People believe that a Dutch oven is a workhorse in the kitchen.
With the best enameled cast iron dutch oven, you'll be able to make from tender braised meat to the crunchiest bread.
But this fact would be a myth if you don't know how to choose the right pot.
I'm not any TV star chef, but with the massive passion for the kitchen, a Dutch oven is a necessity for me.
With years cooking for my family, I've used a number of enameled cast iron dutch oven, searing, braising, and sautéing. Let me show you the best pots that came through me. All tested and reviewed with honesty.
Here are the best enameled cast irons dutch oven you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Best for Baking: AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Best for Large Roasts: Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef's Classic Casserole
- Best for Searing Meat: Le Creuset LS2501-26BPSS Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven
- Best for Sousing: Puricon 5.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Best for Small Servings: Tramontina Gourmet Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
| 6 Best Enameled Cast Irons Dutch Oven | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven | |
Best for Baking | AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven | |
Best for Large Roasts | Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef's Classic Casserole | |
Best for Searing Meat | Le Creuset LS2501-26BPSS Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven | |
Best for Sousing | Puricon 5.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven | |
Best for Small Servings | Tramontina Gourmet Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven | |
Best Overall: Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Heat evenly
- Heavy-duty metal
- Easy to clean
- Lifetime warranty
- Require extra maintenance in the cast iron edges
- Slightly heavy
I'm pretty sure this Lodge 6 will surprise me like the way it did to me. I love this enameled oven for a variety of reasons.
First, it has all the benefits of cast-iron, which means it's very resistant to changes in temperature once it grabs on heat. That allows you to cook things low and slow until tender.
And I don't see the pot meets any of common drawbacks. Notably, you don't need to worry about seasoning, washing, acidic or reactive food damaging the sauces, leeching iron particles, and so on.
The first impression was the high-standard finish though the pot is made in China. It feels solid right from the start. The lid handle is stainless steel, which is going to withstand lots of temperature changes.
The finish of the interior is superior. It is a smooth glass surface treated to not reacting to ingredients.
| Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 14.75 pounds |
Capacity | 6 quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 1200 and 1400°F |
Highlight Features | Made to handle heavy use. Distribute heat evenly. Super durable and capable of medium portion |
I'm happy with this pot on the overall. Love it from the build, look, to the meals I cooked with it.
Best for Baking: AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Heat evenly
- Heavy-duty metal
- Easy to clean
- Lifetime warranty
- Require extra maintenance in the cast iron edges
- Slightly heavy
I'm pretty sure this Lodge 6 will surprise me like the way it did to me. I love this enameled oven for a variety of reasons.
First, it has all the benefits of cast-iron, which means it's very resistant to changes in temperature once it grabs on heat. That allows you to cook things low and slow until tender.
And I don't see the pot meets any of common drawbacks. Notably, you don't need to worry about seasoning, washing, acidic or reactive food damaging the sauces, leeching iron particles, and so on.
The first impression was the high-standard finish though the pot is made in China. It feels solid right from the start. The lid handle is stainless steel, which is going to withstand lots of temperature changes.
The finish of the interior is superior. It is a smooth glass surface treated to not reacting to ingredients.
| AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 14.75 pounds |
Capacity | 6 quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 1200 and 1400°F |
Highlight Features | Made to handle heavy use. Distribute heat evenly. Super durable and capable of medium portion |
I'm happy with this pot on the overall. Love it from the build, look, to the meals I cooked with it.
Best for Large Roasts: Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef's Classic Casserole
- Large capacity
- Complement kitchen
- Compatible to various types of stovetop
- Dishwasher safe
- A bit heavy for arthritic hands
- Need pre-wash before putting into the dishwasher
If roasted plates are your favorite, don't skip reading about this cookware. The 7-quart casserole has a large volume to serve super large batches of food.
It features a tight-fitting lid to ensure all the moisture and flavors will stay inside. Another great thing is the enamel finish will not transfer flavors so you can actually store food in the pot and put in the fridge.
For the cleaning part, just throw the casserole into the dishwasher and let the rest happen. That's a really pleasant added benefit.
Not only it fits for roasting, this piece of cookware is great for any types of braising, sauteing, making soups that you can freeze for use later.
