dutch oven - yay or nay

I am reading a new recipe that involves use of a dutch oven. Of course I realize that I can make this recipe by just cooking something on the stovetop and then transferring it to an oven-proof baking dish.

but im curious. do you have a dutch oven? do you use it often? if so, can you recommend a brand?

i am wondering if it's worth looking into and buying...

tia!

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

Yes, I have two, medium and large.

I have Staub Dutch (1 high end, one budget) ovens. I use them at least once a week. Love them!

ETA: I have a Le Creuset cast iron skillet and I don't love it as much as my Staub. I also heard that Lodge makes a really nice Dutch oven too.

Message edited 3/6/2013 10:05:38 AM.

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

I have 2 Le Crueset Dutch ovens. 1 is a round one (I think it's like 5.5 quarts) and the other is oval. I registered for them when I got married and am so glad I did.

I LOVE them! Especially my round one. Use it all the time - I make soups, sauces, stews. The oval one is great for things that need to braise in the oven awhile -- pot roast, etc.

They heat up so quickly and evenly, and clean up really well. The well-made Dutch ovens have really heavy lids that fit well on the pot... really helps with the cooking process. I think the Le Crueset ones are so expensive because apparently each lid is hand crafted for each pot!!! But I've also heard/read good things about the Staub and Lodge brands, and I know a lot of Food Network personalities have their own lines of them (Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay)...see them at Kohl's and those places.

If you want a high-end one, I see brands like Staub and Le Crueset for less at places like Home Goods and TJ Maxx. Also, Le Crueset has an outlet at Tanger's in Riverhead.

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

I have a 5.5qt Le Creuset dutch oven. I only got it two years ago and I use it for lots of stuff. It heats up nice and evenly and it cleans up great too. If you have a regular gas oven with the burners on top, you don't need to spend a lot on a nice dutch oven. Macy's and Kohl's sell nice ones that aren't Staub or Le Creuset. I needed to have the enameled cast iron since I have an electric flat top stove, so I chose to spend the money and get the nicer dutch oven. It was soooo worth it!

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

yay. I got a 6.5 qt lodge dutch oven for Christmas and I use it a lot. The only down side is it's heavy which makes it a pain in the butt to clean.

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

YES! OMG love my LeCreuset. Agreed, it's very heavy but cooks beautifully.

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

I have 2 that belonged to my mom, don't know the brand.
I use them alot, especially since I don't have a slow cooker. They are great for stsrting something on top of the stove then finishing in the oven.

Re: dutch oven - yay or nay

I bought one from Kohls, FoodNetwork brand. It was an amazing deal, with a rebate, & discount codes, & Kohls cash...I think the actual thing cost me like $10.

I've already used it a few times & loved it. (made jambalaya, & chili)