The Best Dutch Ovens You Can Buy Right Now
published about 2 hours agoAs someone who owns an unreasonable amount of cookware, I feel justified in saying that a Dutch oven is the most versatile pot in existence. With its high sides, roomy cooking surface, and accompanying lid, it can boil water for pasta, braise, roast, bake, sear, simmer, and deep-fry.
This means every home cook (hey, that’s you!) needs a great Dutch oven. But, therein lies the question: Which one do you get? There are so many out there, from various brands (old and new) in all sorts of materials. After weeks of testing and making — and eating! — a disconcerting amount of one-pot bread and meatballs, I’m here to answer that question. I included several picks, so you can find the best Dutch oven for you .
- Best Overall : Le Creuset 5 1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven and Staub 5 1/2-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
- Best Under $150 : Milo Classic Dutch Oven
- Best Budget : Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 5-Quart Blue Enameled Cast Iron Round Casserole
- Best Nonstick : Caraway Dutch Oven
- Best Oval : Great Jones The Dutchess
- Best for Baking Bread : Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Best Stainless Steel : Tramontina Gourmet Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Dutch Oven
The Tests
- Make white rice, following these instructions .
- Make Italian Meatballs .
- Make Mustard-Braised Potatoes with Chicken Thighs .
- Bake No-Knead Bread .
- Clean each Dutch oven by hand after every test.
- Whack the rims with a metal or wooden spoon 20 times, making sure they don’t chip or dent.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m the Tools Editor at Kitchn and a professional kitchen equipment tester . I previously worked at America’s Test Kitchen and my reviews on topics like stand mixers, induction burners, toaster ovens, and multicookers have been published in Cook’s Illustrated , Cook’s Country , and on the America’s Test Kitchen website. My work has also been featured on America’s Test Kitchen’s and Cook’s Country’s television programs. And again, I own more pieces of cookware than any human could possibly need.
What to Consider When Buying a Dutch Oven
What Material Is Best?
For this testing, I included enameled cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum, nonstick, ceramic-coated Dutch ovens. There’s a lot to say when it comes to materials, but here are some key takeaways.
- Enameled cast iron : the skillet you know and love) and they have an enamel coating, which is a type of glass. This coating means you don’t have to season or care for your pot like you would a traditional cast iron skillet. Enameled cast iron retains heat well (so you get nice, even browning), comes clean easily enough, is fairly durable, and it doesn’t require any maintenance like regular cast iron does.
- Stainless steel :
- Nonstick coated : These pots usually have an aluminum core with a nonstick coating. This is a great option for those who can’t lift an enameled cast iron Dutch oven or just prefer nonstick cookware. It also makes cleanup a breeze. Just know that nonstick cookware doesn’t have the durability of cast iron, with its average lifespan being about five years.
- Traditional cast iron : I didn’t include any entirely cast iron Dutch ovens in my testing because, honestly, they just require too much upkeep. While seasoning a skillet is fine, I think there are better, more convenient options when it comes to a Dutch oven. If you really want a cast iron Dutch oven (maybe you’re a big camper), go with this one from Lodge .
- Ceramic :
What Size Dutch Oven Should You Get?
I focused on 5 1/2-quart Dutch ovens because they’re the best size for most home cooks and can accommodate pretty much every recipe you want to try. However, some of the Dutch ovens I tested were only available in 6- or 7-quart sizes. Obviously, if you regularly cook for a larger crowd (more than four or five people), you might find a 7-quart Dutch oven more accommodating. I noted which Dutch ovens are available in larger (and smaller!) sizes.
How Much Does the Pot Weigh and Is It Easy to Handle?
The best Dutch ovens — no matter their material — have wide, roomy handles that make them easy to lift into and out of the oven … even with bulky oven mitts on. They also have large, grippy knobs on their lids.
Also, enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are heavy . My favorites clock in between approximately 11 and 15 pounds — without food in them. If you have arthritis or simply can’t lift something that heavy, a nonstick or stainless steel Dutch oven would be a good option.
What We Look for in a Dutch Oven
I judged all of the Dutch ovens on the following criteria, on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the worst and 5 being the best):
- Cooking : How thoroughly and evenly did the Dutch oven brown meatballs and chicken thighs? Did it cook rice well? And what about bread?
- Ease of use : I looked at how easy it was to lift each Dutch oven and move it from the stovetop and into the oven — and vice versa. I also evaluated how easy it was to monitor browning.
- Cleanup : Did the Dutch oven come clean easily?
- Durability : I looked at whether the Dutch oven chipped, cracked, dented, or became discolored throughout testing.
