Hundreds of years before multi-cookers were invented, Dutch ovens were the original kitchen workhorses.
Renowned for their versatility and durability, Dutch ovens are thick-walled cooking pots with tight lids, typically round or oval and made from cast iron for retaining heat. They are perfect for cooking on the hob, in the oven and even on the barbecue in some instances.
Best Dutch ovens at a glance
- Best for overall: Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven 24cm - £199.93, Amazon
- Best for stylish option: Staub La Cocotte 26cm - £319, Zwilling
- Best for outdoor use: Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven 26cm - £114.99, Lakeland
- Best for small families or couples: Chasseur 20cm Round Dutch Oven - £106.99, Robert Dyas
- Best for budget option: Habitat Global 5.3 Litre Cast Iron Dutch Oven - £45, Argos
- Best for campfire cooking: Big Green Egg Cast Iron Dutch Oven - £185, Harrods
- Best for stainless steel lid: SAVEUR Selects Voyage Series Enamelled Cast Iron Saucier 25cm - £149.88, Amazon
- Best for beginners: Amazon Basics Premium Enamelled Cast Iron Dutch Oven - £47.49, Amazon
- Best for dual-purpose cooking: Morsø NAC Sauté Cocotte With Griddle Pan 3.5l - £210, Morsoe
Why should I buy a Dutch oven?
The best thing about cooking with a Dutch oven is the pan’s versatility, especially if made from cast iron. Ceramic and aluminium versions are available, yet ceramic Dutch ovens can only be used in the oven, and aluminium doesn’t retain heat as well as cast iron. Cast iron Dutch ovens, however, can be used for most things a normal saucepan can be used for. In addition to boiling, steaming, sautéing, searing, braising, frying and slow-cooking in the oven, Dutch ovens are also perfect for baking bread thanks to their heat retention. Most seasoned, uncoated cast iron Dutch ovens can also be used for outdoor cooking over open fires or on barbecues.
What’s the difference between a Dutch oven and a casserole pot
The terms Dutch oven and casserole are often used interchangeably, though the two do have crucial differences. At first glance, the two different styles do have many similarities. Both are generally round or oval, have side handles, are oven-safe, should have tight-fitting lids and are available in cast iron. Due to these similarities, some people do make mistakes between the two, but the crucial difference is that casseroles are generally shallower than Dutch ovens, meaning water evaporates quicker. Casseroles are also made in a far greater range of materials, many of which won’t be suitable for high heat. All Dutch ovens can transition from stove to oven, but not all casseroles can.
To add even more confusion, many brands will call their Dutch ovens casseroles or something similar (cocotte, French oven, etc.), especially French brands. Le Creuset’s famous round cast iron ‘casserole’ is, in fact, an enamelled cast iron Dutch oven, as is Staub’s large cocotte.
Cast iron vs enamelled cast iron
While many modern cast iron Dutch ovens are enamelled, the bare cast iron options are arguably more traditional. Bare cast iron isn’t only traditional and highly durable, it’s suitable for cooking on almost any surface, from all hobs to barbecues and open fires. Cast iron enthusiasts will also note that each time you use a bare cast iron pot, its surface improves due to the consistent seasoning from cooking.
Enamelled cast iron Dutch ovens aren’t suitable for cooking over open fires or on the barbecue, but the coating does have plenty of benefits. As well as being far easier to clean, enamelled cast iron Dutch ovens don’t require seasoning. The glass-like enamel coating also gives the pan a non-stick quality, prevents rusting and is ideal for all types of food as it’s non-reactive. Cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes in a bare cast iron Dutch oven, for instance, can lead to bad reactions with the pan’s material, with unpleasant flavours leaching into the food.
When it comes to caring for a cast iron Dutch oven, the bare cast iron version will need to be seasoned fairly regularly to protect from rust and corrosion, best cleaned without soap or detergent, just with warm water. The cast iron will also need to be lightly oiled to prevent rust.
Enamelled cast iron Dutch ovens, on the other hand, may show more stains if the coating is light, but they’re easier to clean. Simply remove stains by lightly scrubbing with a non-abrasive scouring pad. Although hand washing is always recommended, many enamelled cast iron Dutch ovens are also dishwasher-safe.
