TLDR;
This video compares nine Dutch ovens from various brands, assessing their durability, heat retention, moisture lock, and design. The tests include dropping a metal spatula, measuring heat retention at 400°F, and boiling water to test lid moisture lock. The video highlights the pros and cons of each brand, helping viewers decide which Dutch oven best fits their needs and budget.
- Le Creuset, Staub, and Made In are top choices for those without budget constraints.
- Lodge Essential Enamel offers the best value with a warranty covering chips and cracks.
- Tramontina and Great Jones are less recommended due to design flaws and quality concerns.
Test Methods [0:00]
The video introduces a comparative test of nine Dutch ovens, evaluating their quality and performance. The tests include dropping a metal spatula from 12 inches to assess durability, measuring heat retention after heating to 400°F, and testing moisture retention by boiling 32 oz of water for 10 minutes and measuring weight loss after 30 minutes. The evenness of moisture redistribution and the temperature of the knobs after boiling water are also measured.
Tramontina [1:12]
The Tramontina 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven is the most affordable option tested. It withstands spatula drops without chipping and has a heavy lid that locks in moisture well. However, it arrived with a chip on the lid rim, has poor heat retention, and its knob gets very hot. The design is basic, the handles are small, and the moisture redistribution ridges are ineffective.
Lodge Essential [1:52]
The Lodge Essential Enamel 6qt Dutch oven is a budget-friendly option made in China. It features large handles, a big lid knob, and an attractive gradient exterior. It performs well in heat retention, and the knob stays relatively cool. However, it chipped slightly during the spatula drop test, and there are some enamel inconsistencies. Its rounded bottom makes stirring easier but reduces the flat cooking surface. Lodge offers a unique warranty, replacing or repairing the Dutch oven if the enamel chips or cracks under normal use.
Lodge USA [3:20]
The Lodge USA Enamel 6qt Dutch oven is made in the USA and is more expensive than the Essential Enamel version. It features a retro design inspired by mid-century American aesthetics, larger handles, a wider cooking surface, and a lighter interior color. It is heavier and has a thin, oval knob. It performs well in cooking tests and average in heat and moisture retention. The metal accents on the handles can trap food and are difficult to clean.
Great Jones [4:27]
The Great Jones Dutch oven has an oval shape and a 6.75-quart capacity, with a matte exterior finish and a gray interior. The gray interior is designed to hide stains while still allowing monitoring of browning. While it performs well in tests, the lid handle, shaped like an upside-down U, is less functional than a traditional knob, and the looped side handles are basic and short.
Made In [5:25]
The Made In 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven is made in France and features large handles and a wide lid knob. It has the largest flat cooking surface among the 5 1/2 and 6qt models tested. It excels in heat and moisture retention and has a cool knob. However, it is the heaviest 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven tested. The smooth lid lacks ridges for resting a spoon, and moisture doesn't redistribute evenly despite self-basting dimples.
Misen [6:30]
The Misen 7qt Dutch oven comes in two versions: one with a standard lid and another with a cast iron grill pan lid and a silicone lid. It has large handles with wide openings. The grill pan lid retains moisture effectively and redistributes it evenly. However, the grill pan lid makes the Dutch oven very heavy, and the grill pan lacks a knob, making it difficult to lift. The grill pan bottom can stain with use.
Caraway [7:29]
The Caraway 6.5qt Dutch oven features a modern design with smooth, rounded handles and a pill-shaped lid knob. It has taller walls, limiting splatter but also reducing the flat cooking surface. The handles, knob, and bottom have a rough texture, providing better grip but potentially scuffing delicate surfaces. It performs poorly in heat and moisture retention, and moisture doesn't redistribute well. The handle openings are small.
Staub [8:36]
The Staub 5 1/2 qt Dutch oven is made in France and is one of the most expensive brands tested. It has smaller handle openings and knob diameter. It excels in heat retention and moisture distribution due to its flat lid and self-basting dimples. However, the lid knob gets very hot. The construction quality and enamel finish are flawless. The flat lid design allows resting a spoon or adding ice to condense steam.
Le Creuset [9:48]
The Le Creuset 5 1/2 quart Signature Dutch oven is the most expensive brand tested and is made in France. It has thinner walls and is lighter than other models. The handles have wide openings, making it easy to handle. The lid has ridges to prevent spoons from slipping, and the knob is easy to grip. It is available with either a steel or plastic knob. It has mixed results in controlled experiments, with poor heat retention but good moisture lock. It offers numerous color options and a two-toned gradient design.
Best and Worst [11:05]
For those without budget constraints, Le Creuset, Staub, and Made In are recommended. Le Creuset is favored for its color options and lightweight design, Staub for its self-basting lid, and Made In for its large knob and wide cooking surface. The Lodge Essential Enamel Dutch oven is recommended for the best value due to its large knob and handles, warranty, and reasonable price. Tramontina and Great Jones are less recommended due to small handles, quality control issues, and lid handle design flaws.
Comparison Chart [12:18]
The video directs viewers to pause and review a comparison chart of key specifications for all nine Dutch ovens to aid in their decision-making process. Affiliate links to all Dutch ovens are provided in the video description.
