Le Creuset is a century-old French brand and though some of its cookware and tableware is now made in other countries, all of the enameled cast iron cookware—including the Dutch ovens—is still made in the original manufacturing facility in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France. And while we know from experience and inherited pieces that the chip-resistant enamel can last a lifetime (with proper care, of course) Le Creuset Dutch ovens do come with a limited lifetime warranty.
What I don’t love about the Le Creuset Dutch oven
I noticed that when I filled it halfway with water and got it to a rolling boil with the lid on, scalding water still escaped the pan—an issue I didn’t experience with the Staub.
Good to know
If you choose a Dutch oven with light colored interior enamel, and cook in it often, you should expect some gradual discoloration. If you’re intent on keeping it pristine, you may jeopardize the lifespan of the enamel. Abrasive cleaners can wear the seal off of it and lead to even more staining.
Interior enamel: Light and smooth
Available sizes: 2 qt, 4.5 qt, 5.5 qt, 7.25 qt, 9 qt, 13.75 qt
Weight (5.5 qt size): 11.6 pounds
Multiple color options: Yes, though availability varies by size and retailer
Braising divots in the lid: No
Heat resistance: 500ºF
Warranty: Limited lifetime
The best Dutch oven under $100: Amazon Basics 6-Quart Dutch Oven
Amazon Basics’s kitchen gear is really hit or miss, but the brand’s Dutch oven is surprisingly good—especially for something with such an accessible price tag. At the time of publishing, the 6-quart oven is just $52.
Like the Le Creuset, the Amazon Basics Dutch oven has a smooth, light interior enamel and sturdy loop handles. In my testing, it heated evenly, produced an even sear, and the lid retained moisture at low simmering temperatures—which is exactly what you want when braising.
I’m not the only one impressed by this affordable piece of cookware, either. Katie Hale, author of The Complete Dutch Oven Cookbook, has been using hers for five years without issue—even after accidentally dropping it. No, it doesn’t come with the caché of Staub or Le Creuset, and it absolutely will not last forever, but out of the box it will do everything pricier brands can do and it’s a great option for home cooks on a budget.
“Especially if someone is just starting cooking or just supplying their kitchen, it’s a perfect choice to start with,” Hale says.
The lid features a simple metal knob and currently, this Dutch oven is available in three sizes and 10 colors, though not every color is available in every size.
What I don’t love about the Amazon Basics Dutch oven
The lid isn’t quite as hefty as the Staub lid and when I filled it halfway with water and got it to a rolling boil, some water did spill out from under the lid. And while I have yet to experience any issues with the Amazon Basics Dutch oven, I wouldn’t consider it a piece of heirloom quality cookware like I do a Staub or Le Creuset. But at this price point, I don’t expect that quality either.
Good to know
Of my three top picks, this is the only one not listed as dishwasher safe. It’s reasonable to assume it’s because the enamel isn’t quite as durable as the enamel on the Staub and Le Creuset Dutch ovens, but I don’t recommend putting even the high-end dishwasher-safe models in the dishwasher—and neither do the manufacturers, as you’ll learn if you actually read the manuals.
Interior enamel: Light and smooth
Available sizes: 4.3 qt, 6 qt, 7.3 qt
Weight (6-quart size): 13.06 pounds
Multiple color options: Yes
Heat resistance: 500ºF
Warranty: Limited lifetime
How we tested Dutch ovens and why you should trust us
Since 2018, my colleagues and I have tested more than 20 popular and top-rated Dutch ovens. Each year, we’ve made either a beef stew or a pork ragù that allows us to see how each oven browns and braises. We also tested the lids by conducting steam tests and filling each one about halfway with water that we brought to a rolling boil in order to see if the lid would prevent water from splattering out. Ideally, the lid will release some steam at such high temperatures, but contain water in its scalding, liquid form. In my most recent test I also sauteéd onions in my top picks and used an infrared thermometer to monitor the cooking surface as the Dutch ovens preheated to see how evenly the cast iron distributed heat, looking for cold spots.
Dutch Ovens 101
What material is a Dutch oven made of?