What to look for when buying a Dutch oven
Whether enamelled or not, cast iron Dutch ovens are, by far, the most versatile. Although expensive, they’re also extremely durable and will last for years provided they’re properly looked after.
In addition to the material, look for a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, large and sturdy handles for safety, and something in an ideal size for what you may need. For most small families, a 4-5 litre Dutch oven will be plenty large enough, but you may want to invest in something a little larger if cooking for groups or batch cooking.
How we tested the best Dutch ovens
All of the featured Dutch ovens were tested in a home kitchen, on both gas and induction hobs. Each of the Dutch ovens was used to boil pasta and to cook a basic beef stew recipe. For the purpose of testing, various criteria were kept in mind. The key focuses were the overall quality of the food produced, the quality of the Dutch ovens, ease of use and cleaning, size and storage, durability and value for money.
Shop the best below
Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven 24cm
Best for: Overall
Although touted as a round casserole, Le Creuset’s signature pot is technically more of a Dutch oven. Having become the gold standard of cast iron cookware, Le Creuset has a proven track record of producing exceptional kitchen equipment that’s built to last, still made in France. With that, the only downside is the price. Le Creuset cookware is at the more expensive end of the scale, but its Dutch ovens are unrivalled and they also come with a lifetime guarantee – not that it’s really necessary.
Each Le Creuset Dutch oven is sand-cast, polished and finished by hand before being sprayed with two coats of durable, chip-resistant enamel. As well as perfectly even cast iron sides for impeccable heat retention, the lid is tight-fitting with absolutely no wobble room, the handles are roomy and the Dutch ovens are lighter than some of their competitors, suitable for use on any type of hob. The enamelled interior is also easy to wash by hand but can be popped into the dishwasher (although overuse will fade the coating over time). What’s more, a whole spectrum of colours are also available, including the brand’s gorgeous new Azure blue colourway, plus a variation of sizes.
Buy now £199.93, Amazon
Staub La Cocotte 26cm round cast iron Dutch oven
Best for: stylish option
Like the Le Creuset round ‘casserole’, the larger Staub Cocotte models are more in line with Dutch ovens, as cocottes are traditionally small pots for individual servings. Also proud of its long history of producing enamelled cast iron cookware in France, Staub has a great reputation for versatility and durability. Like Le Creuset, the Staub Cocotte is available in myriad colours, such as the beautiful new sage green and cherry blossom colourways, though the internal enamel is dark. This helps to hide stains, though it does make it slightly trickier to clean thoroughly.
Elsewhere, the Dutch oven has a large surface area for cooking and a tight-fitting lid that’s on the heavier side and has a relatively small knob, which is more difficult to grip with thick oven gloves. Overall, however, the Staub Cocotte is a stylish heirloom option boasting excellent quality, with the 26cm version capacious enough to generously produce 6-8 servings.
Buy now £319.00, Zwilling
Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven 26cm
Best for: outdoor use
Lodge’s Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven is fairly unique in so far as having a lid that also doubles up as a cast iron skillet. Having produced cast iron cookware for more than 125 years, Lodge Dutch ovens are renowned for their flat bottoms and tight-fitting lids, while the raw cast iron is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil for a rust-resistant, non-stick finish. Both the Dutch Oven and its lid/skillet are also suitable for cooking on all hob types, as well as on barbecues and campfires (up to 260oC), making them perfect for outdoor use. Given the iron is sterile at 100oC, there’s no need for soap or detergent when washing the Dutch oven, which is also ideal for outdoor pursuits.
Buy now £114.99, Lakeland
Chasseur 20cm Round Dutch Oven
Best for: small families or couples
Hand forged in the Champagne Ardennes region of France, this Dutch oven from Chasseur is ideal for couples or solo dining, with a 20cm diameter and space to hold 2.3 litres. Available in a range of colours, the brand’s Dutch oven has recently been redesigned to incorporate larger, more ergonomic handles, a more rounded base, a re-designed lid with self-basting rings to recirculate moisture during cooking and a stainless steel lid knob as standard.