I bought the red color option but the matte black and provencial blue also look handsome enough for direct presentation. One more plus is that the pot doesn't pick any particular type of stovetop. You can just use it with any kind like gas, electric, halogen, ceramic flat top, and even induction cooktop.
| Cuisinart CI670-30CR Chef's Classic Casserole Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 15 pounds |
Capacity | 7 quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 500°F |
Highlight Features | Perfect size for roasting. Smooth and non-sticky emenal interior. Dishwasher safe |
Roasted dishes are the love of my life, and this Dutch oven from Cuisinart just makes that passion complete.
Best for Searing Meat: Le Creuset LS2501-26BPSS Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven
- Larger handles
- Superior heat distribution and retention
- Interior enamel resists wear
- Withstand high temperature
- Enduring quality
- Hassle cleaning
- Not budget
When you need to sear your steaks, chops, or roasts, think about this signature oven from Le Creuset.
The casserole with a seamless surface will keep all the savory flavor to the meat while forming a rich brown crust on the outside. It comes with larger handles for you to hold with ease using mittens.
If you know Le Creuset, you know their Dutch oven holds and spreads heat evenly. When you need to close and retain all the flavors back to the meat, the tight lid will shield everything inside.
Le Creuset produces this 5 ½ quart pot in a range of colors. The exterior is superior with a matte surface that lasts and resists chipping. You can use this pot under 500°F just fine.
| Le Creuset LS2501-26BPSS Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round French (Dutch) Oven Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 11.21 pounds |
Capacity | 5 ½ quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 500°F |
Highlight features | Produced to endure high temp. Sand-colored interior enamel withstand wear |
I had meals with seared meat served perfectly using this Le Creuset to cook. No complaint at all.
Best for Sousing: Puricon 5.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Great heat retention
- Practical design
- Safe under high temp
- Tight fit lid
- Outside enamel chips
- Kinda bulky
Sousing may not require a big pot, but it should be efficient in terms of heat distribution to maintain the best flavor.
This Puricon Dutch oven has an appropriate size for making taste-focused sauces. The heat retention is exceptional, keeping the liquid dense with intact flavor. It also doesn't absorb the smell from food, leaving all the spice and taste to what you are cooking.
One more thing that scores my evaluation is the perfect-fitting lid. It traps heat and moisture inside, ideal for light dishes with clear broth. Using this pot to serve appetizer is non-to-compare.
The oven also has a pretty finish to stand any table setup. You can just bring to serve by grabbing the wide handles. Those are not heat affected.
Besides sousing, the pot is a multi-purpose unit that can be used to braise, boil, fry, simmer, roast, and more applications.
| Puricon 5.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6 pounds |
Capacity | 5.5 quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 540°F |
Highlight Features | Sturdy build to tolerate high heat. Perfect-fit lid. Appropriate size for sousing and many more applications |
This pot was a great buy for my gumbo and Caribbean souse. Love the size and its well-made build.
Best for Small Servings: Tramontina Gourmet Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Easy to clean
- Can use with any cooktop
- Heat food evenly
- Nice size for a small family
- Exterior becomes dull
- Not safe for dishwasher
This compact oven is non-to-second cookware for serving fewer people. It's one of my favorite casseroles in the kitchen.
With the capacity of 3.5 quart, you have more than generous to prepare a meal for 4 people. Though small but the overall volume of food, this pot can accommodate it optimized in the design.
This Dutch oven can sit well on a stovetop that's heating up to 450°F. You can take it directly right to the oven to bake using the handles.
Now the best part is this unit comes with a lifetime warranty. I have never had a chance to put mine for replacement or anything, but I believe it's a huge advantage to have.
Cleaning this pot is a breeze. All I have to do is to use tap water and soap to scrub off dirt. However, it is not safe to use in a dishwasher. You should only wash it by hand.
Feel free to use the oven on any cooktop you have. It's compatible with gas, electric, induction, and ceramic glass.
| Tramontina Gourmet Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8.4 pounds |
quart | 3.5 quart |
Oven-safe Temperature | 450°F |
Highlight Features | Small size and lightweight. Durable and solid cast iron. Heat well and even |
If you aim to cook in a small portion, use this pot. It takes less time to heat but keeps the temp long to keep your food's best flavor.
