Instead, we try to highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of each so that you can make a better decision. If you’re going to move up in price range, you may as well score a Dutch oven with more capacity, higher sides, and a larger surface area on which to cook. The main difference between raw and enameled cast iron is maintenance. At $60, it's a fraction of the price of the Le Creuset and still high-quality (plus, as the maker of one of our favorite cast-iron skillets, Lodge is a brand we trust for long-lasting cookware). To find out, we tested Dutch ovens from 11 brands, ranging from classics like Le Creuset and Staub to modern alternatives like Ikea and Great Jones. It’s perfect for pasta dishes, whether boiling it on your stovetop or baking it into casseroles in your oven. Not a hint of steam escaped from beneath the lid of the Le Creuset we tested, and unlike other Dutch ovens’ lid handles that felt difficult to lift while wearing an oven mitt, this model’s lid had a knob that felt glued to your grip even in a thick potholder. And both Lodge and Bruntmor have you covered in that area for sure. Pro tip: Since most Dutch ovens are made entirely from cast iron, remember to always handle them with a potholder. Here is how I cook my eggs on my Le Creuset Enameled Skillet so they dont stick on the pan. It has a durable coating, is the ideal size for most recipes, and ⦠Le Creuset. Meanwhile, the lid creates a tight seal to keep food piping hot even when cooking at low heat and features an ergonomic handle that’s easy to grip with an oven mitt. Kettle & (2) 14 oz. The perfection of the Le Creuset Dutch oven lies in its fine details: the nuances of feel, look, and a quality of food that outshone every competitor (save for its oval 5-quart counterpart, which made equally delicious braised beef but lost points because its shape is not as conducive to cooking on round burners, which most people own). Plus, it’s extremely lightweight for such high-quality cast-iron cookware, with the 7.25-quart Dutch oven weighing in at just 12.8 pounds, more than three pounds less than our $ winner (which is only 6 quarts). When cooking down a stew, we noticed very little loss of liquid over the two hours. The Le Creuset Dutch ovens come in a wide variety of colors to mix and match with anyoneâs kitchen décor. The heavy-bottomed, lidded pot can do pretty much everything, from baking bread and simmering soups and stews to frying chicken. Obsessed with travel? And after whipping up enough meals to feed basically all of BuzzFeed’s employees and their mothers, the Bruntmor scored close to our mid-priced winner. Not only is it easier to clean, it also won’t chip as easily as raw cast iron. Le Creuset prides itsself on quality and craftsmanship and its Dutch ovens are no exception. Plus, the handles on the pot don’t have holes through the middle, making them hard to grab. The Bruntmor lost a few points for a cooking surface that’s just over 11 inches in diameter. Itâs a great heat conductor, washes easily, wonât rust, can cook anything a standard cast iron pan can and more (ahem, tom⦠By Chef Austin . Perhaps it’s the hefty price tag, or maybe it’s the renowned brand and its history, but cooking with a Le Creuset Dutch oven is a positively different experience than using anything else. A ⦠Ad Choices, The Best Dutch Ovens for Baking, Braising, and Beyond. Enameled Cast Iron Wok . The only real caveat of the Le Cresuet is its price; at $330, it isn’t cheap. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Add in a tight seal that locks in heat, and we found that you can cook at a lower heat setting and still maintain a steady, rolling simmer. They were established in 1925 in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France which was along a trade route for the raw materials they needed to manufacture their enamel coated cast-iron cookware. While Ikea’s Dutch oven arrived to our offices with several chips in its outside enamel, it performed extremely well for a $50 pot. We worried this would have an effect on cooking, but it didn't, really. Some of my favorite dishes taste the best out of a dutch oven-braised short ribs, beef bourguignon, and of course fried chicken! Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The Lodge has an easy-to-grab knob on its lid, but it’s made of metal, so it's not as heat-resistant as the plastic one found on most Le Creuset models. Although Le Creuset cast iron cookware sits at the top end of the price range, their dutch ovens also outshine with many quality features.. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. For our tests in 2018 and 2019, we made a beef stew that requires a stint on the stovetop as well as in the oven; for the 2020 update, because we are trying to cut back on the amount of beef we cook, we went with a slow-cooked pork ragu instead, which would illustrate each model's searing and braising prowess. 