This Gwyneth Paltrow-Approved Dutch Oven Is On Sale for Under $100 — & We've Never Seen It Cheaper (2024)

FAQs

Why is Le Creuset so expensive? ›

When you buy from Le Creuset, you're paying for high-quality pots and pans that are designed to stand the test of time. Rather than aluminum or stainless steel, Le Creuset craft their pieces from cast iron, which has a much higher heat capacity.

Yes. It's worth the high price tag because it delivers consistently great results and will last for decades. It is heavy, but that is simply true of Dutch ovens, and it will resist staining and chipping while being easy to clean.

'I spend a lot of my time in the kitchen, so cooking with high-functioning, nontoxic, and beautiful cookware is really important to me,' Gwyneth also formerly shared via her Instagram stories. 'This is why we created goop cookware – all of the pots and pans are clean, nontoxic, and dishwasher safe.

The best Dutch Oven according to expert home cooks: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven. In a way Le Creuset functions as the Levi's jeans of cookware—even if you don't know very much about the French brand, it possesses enough of a long-earned cult-level backing that you to know of it.

One downside to enameled cast iron is that it's not the easiest material for novices to work with. Compared to other pots and pans, Le Creuset's take a long time to get hot, and since they retain heat so well, it's easy to burn things once they do. “It's a beast if you don't use it properly,” Anastasio says.

While some Le Creuset products are made in China, the company's enameled cast iron products are still made in its original foundry in France. Le Creuset's stainless steel and nonstick cookware is most often made in Portugal.

It holds the heat evenly, and the enamel makes it great for easy cleanup.” He went on to say that at his restaurant, chefs use the brand's pans, and all of the sauces are made in Le Creuset sauce pots.

Most people are familiar with nonstick cookware made with Teflon, but GreenPan uses a ceramic coating instead. The brand's pots and pans were even one Oprah's Favorite Things in 2021 — and if it's good enough for Oprah, it's good enough for us.

These pans are also oven-safe, so they're ideal for gently finishing steaks and fish after searing. They can also handle extreme heat, like a campfire or a pizza oven.

What should I look for when buying a Dutch oven? ›

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. We also recommend getting at least a 6-quart Dutch oven.

The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart Round Covered Casserole wins for the best value at $99. We expected the price point to be higher after blind tests, given the quality of its construction, which makes sense given Cuisinart's popularity amongst chefs and home cooks.

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.

Handcrafted in France with only premium materials, our legendary enameled cast iron provides even heat and moisture distribution for dishes with consistently superior texture and flavor. For almost a century, Le Creuset cookware's unrivaled performance has fueled food lovers' passions and earned customers' trust.

The Le Creuset displays excellent heat retention and distribution, and locks in moisture, thanks to its tight-fitting lid.

Many users have reported their Le Creuset pots, pans, and Dutch ovens lasting for 20, 30, or more years. The longevity of Le Creuset cookware is attributed to its high-quality materials and construction. Le Creuset uses cast iron, which is known for its exceptional heat retention and even heat distribution.