(Part 3) Best dutch ovens according to redditors

I agree with Dutch Oven. And don't forget that awesome "hooky thingy"! for removing the lid and fetching the oven from the coals.

Save the $16 shipping cost at Amazon.

Cast iron is quite a poor material for large pots. The weight issue becomes overwhelming when you're talking about something like a big stock pot. A 12 quart cast iron pot for sale on Amazon weighs 33 lbs versus a same volume stainless steel pot which weighs 5.8 lbs.

Think about how heavy a big pot full of water is. If you the steel pot to the brim with 12 quarts of water, and try to lift it, it's really hard. The water inside weighs 24 lbs, meaning the steel pot weighs more full (29.8 lbs) than the cast iron pot weighs empty (33 lbs).

For a lot of people, a big cast iron pot full of water is well past their lifting capacity.

I found this on Amazon just now. International Tableworks Heartland Village Enamel Dutch Oven https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076NXCY2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LOkvDb0AZ7C96

I agree that what you want to look for is a cast iron dutch oven. Also, shop for a potjie which is essentially a South African cauldron.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven - Signature Enameled Cast Iron - 2.75-quart Round - Indigo Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GSF7TMD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dwb8Cb6KMMPT2
Here is a link to amazon that shows the indigo, hope it works.

If she likes cooking like I do, I guess this with this would make a good gift.
Or buy those and cook her plov as a gift.

I'm a professional baker with 25 years in the food service industry, at all levels & positions.

There are much better techniques that you can use to get the same results, techniques that will cause a lot less wear & tear on your pans.

I would suggest getting a skillet/DO set like this: https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Seasoned-3-Quart-Cookware-Stovetop-Induction/dp/B076PR8LT5/ref=asc_df_B076PR8LT5/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241980623679&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18320942802540914765&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021324&hvtargid=pla-404452654020&psc=1

Preheat both. Place your dough on the skillet side, use a spray bottle to spray the inside of the DO & quickly place it over the bread. Bake about 2/3's of the time with the cover on & remove it for the last 1/3.

There's other ways & techniques, but I'm short on time at the moment & that way will point you in the right direction.

It says up to 400F on the product description.


The 6 qt. Lodge goes up to 500F. It’s only $18 more for the indigo or white version

Oh, knock it off. Seriously.

I've got a three hundred dollar knife roll that sits in storage while I use my $6 sets of IKEA knives constantly. Run them over a steel every time you use them and they'll last. I've been using these two sets for over four years now. And you can run them in the dishwasher.

Here's a seven quart dutch oven for $40. If you want to save even more, the five quart is $26. It'll do things both on the stove and in the oven. It's a workhorse.

Bamboo/wooden stirring spoons can be had for a few dollars, as can cutting boards.

That's all you really need to start making soup for yourself on the utensil and gear front.

As for the food, well, a bag of onions, one of carrots, and celery will run you under ten bucks. A pack of boneless skinless chicken thighs a couple bucks more. A box of fusili is maybe two bucks if you're splurging. Salt is for cheap, so is pepper, and so is a bottle of oil. You don't even need stock if you're willing to simmer a little longer, but even that's not outrageously expensive. Under two bucks for a quart to make life easier. Good homemade chicken soup is cheap, easy, and a good place to start. It also will store well in the fridge for a few days, and is easy to build on. Got a bag of mixed veg? Toss it in.

Start small with a few strategic purchases, and you can be cooking at home, cheaper than eating out, in no time. You don't need a four gallon stock pot right out of the gate. That one dutch oven can multitask like a champ. I'll cook carnitas in mine, then use it to make beans and sausage, then turn around and make a one pot of chicken, sausage, and vegetables.

Cooking at home is much easier than most people think, and much easier than you just made it out to be. Starting out, you can do wonders with nothing more than salt and pepper, and there's no need to fill a cabinet right away with other stuff. Do it gradually.

Find and follow recipes. Use mise en place to help smooth things out to avoid wasting the stuff you paid for.

Are you going to be a world class chef? No. You probably won't be. Will you be competent enough to feed yourself without relying on take away, and enjoy your food? Yeah, that's not hard.

Just watch Chef John for a few hours. Pick a recipe and follow it. It's not alchemy and voodoo. Stop acting like it is.

Fontignac is a french made enameled dutch oven. I have one and love it. Really good quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Fontignac-5-5qt-Cast-Dutch-Cherry/dp/B073CBRJ47/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=fontignac+dutch+oven&qid=1555600449&s=home-garden&sr=1-2

I believe its on sale for $99 at costco.

Two more options:

1. Amazon has a really cool looking Camp Chef #16 with a grizzly bear design for $93. I've already got a 16 and now I want this one!
   
   
2. Cabela's has their own branded #16 (pretty sure it was made by Camp Chef though) for $80.

Maybe like this?

Camp Chef 3/4 Qt Seasoned Cast Iron Mini Dutch Oven https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007LNJ3M/

It’s very hard to find and go for $200 or more when they do go for sale.

Lodge made them from 1993-2000 and many collectors seek them out.

However, Camp Chef makes one similar in size that still are for sale, for around $18.

Link to amazon here for Camp Chef little Oven.

But the Camp Chef one doesn’t have useable legs (they aren’t higher than the coals).

Sorry for rambling, I enjoy these useless facts.