25 By Chef Austin . With that ⦠It fits well, but steam still visibly slips through and out of the pot. The Le Creuset Signature 5.5-quart Dutch oven, which typically retails for more than $300. The Bruntmorâs capacity is certainly overshadowed by both our $$ and $$$ winners, which means you wonât sacrifice a ton of space if you stay in the $ range. Yes, that Casserole dish is non stick. It would be unfair of me to declare the Le Creuset the winner when essentially, they are competing in different customer markets. The pot has large, thin hands with lots of room to stick your hands through, even if you're wearing oven mitts, which makes it easy to maneuver, despite its bulk. If you are heading off for a camping getaway or need ⦠Black Pre ⦠It doesn’t get hot too quickly on the stovetop, and can be removed for super high-heat baking projects, like bread. However, the pot is not enameled on the inside, making it naturally harder to clean (naked cast-iron requires more care and attention than enameled). Like Le Creuset, Staub has a long history of making handsome enameled cast iron in France, and it costs a little less. Or you could spend a whole lot less for the Bruntmor enameled cast-iron Dutch oven which, at just under 16 pounds, sears and braises like a champ. The Staub was also not as effective at searing meat, with results that were uneven and less crisp than its competitors. Yes, we’re well aware that spending over $300 sounds painful. Commercial Chef. It is less well-suited for deep-frying than the other models we tested. We tested Dutch ovens in the 6-quart range. Best Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Ovens Le Creuset & Staub Review and Comparison. For the gold standard Dutch oven that will last a lifetime, choose Le Creuset. 69710 Porcelain Cast Iron Wok . We seared meat and caramelized vegetables in each of the Dutch ovens to test their heating capabilities and the relative effectiveness of their cooking surfaces. The dark color of the cast-iron makes it more difficult to see the level of browning on the meat. Some home cooks may not like the black enamel interior, which does a fine job of hiding scratches and browns meat well, but can make it harder to see fond developing. We wanted to see how meat braised in the Dutch ovens. Le Creusetâs Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5½-Quart Round French Oven is the gold standard for Dutch ovens. Consider this a statement piece that is also the epitome of function, as it works on gas, electric, halogen, induction, and ceramic stovetops as well as in the oven or on the outdoor grill up to 500°F. We looked for a crisp, browned edge on each piece of meat, as well as even caramelization on the vegetables. For now, this dutch oven—as part of the larger set, which includes a frying pan, lidded sauce pan, and lidded sauté pan—will set you back $395 in total, but Caraway intends to start selling pieces a la carte in July. This pot seared meat evenly and crisply, and, like the Le Creuset, its lightly colored interior makes it easy to watch for the appropriate level of browning. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Foods will not react with the easy-to-clean, PFOA- and PTFE-free porcelain enamel cooking surface. Bruntmor borrows the lid construction from high-end French cookware maker Staub, but achieves nearly the same results at a fraction of the cost. . The Le Creuset exceeded our tester's expectations in terms of heat distribution and retention: "The potâs high sides and heat-conducting properties made evenly browning a whole chicken a cinch," she raves. The sides of this pot are curved, which makes the body truly round (as opposed to the Le Creuset pot, which has straight sides). Le Creuset. - bruntmor vs lodge - And while you canât go wrong with either model, if we had to choose a double Dutch oven based on durability, the Lodge L8DD3 model would win out. Thatâs a lot to spend on one pot, even if you assume youâll use it for a lifetime. And it’s just as useful for whipping up a pot of chicken soup with plenty of leftovers. How well does it sear meat and brown vegetables? For a more economical option, Lodge makes a Dutch oven that performs extremely well. Julia Child. It’s also ideal for searing proteins and turning them into spectacular braises. We preferred the Bruntmor for its size, heft, and heat conductivity; simply put, it browned and braised beef better. Final Thoughts â Aluminum vs Cast Iron Cookware. Cuisinart enameled cast iron vs Le Creuset â Cuisinart Chefâs Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart vs Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5½-Quart Round French Oven. Keep reading for this year's winners; for the specifics of how we tested, scroll to the bottom of the page. Bruntmor. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Mugs, Flame This is a litter harder. Some pots, like the Le Creuset, have relatively straight sides, while others, like the Lodge and the Dansk, are quite rounded in the corners. Vesta Cookware Cast Iron Dutch Oven . Don't use Le Creuset dutch oven with chipped enamel on the inside! The answer is a Dutch oven. TableCraft Cast. To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories. If you love cooking one-pot meals, pasta, soups or stews, the Dutch oven is a must-have. It seared meat evenly and crisply, the braised meat was tender, and we were satisfied with the amount of evaporation. You need a Le Creuset. California Proposition 65 is a useful tool that identifies an extensive list of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.These chemicals include additives or ingredients in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents. But if you absolutely love to cook and you’re going to use it over and over, it's worth the splurge. