PrintNeed a new Dutch Oven
I know Le Creuset is probably going to be the number one choice, but I'm really looking for a more budget friendly version. I'm looking for between 5-6 quart, round, enamaled. I've heard that Lodge has recently put out one that rivals Le Creuset and at 1/6th the price ($59.99) and that the Calphalon dutch ovens have chipping issues. What Dutch oven do you have and do you recommend it???
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17 Comments:
I remember Target having a brand of afforable dutch ovens. A CI recommended choice for around 50.00.
JerzeeTomato at 11:30AM on 02/01/08
someone here said that her martha stewart enameled dutch oven was performing beautifully.
i can't find it at the moment, but the january cooks illustrated did a review of dutch ovens. i think they liked the tramontino.
cybercita at 11:46AM on 02/01/08
Yes, Cook's Illustrated did recommend the 6.5 qt Tramontina dutch oven as a good, low cost alternative to the Le Creuset.
raspberryberet at 12:00PM on 02/01/08
From the Jan 2008 CI:
"Shelling out hundreds of dollars for a Dutch oven is less necessary than ever. We put two new low-cost models, one from Tramontina ($39.86) and another from Lodge ($49.86), to the test and liked what we found. Both are crafted from enameled cast iron, and both produced glossy, deeply flavored Belgian beef stew; fluffy white rice; and crispy French fries in the test kitchen. But the Tramontina oven's larger capacity (6.5 quarts to the Lodge's 6 quarts) and even lower price made it our preferred choice. We recommend the Tramontina as an inexpensive alternative to our favorite 71/4-quart Dutch oven by Le Creuset ($229.95)."
6 - 6/5 qts is pretty small. I have an 8 qt Le Creuset and find that too small some of the time. Get the largest pot you can afford. There is a Le Creuset outlet store near me. They sell seconds there. No chips or cracks or anything but blemishes in the enamel. If you can find an outlet store you can save some money on the Le Creuset. Amazon is having a sale on Le Creuset right now. Still not cheap but worth a look.
kjgibson at 12:05PM on 02/01/08
tj maxx often has dutch ovens, even le creuset, at very good prices.
i have, of all things, a rachael ray that i got on sale for about 30 bucks plus coupon at bed bath and beyond. i replaced the plastic knob with a metal one, so i can use it in the oven without worrying about it. so far i have no complaints, and i agree, bigger is definitely better.
cybercita at 12:14PM on 02/01/08
if you're willing to forego the enameling, a basic cast iron (like the old black ones) is irreplacable. I got mine from my grandmother (who used it for years). Seasoning them is really not hard--just rub it with oil, and put it the oven as per the manufacturer's directions, or you could just deep-fry something in it.
beth1 at 12:20PM on 02/01/08
Oh I have a great one for you! They sell them at Target. I believe its the Chefmate brand. I paid 40 bucks for it and it was highly recommended in Cooks Illustrated. I use it all the time and love it. I got is last year and it was somewhat hard to find. I just had to keep checking back at my local Target store until I found one. A few weeks later I found another one and bought if for my friend who also likes it a lot.
ThatGirl153 at 12:57PM on 02/01/08
I've never used a le creuset, but I love my Lodge 8-quart dutch oven. Just in the last week, I've used it to make really awesome beef stew and field peas with pork neckbones. Much, much better than a crock pot for long, low temp cooking.
janniceinraleigh at 1:55PM on 02/01/08
My favorite is Le Creuset - its one of the favorite pieces of cookware I own. I picked up up for half price at their outlet store in CT. If you're serious about getting a good one, I would hold out for the Le Creuset. Just wait for the sale!
Soup_Dumpling at 2:41PM on 02/01/08
I have the mario batali brand enameled pot. I swear im not secretly him trying to trump up sales. it was also rated in cooks illustrated and is a good specimen for the price. Check out amazon (im not jeffrey bezos either).
mr_chorizo at 3:23PM on 02/01/08
I'm also an LC junkie but definitely not a "brand" snob by any means. The Martha Stewart line of enamel cast iron is beautiful. Lodge also has a line of enamel cast iron cookware right on their front page.
chiff0nade at 4:31PM on 02/01/08
Well, I just hit up Wal-Mart looking for the Tramontina...but they were on clearance and all they had left was the 3.5qt. Guess I'll try Target later. Where else can I get Tramontina?
jcrisco at 5:30PM on 02/01/08
I have a Lodge 8 Qt that I Love and use all the time. It is a very good value but not quite as pretty & "Cool" as the LC.
I did notice that my local Williams Sonoma had some of the LC colors on sale last week, about 25% off (still expensive though).
Angie_Earthy at 9:36PM on 02/01/08
Please excuse my naivete, but I've been wondering ... what's the benefit of a dutch oven over a crock pot? In what way does the food/prep experience differ? How much am I missing out on with my lack of dutch ovenage?
tacroy80 at 10:17PM on 02/01/08
Dutch ovens are braising machines, whereas crock pots can only perform half of the necessary steps. Say you are making a pot roast: a good dutch oven allows you to brown the roast first on all sides, flavoring the meat and creating a great fond that helps build a flavorful braising liquid for the long, slow cook ahead. Crock pots are excellent for chili's and soups and things like that, but a great big dutch oven is essential for a really great braise.
empath at 8:39AM on 02/02/08
I just bought ( in Dec) through a JCPenney catalog discontinued item
Faberware Roaster, sells new for $ 99.00 on Amazon, used $ 49.00, I paid $ 19.00 after $ 20.00 rebate and little shipping to local catalog store.
Read all reviews and you will love this thingy. See here:
http://www.amazon.com/Farberware-Inch-Covered-Aluminum-Roaster/dp/B000FFQBDU
kanopemainer at 8:45AM on 02/02/08
I love my 6 quart Le Creuset "French" Oven (of course they don't call it a Dutch oven!), which I received as a gift, way before the price approached $200! I use it in the oven as often as I do the stovetop. I think whatever brand you go with, make sure its lid is oven proof and the pot is enamel lined! The cast iron pans are great for many of the same things as the enamel lined versions, but you have to be careful with cooking acidic foods, like tomato based sauces, in cast iron. The acidity can cause the iron to leech into your food producing an off taste. Not a good idea unless you're anemic!
Otabenga at 1:48PM on 02/03/08