Best Overall Dutch Oven: Le Creuset 5 1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven
Buy NowThis Dutch oven cooked like a dream: making rice well, browning meatballs and chicken thighs evenly and thoroughly, and baking excellent bread. It has a roomy cooking surface and its light interior made it easy to monitor browning. It also has wide handles and a large, grippy lid knob. It was easy enough to clean and didn’t chip or scratch throughout testing. Its downsides? It’s heavy, weighing at about 11 pounds, and expensive. However, if it’s in your budget, this is a gorgeous Dutch oven that cooks beautifully and is built to last.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron; stainless steel knob
- Size : 5.5-quart
- Weight : 11.4 pounds
- Cooking surface : 9 inches
- Handle size : 2.7-inches wide x 3.95-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 5
- Ease of use : 5
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 5
Who it’s best for :
Good to know : separately and swap one for another, depending on your personal preference. I do prefer the stainless steel, though, as it is better at standing up against the heat.
Staub also makes a top-notch Dutch oven . It has a roomy cooking surface and while its dark interior makes it tougher to gauge browning and watch fond develop, it won’t discolor like a light interior might over time. Its handles and lid knob were smaller than Le Creuset’s, but still comfortable enough to grasp — even with oven mitts on. It also came clean fairly easily and didn’t chip or scratch. This one is also heavy and pricey. However, this is a splurge-worthy piece of cookware that’ll be with you for a long time.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron; stainless steel knob
- Size : 5.5-quart
- Weight : 13.2 pounds
- Cooking surface : 8.75 inches
- Handle size : 1.25-inches wide x 3.25-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 5
- Ease of use : 4.5
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 5
Who it’s best for :
Good to know: Available in 6 sizes (4-quart to 13 1/4-quart) and in 12 colors, although not all colors are available for each size. It’s induction-friendly and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Which one should you get if you’re debating between a Staub and a Le Creuset? Honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the elevated style of a Staub and the dark interior, while others like the classic look of the Le Creuset and its light interior. (Julia Child helped popularized Le Creuset in the States and the pots are still available in the original bright red-orange color she had!) Both will set you back a pretty penny, which brings up one more question I imagine you might have: Why spend this kind of cash on a Dutch oven when you can get a good budget stand-in?
You certainly do not have to spend this much. But if you do, I don’t think you’ll regret it. These pots are true workhorses. They are incredibly long-lasting. And while they’re often talked about as status symbols, they’re made by top brands with rich histories and solid manufacturing experience. You get the warranty, the quality, and all that these brands have to offer.
Best Dutch Oven Under $150: Milo Classic Dutch Oven
Buy NowWhile this Dutch oven isn’t as well-known as the ones from Le Creuset or Staub, I honestly think it should be! It excelled at everything I made in it: rice, meatballs, chicken, bread. It cleaned up fairly easily and didn’t chip or scratch. Its pretty, gold knob came a little loose during testing, but I just tightened it using a screwdriver. And while this pot’s handles were on the small side, that lid knob was large and grippy. Overall, this is an impressive (not too expensive!) Dutch oven that I’d recommend to anyone who asks.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron; stainless steel knob
- Size : 5.5-quart
- Weight : 12.5 pounds
- Cooking surface : 8.5 inches
- Handle size : 1.25-inches wide x 3.4-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 5
- Ease of use : 4
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 5
Who it’s best for: Those looking for a mid-priced Dutch oven and would like to support a smaller cookware brand.
Good to know: While its green, blue, and black colors have dark interiors, you can opt for the white Dutch oven , which comes with a light-colored interior. It’s also available in a mini (3.5-quart) size , has a lifetime warranty, and is induction-friendly.
Best Budget Dutch Oven: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 5-Quart Blue Enameled Cast Iron Round Casserole
Buy NowFor less than $100, this Dutch oven was hard to beat. It has a roomy cooking surface, and everything I made in it turned out great. While its handles were a touch small, they were still large enough to comfortably grasp — and its lid’s knob was as wide as the Le Creuset knobs. It was easy enough to clean, too, but it did chip when I whacked the rim with a metal spoon, so it’s not as durable as some of the other pots I tested. Its lid also came with a large sticker, which left a sticky film that was frustrating to remove.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron
- Size : 5-quart
- Weight : 12 pounds
- Cooking surface : 8.5 inches
- Handle size : 1.3-inches wide x 3.5-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 5
- Ease of use : 4.5
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 4
Who it’s best for: Those looking for a budget-friendly Dutch oven that’s no-frills, but performs well.
Good to know: It’s also available in this red color and in a 7-quart size . This pot comes with a lifetime warranty and is induction-friendly.
Best Nonstick Dutch Oven: Caraway Dutch Oven
Buy NowThis nonstick Dutch oven was seriously impressive. It didn’t brown as deeply as the enameled cast iron Dutch ovens did, but it did cook rice, chicken thighs, and meatballs well and even baked a good loaf of bread. Nothing stuck to its surface, which made cleanup a cinch. I loved its big handles and the fact that it was lightweight and oven-safe to 550 ° F. After testing, I did notice a few scratches on its exterior; however, if you want a nonstick Dutch oven, this will not disappoint.
