Let’s quickly recap the key differences:
- Both perform well for soups and stews, but oval Dutch ovens are better for longer cuts of meat, like a leg of lamb.
- Round Dutch ovens heat faster and more evenly on the stove.
- Round dutch ovens typically come in more size and color options.
- Round Dutch ovens take up less storage space.
Full Answer
What are the top 5 Dutch ovens?
Best Cast Iron: Lodge 5-Quart Dutch Oven; Best Ceramic Dutch Oven: Zwilling Spirit; Best Mid-Sized Option: Martha Stewart Collection 6-Quart Dutch Oven; Best Non-Stick Dutch Oven: Calphalon ...
What is the best brand of Dutch oven?
- Best Overall Dutch Oven: Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven
- Best Value Cast Iron: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Best Large Dutch Oven: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
- Best Lightweight Dutch Oven: Good Housekeeping Covered Cast Aluminum Everyday Pan
- Best Oval Dutch Oven: Great Jones Dutchess
What size Dutch oven should I buy?
What size of Dutch oven should I buy? If you need to cook for a big group of over 15 people then you should buy a 16-inch Dutch oven. For a group of four campers a 12-inch one will do, and for less than three people a 10-inch is great. Whether you should get a deep or classic/standard one depends on what you plan to cook though.
What is the most popular size of Dutch oven?
¼-quart Dutch ovens hold individual servings of dishes like French onion soup, coquille Saint Jacques, or macaroni and cheese. 3- to 4-quart Dutch ovens serve one or two people, depending on the dish. 5½- to 6½-quart Dutch ovens, the most popular size on the market, are large enough to serve four to six people.
Are round or oval Dutch ovens better?
Generally speaking, round pots tend to fit better on the stovetop because the shape is consistent with the shape of the burner. On the other hand, an oval shape really shines in the oven.
Which shape of a Dutch oven is the best?
Dutch ovens commonly come in both a perfectly-round circle shape and an oblong oval shape. A representative from Le Creuset tells us that the round shape is more popular than the oval shape. "A round fits much better on a burner, which means more even heating," says Senior Food Editor Anna Stockwell.
What do you use a round Dutch oven for?
Dutch ovens are fantastically versatile and perfect for baking, roasting, browning, searing, broiling, and deep-frying. While roasts and stews are great recipes for a Dutch oven, you might be surprised to learn that you can also bake bread in a Dutch oven.
What is the most popular size of Dutch oven?
What is the average dutch oven size? The most common sizes are between 5 and 6 quarts. You'll want to consider how you will use the dutch oven. Oval dutch ovens are less efficient on the stovetop, but they are better at accommodating roasts in the oven.
What size Dutch oven is good for two people?
A 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven will comfortably feed a family of four or two people with leftovers for the next. Whether you're braising short ribs, baking bread, or making a tomato sauce, there is no limit to what you can make in a 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven.
How do I choose a Dutch oven?
Buy the best you can afford, and it will last for years. The oven should feel heavy when you hold it, with a thick walls and an equally thick bottom. Take a look at the handles and the knob on the lid, and make sure you'll still be able to grasp them easily when wearing heavy oven mitts.
Can you make soup in an oval Dutch oven?
Both perform well for soups and stews, but oval Dutch ovens are better for longer cuts of meat, like a leg of lamb. Round Dutch ovens heat faster and more evenly on the stove. Round dutch ovens typically come in more size and color options. Round Dutch ovens take up less storage space.
Can I use an oval Dutch oven for bread?
Oval Shape: While you can bake bread in a round Dutch oven, an oval Dutch oven produces the classic bakery bread shape. This is the best Dutch oven for bread if you want bakery-level results.
Can a Dutch oven crack?
You have a few things that can crack your Dutch oven, but the most common causes include rapid heat changes, heating when empty, or a poor quality brand. The crack may also already have existed on the enamel, which means that you don't have to worry about it.
What is the best color for a Dutch oven?
