We Tested Chefs' Favorite Dutch Ovens — See How We Compare Staub to Le Creuset (2024)

Our Top Picks

Staub's Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte won overall for many reasons. It performed well in our tests, perfectly getting deep brown caramelization on the chicken with a solid crisp and cooked rice. We found it easy to use and large enough to handle any task that requires a Dutch oven. We also found that given what buyers get in return, the price of the Staub is fair. "I love Staub because of the manufacturing and quality," says Lahey. "They're built like a tank." The brand’s pieces are so well constructed that we barely saw a scratch on the exterior glaze from the durability test. Overall, it’s a superior product to its competitors in every way.

Heat capacity: 900℉ | Material: Cast iron | Weight: 12.9 pounds | Dimensions: 12.87 x 6.57 inches

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. There was only slight chipping during durability tests, and it cooked rice brilliantly. It is well constructed, built to last, and beautiful, making it an excellent choice for a gift or starter kitchen.

Heat capacity: 550℉ | Material: Cast iron exterior with enamel interior | Weight: 8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.6 x 6.22 inches

The Le Creuset 7.25-quart round Dutch oven is a classic valued worldwide. Le Creuset is an aspirational brand for home cooking due to its heirloom quality and an endless variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. While you can find more affordable Dutch ovens, we highly recommend the Le Creuset. If we could only recommend one piece of cookware to someone serious about cooking, it would be this Dutch oven. Several editors have cooked with ours for years, and we stand by its durability and versatility. We love how easy it is to clean and that it is dishwasher-safe.There's a reason it's one of those classic French kitchen items.

Heat capacity: 500°F | Material: Cast iron | Weight: 13 pounds | Dimensions: 13.5 x 6.3 inches

Honoring the best vintage American design, the Smithey Ironware 5.5-quart Dutch oven combines the durability of cast iron with a polished interior surface that only improves with time. Smithey is made in the U.S. and arrives pre-seasoned with pure grape seed oil so you can start cooking immediately.

“I’ve had the Smithey 5.5-quart and 3.5-quart for a few years now, and I’d never buy a different brand,” says Associate Editorial Director Megan Soll. “I’ve made incredible dishes with the 5.5-quart, and cleanup is a breeze. I also love the rustic look of the cookware.” When hitting the Smithey with a metal spoon, not a scratch appeared. It gets a great sear on chicken thighs and has consistent heat throughout the cooking surface. The brand also offers engravings for all its cast iron products, making it a special gift for serious cooks.

Heat capacity: 986℉ | Material: Enameled cast iron | Weight: 14 pounds | Dimensions: 13.25 x 4.5 inches

Lodge's 7-quart cast iron Dutch oven is amazingly durable. There were no signs of damage from durability tests, and we noted that "Lodge never disappoints." The Dutch oven is beautifully constructed and super sturdy; you can tell it will last several lifetimes. It performed well in cooking rice and chicken thighs. It's an excellent price for something versatile and a good addition to an existing Lodge cast iron skillet collection.

"The only problem I have with Lodge is because it's an unfinished iron, you can have a nice patina of carbon build up on the inside of it, which will flick away. And it can rust if you don't care for it properly," says Lahey. Lodge is a great Dutch oven option if you’re happy to care for your cast iron consistently.

Heat capacity: 500℉ | Material: Pre-seasoned cast iron exterior and interior | Weight: 13 pounds | Dimensions: 11.15 x 5.55 inches

The Great Jones “The Dutchess” earned the title of best large Dutch oven, but we found much more to love. At $160, this is a great price for a quality cast iron Dutch oven. The Dutchess may have a dainty name, but it is a workhorse that withstood our durability test and made easy work of chicken thighs and cooking rice. Even though we made a mistake with the temperature during a test, there was no difference in the finished product, making versatility another selling point.

Heat capacity: 450℉ | Material: Cast iron exterior with enamel interior | Weight: 15 pounds | Dimensions: 15.75 x 6.75 inches

The Milo by Kana Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a minimalist beauty offered in sleek white enameled cast iron and other colors such as dusty pink or emerald green. It's affordable, and it also performed across all tests. The chicken thighs browned nicely, achieving good color, and they quickly released. Rice cooked to a perfectly fluffy and evenly soft consistency with no sticking. There was zero enamel chipping from our durability tests, and we're hard-pressed to find why this Dutch oven isn’t a good buy to save brand loyalty. This Dutch oven is a great piece of non-toxic cookware, and it's also dishwasher-friendly.

Heat capacity: 500℉ | Material: Recycled iron and enamel | Weight: 10.58 pounds | Dimensions: 10.5 x 6 inches

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Dutch oven used for?

  Dutch ovens can be used for anything from dry-roasting a pot roast, large-volume stir-fries for big crowds your wok can't handle, and, of course, simulating an oven to bake bread. You can also use one to deep fry because the sides are high enough to keep splattering oil where it should be. They can be used for braising and soups; basically, we love them for a lot of things, including as a kitchen tool for winter recipes especially.

• What makes an excellent Dutch oven?

  Lahey prefers cast iron over ceramic because it is more durable and less sensitive to thermal shock. "I had an Emile Henry split down the middle one time, and I didn't know they made them that way because it looks so perfect," he says. Since thermal shock concerns high-heat cooking, Lahey recommends materials that can withstand higher heat. While he likes Lodge, his vintage Copco from Denmark is his favorite. He looks for pots with the kind of density or weight that provides good thermal transfer and a solid seal for heat retention.

• How do you clean a Dutch oven?

  There are many ways to clean a Dutch oven. "I use hot, soapy water and a sponge, and I try not to abrade it, especially if there's any glass or glaze," he says. If there is any residue, Lahey wipes out the Dutch oven with a damp towel after it's cooled down. There's no need to sanitize something that was at 500°F."

• Can you ruin the enamel on a Dutch oven?

  Yes, if not properly cared for. Most enameled cast iron can be used on all heat sources, including gas, electric, and induction cooktops. It should not, however, be used in microwave ovens. In addition, thermal shock can occur if there is a sudden or rapid change in temperature, resulting in cracking or loss of the enamel. If there is food residue stuck on the surface that cannot be wiped away with a damp towel, fill it with warm water and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes before washing.