The typical cast iron Dutch oven has come a long way in the United States. They were the original heavy-duty workhorses before the French modified the model in use then. One of the modifications they made was to coat it in enamel.
This was a wise move as enamel helps to protect the cast iron from catching rust. This put an end to seasoning the pot and it gave the pot a non-stick work surface.
The Dutch oven can be used for a lot of different types of cooking, all thanks to its high heat retention capacity. You can make soups, stews, sauces, rice dishes, braise meat, etc. It’s sturdy and reliable and is a must in every traditional kitchen.
Best Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Reviews Of 2023
The market is full of Dutch ovens, each with its own strengths. So, you might find it difficult to buy one of your choices. So, it would help you to read the following enameled cast iron Dutch oven reviews.
Perhaps, it might help you choose from a handful of the competition’s best Dutch ovens today. Read on to find the best enameled cast iron dutch oven for your use.
Our Top Picks
A perfect combination of form and function, the Lodge Dutch Oven is an enameled cast iron dutch oven that is highly heat-resistant and doesn’t let water penetrate its surface.
Its superb combinaton of cast iron and enamel helps to retain the heat and can saute or braise food perfectly. It can also be sued to marinate food and refrigerate it.
Features:
- It’s an all-purpose poet that can do a variety of things—slow-cook, sear, braise, etc.
- It is easy to use, low maintenance and its design is functional.
- Can be used for cooking and serving
- Porcelain enamel makes it chip-resistant and easy to clean.
- It distributes heat evenly on all sides of the pot and is oven-safe to a maximum of 500°F.
- Dishwasher safe
Though it may be considered bulky, you can still carry it, empty or full, if you aren’t arthritic. This feature-rich, slow-cooking pot is ideal for anything you may want to cook in it—right from soups to braised meats and much more.
It cooks to perfection, bringing out all the flavors you want in your food, so if you're a patient and a particular cook, this one should sit in your kitchen. After all, it could well be the best enameled cast iron dutch oven.
To know what the pinnacle of cast iron kichen pots is, you must take a look at Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron cookware. You can use it for different cooking styles—sear, grill, simmer or braise, all of these is possible.
For all its unique characteristics, it is better known as the best enameled cast iron dutch oven.
Features:
- Its cast iron construction helps distribute and retain heat evenly.
- Having a coating of porcelain enamel inside means the surface does not give out flavors nor does it absorb odors.
- It is so versatile that it is usable on induction stoves, conventional stovetops, ovens, and broilers.
- It is strong and durable and available in vibrant colors that can complement any kitchen design.
- Its handles give a good and comfortable grip.
- Once you’ve cooked in them, you can also take them to the table as they are elegant enough to be serving dishes.
- It is also easy to clean and maintain.
Use this on any heating medium and you'll still get the same perfect results. This pot is dependable, works perfectly and distributes heat evently—qualities that make it stand out in a crowd. In fact, it has all the virtues of being the best enameled cast iron dutch oven.
This enamel cast iron dutch oven raises slow cooking to a fine art by combining functionality and comfort. It locks in the highest amount of moisture and distributes heat all across the oven evenly.
It is durable, versatile and is available in vibrant colors, which makes them highly sought-after in every kitchen. Users of this dutch oven rank it the best enameled cast iron dutch oven.
Features:
- Due to the enamel coating, it does even cooking and retains the heat.
- It is versatile enough to be used on any heat source—whether ceramic, gas, halogen, induction, electric or any other—a feature of the best enameled cast iron dutch oven.
- You can trap the heat and the flavor by using its tight-fitting lid.
- It has ergonomic handles for a secure and safe grip.
- A coating of enamel inside helps to clean easily and keep the pot from chipping.
- Its ergonomically designed knobs help to resist heat up to 500°.
- Integrated lid stabilizers offer a tight fit.
- It is available in four colours—Marseille, Flame, Oyster and Marine.
It may be very heavy to carry when full, but at the end of the day what’s inside it matters more than its weight. It can be relied upon for giving you a good meal, so go ahead and invest in one. Better cooked meals are waiting for you.
A member of the Tramontinas Gourmet collection of premium products, the Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron array of products have the tell-tale design,
workmanship, and materials that make it soar over the others, offering the best quality and cooking experience.
Features:
- Its ability to retain heat makes it worthy of cooking meats slowly and to perfection.
- It can also be kept in the fridge to cool food
- Its line of products has individual and versatile shapes and sizes that render them ideal for grilling, baking, slow cooking, etc.
- It distributes heat evenly all over the pot and distributes it too so that food is gently and evenly heated and cooked.
- These cast iron pots and durable, easy to clean and look striking.
- It gives moist dishes by the ridges for self-basting condensation that collect the vapors on the food.
- It has oven-safe stainless steel knobs that are safe and durable.
- It works well on any heat source.
- It can be used safely to a maximum of 450° F.
- It should be hand washed only.
This dutch oven is so versatile that it can be used to cook and bake hot food as well as chill salads and other foods in the refrigerator. Its sides and bottom are great heat absorbers, while its texture is responsible for the even distribution of heat.
What Is Enamel Coating on Cast Iron?
Enamel coating comprises a thin layer applied to an underlying metallic substance. It protects surfaces from physical damage and chemical attack. It also alters the organizational traits of this metallic substance and enhances the product’s overall appearance.
Enamel coated cast iron cookware is a really safe choice of cookware, chiefly because of the hardened enamel all around the cookware. This coating of enamel prevents the iron from being leached into the food. It is also free of corrosion and is a huge conductor of heat and distributes heat evenly across the oven. It can also resist high temperatures.