As well as distributing heat very evenly, the Dutch oven is suitable for use on all hob types as well as in the oven, while the double-enamelled interior is both durable and easy to clean, even dishwasher safe. A lifetime guarantee is also offered with all Chasseur cast iron cookware.
Buy now £106.99, Robert Dyas
Habitat Global 5.3 Litre Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Best for: budget option
The Habitat Global Dutch oven is a solid budget option, available in a selection of colours. The overall construction doesn’t feel quite as robust as some of the higher-end models tested, but the quality is absolutely astounding considering the price point.
With a 5.3 litre capacity, the Dutch oven is large enough to comfortably feed families or small groups, working with any hob or oven up to 260oC. The enamel coating also makes it easier to clean and care for, with the light-coloured internal coating adding a stylish flourish. A manufacturer’s one-year guarantee is also offered.
Buy now £45.00, Argos
Big Green Egg Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Best for: campfire cooking
It’s perhaps unsurprising that Big Green Egg’s cast iron Dutch oven is especially ideal for outdoor cooking. The heavy-duty bare cast iron pan requires regular seasoning and more care than most of the best Dutch ovens, but you’ll be rewarded with great flavour and a product that gets better with age if properly looked after.
In addition to its generous 5.2-litre capacity, the Dutch oven has a large handled lid (ideal if wearing oven mitts) and side handles which double up as hangers for cooking over a campfire. With that in mind, the Big Green Egg cast iron Dutch oven is also suitable for cooking indoors, on all hob types or in the oven.
Buy now £185.00, Harrods
SAVEUR Selects Voyage Series Enamelled Cast Iron Saucier – 25cm
Best for: stainless steel lid
Although significantly shallower than its fellow listees, this SAVEUR Selects option is relatively lightweight, with a capacity of 3.3 litres making it ideal for a maximum of two people. The main selling point, nonetheless, is the stainless steel lid, which sets it apart from most cast iron options.
Equipped with self-basting condensation rings, the lid is lightweight and double-walled for insulation. The lid lends an aesthetically modern touch to the pot, which does have its merits yet some cast iron purists may disapprove.
Elsewhere, it’s also worth noting the pot is coated with rustproof and non-reactive enamel, has textured ergonomic non-slip handles, and is suitable for being cleaned in the dishwasher (although handwashing is recommended).
Buy now £149.88, Amazon
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 4 L, White
Best for: beginners
Available in many colours, the Amazon Basics round enamelled cast iron Dutch oven is a stylish budget option. With a 4-litre capacity, the Dutch oven’s construction promotes even heat distribution and has side handles and tight-fitting lids, amongst other features expected from an enamelled cast iron Dutch oven. Amazon does state, however, that the enamel doesn’t have a non-stick function.
It’s also worth noting that although the Amazon Basics Dutch oven does have great functionality (especially for the price), the enamel isn’t quite as hard-wearing as some of the other options.
Buy now £47.49, Amazon
Morsø NAC Sauté Cocotte With Griddle Pan, 3.5L
Best for: dual-purpose cooking
Renowned for their wood-burning stoves, Morsø’s high-quality cast iron cookware has an air of Scandinavian chic. The sauté cocotte with griddle pan, for instance, doubles up as two pots, with the Dutch oven’s lid acting as a separate ridged griddle pan in addition to a tight-fitting lid that’s more than fit for purpose. The twice-enamelled cast iron construction is also suitable for all hob and oven types, as well as being easy to clean and care for. With a 3.5 litre capacity the Dutch oven is also ideal for couples or small families, particularly easy to store when not being used.
Buy now £210.00, Morsø
Verdict
While many exceptional Dutch ovens exist, in various styles, Le Creuset’s round cast iron Dutch oven leads the charge, ticking all of the boxes and going above and beyond when it comes to quality, versatility and durability. Sure it’s at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but it’s one of those situations where you certainly get what you pay for: an heirloom piece that’s built to last a lifetime. The brand is renowned for a reason.