A dutch oven, a campfire, and/or charcoal briquets. You can "stack" dutch ovens on top of each other, with each oven being a size smaller than the one below it. They do make aluminum dutch ovens, intended to be used by horse or mule pack trains. They are quite a bit lighter than cast iron dutch ovens. Other items that go along with dutch oven cooking are a lid lifter and a lid "rest." You can control the temp of the oven by the number of briquets on the lid.

BTW, the type of lid with a lip all the way around, so that one's briquets don't roll off is really de rigueur. You don't want the type with a "rounded" dome lid.

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Lifter-Lifting-Carrying-Ovens/dp/B0000TPDJE/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/132-7088107-2513867?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0000TPDJE&pd_rd_r=a15db4a3-c5ec-48ae-a51c-e7e82a6be9e0&pd_rd_w=jZOKH&pd_rd_wg=dy07K&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=K9CA053T5P8AKZW5BS1A&psc=1&refRID=K9CA053T5P8AKZW5BS1A

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-A5-11-Camp-Dutch-Black/dp/B07DR5GTQD/ref=pd_bxgy_79_img_3/132-7088107-2513867?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07DR5GTQD&pd_rd_r=218eacb9-5d6c-4dad-91cf-e16da1dbf183&pd_rd_w=FCwCZ&pd_rd_wg=fzNzP&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=SCQYZACAA61WGGX4V72E&psc=1&refRID=SCQYZACAA61WGGX4V72E

https://www.amazon.com/Texsport-Cast-Dutch-Handles-Handle/dp/B00019H602

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L12DCO3-Deep-Dutch-Quart/dp/B00008GKDW/ref=pd_cp_468_3?pd_rd_w=TDeqb&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=8VGGH6PZZKBJ4R0A6D24&pd_rd_r=875f9396-8df3-4c2e-8746-b23d663c901f&pd_rd_wg=E7Hfs&pd_rd_i=B00008GKDW&psc=1&refRID=8VGGH6PZZKBJ4R0A6D24

https://www.amazon.com/Bruntmor-Legged-Pre-Seasoned-Camping-Flange/dp/B01MSDAZ16/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_468_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z9HYH8Z0DMHWE7J87NES

I bought this one last summer and I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/Landhaus-Professional-Enameled-Covered-Included/dp/B07GVRJM7N/ref=sr_1_25?crid=2H62Q6ROMRR4F&keywords=dutch+oven&qid=1571082801&sprefix=Dutch+%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-25

I'm not sure where you're from, but give this a look.

And here's a roasting oven:

https://www.amazon.com/EaZy-BrandZ-EZO-3016R-Countertop-Technology/dp/B07K76VSVN/ref=sr_1_114?ie=UTF8&qid=1550047606&sr=8-114&keywords=portable+electric+oven#customerReviews

Of course, you can't bake cakes, breads, muffins, etc. in a roaster.

You might also look into solar ovens:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=solar+oven&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asolar+oven

If you're getting a new pan and you don't already have a dutch oven, I'd go for something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Enameled-Covered-Dutch-6-Quart/dp/B073Q9WV8S/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=dutch+oven&qid=1572803805&sr=8-5

You could then use it for baking bread, stewing beans, or a number of other things too.

Where are you all out of? I did a fairly long stint out of an Isuzu and cast iron was all I used as well. Pretty versitos little guys. This is the little one I was talking about:
[5.4 inch (13.7cm) pre-seasoned cast iron skillet] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075349G4H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5W7BDb1RAVGRZ)

a nice dutch oven
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Camp-Dutch-Oven-Qt/dp/B00008GKDV/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1419958497&sr=1-2

Don't get it, you don't need a griddle (it's literally just a skillet with short sides) and an enameled dutch oven will serve you better. I would recommend you get the following:

• 10" or 12" skillet, depending on if you cook for 2 or 4+ people https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Skillet-Pre-Seasoned-Skillet-Silicone/dp/B00G2XGC88/
  
• Enameled dutch oven https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Enameled-Covered-Dutch-7-3-Quart/dp/B073Q9QH5Z/

I will warn you that calphalon does Not hold up to its name. I have purchased 4 pans by them and they didn't last long. the nonstick coating wore off way too quickly

what do you really use or need? there are 4 skillets, 2 saucepans and a soup pot.

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maybe not a full set but singles??

https://www.amazon.com/All-Clad-Nonstick-Frying-Cookware-Anodized/dp/B0170TFNXM/ref=sr_1_8?

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https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-622-30G-Classic-Nonstick-Hard-Anodized/dp/B0078P9D8K/ref=sr_1_3?

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https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-8919-14-Professional-Stainless-Saucepan/dp/B00NAU8VYY/ref=sr_1_16?

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https://www.amazon.com/Secura-Whole-Clad-Stainless-Induction-Cookware/dp/B004HAEWHQ/ref=sr_1_12?

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Dutch oven

https://www.amazon.com/Vremi-Enameled-Cast-Iron-Dutch/dp/B06WW463CS/ref=sr_1_27?

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https://www.amazon.com/Update-International-SPS-8-Induction-Stainless/dp/B0052Y5B08/ref=sr_1_18?

This one from Emile Henry is the one he uses in his Youtube videos. I bought it and it is amazing.

I am a huge fan of the following and we cook it at least once per camping trip. Brazilian Black Bean Soup I make it meat free and it is still great. However this requires at least a pot.

I'm a little confused if you are backpacking or not. If weight is not a concern, I would suggest a 4-6 qt dutch oven with feet. Amazon Example It's going to open up a world of possibilities.