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Free parking . If you’re looking for a lightweight option in this price range that’s also enjoyable to cook with, the Milo Dutch oven gets honorable mention for its sleek, minimalist look. 7437 12-12-inch Cast Iron Wok ... Bruntmor. All of them were independently selected by our editors. Depending on the brand, sizes range from 3- to 9-quarts, but most offer one in the 5 1/2- to 6-quart range, which we find to be the most useful for everyday cooking. Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven â White. But it's certainly one of the best looking options, the kind of cookware you want to leave out on the stove all the time. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. A Dutch oven is an essential piece of cookware for every kitchen. But keep in mind: The smaller the capacity, the smaller the cooking surface. Le Creuset is probably the most well known brand of French cookware in America and can be seen in many shops around the country along with a large number of places online. This thing is reliable. One of the best Dutch ovens on the market. All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. As with our other winners, the Cuisinart features a light interior that allows better visibility, so you can see meat caramelize (hello, Maillard reaction!) Doing so will damage the non stick liner and or the ceramic glaze. Cast your eyes at all that quality cast-iron. Anolon. We can all understand the quality difference in premium Dutch ovens like Le Creuset and Staubâ¦but even still, it does make you think. For our 2019 update, we added Milo, a new company that specializes in affordable Dutch ovens, to the mix. Even before Child’s day, Le Creuset was known as the crème de la crème of this particular kind of culinary equipment, with few challengers in sight. Nothing stuck, to the point that we built up no fond at all and there was nothing to deglaze, which made us feel like we were missing out on some flavor. It’s not much more work, but it’s still more work. Still, we found that the pot’s wide handles ease the difficulty of transporting something that heavy from stovetop or oven to table. Le Creuset vs. Staub p I will be honest - Le Creuset seems to be all the rage within the circle I hang out with. Seriously, between frying, braising, searing, and stewing, no other cookware comes close. © 2021 Condé Nast. One thing we didn't love was the super nonstick nature of this ceramic pot. How does the pot's shape affect ease of use? Whether you want to invest in an expensive Dutch oven or opt for a more economical option, make sure you buy one that’s made of enameled cast-iron. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! For added safety, place it on a trivet or wooden serving board to avoid damaging your countertop. After washing, raw cast iron must be immediately dried (to prevent rust) and lightly oiled and heated through (to maintain its coating). This is accomplished by “seasoning” the pan with a cooking fat (like vegetable oil), then baking the pan in the oven on high heat to bond everything together to create a protective coating. Rounded pots make stirring easier and keep food from sticking in the corners, but also provide less flat surface area at the bottom for searing. Stock also came came to a boil quicker than expected, even over a medium-low flame, thanks to seemingly better heat conductivity and better distribution. In Dutch-oven parlance, this is called a “self-basting” lid: those little protrusions are said to be crucial in collecting steam, so moisture can drip back down on whatever you’re cooking. If this is a new cooking frontier, the first thing you need to know is that Dutch ovens are available in both traditional raw cast iron and enameled cast iron. Enameled solid cast-iron offers superior and even heat retention while vibrant porcelain-enamel exterior offers contemporary styling. The seasoning also helps defend the pan from rust. The Caraway dutch oven, which at present is only available as part of the company's cookware set, is extremely lightweight. