficult. Handwashing is recommended, but don't worry, the non-stick surface makes scrubbing much easier. However, you'll need to be careful about allowing this pot to cool off completely before washing it.
When this type of material gets hot, cooling it off too quickly can cause it to crack. If you want this dutch oven to last, allow the pot to cool, avoid using abrasive scrubbers, and keep cleaning simple with warm water and soap. Sharp metal utensils can scratch the coating and cause the non-stick surface to deteriorate faster. Overall, this oven is beautiful, and the price is mid-range.
3. Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 7-Quart Covered Round Dutch Oven
Tramontina's 7-quart dutch oven is another behemoth of a kitchen tool that works for large meals. It's a prime choice if you plan to deep-fry, given the extra depth. The best part of it might be its reasonably low price tag of about $50.
It's made of high-quality materials and durable cast iron with a non-stick porcelain-enameled finish. Designs on the interior lid make it self-basting, which guides the condensation that forms back into the meal for juicy meats and vegetables. The tall dutch oven works on gas, ceramic, and electric stovetops. It's easy to clean, and the stainless steel handle is long-lasting.
This dutch oven is affordable for most kitchens, is large enough to serve big parties, and has a lifetime warranty. The idea of an affordable yet quality oven places it near the top of our ranked brands. The downside is that this oven can only withstand temperatures of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're hoping to crisp up the crust of your bread or melt some cheese with the broiler, you might want to choose another pot or remember to set your broiler to a slightly lower temperature than the average 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Lodge 6-Quart Blue Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
This is another option that offers an excellent bang for your buck. Lodge's 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is one that should not be overlooked and is nearly tied with the very best option. This dutch oven is significantly lower in price but still holds up compared to some of the most expensive options in terms of quality and function. The oven is a very comfortable size that easily serves four to six people but will not take up too much cabinet space. It's also made from trusted enameled cast iron material. This brand only uses non-toxic, PFOA & PTFE-free material for their ovens, which means you'll be able to cook hearty meals without toxins for you and your family.
Although the handles are simple, they are comfortable enough to move the oven around your kitchen, and the quality stainless steel knob is another detail that should not be overlooked. This oven has a slightly more classic look to it, with a rounded top and a simple design. An oven like this could last for generations and be passed down with all your favorite recipes.
1. Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven
Coming in at number one is a dutch oven from Le Creuset — a well-known, trusted brand that has been crafting cookware since 1925 in France. The finish on the 5½-quart dutch oven is elegant, and the quality will shine through whether it's sitting on your stovetop, baking in the oven, or in the center of your table. The enamel cast iron makes this oven, like so many others, easy to clean, non-stick, and heavy-duty. This dutch oven hits all of the marks with the most options for color and sizes available.
Le Creuset uses top-quality materials that ensure the oven won't chip, crack, stain, or dull over time. The oven has a non-stick surface and is dishwasher-safe, making prep and cleanup faster. This oven has comfortable handles to maneuver the weight easily and is the lightest cast iron dutch oven by the quart that's available.
Finally, this oven is safe for all heating options, including a halogen oven, and it is safe to cook at up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. If your bread is lacking that crunch or you prefer melted, bubbly cheese on top of your mashed potatoes, you can feel secure about popping this oven under the broiler. Although this dutch oven is on the high end of the spectrum when it comes to cost, the quality is definitely worth the price tag.