How To Choose The Best Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
It looks simple when choosing an enameled cast iron dutch oven, but still, you need to learn some involved factors. Actually, they are just questions.
How easy is it to use?
I always prefer casseroles with straight sides because they render more cooking space. Besides, stiff walls add height to the pot, giving more room if you frequently make souse. It's also useful when you want to bake.
But pots with rounded corners are also versatile in stirring. The lower the slope, the easier it is to mix and sear.
How are the handles and lid?
You're going to open the cover to check your food. So, you want the knob not to be hot. Same for the handles as you will move the oven. It's safest always to use your kitchen mitts. Then, you should check if the handles are comfortable on gloves.
Now for the lid, you want it to be snug fit because steam will escape with some of the taste. Ideally, it should come with a shielding lip to prevent moisture from emitting.
How easy is it to clean?
Many pots are not safe to use in dishwasher. This is so important that you should always keep in mind. Check the specs carefully.
If you can only hand-wash the oven, learn how to do it properly to avoid damaging the enamel layer.
What shape do you want?
You can see Dutch ovens are available in oval and round. But I only introduce the round ones because I think they are more versatile.
Round ovens fit standard burners easily and eligible for more cooking styles. Particularly, you can bake, braise, simmer, stir, boil, stew, souse, and whatever you can think of.
What size is the best?
In terms of size, there are many available. In my opinion, a 6-quart deep oven offers the most versatility. It has the capacity to serve a family of 5 or 6. This size also fits large cuts of meat.
For a smaller size, you will find the pot comfortable for making sauces or serving 2 to 3 people. If you need to serve a larger crowd, find ovens of 8 to 10 quart.
Which Brands Make The Best Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
Lodge
Lodge seems to be the first name that comes to the mind when people think about cast iron Dutch ovens. The brand has been manufacturing heirloom-quality cookware since 1896. With more than 120 years in the field, Lodge is confident in each piece of cookware they deliver.
Le Creuset
The original enameled cast iron cookware of Le Creuset is born to serve since the dawn of cuisine. When chefs and gourmets began to demand high-end skillets able to deliver the most authentic taste of their food, Le Creuset was there to call. Ninety years from then, Le Creuset is not just a legend, it's a name to keep in mind when you enter your kitchen.
FAQs
Is enameled cast iron dutch oven safe?
To some degrees, enameled cast iron dutch ovens are safe for cooking. The enamel coating has primary role in covering then inertness of cast iron vessels. It's a non-reactive material that can tolerate heat, allow cooking with no worry of chemical emitted.
Using this kind of oven, you should be careful, not to pry out the protective layer during cooking and washing.
Is Le Creuset the best Dutch oven?
Le Creuset has their signature Dutch ovens, but they are yet the best-of-them-all brand name in producing this kind of cookware. However, they are among the rare name that offer lifetime warranty for their own products. That also explains the price of Dutch ovens from Le Creuset.
Which is better: cast iron or enameled cast iron?
Cast iron alone is very sticky. With an enamel coat, the cooking surface becomes smoother and prevents food absorbance.
How to clean enameled cast iron dutch?
Washing an enameled cast iron dutch oven is easy but it requires a bit of care. The best practice should be like this:
Wait for the pot to cool down
Fill in some dish soap
Remove food stuck with baking soda, add 2 tablespoons and wait 15 minutes
Use a plastic spatula to gently scrape off food
Rinse with hot water
Let dry
What can you not cook in enameled cast iron?
Unlike cast iron cookware, enameled cast iron resist foods with acidic and alkaline properties. It works well with ingredients like tomatoes, chili, wine sauces, foods with a bitter and metallic taste. Just avoid scraping the pot too hard so that it won't chip out the enamel coverage.
Conclusion
Writing this compilation of the best enameled cast iron dutch oven got me lots of new information. I'll keep the article updated, but if you have anything to ask, please just leave the question in the comment box.
I hope you enjoy cooking with dutch ovens as much as I do. Let me know your experience as well as your recipes using this particular cookware. Look ward hearing from you.
Jane Orta
