What Is The UK’s Best Dutch Oven?
In this guide we’ll look at the best Dutch ovens for the UK market.
We’ve compared volume capacity, weight, ease of cleaning and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
Dutch Oven Reviews
The Lodge Dutch Oven is an extremely versatile choice. The main pot is ideal for roasts, stews and casseroles, whilst the lid can be used alone for frying meat or sautéing vegetables.
It can be used on all modern hobs and stoves, placed in the oven, and even used on the barbecue or campfire. With a capacity of 4.73 litres, this Dutch oven is a good choice for everyday family cooking.
It weighs just over 5.5kg and the integrated side handles make it easy to transport from the kitchen to the table safely. This Dutch oven is incredibly tough and able to withstand a busy family’s lifestyle. It’s easy to clean, and priced very reasonably, making it an attractive choice.
The Lodge Dutch Oven is an extremely versatile choice. The main pot is ideal for roasts, stews and casseroles, whilst the lid can be used alone for frying meat or sautéing vegetables.
It can be used on all modern hobs and stoves, placed in the oven, and even used on the barbecue or campfire. With a capacity of 4.73 litres, this Dutch oven is a good choice for everyday family cooking.
It weighs just over 5.5kg and the integrated side handles make it easy to transport from the kitchen to the table safely. This Dutch oven is incredibly tough and able to withstand a busy family’s lifestyle. It’s easy to clean, and priced very reasonably, making it an attractive choice.
The MasterClass Dutch Oven is the best Dutch oven when shopping on a budget. With a capacity of 5L, you can feed the whole family easily. Whilst it looks like cast iron, it’s made of aluminium and weighs only 2.26kg for easier handling.
It heats quickly in the oven and on all hobs, including induction. It can be used to braise meat and to cook one-pot stews and curries. The clever moisture-retaining lid means that your food won’t dry out.
Two sturdy handles make it easy to transport from the oven to the table, and it’s dishwasher safe for effortless cleaning.
The MasterClass Dutch Oven is the best Dutch oven when shopping on a budget. With a capacity of 5L, you can feed the whole family easily. Whilst it looks like cast iron, it’s made of aluminium and weighs only 2.26kg for easier handling.
It heats quickly in the oven and on all hobs, including induction. It can be used to braise meat and to cook one-pot stews and curries. The clever moisture-retaining lid means that your food won’t dry out.
Two sturdy handles make it easy to transport from the oven to the table, and it’s dishwasher safe for effortless cleaning.
The Staub Dutch Oven could be considered the best size Dutch oven, with a capacity of 12.6 litres. Serving 10 to 12 people, catering for dinner parties is easy. Made of black enamelled cast iron, with a brass knob, it looks smart for serving at the table.
The self-basting lid offers a rainfall effect, keeping your meal succulent and flavoursome. This cookware can be used in the oven, under the grill and on all stove types including induction. The enamel interior is scratch resistant and easy to clean.
Weighing an impressive 11kg, the heavy cast iron construction retains heat so that second portions are still piping hot. This is a high end product that will last for many years.
The Staub Dutch Oven could be considered the best size Dutch oven, with a capacity of 12.6 litres. Serving 10 to 12 people, catering for dinner parties is easy. Made of black enamelled cast iron, with a brass knob, it looks smart for serving at the table.
The self-basting lid offers a rainfall effect, keeping your meal succulent and flavoursome. This cookware can be used in the oven, under the grill and on all stove types including induction. The enamel interior is scratch resistant and easy to clean.
Weighing an impressive 11kg, the heavy cast iron construction retains heat so that second portions are still piping hot. This is a high end product that will last for many years.
The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is the best Dutch oven available for the UK market. Le Creuset is a well-respected brand, and this Dutch oven is both stylish and functional. Its incredible 12.4 litre capacity, means you can easily cater for your family or gathering of ten people.
The easy-grip handles make it safe to transfer from oven to table. Made of enamelled cast iron, it has a tight-fitting lid for fuss-free cooking. The interior enamel heats evenly with lasting heat retention, suitable for quick simmering or slow cooking.
The Le Creuset Dutch oven is the ultimate high-end choice. It is easy to clean, withstands high temperatures and is suitable for ovens, grills and all hob types including induction. It’s dishwasher safe, but the enamel makes for stress-free cleaning if you prefer to wash by hand.
