Folks just love Dutch ovens, but not everyone has the same reasons to buy one. Ladies in the kitchen like a lightweight kettle with a pretty enamel finish to cook for family gatherings. When the boys go camping they want a large, rugged pot with a lid that holds coals and legs to hold it up off the fire. The best Dutch ovens and most versitile are great for simmering soups and stews on the stovetop so you can enjoy it all day.
In this review we will show off the 10 best Dutch ovens, and guarantee that one of them will be perfect for your type of cooking. Not only that, these durable cookers will last the rest of your life and your grandkids will enjoy cooking in them, too.
Since there are different reasons that cooks will choose their perfect Dutch oven we are offering 3 categories of Dutch ovens:
- Sleek
- Camping
- Economical
Contents Of This Article
Caraway 6.5 Qt. Nonstick Ceramic Dutch Oven
This gorgeous Dutch oven is perfect for kitchen use on top of the stove or in the oven. It is lighter than many other kettles and cooks great on low to medium heat settings. Your guests will love the look of this cooker and you will love the nonstick coating.
- Material: Ceramic
- Capacity: 6.5 qts.
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 8.3 lbs.
- Cook for 6-8 people
Get this choice if you want a lightweight, rich looking oven with a nonstick interior.
What we like – a beautiful piece to cook for your family and guests. Easy to clean and cook with due to the nonstick surface. The ceramic coating is tough and imparts no toxins.
Drawbacks – not for use outdoors or at high cooking temperatures.
EDGING 7 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven w Lid
Super durable with tough enamel coating, this choice is favored by many to bake sourdough bread. It handles oven temperatures up to 500 degrees and bakes consistently every time.
- Material: Cast Iron
- Capacity: 7 qts.
- Finish: Enameled
- Care: Do not use dishwasher
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 15.86 lbs.
- Cook for 7-8 people
Get this choice if you want an oven that's durable and has heavy construction for even baking.
What we like – superior quality at a reasonable price. Heavy construction distributes heat well and bakes consistently. Perfect for stovetop to oven recipes.
Drawbacks – Heavy to handle and designed for indoor use only.
EDGING 5QT 2-in-1 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven w Skillet Lid
This choice offers more options at a fantastic price. All of our bakers and cooks love it because it doubles as a baking utensil for sourdough and other bread recipes and a skillet for cooking on the stovetop. Superior construction gives excellent heat retention.
- Material: Cast Iron
- Capacity: 5 qts.
- Finish: Pre-seasoned
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Oven, grill and stovetop safe
- Weight: 13.63 lbs.
- Cook for 6 people
Get this choice if you're looking for a 5-quart Dutch oven that will work for multiple applications.
What we like – this oven pot offers great utility, long life at a great price. Two cooking units in one. Perfect for bread baking.
Drawbacks – Do not wash in the dishwasher and do not air dry. Lightly season when clean.
Lodge 8 Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven w Lid
This is the classic cast iron pot used for camping, cooking on campfires and with charcoal. Long life and service will outlive generations of family cookers. Legs on the bottom allow positioning directly on the campfire coals and lid shape allows coals on top for baking, or flip it over for grilling. How about trying you hand at baking a loaf of bread over the campfire.
- Material: Cast Iron
- Capacity: 8 qts.
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 19.35 lbs.
- Cook for 8-10 people
Get this choice if you are planning to cook over a campfire and bake with charcoal.
What we like – this cooker is super rugged and made for camping trips where you want to cook over an open fire. Own a variety of sizes and you can stack them into a cooking tower and cook multiple dishes at once. Outdoor cooking at it's best.
Drawbacks – heavy to handle, especially when it's full of food. Requires extra utensils such as lid holder, lid lifter, gloves. This handy kettle is pure raw cast iron at it's finest.
MegaChef 5 Piece Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware Set
This is a cast iron set for those who want to enjoy the safety and cooking dependability of cast iron and want several pieces to do the job. Great starter set or gift for someone who appreciates quality and durability in their pieces of cookware.