Consider the interior color of your Dutch oven. You're usually going to see either black interiors or a lighter color, like tan. Lighter interiors are great because they allow you to see better into the pot while you are cooking. The brighter environment lets you view easily the contents of the deep cooking vessel.
Is 8 qt Dutch oven too big?
Can a Dutch Oven Be Too Big? Yes, a Dutch oven can be too big. The standard Dutch oven is around 6-Quarts and will feed four people with leftovers. A 9-quart Dutch oven is a cooking pot for the entertainer.
Is a 4-quart Dutch oven big enough?
So for a family of four, you would want something that is a minimum of 4 quarts. And then with rounding up, the ideal size would be somewhere in the 5-6 quart capacity. But an important thing to consider is whether you also often cook for extended family or guests.
What is the best color for a Dutch oven?
Consider the interior color of your Dutch oven. You're usually going to see either black interiors or a lighter color, like tan. Lighter interiors are great because they allow you to see better into the pot while you are cooking. The brighter environment lets you view easily the contents of the deep cooking vessel.
How much should I spend on a Dutch oven?
A 6-quart enamel-coated Dutch oven costs less than $100, and their seasoned Dutch ovens and camp stoves are even more affordable. You can score a 5-quart Dutch oven for just over $50 and a camp stove for $79.95. For an enamel-coated 5½-quart Dutch oven from Milo, you'll pay $135.
What is the best size Dutch oven for bread?
5-qt dutchThe Best Size Dutch Oven for Bread When it comes to baking bread there really is only one that is the ideal size and for good reason. A 5-qt dutch oven will allow for any size ball of bread dough. It will give the loaf enough room to expand, with enough headspace. It can accommodate a round boule loaf or an oval shape.
Is a 4-quart Dutch oven big enough?
So for a family of four, you would want something that is a minimum of 4 quarts. And then with rounding up, the ideal size would be somewhere in the 5-6 quart capacity. But an important thing to consider is whether you also often cook for extended family or guests.
Which is better, a round or oval Dutch oven?
The key takeaway is that round Dut ch ovens fit better on stove burners; therefore, they heat faster and more evenly than oval Dutch ovens. If you allow more time (over four minutes), oval Dutch ovens eventually distribute and maintain uniform heat.
Why are Dutch ovens round?
Round Dutch ovens are typically easier to store because they have a uniform diameter. Most other pots are round, so you can stack them inside the Dutch oven (always use pot protectors ).
What kind of ovens work well in the oven?
Round and oval Dutch ovens both perform well in the oven.
How to determine Dutch oven size?
Both oval and round Dutch ovens are available in many sizes. The size is determined by the capacity measured in quarts.
What can you use a round Dutch oven for?
Round Dutch ovens work great for stews, soups, braised meats, and pretty much any recipe that doesn’t involve a large and long ingredient.
How many quarts of Dutch oven for 5 people?
When in doubt, I recommend a 5.5 or six-quart Dutch oven which is ideal for a five-person family or batch cooking for smaller families.
Which oven heats better, a round or oval?
And, as my test results proved, round Dutch ovens heat quicker and more evenly on the stove versus oval Dutch ovens.
Which is better, a round or oval Dutch oven?
Oval Dutch ovens are better at maintaining heat levels for a long time because they have more surface area to hold the heat in than Round Dutch ovens do.
What is the difference between an oval Dutch oven and a round Dutch oven?
What is the difference between oval and round Dutch ovens? The oval has a more extended cooking area than the round, but it doesn't hold as many items.
What is the best Dutch oven for cooking?
If you are cooking large batches of food or casseroles, the Oval Dutch Oven is preferred. If you cook smaller meals that require tight spaces, such as on top of the stovetop, then a Round Dutch oven would be optimal for your needs.
What is a Le Creuset Dutch oven?
A: Le Creuset Dutch ovens are made of heavy-duty cast iron coated with an enamel coating. They come in a variety of colors and are oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big is an oval Dutch oven?
