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
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.