I don’t consider myself a label whore, but when it comes to two very specific, unrelated categories—handbags and Dutch ovens—I kind of am.
Since this is a food website, I won’t bore you with details about my collection of thrifted, vintage Coach purses. Let’s just say that I’d rather carry around a tattered old tote bag than be caught dead with a knock-off Willis.
For nearly two decades, I had a similar attitude about enameled cast iron cookware.
My love for Le Creuset dates back to the aughts, when I was hosting casserole cookoffs in Brooklyn. I couldn’t afford a piece of the iconic French cookware at the time, and instead of settling for an off-brand Dutch oven, I made do with other pots and baking dishes. Because as far as I was concerned, nothing compared to the colorful French cooking pots.
Now that I test cookware as part of my job, I know better. An equally iconic French manufacturer, Staub, does compare in terms of quality, durability, and price. And there’s a new contender from Made In that almost edged out both brands in my most recent round of testing. And that Made In pot happens to cost about $100 less than a comparably-sized Le Creuset or Staub.
I’ve been impressed with nearly everything I’ve tried from Made In. The DTC brand makes my absolute favorite flatware and I really like their enameled cast iron frying pan. So I wasn’t shocked at how much I enjoyed using the Made In Dutch oven—I just didn’t expect to reach for it as often as I do.
In terms of quality and design, Made In’s Dutch oven is very similar to Le Creuset’s. They’re both made of heavy-duty enameled cast iron (the Made In model is actually a wee bit heavier) and both have smooth, sand-colored interior enamel. Made In’s lid has a more streamlined, minimalist look but the stainless steel top knob is actually a little easier to grip while wearing an oven mitt because it has a slightly taller, slimmer shaft.
The side handles on Made In’s pot are perhaps its best feature though; they’re wide, flat, and make it very easy to lift a full Dutch oven off the stove or out of the oven. This handle shape is a departure from Le Creuset’s slender loop handles—which are totally fine, but when my hands are stuffed into quilted mittens and I’m carrying an already-heavy pot full of hot liquid from the stove to the table, I definitely prefer a wide, flat handle with ample surface area.
Made In’s size and color options are also fairly limited at this point. The round Dutch oven currently comes in two sizes (3.5 quarts and 5.5 quarts) and three colors. There’s also a 7.5-quart oval option.
Because Made In’s Dutch oven is new, I haven’t had the privilege of cooking in the same one for 16 years, like I have with my very first Le Creuset. But Made In’s pot has so far proved to be durable and sturdy, and like Le Creuset, Made In offers a lifetime warranty on its enameled cast iron pieces.
Brand loyalty can be a hard thing to let go of, especially when the adoration is fully warranted, as it is with Le Creuset, but Made In’s Dutch oven is so far proving to be a worthy—and more accessible—investment.