The diameter of an Oval Dutch oven is about 17 inches vs. 12 inches with a Round Dutch oven. As a result, the Oval is more versatile when cooking for large groups or casseroles, which require longer cook times. The best part about this feature is that you will still have less room needed on your kitchen countertop.
Which has more surface area: oval or round Dutch oven?
However, since Oval Dutch ovens come with more surface area than Round ones, there will be fewer spills clinging inside where food couldn't reach during cleaning time.
When to use a round Dutch oven?
Round Dutch ovens are best used when baking smaller meals that require tight spaces such as a stovetop or warming plates like chafing dishes or coffee pots with hot water inside them because it is more difficult to fit larger pieces into their curved shape than other shapes.
How to figure out the size of Dutch oven?
Regina Ragone of Le Creuset says the best way to figure out the size of Dutch oven to buy is to consider both the type of food you plan on cooking and the number of people you want to serve on a regular basis and to round up to the nearest quart size. That's how many people you can comfortably serve without worrying about running short.
How big is a Dutch oven?
There are so many choices: material options include cast iron, enameled cast iron, copper, or clay; sizes range from 1.5 to 15.5 quarts; and they're available in a few different shapes, most often round or oval.
How many servings does a Le Creuset braiser hold?
Many companies that make Dutch ovens also produce braisers, such as Le Creuset. The Le Creuset 31/2-Quart Braiser ($310, lecreuset.com) will hold three to four servings.
What is the difference between a Dutch oven and a braiser?
The less well-known sibling of the Dutch oven is the braiser. It's shallower than a Dutch oven and has more surface area for cooking, making the braiser particularly well-suited to browning meat and reducing sauces—and yes, braising such bone in pieces of meat like short ribs. Its shallow sides mean it can be used as an everyday pan for searing ...
What is the best Dutch oven for a chicken?
Martha has always recommended a six to eight quart Dutch oven as the best all-round option. It's big enough for a whole chicken or a large batch of stew. The Le Creuset 5 1/2-Quart Dutch Oven ($360, lecreuset.com) is their best selling size in the U.S. The company says this size serves at least six. If the price seems high, know that many cooks use their Dutch oven on a daily basis and Le Creuset Dutch ovens often get passed down to the next generation. For a slightly larger pan at a lower price point, try the Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($69.90, target.com ). It's available in more limited colors.
How much does a 9 quart Dutch oven weigh?
Another highly regarded French maker, Staub calls their cookware cocottes, and their 9-Quart Enameled Round Cocotte ($419.95, surlatable.com), weighs in at 17.7 pounds —before you add the coq au vin for a crowd.
What is a Dutch oven used for?
These durable essentials can be used for everything from cooking hearty stews and chilis to pasta, even braising large pieces of meat or baking bread.
dutch oven: round or oval?
I'm thinking of getting my first dutch oven -- a 6 qt. oval that's selling at half price.
Comments (26)
I have an oval one-- I LOVE it. I do both soups, stews and braised meat in it (if you don't have a copy of Molly Steven's All About Braising, you should check it out-- has lots of great recipes that turn out really well in a dutch oven).
What Size Dutch Oven Should I Buy?
Now that we've got shape cleared up, let's talk size. Teeny tiny Dutch ovens can get down to 1/4-quart, while the biggest sizes are around 13-quarts. There's a use for every size on the spectrum, but given the cost, you'll most likely want to buy the perfect one and leave it at that. Here, we'll go through the advantages and best uses of commonly-available Dutch oven sizes.
What is the best size Dutch oven for a 4 person kitchen?
A 5–7 quart Dutch oven is the sweet spot for most home cooks. This size is great for cooking for four people (often with leftovers). Representatives from both Staub and Le Creuset tell us that their most popular size is 5 1/2-quarts, and that's the size most Epi editors have at home, as well. In our product test of the best Dutch ovens, we stuck to this standard size range and found that we liked both the luxe 5-1/2 quart Le Creuset and the affordable 6-quart Lodge.