Dutch ovens can be made of various types of metal or ceramic and they can be enamel-coated or uncoated. For example, Emile Henry makes an enameled clay ceramic Dutch oven and Dansk makes an enameled carbon steel Dutch oven (er, “casserole”). You can even get high-quality raw cast iron dutch ovens from brands like Smithey and Lancaster, but they require seasoning and more maintenance than enameled cast iron.
For the purpose of this review, I only included enameled cast iron Dutch ovens because they are the most ubiquitous and practical type available. The cast iron offers incredible heat retention and is compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops while the durable porcelain enamel protects the cast iron from rust and corrosion caused by water as well as acidic foods like tomatoes. The enamel also eliminates the need for seasoning.
How do I protect my Dutch oven from damage?
Enameled cast iron can withstand high heat as well as freezing temperatures, but you do want to avoid thermoshocking your Dutch oven. For example: Don’t take it from the fridge and put it straight over high heat on your stovetop. And when you’re pre-heating it (which you should, because most cast iron cookware takes about six minutes to fully preheat) do it slowly over low to medium heat. Sudden temperature changes can cause the enamel to chip and in some cases can damage the cast iron itself (up to and including actually cracking it), and this kind of damage will often be grounds for the manufacturer to void the warranty.
What size Dutch oven should I get?
The size you get really depends on what you’ll use it for—if you’re cooking every night for a family of six, a 7-quart Dutch oven makes a lot of sense. But for most home cooks (and anyone with four or fewer people in their house), the Dutch oven sweet spot size is 5.5 quarts. It’s big enough to accommodate a pot roast or a whole chicken, but not too big for a loaf of sourdough if you’re the bread-baking type. It’s also a good size for deep-frying and gives you plenty of room for tossing four servings of pasta without overcrowding the pan.
Are Dutch ovens nonstick?
Over the last few years, I’ve become somewhat of an enameled cast iron evangelist. In turn, I’ve learned that one of the biggest misconceptions about this kind of cookware is that people think the cooking surface is supposed to be nonstick. But it’s not. Porcelain enamel may look like a ceramic nonstick coating, and it’s far easier to clean and care for than raw cast iron, but it is not a nonstick surface. Its purpose is to protect the cast iron underneath. That said, with the right temperature and enough butter or oil, food releases from enamel pretty easily, and as I mentioned above, it seems to release a little easier from a dark textured enamel than from a smooth light-colored enamel.
How to clean a Dutch oven
Enameled cast iron cookware is incredibly durable because the porcelain enamel protects the cast iron from rust and corrosion. And unlike traditional and ceramic nonstick cookware, a high-quality enamel coating will last forever if you take good care of it—which, I’m sorry to say, means never putting it in the dishwasher.
While it’s true that some enameled cast iron pieces, including Le Creuset’s colorful Dutch ovens, are marketed as dishwasher safe, if you read the manual (I know, who does that for cookware?) you’ll learn that most manufacturers generally recommend hand-washing. That’s because over time, harsh dishwasher detergents can erode the enamel making it more porous, which can lead to staining and stuck-on food.
The good news is that washing enameled cast iron doesn’t have to be a whole thing, especially if you use the right products. Here are three I use to clean my Dutch ovens.
Other Dutch ovens we tested
Zulay Kitchen 6-Quart Dutch Oven
What we think about the Zulay Kitchen Dutch oven
This Dutch oven from Zulay Kitchen (maker of the popular, inexpensive, handheld milk frother) was a pleasant surprise. Especially considering the fact that it’s only $60 and comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. At first glance, it resembles a Le Creuset Dutch oven, tiered lid and all. The cast iron is thick and heavy, and in my testing, it heated evenly and performed well. The lid (which has braising divots) also didn’t rattle at all when I had water going at a rolling boil, but did let out a small, steady amount of steam. Though it’s marketed as a 6-quart Dutch oven, it’s actually 6.4 quarts, which feels just a little bit too big for everyday use. And given the price, I do have concerns about the durability of the enamel, but I will continue to use it at home and report back soon.