What To Look for When Purchasing an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is a heavy-duty item of cookware. Its thick walls and heavy lid keep the moisture in. People often buy a Dutch oven owing to its size, weight, and cost.
So, they must buy the right one for the right reasons.
- Shape
Not all Dutch ovens are the same in shape. Some may be wider or shorter than others. If it is shallower, the cooking area is larger, so cooking meat will be better here. However, your big-sized oven should match the size of your cooktop or again cooking will be difficult.
- Size
The way it works is that your Dutch oven will be placed in a traditional oven, so ensure that the size sits well on the rack. Now, check the height with the oven’s lid on. The size of your Dutch oven is also determined by the amount of food you cook in it.
If you’re cooking for about six to eight people, you will need a Dutch oven that is about five to seven quart in capacity. You can use this as a yardstick.
- Weight
These are diametrically opposed to non-stick or ceramic cookware because they are bulky and heavy. If you buy a 6-quart cast iron Dutch oven, it could weigh about 6 kg. Can you carry that? You might want to carry that from the kitchen to the dining table. So, weight does indeed matter.
However, you could go in for a stainless steel Dutch oven instead of cast iron. By being less heavy, it could serve your purpose well.
- Ergonomic Handles
Dutch ovens are so heavy that they need to have well-fitting and ergonomically designed handles. So, when buying, ensure that the handles on your Dutch oven are large enough to give you a secure grip when you have your mitts on. If you accidentally drop it on the floor, it can cause a crack in your tiles.
- Interior Color
The interior color of an enameled cast iron Dutch oven could be either light or dark. If light, you can watch your food brown better. But then you can also see any stains and marks of stirring, which won’t show on a dark surface. Also, a dark surface can camouflage signs of use better.
- Price
There are cheaper brands and expensive brands of Dutch ovens. If you’re looking for the cheaper ones, you could go with the Chinese brands, but if you’re looking at raw cast iron, that would be cheap too.
You can also get an enameled Dutch oven for under $50, but the quality and durability would be questionable. If you’re investing in this cookware and can go in for something expensive, choose French brands and be prepared to pay a good price, roughly about $350.
However, there’s also a disadvantage of enamel coated cast iron cookware. It concerns the price which is heavy on the pocket. Additionally, if the enamel chips, it can make the pot rust.
Cast Iron Vs. Enameled Cast Iron:
There are a few differences between these two variants of cookware. Let’s take a close look at them:
- Rust: Cast iron can rust, so it’s necessary to season it. However, enameled cast iron does not rust at all.
- Cooking Efficiency: In a cast iron oven, the food may stick to its surface if the seasoning isn’t done well. By cooking in it often, the seasoning may improve and so also its non-stick capability. In an enameled cast iron oven, food may stick to its surface.
- Iron in Your Diet? If you use an uncoated or raw cast iron pot, the iron could enter your food and make it toxic. Excessive iron levels in the body are harmful and could lead to health issues. However, with an enamel-coated cast iron pot, this problem doesn’t exist.
In fact, enamel-coated pots do not react to food cooked in them, so you can cook all kinds of food in them. If the enamel coating is removed, the iron will enter your food and cause you health problems.
Why Is Enameled Cast Iron Better?
Enameled cast iron is better for these reasons:
- It is safe to use and healthy too as they aren’t reactive to food. So, you can cook even acidic foods without worrying about it reacting with your food.
- Enamel cast iron pots have a non-stick surface which enables easy cooking that doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Enameled cast iron cookware is durable.
- This cookware can be heated to high temperatures.
- This cookware not only conducts heat better but retains it too.
- It retains heat so that it remains hot even while serving.
- Enameled cast iron pots can be used on any type of stovetop.
How To Clean Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
You can clean your cast iron Dutch oven in these ways:
- By making a paste of baking soda and water and scrub it on your cookware using a scrub pad.
- If some of the food you cooked has got stuck to the bottom of the pan, let it soak in warm water and soap. Then, wash it off with a sponge. This will keep the inside of your cookware intact.
Read Also: How To Clean Burnt Pots And Pans Outside
FAQ (Frequently Answered Questions)
Q: Is Enamel Coating Toxic?
A: No, it isn’t because enamel-coated pieces are generally non-reactive to the food they contain. This makes them entirely safe for cooking and eating.
Q: Is Enameled Cast Iron Healthy?
A: The fact that enameled cast iron cookware does not display leaching makes it healthy. Enameled cast iron allows acidic foods to be cooked in them and doesn’t react to them.
Q: Is Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Safe?
A: Enamel-coated cookware is considered safe because its coating protects the cookware from rusting. Also, its metals don’t leach either.
Q: Can Enameled Cast Iron Go From Refrigerator To Stove?
A: It's not advisable to move your enameled cast iron cookware from the refrigerator to the stove as the sudden temperature could lead to a crack in the enamel.
Q: Can you fry in enameled cast iron?
A: For frying, use an enameled cast iron pot. If you choose 1.5-2 gallons, you can fry on the stove because these pots and pans aren’t just heavy but deep too.
Q: How Hot Can Enameled Cast Iron Get?
A: The maximum temperature that an enameled cast iron pot can reach is 500°F.
Conclusion:
The above reviews give you a closer look at dutch ovens so that you know what to expect when you see them in the store. With this updated information about them, you can now make an informed choice of a dutch oven.
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