Best Dutch Oven America’s Test Kitchen

With many Dutch oven options available, we set out to discover which were best, putting 13 highly rated and top-selling models through a bevy of tests. And while we found the pans all performed similarly when it came to cooking, we looked to details that make a big difference in everyday use, such as handles, lids, weight, and heat distribution, to make our final picks: one perfect for a buyer on a budget, one sure to be a treasured heirloom to pass on for generations and another suited for the great outdoors.

Interestingly, a Dutch oven replaces a traditional oven in apartments or small spaces. If you want a double oven, choose this one because it offers the flexibility of having two ovens when needed.

The Dutch ovens come in different varieties; it becomes difficult for you to choose the best one. We have written a detailed article to provide you the best 7 Dutch ovens.

7 Best Dutch Oven Reviews

  • Lodge 6 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  • Crock-Pot Artisan Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  • Best Choice 6qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  • Lodge Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven
  • Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Quart Dutch Oven
  • Puricon 5.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  • Overmont Camp Dutch Oven

1. Lodge 6 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven


The Lodge 6 Quart Enameled oven offers a 0.9-1.6 cube per feet capacity. It comprises Stylish Stainless Steel with an easy-to-clean interior that makes it easy for you to clean the interior.

It has a Pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum heating of popular foods like pizza, potato, vegetables, and more.

There is a pop-corn button with two defrosting options; custom defrost and 1 pounds auto defrost. You will enjoy easy defrosting with a custom defrost function.

You can simply defrost 1lb. item and the microwave automatically adjust the time and power. The easy-to-clean coating features a hard-wearing material that makes the cleaning process much easier. This countertop microwave features a stainless steel finish to complement a variety of kitchen spaces.

  • 1100 watts with 10 power levels
  • Pre-programmed sensor menu
  • Energy-saving Eco Mode
  • External dimensions: 20.5’’*17.1’’*12.8 ’’ (W*D*H)

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Preprogrammed and express settings
  • Bright light display
  • Easy-to-read control panel

Cons

  • Lacks sensors for automatic reheating

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2. Crock-Pot Artisan Cast Iron Dutch Oven


On the lookout for a bargain, but don’t want a cheap-looking appliance? The Crock-pot Artisan Dutch Oven is the best budget oven around.

It is equipped with brushed stainless steel with an embossed Crock-Pot logo and a dark tinted glass window. There is no absorption of odors by stainless steel interior; it is easy to sanitize.

Moreover, it has an LCD with touchpad controls and two defrost functions. Defrost the food according to the weight and time for perfect results.

In spite of its small size, this oven is equipped with lots of preprogrammed settings, like defrosting, reheating, popping corn.

Interestingly, it has a 12-inch rotating tray which makes your food perfect. It is Perfect for slow-cooking, simmering, braising, baking, and more

    • Convection baking
  • Touchpad controls with LCD
  • Multi-stage cooking options
  • Reversible grill rack

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Preprogrammed settings
  • 8 functions for cooking needs
  • Instruction and recipe book included

Cons

  • The price is out of the budget
  • No interior light

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3. Best Choice 6qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven


If you love to use microwave recipes for everything like salmon or pies, you need a bigger model of the dutch oven. It is made of thick, heavy-duty cast iron with a glossy enamel finish and white, non-stick enamel interior, it has exceptional heat conduction, retention, and distribution for reliable cooking. You can fry French fries, chicken, shrimp, or wings with it Total fry Air technology 360.

Heated air circulates throughout the oven as food spins 360°, cooking your food faster and more evenly without hot spots. There is an additional feature in the Dutch oven that you can boil and bake foods such as chicken and fish with direct heat.

Behind your favorite Best Choice Product is a team developing the next best thing. It is equipped with a sensor cooker and sensor reheat that ensures your food is never over or undercooked.

  • Combi speed cooking
  • Totalfry Air Technology 360
  • True convection
  • Sensor reheat

Pros

  • Simple and great design
  • Multifunctional
  • Compact size

Cons

  • Takes a long time to cooking
  • Unaffordable

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4. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven


The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven with a 13-inch turntable that is large enough to hold a baking dish filled with mac’n cheese or apple crisp.

The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate and keep Warm all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance.

It takes 50% less space in your kitchen when you flip it. Even heating, a natural easy-release finish, versatility, and durability are the hallmarks of our great cookware. We don’t just make cast iron; we make heirlooms that bring people together for generations.

It quickly preheats your food in 60 seconds and a family-size meal in 20 minutes. It has a removable back panel that allows you to easily access the interior for deep cleaning. It usually fits a 13″ Pizza, up to 9 slices of toast or 6 chicken breasts.

  • Reclaim your counter space:
  • Multifunctional
  • An 1800 watt appliance
  • Sensor reheats the food quickly

Pros

  • Easy cleaning
  • Fast cooking
  • Heats evenly
  • Comfortable price

Cons

  • No interior light
  • Scan-to-cook works with a limited range of foods

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5. Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Quart Dutch Oven


There is a sweet spot for most appliances where the price, performance, and features are all in balance. For Dutch ovens, you will find that’s the case in the inexpensive Pre-seasoned 2 in 1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven which heats evenly and offers preprogrammed settings. There is a pre-programmed sensor through which you can cook pizzas, vegetables, chicken, and much more.

This oven offers you 4 autos bake menus and 4 autos roast menus that make it incredible. It equips energy-saving eco mode which saves the energy consumption and operating cost as well.

The easy-to-clean coating features a hard-wearing material that makes the cleaning process much easier. This countertop microwave features a stainless steel finish to complement a variety of kitchen spaces.