Specifications
- Materials : Nonstick ceramic, aluminum core, and stainless steel handles
- Size : 6.5-quart
- Weight : 6.1 pounds
- Cooking surface : 9 inches
- Handle size : 1.4-inches wide x 4.25-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 4
- Ease of use : 5
- Cleanup : 5
- Durability : 3.5
Who it’s best for: Those who prefer nonstick cookware or can’t lift a heavy enameled cast iron Dutch oven.
Good to know: Available in 5 colors or as part of this cookware set and is induction-friendly.
Best Oval Dutch Oven: Great Jones The Dutchess
Buy NowAnother option from a smaller, new-ish-to-the-scene cookware brand, this Dutch oven has a roomy cooking surface and generously sized, half-moon-shaped handles. Because of its longer shape, a few meatballs on the outskirts of the pot didn’t get as well-browned. However, it cooked chicken thighs more evenly and made great rice and beautiful bread. I liked its grey-colored interior, which made it easy to monitor browning, but won’t stain easily. Independently of this test, I’ve owned a Dutchess for years and it hasn’t chipped or scratched. After testing it against others, I’m still a big fan.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron; stainless steel
- Size : 6.75-quart
- Weight : 15.1 pounds
- Cooking surface : 11.4-inches long x 8.5-inches wide
- Handle size : 1.65-inches wide x 3.75-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 4
- Ease of use : 4
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 5
Who it’s best for: Those who want a larger Dutch oven at a reasonable price and are fans of Great Jones.
Good to know: It’s available in 7 colors and as part of this cookware set and is induction-friendly.
Best Dutch Oven for Baking Bread: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Buy NowIf you’re looking to do a good amount of bread baking, this is the Dutch oven for you! Why would you need a different sort of Dutch oven for bread? Because bread can actually cause some damage, aesthetically speaking, which is a bummer — especially if you’ve spent a lot of money on a Le Creuset or Staub. (Simply put: When exposed to high heat, any leftover traces of oil can polymerize onto the surface of a Dutch oven, forming splotchy, somewhat-sticky brown patches that are tough to remove. While these patches don’t affect the Dutch oven’s performance, I think you’re better off with a cheaper Dutch oven for all your little loaves.) Also, I’ve heard of plenty of people having issues with the enamel cracking because they’ve made one mistake or another .
So, if you want to churn out lots of bread, I recommend a cheaper Dutch oven. This Lodge pot fits the bill and makes beautifully browned loaves of bread. It has sides that slope inwards, which means its surface area is smaller (it fit fewer meatballs), but it still cooks and browns food evenly. It did arrive with a sizable chip out of its exterior enamel. My parents, who’ve had their Lodge Dutch oven for about a year, have noticed some chips around the rim of their pot, too. So, it’s not the most durable. However, it’s still a solid, not-too-expensive option.
Specifications
- Materials : Enameled cast iron, stainless steel
- Size : 6-quart
- Weight : 13.25 pounds
- Cooking surface : 8.25 inches
- Handle size : 1.4-inches wide x 5-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 3.5
- Ease of use : 4
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 3
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants to bake a lot of sourdough or no-knead bread.
Good to know: It’s induction-friendly and available in 3- to 7.5-quart sizes and in 11 colors (although not all colors are available in every size).
Best Stainless Steel Dutch Oven: Tramontina Gourmet Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Dutch Oven
Buy NowThis light, stainless steel Dutch oven has a roomy cooking surface and comfortable, wide handles. However, the bread I baked in it came out too blonde and didn’t have a crisp crust. This Dutch oven also had a good bit of stains post-testing, however it didn’t dent or scratch — even after I hit it with a metal spoon. Overall, this is a good stainless steel pot that’s easy to lift and it cooks well, too. I also really liked the Proclamation Duo , which is a hybrid piece of stainless steel cookware that combines a skillet and a Dutch oven (and does so successfully!).
Specifications
- Materials : Stainless steel
- Size : 5-quart
- Weight : 4.56 pounds
- Cooking surface : 8.9 inches
- Handle size : 1.5-inches wide x 4.25-inches long
Rating Criteria
- Cooking : 3.5
- Ease of use : 5
- Cleanup : 4.5
- Durability : 4
Who it’s best for: Anyone who’s looking for a lightweight Dutch oven and won’t be using it to bake bread.
Good to know: It’s induction-friendly and has a lifetime warranty.
Kitchn’s Best List Promise
We will do our homework, going wildly in depth with our testing. But we’ll condense the info into easy, breezy summaries, so that you can see what we picked and why, and then move on with your life. Because we know you’re busy!
Do you have a question about Dutch ovens? Let us know in the comments!
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Lifestyle Editor, Tools
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the Tools Editor at The Kitchn. A professional kitchen equipment tester, she's worked for America's Test Kitchen, EatingWell, and Food52. Her goal: to find the best gear for your kitchen so you don't waste time or money on anything else. She lives in Boston, MA with her two dogs.
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