Made In Dutch Oven
What we think about the Made In Dutch oven
I was really impressed with Made In’s enameled cast iron skillet, and quality-wise, I found it to be on par with Le Creuset’s version (a few differing design elements kept Made In out of a top spot). The same is true for Made In’s enameled cast iron Dutch oven. Quality-wise and design-wise, it is very similar to Le Creuset and a 5.5-quart Dutch oven from Made In costs about $100 less than the same size pot from Le Creuset. I really liked the handles on the Made In pot—they have some flat surface area which makes it easy to lift even a full pot, and the top knob is easy to grab with or without oven mitts. The lid also has braising divots, which the Le Creuset lids do not. Unlike Made In’s skillet (which has a dark, textured interior enamel), the Dutch oven has a smooth, light interior enamel (again, very similar to Le Creuset). Currently, there are only four color options and two sizes available, but the 5.5-quart pot hits the sweet spot in terms of Dutch oven size, and I really like the little 3.5-quart Dutch oven too. It’s perfect for when I’m making meals for myself. I will continue to use both sizes and test this for long-term durability but so far in my testing, Made In’s Dutch oven appears to be a more affordable alternative to Le Creuset.
Caraway Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
What we think about the Caraway Dutch oven
DTC brand Caraway made a name for itself with colorful ceramic-coated nonstick cookware and bakeware. They’ve recently expanded their offerings to include a few durable enameled cast iron pieces (which, like their other cookware, is available by the piece or as a full set), and there’s a lot to love about the Dutch oven. It’s deep and has a textured black enameled interior that, like the Staub, is great for browning and sautéing meat and veggies. But the side handles are shallow and weird—I kept worrying I was going to get my fingers stuck in the space between the handle and the pot—and currently the Dutch oven is only available in a 6.5-quart size, which is on the large size for home cooks who aren’t making big batches of soup or stew on the regular.
Our Place Perfect Pot
What we think of Our Place’s Dutch oven
Like Caraway, Our Place entered the cookware market with a ceramic coated nonstick pan (the Always Pan) and they’re now producing enameled cast iron pieces. The 5.5-quart Dutch oven, called “the Perfect Pot” did perform well in our testing—thanks, in part, to a dark, textured interior enamel—but the rather tall convex lid makes it hard to put this Dutch oven into a countertop oven and could become a storage issue for people with small kitchens and limited cabinet space. The piece we received also had some small chips in the enamel, which left us questioning the durability (though the brand does offer a lifetime warranty on its enameled cast iron).
What we think of The Dutchess from Great Jones
This large, oval Dutch oven from Great Jones (another DTC cookware brand) is gorgeous. We love the color options, and for a 6.75-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven from a popular brand, the sub-$200 price tag is nice too. But, with only one rather large size and the oval shape, it’s not the best option for everyday use—or for induction cooktops with round “burners.” But it’s the perfect size for roasting a whole chicken and other large cuts of meat, and the large loop handles are easy to grab with or without oven mitts. Great Jones does offer a smaller, round Dutch oven, the Dutch Baby (cute, I know) but at 3.5 quarts it’s on the small side of the Dutch oven sweet spot.
What we think of the Misen Dutch oven
The first time we tested Misen’s Dutch oven, we really liked it. It’s large and deep, which is great for deep-frying, and it made a pretty good stock pot too. But then Misen changed some design elements—most notably they did away with the traditional Dutch oven lid and instead offer the choice of either a silicone option or an enameled cast iron grill pan that can double as a lid. Both made this less functional and appealing than it was when it had a traditional enameled cast iron lid with a metal knob. But good news! The traditional lid is back. Bad news: This Dutch oven is only available in a 7-quart size, which is great for big batches and far too big for many home cooks’ everyday needs. Also: Our testers have experienced some minimal enamel chipping with long-term use.
What we think of the Vermicular Oven Pot
I use my 4-quart Dutch oven from Vermicular (the Japanese brand calls it an “Oven Pot”) regularly to cook rice, and sometimes other things. It’s part of Vermicular’s Musui-Kamado, a standalone induction heating element that holds the pot, sort of like a very high-end, precise slow cooker. But the pot can also be purchased separately and used on gas, electric, and induction stovetops, as well as in a conventional oven. Lots of thought went into the design of the Oven Pot, to the point that the rim of the lid isn’t enameled to help maintain the “precision seal” (if you read the manual, you’ll learn that part does need to be oiled after cleaning). I really like that even though the interior enamel is an off-white color, it’s minimally textured to aid in browning and release, though it’s not as textured as the dark interior enamel of the Staub. This is a very nice cast iron pot—that’s available in five sizes and four colors—but if you’re going to invest in it, I recommend spending a little more and getting the full Musui-Kamado setup. (NOTE: A newer model of Vermicular’s Oven Pot is available in three sizes and eight finishes, including matte options.)