  • One-touch popcorn button with warm hold function
  • Stainless steel cavity
  • Auto bake and roast menus
  • A smart sensor

Pros

  • Very even cooking performance
  • Preprogrammed sensor
  • Energy-saving ECO mode

Cons

  • No sensor for reheating the food

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6. Puricon 5.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven


If you want a Dutch oven for a limited countertop space; this is the best option. You get a good-looking design with a space-saving footprint, but a turntable that’s just as large as in the bigger models.

It offers 700 watts of cooking power; you will get a long time for cooking food. It is the best option if you can’t survive without a microwave for making a quick cup of tea or heating frozen dinners.

It is equipped with a power cord that has a length of 39 inches. Moreover, it is equipped with two defrosting functions.

Although, it has small in size; it has preprogrammed settings like defrosting, reheating, etc. Puricon Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is made for braising, baking broiling, and sauting.

Made of heavy-duty cast iron with superior porcelain enamel, providing a safe and pleasant cooking experience. A mush-have in your home kitchen, and it also could be an ideal housewarming gift for your friends and families

  • Convenient cooking controls
  • Auto and time defrost
  • Power cord length
  • Stainless steel cavity

Pros

  • Compact and simple, clean design
  • Preprogrammed and express settings

Cons

  • Slightly long cooking times

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7. Overmont Camp Dutch Oven


If you are looking for a Dutch Oven with a large interior capacity, exceptional wattage, and sleek design, Panasonic has outdone itself.

This Overmont Camp Dutch Oven is fairly priced and gives it impressive capabilities and breathtaking design. It offers automatic cooking and authentic results. It has a stainless-steel interior and exterior.

The Overmont Dutch Oven is made of cast iron and will last a lifetime if cared for properly. It can be used both on the stove and in the oven at home, providing value for money.

It equips an Inverter technology with a turbo boost that generates a seamless stream of power and delivers consistent, evenly prepared food without overcooking.

This microwave allows you to devote less space to electronics and more to interior capacity. It includes 14 preset menu items, a quick minute timer, a delayed start, and a child safety lock.

  • Smart Cooking Settings with Genius Sensor
  • Inverter Technology with Turbo Defrost
  • Maintains the food temperature
  • Versatile food preparation

Pros

  • Auto cook options
  • Turbo defrost option
  • Sensor cooking function

Cons

  • The number of preset features could be overwhelming to inexperienced persons

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Buying guide For Best Dutch Oven

The best Dutch ovens come in different sizes and capacities, different levels of power, and may feature settings, smart technology. Cheap and low-quality Dutch Ovens never last for a long time, they will die out soon.

If you want to have the best Dutch oven with the best features for your kitchen, keep the following factors in your mind.

Material

Dutch ovens are most often made of cast iron, whether enameled or not. But you can also find these pots in ceramic, stainless steel, and aluminum varieties.

As we’ll discuss later, the material impacts everything from heating capacity and reactivity to durability, weight, and maintenance.

Energy efficiency

When you are going to purchase a Dutch oven, think about its energy efficiency. More energy-efficient ovens offer you a variety of benefits, such as reducing your electricity bills and your environmental footprints.

There are no ENERGY STAR-certified Dutch ovens. But you will find such Dutch ovens that reduce energy consumption and operating cost. Some persons are energy conscious; they should choose an oven that offers variable power settings.

Aesthetic

The aesthetic of a Dutch oven impacts how it looks in your kitchen or any other space. Like other kitchen appliances, these ovens come in wide ranges like stainless steel, black stainless steel, or white.

In addition to the finish, you should consider the overall design of the model. Consider the position and integration of the handles, the layout of the buttons, and the style of the oven.

Size and Capacity

Always choose a Dutch oven that meets all your demands and requirements. Consider the Dutch oven’s exterior and interior. Measure the counter space before buying it. Measure the available space above your oven to make sure that this oven should be at least 30 inches above the surface of the cooktop.

Capacity is related to the interior of the oven. The interior dimensions are equal to the available interior cooking space and we measure them in cubic feet. Mostly, ovens have a capacity between 0.7 cubic feet and 2 cubic feet, some may fall out of this range.


FAQs?

Q: How is a Dutch oven better than a simple oven?

A: A Dutch oven is much better than the conventional oven as it provides many benefits. It is compact in size, multi-functional, and time-saving. It provides you with a splendid chance to automatically control all the modes as per your requirements.

Q: What is the largest Dutch oven according to capacity?

A: We recommend you to go with those microwaves that have a 1.2 cubic feet capacity. It will prove best for larger families. Some of them are Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven with 1.6 cubic feet capacity.

Q: What is the main difference between a convection oven and a grill oven?

A: We purchase the grill ovens for cooking, grilling, and reheating purposes. On the other hand, a convection microwave offers many additional functions along with baking and cooking. We prefer convection ovens because they are more beneficial than grill ovens.


Wrapping It Up

A best Dutch Oven is an excellent option for the housekeepers with a small kitchen. Apart from that, it offers the same functions at a cheap price.

All the chefs and expert bakers must look for the perfect Dutch oven that can provide them all the facilities in a single device to move forward with their delicious recipes.

For this, we have added our best efforts to share the first person tested experiences, guidelines on how you can grab the best Dutch oven according to your needs and requirements.

Not just that, we have even shared some options to make your buying process easier, as well as how you can safely operate the Dutch oven to do your job.

In a nutshell, we have summarized and tried to help you get your imagined best Dutch Oven!

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