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. This Le Creuset scored an impressive 99, losing one point on “ease of cleaning” because it needed just a bit more effort to bring it back to pristine form. For those who want to elicit envy from in-the-know home cooks and just about every chef in chef whites, the Le Creuset signature round enameled Dutch oven will do just that. As far as cooking performance goes, this one easily bested the competition. California residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Visit Now to Browse Over 1,400 Cast Iron, Stainless Steel & Non-Stick Pots, Pans & More. We recommend getting at least a 5-quart Dutch oven for cooking main dishes — smaller Dutch ovens are better for cooking side dishes. It'll last a lifetime, and look good doing it. raw cast iron is the only choice for campfire cookouts, the enameled cast-iron Dutch oven from AmazonBasics, the Le Creuset signature round enameled Dutch oven. Our stew came out of the oven with the ideal amount of evaporation and the ragu, with the lid set slightly ajar, cooked down to the perfect saucy thickness. If you’re really looking for a deal, our runner-up in the $ price range, the enameled cast-iron Dutch oven from AmazonBasics, lost to the Bruntmor by a surprisingly narrow margin. It will brown and braise more effectively and perform admirably on both the stovetop and the oven. With that in mind, you donât want to pay that price and learn that you bought a fake Le Creuset Dutch oven ⦠This is especially true within the budget price range, with raw cast iron generally costing less than its enameled counterparts. Broil King. We like the look and feel of the pot ($95), which is inspired by Le Creuset but designed in California, however we didn't think it performed much better than the Lodge, which has a similar utilitarian feel and is less expensive. Signature Dutch Oven. It makes for a good, sturdy mid-price option ($145). What we discovered is that these multipurpose pots provide serious utility no matter the price, meaning you can find one for under $50 that’ll boost your kitchen cred or throw down hundreds for an heirloom piece built to last a lifetime. We looked for large, grip-able handles that made the pot easy to maneuver, on the stovetop as well as into and out of the oven. âYou get what you pay forâ certainly holds true when it comes to dutch ovens. Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Demi Kettle & Stoneware Set of 2 Mugs, 1.25 qt. Le Creuset. 3 Quart Dutch Oven . But....after reading some of the chow's posts it seems as Staub is really worth looking into. We tested 11 models of the indispensable, heavy-duty pot to find the very best one on the market. Those willing to spend a little more for a Dutch oven should opt for our $$ winner from Cuisinart. Vitreous enamel (glass particles that are fused to an underlying layer with intense heat) creates a non-porous finish that protects the core material of your pot or pan. Coated in porcelain enamel on the interior and exterior, the Cuisinart weighs in at more than 18 pounds, so if you’re known to skip arm day (or have no idea what arm day is), the heft may be a dealbreaker. Reporting on what you care about. Yeah, she used one. In our tests, the Le Creuset gave the best performance overall, producing well-crusted seared meat and evenly caramelized vegetables. It’s got all the hallmarks of a pot six times its price. We also wanted a sturdy, snug-fitting lid—ideally with a knob that made it simple to remove. With 7 quarts of space and enough interior surface to sear and stew a large roast, this Dutch oven may seem family-sized, but it’s worth it for anyone in search for a truly all-purpose pot. At 14.7 pounds, it also weighs more than the Le Creuset and doesn't have quite the same elegance. But the rounded corners do create more evaporation and limit the amount of flat surface area for searing (the pot fit about three chicken thighs, rather than the four that fit easily in the Le Creuset). While you can expect the same versatility from Dutch ovens constructed in either fashion, there are some important tradeoffs to know before making your decision. The Staub is on another level in this regard. Its 13-inch-diameter surface and 7-quart capacity allow you to cook larger batches (to entertain more guests or have more leftovers) and sear more meat at once, and its wide-grip handles and tight-fitting lid with easy-to-hold knob make it a great choice for cooks at any skill level. How To Clean an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven? Le Creuset (which you have in the photo) state in the hand book that the casserole dish should never be used dry on the hob or in the oven. We hope you love the products we recommend! Highly Recommended Le Creuset Signature 11 3/4" Iron Handle Skillet With flaring sides, an oversize helper handle, wide pour spouts, a satiny interior, and balanced weight, this expensive but beautifully made pan is a pleasure to cook in. With over a dozen colors to choose from, you can find something to suit the aesthetic of any kitchen. And, while it built up a nice fond, the pot was relatively easy to clean. Ever - all in one place, producing well-crusted seared meat evenly and crisply, pot! Process, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of.... How well does it sear meat and evenly caramelized vegetables competing in different Customer markets when you something. This ceramic pot as well as even caramelization on the inside everything, from baking bread simmering... Of colors to choose from, you can find something to suit the aesthetic of any kitchen Dutch short. 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