What we think of Lodge Dutch ovens
Over the years, my colleagues and I have tested both Lodge Essentials Dutch ovens and Lodge USA Enamel Dutch ovens, the latter of which is made in a newer manufacturing facility in North America. And I really want to recommend Lodge Dutch ovens as an affordable alternative to Le Creuset and Staub—especially because the raw Lodge cast iron is great and I have an enameled Lodge braiser I’ve been using for years (and, erm, putting in the dishwasher) without any issues. Unfortunately, not all Lodge cookware is created equally, and even though the USA Enamel line is clearly a much higher quality than the Lodge Essentials enameled cast iron, customers have complained about chipping with both. On the other hand, a colleague has been using a Dutch oven from the USA Enamel line for more than a year and hasn’t experienced any chipping. The issue here seems to be inconsistency in quality, but we’ll continue to use these Dutch ovens to see if the newer lines prove to be more durable.
What we think of the Kana Milo Classic Dutch Oven
Overall, our testers were really impressed with this sleek, stylish 5.5-quart dutch oven from DTC lifestyle brand Kana. The smooth, light interior enamel produced an even sear on both meat and vegetables and we didn’t experience any cold spots or notice any chips in the enamel out of the box (some customer reviews have complained of chipped enamel). It’s about a pound lighter than the comparably sized Le Creuset, which means it can heat up and cool down a bit quicker, but thinner cast iron won’t retain heat quite as well either. If you want a budget option and prefer something a little more modern than the Amazon Basics model (or you really want a Dutch oven with a gold-toned knob), the Milo by Kana is a good alternative.
What we think of the Cuisinart Dutch oven
I really liked Cuisinart’s enameled cast iron skillet (in fact, it’s my budget pick), but the Dutch oven is disappointing. Unlike the skillet, which has a dark, textured interior enamel, the Dutch oven has a smooth, light interior that didn’t perform well in our sear test. We also found multiple cold spots even when it was fully pre-heated, which produced pork that was unevenly cooked.
What we think of the Tramontina Dutch oven
Tramontina’s relatively affordable stainless steel cookware is often compared to All-Clad so we had high hopes for the 5.5-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven too. Out of the box, we liked the tall sides (great for deep-frying) but unfortunately, it just didn’t perform well in our testing. Our testers noticed a persistent cold spot that resulted in uneven cooking—and food sticking to the smooth, light interior enamel.
What we think of the Denby Dutch oven
In addition to its popular pottery and ceramic tableware, English brand Denby offers a small selection of enameled cast iron cookware, including several Dutch ovens—which they call a “casseroles.” They’re moderately priced, compared to similarly-sized Dutch ovens from other well-known brands. When we tested the round 5.5-quart (listed as a 26-cm size) the performance was adequate, but the handles were small and hard to grab, especially when it was hot. And overall, nothing about it wowed us. But if you like the look and it’s in your budget—and you don’t mind the small handles—you may be happy with the Denby dutch oven.
What we think of the KitchenAid Dutch oven
We love a lot of KitchenAid gear (hello, gorgeous stand mixer!) but in general, we haven’t been that impressed with the brand’s cookware. Either way, the KitchenAid enameled cast iron Dutch oven didn’t impress us—though we were certainly impressed with its heft. Empty, the 6-quart Dutch oven weighs 20 pounds! That’s the only size available, and it only comes in two colors too.
What we think of the Marquette Castings Dutch oven
Price isn’t always indicative of quality, in the case of this $100, 6-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven from Marquette Castings, it is. In our testing, the sear was uneven and scorched in some places. The metal knob was also uncomfortable to hold so this one is a hard pass.
Additional testing by Wilder Davies
