slow cooker and dutch ovens

Hi! I cook every night. I always use my oven and stove top to cook. I somehow never had a "dutch oven" or a slow cooker. Friends said I was nuts and need to get one. I don't really feel comfortable leaving the house with a cooker on. If that's the case, do you have a recommendation? If I had to choose between the 2 I would say the slow cooker hands down b/c it doesn't take up oven space. I am a little confused with a dutch oven. How is it any different from me cooking in a regular stainless steel pot on my stove and then putting that pot in the oven to slowly cook? I have to say I have never done this and I know a dutch oven is traditionally heavy ceramic or cast iron but is there any difference? What do you use it for? I cook many things that I do realize i could use a slow cooker for- such as chili, soups, etc. Sorry for the ramble and thank you!

Re: slow cooker and dutch ovens

I can't comment on a dutch oven, but we recently got a slow cooker and I love it. Mostly for the increased variety. I use it every week while I'm working from home - otherwise, I'm out of the house too many hours. Most recipes I've done call for a max of 6 hours of cooking. The keep warm feature is good for a short time, but then I think the food dries out. If I'm not working from home, I'm out for a minimum of 11 hours so it doesn't work for my schedule. That being said, when I do work from home, I still have to leave the house to pick up my children from day care or run a quick errand and I don't worry about the food cooking. I recommend it!

slow cooker and dutch ovens

I made a double batch of chili last week for a party. One in my enameled cast iron dutch oven and one in a stainless stock pot. I was amazed by the visible difference in color. I guess bc of how much heat the cat iron holds throughout it makes a difference. I also live my slow cooker and use it while I'm out all the time.

Re: slow cooker and dutch ovens

I have both, but prefer the dutch oven.
I don't like leaving the crock pot on when I'm not home, and during work days, I'm out of the house too long.

What I like about the dutch oven is that I can brown the meat and veggies, get that gorgeous fond at the bottom of the pot that gives so much flavor and color from the caramelization. Then the whole thing can either sit on top of the stove or go into the oven.
I have my mom's dutch ovens, 2 different oval sizes of enamel over steel.

Dutch ovens tend to have heavier lids that sit tighter on the pot. Helps keep the heat (and flavors) inside better.

slow cooker and dutch ovens

I have both. I have a fancy slow cooker from williams sonoma that we got for our wedding where the insert can go on the stove, so you can brown meat etc in there and not have to dirty another pan. The first few times I used it I made sure that someone was home while it was on. Now I don't care, since it's been tested. Slow cookers are also nice because if you are having a party you can make chili or whatever and keep it in there on the "warm" setting, or if you are hosting a holiday you can make something that cooks in there, which will free up oven space.

Dutch ovens are nice, but can be pretty heavy (esp when filled). But they are great for cooking in the oven.

Re: slow cooker and dutch ovens

I love my Dutch oven and my slow cooker

Slow cooker I use a lot during the fall and winter. Everything from meatballs to pot roasts and pulled pork. I've recently learned you can make mashed potatoes fairly easy in there. I still have to try it.

The Dutch oven I use to braise meat. I've made chicken dishes in there. Started on the stovetop, moved to the oven. My Sunday sauce comes out the best in the Dutch oven. It heats everything so evenly.

I also like making rice pudding in my Dutch oven and well as Rice Krispie treats Bc the enamel is so easy to clean

My kitchen wouldn't function without either one.

I want to get enamel cast iron (like the Dutch oven) cookware (frying pans, sauce pans) because I love the even heat and great quality. But I'm too cheap lol

Message edited 12/2/2016 10:14:27 PM.

Re: slow cooker and dutch ovens

Just bought this yesterday

http://www.williamsfoodequipment.com/staub-12l-black-oval-dutch-oven-cocotte-40509-509?

Re: slow cooker and dutch ovens

I have a dutch oven, slow cooker, and now a pressure cooker...I love each of them...I use my dutch oven on weekends when I make big meals that cook for hours in the oven...I use my slow cooker when I want to have dinner ready on weeknights...I love the pressure cooker now for cooking meals that would take forever in much less time! I really could live without them, but they make my life easier.