topic Re: Dutch ovens in Kitchen

Dutch ovens

Texasmouse — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:22:36 GMT

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Over the past year or so, I've been weighing the pros and cons of getting a dutch oven. I've read that you can do a lot of things in them, like pot roasts, soups, stews, etc. Right now, I use my slow cooker for all those things so I'm wondering if I'd get much use out of a dutch oven. It's just DH and me, although I don't mind making larger quantities and having leftovers.

If you own and use one, what are some of the things that would make it better to use than a slow cooker? TIA!

Re: Dutch ovens

Zhills — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:25:11 GMT

Love a Dutch oven! It does everything a CrockPot can do...and goes in the oven if needed.

Especially good with induction burners!

Re: Dutch ovens

Sooner — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:37:06 GMT

@Texasmouse The only thing I use a crock pot for is to cook chicken breasts in tomato juice, or maybe beans, but otherwise I'm not a fan of crockpots for a lot of things a good Dutch oven does better.

Dutch ovens brown mean then slow cook it in the oven, they make chili and soup, cook beans better, reheat things, make roasts, make one-pot meals like chicken and rice, chicken and dumplings, boil or roast a chicken, bake bread, etc.

I think a 4.5 or 5.5 Le Creuset Dutch oven is a wise investment and a great does-almost-everything pot! I personally would buy from a Le Creuset outlet store (call and chat--tell them what you want and have them check out what you will buy for flaws, lid fit, etc. if it is a second at a fabulous price plus they carry first quality too and some out of stock colors!) or a kitchen store like Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table for quality.

Re: Dutch ovens

Texasmouse — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:37:56 GMT

@Zhills thanks! But, is it BETTER than a crockpot? Because my crockpot won't heat up the whole kitchen and is more economical to run than my oven.

Re: Dutch ovens

nikkisaunt1 — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:39:31 GMT

I make soups, apple sauce, pot roast, chicken in wine, and lots of other things in my Dutch Oven. I can start some things on stove top and then move them to the oven in the same pan. I also have a slow cooker but I think I use that mainly for other type of things -- dips, or other things I might like to cook slowly and then keep warm to serve for a few hours. The Dutch Oven does retain heat for quite a while but I don't use it in the same way.

Re: Dutch ovens

LindaSal — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:51:28 GMT

I own and use both often. My crockpot mostly for roasts, meatballs and my dutch oven usually for soups, stews, chili and things like that. I do like the browning aspect of the dutch oven and that it can be put in the oven if needed. If you do purchase I also recommend a Le Creuset as they are wonderful and easy to clean. I wouldn't go smaller than a 6 quart though. Reason being I like room to stir without an overflow mess and it sounds huge but it really isn't. My crockpot is also a 6 quart

Re: Dutch ovens

Nightowlz — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:55:21 GMT

I have 2 dutch ovens. We use them more than the slow cooker. Using it stovetop does not make your kitchen hot. We use it for soups, chili, jambalaya, gumbo, pot roast etc. You can brown meat in the dutch oven.

Re: Dutch ovens

PA Mom-mom — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:02:55 GMT

@Texasmouse I've got mine in the oven right now doing a Pioneer Woman pulled pork with Dr. Pepper. (I know, strange but good). A Dutch oven is excellent for braising and pot roast- basically, anything you need to start on top of the stove and put in the oven, or things that need low and slow cooking. The flavors become more complex than in your crock pot, because they caramelize in the cast iron. I use mine nearly every week for soups and stews. Get one big enough to cook a hunk of meat, but not too big if you have problems with upper body strength. I reduced my Dutch oven size to a 6 quart for the weight factor. I own a Lodge, but there are many good Dutch ovens out there.

Re: Dutch ovens

chrystaltree — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:07:43 GMT

I don't have a slow cooker. I never saw the point of having one. Roasts, stews, pot meals. I do in my Dutch oven.

Re: Dutch ovens

Kachina624 — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:11:40 GMT

@Texasmouse No well-equipped kitchen should be without a Dutch oven due to its versatility. It is not, however, necessary to spend a small fortune on a big, heavy LeCruset pot. A lighter weight type that comes with sets of pans will do the same thing just fine. Many women pitch the big, heavy pots as they age simply because the pan plus its contents are just too heavy to lift.

Re: Dutch ovens

On It — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:23:15 GMT

Le Cruset and Fiesta Ware Dutch ovens are too heavy for me when they are filled. Does anyone have a lighter weight alternative?

Re: Dutch ovens

CelticCrafter — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:53:37 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Texasmouse No well-equipped kitchen should be without a Dutch oven due to its versatility. It is not, however, necessary to spend a small fortune on a big, heavy LeCruset pot. A lighter weight type that comes with sets of pans will do the same thing just fine. Many women pitch the big, heavy pots as they age simply because the pan plus its contents are just too heavy to lift.

That's how I feel. I don't think the expensive heavy pots make the food taste any better than my $30 supermarket dutch oven.

Re: Dutch ovens

Texasmouse — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:39:20 GMT

@On It I'd like to know this too. Like what types/brands are good lightweight options.

Re: Dutch ovens

Zhills — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:41:44 GMT

@Texasmouse wrote:
@Zhills thanks! But, is it BETTER than a crockpot? Because my crockpot won't heat up the whole kitchen and is more economical to run than my oven.

I seldom use mine in the oven...always on the stovetop!

Re: Dutch ovens

Zhills — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:44:09 GMT

@On It wrote:
Le Cruset and Fiesta Ware Dutch ovens are too heavy for me when they are filled. Does anyone have a lighter weight alternative?

Look for one that is Cast Aluminum! Works great!

Re: Dutch ovens

ECBG — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:47:02 GMT

I don't use a Dutch oven because of the weight when they're full. My empty crock pot is easier to handle.

If I did have a similar need, it would be a stainless roaster with a lid.

Re: Dutch ovens

Laura14 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 00:00:55 GMT

@Texasmouse I just bought one from HSN. I use mine to bake bread.

Re: Dutch ovens

Free2be — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:16:22 GMT

The Instant Pot electric Dutch Oven is the best of both worlds. The pot is also removable for use on stove top or oven. It has a bit of a learning curve with the temp options it offers and there is a Facebook group for questions, ideas, or to follow along and learn. Any slow cook or D.O. recipe will work in it. I've only tried using it twice and over-did the "braise" once, without paying enough attention to the amout of liquid but like I said, a learning curve.. It sears, sautes, braises, slow cooks at precision temps. Good sale prices can be had now and then.

Re: Dutch ovens

cindyNC — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 18:35:59 GMT

I rarely use my Dutch Oven....it's a LeCruset that I got with credit card points. I simply do not like the shape of it. I prefer an shaped oval pan....a braiser?

I have other enameled cast iron pans that I use all the time. I love starting things on the stove and then slow cooking them in the oven. To me it's better than the slow cooker as I can tilt or remove the lid to cook juices/gravies down.

My most recent ebay purchase was

Re: Dutch ovens

Rockycoast — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 18:55:01 GMT

I have 3 dutch ovens. 1 large Le Creuset brand. A campfire cast iron one, and just received a smaller Staub dutch oven for Christmas. As stated by all the posters before me they are very versatile, can use them for many different types of cooking, baking. I'll add one more. I use the large one for canning. Jams, jellies, sauces,etc. Yes, they are a bit heavy. Doesn't bother me. I can still lift them and will continue to do so until I can no longer. Mid 60's now, long way to go.