- Material: Cast Iron
- Size: 5 piece
- Finish: Should be seasoned before use
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 22.2 lbs. total all pieces
- Cook for entire family
Get this set if you want to have several cast iron pieces or are sending your loved ones a special gift.
What we like – this is great value for a nice price and is well reviewed by Ozark cooks. Do you know someone who has been wanting to cook with cast iron but doesn't know where to start? This set is perfect and ships to their door.
Drawbacks – these items really should be seasoned by the owner when they arrive. This is a simple process and is part of cooking in and using cast iron cookware. Can be prone to uneven cooking.
Visions 5L Glass Dutch Oven w Lid
We love cooking in the kitchen with glass cookware, and this cook pot is so fine to use for everyday recipes. Best used at medium heat and low temperatures on the stove top or kitchen oven.
- Material: Glass
- Capacity: 5 Liters
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Yes, but at medium to low temperatures
- Weight: 8 lbs.
- Cook for 6-7 people
Get this cooker if you love glass cookware and want perfect stovetop to oven cooking ability.
What we like – glass cookware is so much fun to use for everyday cooking and the perfect oven pot. Durable and dependable, cook your recipe, let it cool and move it right into the fridge. Never worry about a metallic taste.
Drawbacks – not intended to be used in high heat cooking and only use indoors. Can be prone to hot spots while cooking.
Professional 8 Quart Nonstick Dutch Oven w Glass Lid
This pick is very light weight and still cooks evenly on the stovetop or in the oven. The ceramic nonstick surface makes cleanup fast and easy, and it's easy to handle for anyone in the kitchen.
- Material: Ceramic
- Capacity: 8 quarts
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Oven Safe: Yes, up to 450 degrees
- Weight: 5.89 lbs.
- Cook for 8-10 people
Get this pot if you want like the lightweight aluminum construction with nonstick interior
What we like – this is a professional cooker with a glass lid and perfect for long lasting daily use.
Drawbacks – Indoor use only.
Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 8.5 Qt. Dutch Oven
A very sleek cooker for kitchen use is great for large roasts and stews. Even heat distribution and has a nice glass tight fitting lid and features nonstick coating. Goes right from stove top to oven if you want.
- Material: Enamel outside, Non-stick interior
- Capacity: 8.5 quarts
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 11 lbs.
- Cook for 8-10 people
Get this choice if you're looking for a large pot that will go seamlessly from stovetop to oven.
What we like – very nice for large recipes although it is still reasonably lightweight. Perfect for cooking on the stovetop or baking in the kitchen as an oven pot. The enameled surface on the outside of the pot makes cleanup easy.
Drawbacks – A little bit heavier than some kitchen models, not for outdoor use.
Amazon Basics 7-Quart Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven w Lid
An absolutely perfect piece of cookware for basic cooking, either indoors our outdoors. Durable, long lasting cast iron will withstand cooking temperatures of up to 500 degrees and provide even cooking heat for your recipe.
- Material: Cast iron
- Capacity: 7 quarts
- Finish: Non-stick
- Care: Hand wash only
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 15.04 lbs.
- Cook for 8-10 people
Get this choice if you want a contemporary unit for a great price.
What we like – this one is a down home authentic style cooker, sometimes referred to as a “bean pot” since that what it was known to be used for the most. Made for stove top or kitchen oven pot but is equally as good outdoors around the campfire.
Drawbacks – Although it can be used on the campfire it does not have legs to keep it above the coals nor does it have a lid for coals to stack on for baking. BUT it's still quite valuable for all around cooking.
Enameled Cast Iron 7 qt Oval Dutch Oven w Lid
Sometimes you need an oval kettle for cooking chicken or ham, making stews and this pot even cooks bread exceptionally well. Heavy cast iron construction give even heat distribution and stays warm on the stove top for servings at family gatherings. This is a truly fantastic piece of cookware.
- Material: Cast iron
- Capacity: 7 quarts
- Finish: Enameled
- Care: Hand wash
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Weight: 16.42 lbs.