The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is the best Dutch oven available for the UK market. Le Creuset is a well-respected brand, and this Dutch oven is both stylish and functional. Its incredible 12.4 litre capacity, means you can easily cater for your family or gathering of ten people.
The easy-grip handles make it safe to transfer from oven to table. Made of enamelled cast iron, it has a tight-fitting lid for fuss-free cooking. The interior enamel heats evenly with lasting heat retention, suitable for quick simmering or slow cooking.
The Le Creuset Dutch oven is the ultimate high-end choice. It is easy to clean, withstands high temperatures and is suitable for ovens, grills and all hob types including induction. It’s dishwasher safe, but the enamel makes for stress-free cleaning if you prefer to wash by hand.
The Kitchen Stories Dutch Oven is a modern take on the traditional Dutch oven. Made of forged aluminium, it has a capacity of 6.6 litres and weighs 3.15kg. It’s 50% lighter than cast iron and heats up three times faster, with excellent heat retention.
This Dutch oven can be used on all hobs, including induction, and is safe for use in the oven. This makes it suitable for sautéing, stir frying, braising and searing, as well as classic casseroles. After use it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
The tempered glass lid has a self-basting effect, to keep your food moist. The aluminium handles are comfortable and secure to hold.
The Kitchen Stories Dutch Oven is a modern take on the traditional Dutch oven. Made of forged aluminium, it has a capacity of 6.6 litres and weighs 3.15kg. It’s 50% lighter than cast iron and heats up three times faster, with excellent heat retention.
This Dutch oven can be used on all hobs, including induction, and is safe for use in the oven. This makes it suitable for sautéing, stir frying, braising and searing, as well as classic casseroles. After use it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
The tempered glass lid has a self-basting effect, to keep your food moist. The aluminium handles are comfortable and secure to hold.
Dutch Oven Buyer’s Guide
A Dutch oven is a versatile piece of cookware. Ideal for busy lives, a Dutch oven offers the perfect way to enjoy family meals cooked to perfection.
Whether you need a small and lightweight Dutch oven to feed a family of four, or a large dish to entertain with ease, this buyer’s guide will help you work out what to look for, when purchasing this kitchen essential.
Material
Dutch ovens were traditionally made of cast iron and ceramic, but are now also manufactured in aluminium. The heavier Dutch ovens offer the traditional, solid feel of a substantial piece of cookware.
However, lighter aluminium products are a good choice for heating food more quickly and make it easier to transfer the dish to the table. This is an important consideration for those who find it difficult to lift heavier items.
Design
Most Dutch ovens feature a large cooking pot, a well-fitting lid, and carrying handles. Many lids feature a self-basting system that prevents the food from becoming dry.
However, additional design features have been added to this kitchen essential by some manufacturers:
Some designs include a central knob to make the lid easier to lift. A glass lid, rather than metal or ceramic, allows you to quickly check on the cooking progress of the food.
Some lids can also be used as a pan for braising meat or vegetables separately.
Dimensions
Dutch ovens can vary in size to suit any number of diners from two adults to an entire dinner party.
The dimensions are important firstly for the volume of food they allow you to cook, and also how much space they occupy in the oven. A smaller Dutch oven is easier to store if you have limited cupboard space.
Capacity
From small family sized Dutch ovens, with a capacity of around four litres, to large dishes holding more than 12 litres, the size of a Dutch oven can vary substantially.
A 4L dish may be suitable for a family of three to four, whilst a 12 litre product could serve up to 12 people.
If you like to batch cook, a larger Dutch oven will ensure you have plenty to eat for dinner, whilst having the capacity to cook additional portions that can be frozen for another day.
Durability
The durability of a Dutch oven will affect how long it lasts in your kitchen.
If you will use your Dutch oven several times a week, you should look for a more durable product that will withstand heavy use. This may involve spending a little more money to get a high quality product.
Luckily, when cared for properly, both aluminium and cast iron Dutch ovens will last for many years.
Dutch Oven FAQ
What is a Dutch oven and how does it work?
Dutch ovens are a robust cooking pot that were traditionally designed to be used on the top of a range or in the oven. They have a tight fitting lid to prevent evaporation. This means that the food inside is cooked evenly without drying it out.
The ceramic or metal constructions retain heat, so Dutch ovens can handle bigger cuts of meat or larger portions. These features make it ideal for cooking hearty stews, chillies or braises.