How many styles of Dutch ovens are there?
But, the sheer number of options out there can be overwhelming. Le Creuset alone has over fifteen styles (and that's not counting the myriad colors they each come in). Below, we'll delve into important details like what size and shape Dutch oven you should buy based on your cooking needs. For our product review of the best Dutch Oven brands, read here:
How big is a Staub oven?
If you're in either of those camps, make sure you can lift a full one, and that it fits in your oven comfortably. Staub's 9-quart would be just the size for a big pot of chicken and tomato stew for a crowd.
What is the best shape for roasts?
However, Anna says if you see yourself cooking lots of roasts, there are advantages to the oval shape—some cuts of meat, like a leg of lamb, would fit better in an oval shape.
Can you put ribs in a 6 quart Dutch oven?
Yes, carry ing a 6-quart Dutch oven that's full to the brim of short ribs from stovetop to oven is no small feat—especially because it weights 13 or some odd pounds empty. But just visualize how fantastic that browned then slowly simmered red wine braise will be. Or, do like we do: Visualize Michelle Obama's arms.
Is a Dutch oven an investment?
A guide to the perfect one for your specific cooking needs, because a Dutch oven is an investment.
Type of Food You Cook Most Often
Stovetop Performance
- A common concern with oval Dutch ovens is that they don’t fit on stove burners. And, since the side edges extend beyond the heat source, they don’t heat evenly. While this makes sense, I decided to conduct a test to see if it’s true. I poured three cups of cold water into a round and an oval Dutch oven and placed them on equal-sized burners. I turned the heat to the highest settin…
Cooking Method
- Do you plan to use your Dutch oven on the stovetop, or in the oven, or perhaps both? Round Dutch ovens are the better choice for cooking on stovetops since they have a smaller footprint and fit nicely on round burners. And, as my test results proved, round Dutch ovens heat quicker and more evenly on the stove versus oval Dutch ovens. Round Dutch ovens are also better if you’re using …
Number of Color and Size Options
- Round Dutch ovens are more popular than oval Dutch ovens; therefore, cookware companies offer a lot more sizes and colors in round constructions. For example, Staub, a French cookware company specializing in Dutch ovens since 1974, offers 95 round Dutch ovens and 18 oval Dutch ovens. Lodge, another renowned cookware maker, specializing in cast iron, offers round Dutch o…
Height
- In general, round Dutch ovens have a smaller diameter and taller sides than oval Dutch ovens. You can even find options with extra-tall sides for high-volume cooking. For example, the Tramontina Tall Round Dutch Oven, available on Amazon, has 6-inch walls (without the lid), while the sides of the Tramontina Oval Dutch Ovenare 4.75 inches tall. Oval Dutch ovens aren’t as suitable for liqui…
Storage
- Examine your storage space before deciding whether to buy a round or oval Dutch oven. Round Dutch ovens are typically easier to store because they have a uniform diameter. Most other pots are round, so you can stack them inside the Dutch oven (always use pot protectors). Oval Dutch ovens can be difficult to store, especially if you’re tight on space. Ultimately, always check the di…
Choosing The Right Size Dutch Oven
- While choosing the right Dutch oven shape is very important, it’s even more crucial to select the right size. Both oval and round Dutch ovens are available in many sizes. The size is determined by the capacity measured in quarts. The best way to decide which size is best for you is to consider how many people you cook for regularly. If you have a large family or host dinner parties often, y…
Bottom Line: Should You Buy A Round Or Oval Dutch oven?
- Now that we’ve covered all the ways that oval and round Dutch ovens compare, it’s time to make a decision. Let’s quickly recap the key differences: 1. Both perform well for soups and stews, but oval Dutch ovens are better for longer cuts of meat, like a leg of lamb. 2. Round Dutch ovens heat faster and more evenly on the stove. 3. Round dutch ovens typically come in more size and colo…