- Cook for 10-12 people
Get this choice if you need an oval oven that will last a lifetime.
What we like – this is a tough and beautiful Dutch oven in an oval shape with enamel coating. Very durable construction will last for generations and cook up your favorite recipes for all family gatherings. A great oven pot and very nice for bread baking.
Drawbacks – It's a little heavy compared to some, but that type of construction helps the Dutch oven to heat evenly and hold heat longer when at rest. It's really made for inside use more that cooking outside.
Our Top Three Picks
Sleek – Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Dutch Oven
Camping – Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven
Economical – MegaChef 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set
Quick Comparison
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Dutch Oven – Sleek, Kitchen use
EDGING 7 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – Economical Indoor and Outdoor Use
EDGING 5QT 2-in-1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven w Skillet Lid – Camping Indoor and Outdoor Use
Lodge 8 Quart Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven – Camping, Outdoor Use
MegaChef 5 Piece Cast Iron Cookware Set – Economical, Indoor and Outdoor Use
Visions 5L Glass Dutch Oven w Lid – Economical, Indoor and Outdoor Use
Professional 8 Quart Dutch Oven w Glass Lid – Sleek, Kitchen use
Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 8.5 Qt. Dutch Oven – Economical, Kitchen use
Amazon Basics 7-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven w Lid – Economical, Indoor and Outdoor Use
Enameled Cast Iron 7 qt Oval Dutch Oven w Lid – Sleek, Kitchen use
FAQs
What is a Dutch Oven?
A Dutch oven is an ancient type of cooking pot with a lid that can be used to brown meat, cook stews and even bake bread. Many will go from stovetop to oven and because of their heavy construction they heat evenly and retain heat for a long time.
How to pick a Dutch oven
Some things to consider are finding one that's the ideal size for your needs, what kind of cooking surface will you use the most, do you want enameled cast iron cookware, amber glass or authentic cast-iron cookware. Will you want to use it on the campfire or in the kitchen the most? Will some of our favorite choices be too heavy for you to use? All in all there's a wide variety of picks depending on your needs.
What size Dutch oven should I use?
Use the larger size for big meals, but remember how heavy it will be when full. There are many size options and an array of colors to match your existing collection.
What is better, oval or round Dutch oven?
It's just a fact that most are round, but oval cookers certainly have their place and are favorites for some cooks. Oval cookers are better for large roasts and chickens and put a great sear on meat.
What are two types of Dutch ovens?
Some are made for indoor use in the kitchen, come in beautiful colors and have enameled or nonstick surfaces to help with cleanup.
Others are authentic style cast iron cookware that are made for indoor or outdoor use, can be used on a campfire and require attention to cleanup and storage.
What Dutch ovens are as good as Le Creuset?
Le Creuset is a brand that has long been known for quality, durability and beauty. All the choices we recommend in this article will suit your needs just as well and many come with lifetime warranties.
Do I need more tools for cooking outdoors?
It's good to plan on using your oven mitts if you move from kitchen to the patio since these heavy cookers stay pretty hot. But if you don't want to use pot holders around a campfire, try using leather gloves. Other tools for campfire cooking include:
- Lid lifter (heat resistant handle to lift the lid)
- Lid holder ( to put the lid on while stirring)
- Wooden spoon
- Small shovel ( to move coals around)
Can you bake bread in a Dutch oven?
Yes, Baking bread is one of the favorite uses by Ozark cooks. You can bake over campfire coals or in your kitchen oven. Cast-iron cookware produces crusty bread and will make more loaves of bread than your family can eat!
Is cast iron hard to clean?
Some are made to be easy to clean, such as Lodge enameled cast iron cookware. Even fully cast iron cookware may come as nonstick.
Traditional cast iron is very durable and will clean up even when it looks beyond repair – just watch a few YouTube videos to lean how.
Some folks say never to use soap and water to clean up after they are seasoned. Remember, they are just a cook pot. If you have to scrub them with soapy water just re-season them when you're done.