Today with so many brands, materials, shapes, and sizes in cookware, it can be hard to make the right choice. A lot of confusion is created in the mind of buyers and to help them out. This is why we have written this article on Things To Consider When Selecting a Dutch Oven.
And it is very important to find information that gives knowledge of what materials are best for specific kinds of cooking.
And what sizes and shapes work best for your style of cooking so that you can upgrade your kitchen with the best cookware sets. For this, it is important to find the things to consider when selecting a Dutch oven.
It’s easy to get it wrong when buying a Dutch oven; it really is important that you buy the best you can; quality counts. For the best choice and value its advisable to go online. For an overview of the best uses for your dutch oven check out our Top 6 Dutch Oven Uses.
First decide whether you want to use your Dutch oven on a campfire or on a grill, for the campfire chose a Dutch oven with 3 legs and a lid that allows coals to be put on the top; but for the grill chose a flat-bottomed version.
Things To Consider When Selecting a Dutch Oven – What To Look For:
1. It should be a standard thickness throughout the walls and base of the oven otherwise hot or cold spots, warping or even a cracking can arise, inconsistency is the sign of a low-quality oven. An oven with a rough texture is not a problem as over time this will be removed by your seasoning; too smooth a surface and the seasoning cannot take therefore too smooth a surface is not the best!
2. A Dutch oven should be made of well constructed heavy gauge metal; especially the legs if you’re going for the outdoor fire version; thin legs near the base will not last.
3. The quality of the lid is especially important; it should fit snugly and tightly; if it doesn’t you’ll have problems when cooking; it should have a good lip for stopping materials falling into the dish when it’s lifted; and it should have a properly formed loop so it can be lifted with a lid lifter.
4. Don’t go for a Dutch oven that has been riveted; they are heavy and riveted handles can break when the Dutch oven is fully loaded. This is of course unless the Dutch oven is a solid cast piece then rivets will not be needed.
5. Price is not always a predictor of quality but if it’s low then in this market you’re usually not buying quality! Good quality heavy gauge cast iron is not going to be cheap.
More Important Factor To Look Out For
6. Ease of use is also an important factor. If the Dutch oven heats up too slow or loses heat too easily, these could be warning signs. Furthermore, you should always double check reviews of products to get the best bang for your buck.
7. Another important factor is ease of clean up. Whether its a cast iron Dutch oven or an enameled one, clean up should be a top priority. Likewise, if food gets stuck on too easily or the pan is prone to scratching, look elsewhere.
8. Versatility is yet another important factor. This is where double Dutch ovens come in to play. Perhaps the most versatile of all Dutch oven types, the double Dutch oven pulls double duty. Furthermore, most double Dutch ovens have a lid that doubles as a skillet.
These Dutch oven types are quite versatile indeed. For our top chou]ice of double Dutch oven, check out our review of the Lodge L8DD3 Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven.
9. Longevity is also very important. And it should be noted that non-cast iron Dutch ovens will usually not last as long as cast models. This is to say that stainless steel, enameled, and nonstick aluminum Dutch ovens will not usually last as long.
10. And finally, material type is also very important. As stated above, cast iron Dutch ovens will usually last longer than other material types. Your choices are enameled, stainless steel, aluminum, and cast -iron.
Furthermore, cast iron can last decades if well maintained and cared for. Simply hand wash and dry and apply a coating of cooking oil of your choice. Repeat these steps before each meal you prepare. It’s really that simple.
Things To Consider When Selecting A Dutch Oven – Conclusion:
Having decided what type to buy you must now decide what size to buy. Most fans of Dutch ovens buy 2 or 3 that best suit the scale & type of cooking they’re planning. So what size to buy? Basically, it comes down to: what are you planning to be cooking with your Dutch oven and for how many?
For a mid-sized Dutch oven, check out our review of the Guy Fieri Light Weight Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Red Dutch Oven.
If you’re new to cast iron cookware and unsure about what to buy then an 8.5 quart is a good choice, its a great size for family roasts stews vegetables & bread; but if you’re going to be cooking for larger groups then a 12-quart oven might be for the best.
For smaller, simple cooking of vegetables, desserts & sauces for 2 to 3 people, or even for small roasts then a 2 or the 4-quart oven will be okay. Remember over 12 quarts and the ovens start to get heavy and harder to handle, but they’re great for larger sized groups.
Lastly, get yourself; a pair of heavy-duty, loose-fitting, wrist high, leather gloves; a lid lifter to make light work of picking up hot heavy lids and some briquettes, which should be the best quality, the difference is worth the money. We would like to thank you for visiting our article on the things to consider when selecting a Dutch oven.
Where To Buy:
Check out some of the best-selling Dutch ovens at Amazon.com for the best prices, a good quality one worth taking a look at is the Lodge L8DD3 Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven, which has fantastic customer reviews and at a great price.
