A good Dutch oven is a kitchen essential, heavy and thick enough to conduct and retain heat and deep enough to handle large cuts of meat and quarts of cooking liquid. While a Dutch oven is ideal for braises, stews, and chilis, you can ask it to do much more.Jan 10, 2017
What is so special about a Dutch oven?
Roasting: When placed inside an oven, Dutch ovens conduct heat and transfer it to the food inside from all directions. The ability of the cookware to hold this heat means that less energy is required for long, slow cooking methods. The ovenproof lid helps retain moisture and prevents drying during long cooking times.May 5, 2019
How much should a Dutch oven cost?
Dutch ovens can be expensive: $50 at the lowest end and up to $300 or more for a prized Le Creuset pot. But cost is usually a good indicator of quality for this piece of equipment. Buy the best you can afford, and it will last for years.Dec 9, 2010
Why is cooking in a Dutch oven better?
Because a Dutch oven consists of cast iron, it retains its heat longer. Use less electricity to cook because the Dutch oven will retain its heat for longer and use less electricity to keep it heated. You get better results than with an instant cooker any day of the week.Jul 28, 2021
Dutch ovens can be used, like those items, for stovetop cooking, but its durable construction allows for a greater range of uses, for example: cooking in high-temperature ovens, cooking over a campfire, cooking with coals placed around the pot and over the lid.
What's better than a Dutch oven?
Pot. Another versatile alternative to a Dutch oven is the classic pot or stockpot - and the best thing about this substitute is that every kitchen should already have a large pot! Stockpots work particularly well, as they have high sides and a lid that will allow you to simmer your ingredients for an extended time.
Is Le Creuset a luxury brand?
Lodge has built a reputation for no-frills cookware that will last. Their enameled cast iron is more expensive than their raw cast iron offerings, but still three or four times less than Le Creuset. Le Creuset is a luxury brand and their cookware is priced at the highest end of the category.Jan 6, 2021
Is Le Creuset worth the investment?
Bottom line—If you're going to buy one Dutch oven, and it's within your budget, Le Creuset is absolutely worth it. If you want several or are on a budget, consider high-quality alternatives like Staub and Tramontina.Dec 20, 2021
Why is Le Creuset a big deal?
THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE To further understand why Le Creuset is such a big deal, you need to know how it's made. At its most basic, the cookware is made of cast iron before the enamel is applied to it. ... Le Creuset breaks the mold and recycles the sand to ensure that no piece of cookware looks like another.